How does acupuncture treat infertility?

Acupuncture has a long history of treating infertility. It has been used to regulate hormone, promote healing and treat conditions that impact people's fertility. Certain acupuncture meridians influence the internal organs, some control the reproductive organs, others affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis, which is responsible for ovulation. They all need to be balanced for optimum fertility function.

 

For example, hormone unbalance is one of the reasons that cause infertility. The hormonal problems are due to slight imbalances in the delicate endocrine system, which may alter a pathway by which the body produces hormones. A slight aberration can throw the entire system off so it no longer functions smoothly. Research has shown that acupuncture influences these hormonal pathways, and assists people’s own internal energies to restore endocrine harmony.

 

Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment. Depending on patient's condition, a selection of points will be utilized. In a given treatment, approximately 6 to 20 needles will be inserted and retained for about 20-30 minutes. Most patients feel a sense of deep relaxation after treatment. Some patients can feel energized, relief of pain and other symptoms immediately after the treatment. At our clinic, we offer 3 types of acupunctures, body acupuncture, electric acupuncture and auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture).

 

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How does herbal medicine enhance the fertility potential?

Certain herbs contain natural energetic substances whose essence gently corrects underlying deficiencies or removes obstructions. Upon a thorough diagnosis, we will analyze your body's individual disharmonies and develop a prescription designed precisely to correct your imbalances.

 

These herbal formulas will be created based upon your past medical history, your present symptoms, and your basal body temperature chart results. It is therefore common to have variations in herbal prescriptions from patient to patient. We will individualize each herbal formula, providing different herbs for various segments of your cycle. Some women may need to switch herbal preparations two to four times throughout the month to enhance the effect.

 

Over the counter herbal remedies are not as effective, because they are aimed at a general population. The key to effective treatment is that each individual's particular needs be addressed. We tailor each herbal remedy to meet your body's reproductive requirements.

 

The herbal formula prescribed for you will be multi-functional. They will not only correct your particular imbalances, directly targeting at improving reproductive function - depending on your individual diagnosis, but also strengthen your entire system and improve general health.

 

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How does Traditional Chinese Medicine work with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)?

Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used solely or in conjunction with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and fertility drugs. Most patients in Asia use TCM as their primary treatment. In the western clinical setting, it is not uncommon to see patients use TCM in conjunction with fertility drugs and ART.

 

The following are some of the preliminary results from our practice. We have found increased follicular development with some patients in an ART cycle with combination of TCM and fertility drugs, especially in ones who were labeled as “poor responders”. This can be seen in either an increased production of eggs or increased fertilization rate in IVF. Patients who have thin endometrial lining during the usage of Clomiohene Citrate in an IUI cycle have found TCM helpful in achieving the ideal lining condition. Most women with irregular menstruation or dysmenorrheal have found TCM to be very helpful in managing symptoms as well as regulating the menstrual cycle. In the area of recurrent pregnancy loss, some patients were able to conceive again and were able to carry to term. In male sub-fertility conditions, we have found some cases of improved semen analysis with the use of TCM for more than three months. Additional improvements can be seen in increased vitality and libido.

 

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What is our working procedure for infertility treatments?

Our unique approach in infertility treatment is based in the appreciation that each patient is an intelligent individual whose state of well being is directly affected by his or her lifestyle which includes diet, habits, emotions, attitude and environment. Thus, each person's health needs will differ from that of another. We always personalize treatment plan to meet each patient’s needs.

 

The process usually begins with an initial evaluation. Treatments will be provided on the same visit after the evaluation. Objectives and goals are set in the first visit. Depending on the cause and the severity of the conditions, treatment course may consist of acupuncture treatment and herbal therapy once a week for three months or more. If necessary, patients are also referred to an infertility specialist for all the necessary workup to establish diagnosis as well as creating a team effort for possible ART process.

 

For the patients who take the ART (IUI or IVF) process, we can provide special acupuncture programs of various lengths to maximize the chance of conception. In certain circumstances, herbal medicine is also provided for further support.

 

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What you should know about the infertility treatment using Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture?

First, you need to be patient. It takes at least three cycles to normalize a woman's cycle, longer if she has taken fertility drugs, has a history of sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or other complications. Likewise, it takes 70 days to generate new sperm in a man. If he has a history of drug and alcohol abuse or urological complications, it may take longer to regenerate his reproductive capacity.

 

For the patients who decide to take ART process, the acupuncture/herbal treatment plan should be discussed before taking the process. Depending on the patient's condition, a one-week, a one-month, or an up-to 3-month program will be selected.

 

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How to maximize your chance of conception?

Here are some useful tips for women who are seeking help with pregnancy.

 

Use the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) chart to capture the timing of your ovulation. Begin recording your temperature with a digital thermometer every morning upon awakening (before rising.) A typical graph will show a slight drop in temperature just prior to ovulation followed by a rise between 0.3 and 1.0 degree Fahrenheit, a result of rising progesterone after ovulation. Progesterone (and temperature) should remain elevated approximately 14 days and then drop, signaling the onset of menses. If conception occurs your temperature should remain elevated and even jump to a third level on the graph.

If your body is not showing a "normal" temperature curve, the right herbal formula can correct this. After one month of monitoring, we can review your chart and modify your herbal preparation to reflect any needed changes.

 

Note changes in vaginal mucus during the month - it should be wet and slippery like egg whites around ovulation. Note these changes on your BBT chart.

 

It is important to know that a healthy diet plays a big role in fertility success. The more you can eliminate nicotine, caffeine, drugs and alcohol, the higher your chances of pregnancy success. Try to eat soy products and supplements containing natural phytoestrogens. Exercise moderately and use deep breathing techniques.

 

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