Infertility is something that strikes at the very core of any couple, and can affect as many as 1 in 6. Modern western medicine, though wondrous in its possibilities, can sometimes fall short in both its ability to explain the problem and effectively treat it. The medical options for men and women often involve an unpleasant regiment of bloodwork, ultrasounds and injected medications. Scientific research in both China and the US has shown that Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine increase success rates for women in almost every category of infertility whether trying on their own or using forms of assisted reproduction such as stimulating hormones, IUI, or IVF.

My goal is to allow patients to conceive naturally. By strengthening the patient’s health, it allows the inborn ability of conception to take place. A healthy more balanced body will conceive more naturally. Many women feel a sense that their “biological clock” is running out, it stands to reason that pregnancy is more likely to occur in a “healthy” 40 year old versus an “unhealthy” 40 year old.

It will take more than three months to improve the quality of oocytes. Acupuncture and Herbal therapy can improve the oocytes by bathing them in a soup of nourishing blood and Qi.

This doesn’t mean lost time; it means giving your body a head start. If you do not conceive naturally and decide to use ART, IVF or IUI;you can rest assured that the time spent on improving your health will give you the best possible outcome and that is a Take Home Baby (THB).

How Traditional Chinese Medicine can Enhance Fertility

• Regulates menstrual cycles
• Regulate hormones by reducing stress
• Improves ovarian function; encourages production of follicles; enhances their quality
• Improves blood flow to ovaries and uterus
• Reduces miscarriages
• Enhances immune system
• Lessens uterine contractions after embryo transfer
• Improves thickness of uterine wall lining
• Lessens side effects of medications
• Improves sperm parameters (takes 3 mos.)
• Improves quality of oocytes (takes 3 mos.)

TCM & Herbs

• Blood and Yin Tonics
  • Stimulate estrogen production
  • Increases hemoglobin production, lowers FSH
  • Improves motility of sperm (bathes in fluid so sperm can move more easily)
• Yang tonics
  • Stimulates production of sperm
  • Regulates thyroid hormone
  • Improves sperm motility and count

Two major studies were done which demonstrated increased pregnancy rates combining Acupuncture with ART/IVF

Stener-Victorin et al Protocol Eight treatments before retrieval Treat the patient twice a week for four weeks up to retrieval Point Locations (all points are needled bilaterally) UB 23 (black clip) to UB 28 (red clip) (one lead) SP 6 (red clip) to UB 57(black clip) (one lead) Electro-stimulation set from 0 – 100 Hz for 30 minutes TDP lamp on the low back is optional for the patient Needles 36 g 1-1 ½ inch needles

Paulus et al. Protocol Treat 12-24 hours before embryo transfer Treat within 1 hour after embryo transfer Pre transfer points Du 20, PC 6, ST 29, SP 8, LIV 3 Ear points Rt. Shen, brain Lt. Uterus,endocrine Place press tacks in each ear using the same points and ask patient to stimulate them during transfer. Post transfer points LI 4, SP 10, ST 36, SP 6 Ear Points Rt.uterus, endocrine Lt. Shen brain Place press tacks in same pattern instruct patient to remove in 3 days. Needles 32 g 1 ½ inch needles Stimulate to obtain deqi (Qi) Re-stimulate after 10 minutes, leave another 15 minutes Total Retention 25 minutes.