Fertility
and Pregnancy
From
the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, fertility
is viewed as an extension of a well functioning organism.
Inability to conceive is a sign that one or several body
systems are not performing optimally, resulting in infertility.
When imbalances are corrected with acupuncture and herbal
treatment, health and fertility naturally improves.
Erin’s focus is on gently re-establishing body functions
in order to facilitate conception, a healthy pregnancy,
and successful delivery. The treatment is centered around
correcting the underlying problems and achieving the best
conceivable health, including sleeping well, eating well,
eliminating well, and menstruating well. The preferred
approach is to strengthen the patient's underlying deficiencies
and improve her overall well-being before she attempts
pregnancy. This is to ensure the best environment for
the growing fetus, as well as to keep the woman strong
and healthy during and after the pregnancy.
Traditional
Chinese Medicine can play an important role in preparing
a well functioning body with sufficient resources to carry
another life to term. When following an individually tailored
treatment plan consisting of acupuncture, herbs, exercise
and diet, many patients become pregnant naturally. However,
in some cases, Assisted Reproductive Therapies (ART) like
IUI and IVF should be considered and in these instances,
a complementary treatment plan will be discussed with
the patient.
Studies
have shown that acupuncture significantly increases the
success rate of ART treatments. In addition, while infertility
techniques such as IVF can yield great quantities of eggs
per cycle and thereby increase the chances of conception,
the focus of Traditional Chinese Medicine is always on
quality - both of the eggs and the health of the woman
undergoing treatment. Not only does acupuncture increase
the likelihood of conceptual success, but it also reduces
the side effects and discomfort often associated with
artificial hormone manipulation.
Current
research and time-tested experience shows that Traditional
Chinese Medicine is able to:
* Regulate the menstrual cycle and hormonal functions
* Decrease elevated levels of FSH and normalize ovulation
* Stimulate blood circulation and increase the endometrial
lining
* Control vaginal PH levels, eliminate yeast, and improve
cervical fluid
* Reduce stress and increase libido
* Strenghten the immune system and restore reproductive
health
* Treat endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes
* Improve sperm quality, motility, and volume
Ready to Conceive
Your
acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments will start
working right away to get your body back to its optimum
balance and ready for conception. Typical changes you
may sense quickly include: reduction in the stresses that
interfere with ovulation, regulation of menses, and a
general feeling of good health. More subtle changes may
eventually include a normalization of the hormones that
regulate ovulation and allow an egg to be released, an
increase in uterine blood flow improving chances of a
fertilized egg implanting, or an improvement in ovulation
cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, to name
a few. All together, TCM will work to get your body in
a healthier and more balanced state, which will better
lend itself to conception.
Male
Factor Infertility. It takes two . . .
Can acupuncture help male factor infertility?
Absolutely!
Chinese
medicine theory applies equally for male factor infertility.
A man’s low sperm count, poor motility, morphology,
or sexual dysfunction can all be linked to the body’s
imbalances and treated with great success.
Even
if your male partner has not had a Western diagnosis of
fertility-related problems, TCM treatments which contribute
to his good health will produce a more complete system
of readiness for conception.
Modern
Western Diagnoses Treated with TCM:
Advanced
Maternal Age
Amenorrhea
Anovulation
Elevated FSH Levels
Endometriosis
Hormonal Imbalances
Immunologic Infertility
Luteal Phase Defect
Male Factor Infertility
Ovarian cysts, Polycystic Ovaries
Recurrent Miscarriage
Tubal Blockage
Unexplained Infertility
Uterine Fibroids
How many treatments will I need?
Typically 3-6 months, 1-2 weekly visits. However, treatment
terms inevitably vary patient to patient.
Is it OK to do IVF at the same time?
Yes it is. If you haven't started IVF yet, however, it
is recommended you begin your TCM treatment first.
Advantages
to Fertility treatment by TCM:
Safe
Cost-effective
Non-surgical / Non-invasive
Chemical free
esprucha@gmail.com
www.acupuncturesantarosa.org
707-888-4940
707-888-4940
