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FERTILITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
Background
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have provided natural treatment for infertility related to hormonal and physiological imbalances for thousands of years. Acupuncture stimulates the hypothalamus in the brain to release endorphins, epinephrine, corticoids and substance P to promote body endurance and blood circulation. Acupuncture has also been shown to enhance hormone production, regulate menstrual cycles, promote follicle maturation, protect the embryo, reduce stress, and strengthen the immune system.
In addition, acupuncture works in tandem with traditional (Western) treatment. Studies, for example, show that acupuncture treatment before and after In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures improves the pregnancy success rate. The rate moves even higher if the patient combines Chinese Herbal Medicine treatment with the IVF procedures. Recently, Western science has accepted acupuncture as a valid treatment. Significantly, Cornell University's Weill Medical College found “there is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its uses into conventional medicine and treatment of female infertility.”
Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on each patient's condition. For women, it is individually designed to regulate hormones, enhance ovarian functions, nourish the uterus and increase needed mucus secretion. Classic herbal formulas geared toward male patients improve sperm maturation and increase sperm mortality and morphology.
Whether patients opt for conventional medical treatment or not, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine provide a natural and safe option for any fertility enhancement program.
Acupuncture Aids in Fertility
Desperate would-be parents have a safe, natural way to combat infertility – acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbs. These treatments have been used in China – the world’s most populated country – for thousands of years, but are only just now receiving attention from Western medicine. Cornell University’s Weill Medical College, for example, recently found that “there is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its uses into conventional medicine and treatment of female infertility.” More important, these ancient methods of treatment are gentler on the body and do not require costly surgery or drugs with often debilitating side effects.
Acupuncture treatment has been found to stimulate the brain to release various substances that promote endurance and improve blood circulation. In addition, it enhances hormone regulation, regulates menstrual cycles, promotes follicle maturation, protects the embryo, reduces tress, and strengthens the immune system – all of which, in turn, improve the chances of conceiving a child.
Acupuncture and Chinese herb treatments are based on each individual patient’s condition – in other words, not everyone’s infertility has the same causes. Thus, the treatment can get to causes faster than cookie cutter approaches. Even better, these traditional methods can work alongside Western medicine as well as on their own merits.
Patients who have tried lots of other ways to conceive and failed have found success with acupuncture. For example, the Birmingham (Eng.) Post documented the story of Ian and Vicky Walsh, a young British couple who wanted to have a child. Vicky got traditional western treatment while her husband used acupuncture and changes in diet to raise his sperm count from 0.4 million to 65 million. The western treatment failed, but the acupuncture – and, the couple believe, praying at a famous shrine in Cuba – led to the natural birth of their first son George Ian Walsh.
The treatments include eating food that improves the areas found to be deficient in the body’s condition, which is as natural a treatment as one can find. Acupuncture and Chinese traditional herbs, in other words, are part of a holistic approach to the treatment of disease. Dis-ease, in other words, is an out of whack bodily condition caused by certain behaviors or conditions that exist in the patient’s lifestyle. Sometimes subtle changes result in large changes. One of the simplest and most obvious is reducing stress. Ironically, trying to conceive and being unable to can lead to increased levels of stress.
Audrey Douglas of Albany, New York believes acupuncture in part for her being able to bear children after three miscarriages in a recent story in the Albany Times Union.
"All I know is that my body felt so much healthier," said Douglas, who gave birth in April to twin boys, Owen and Ryan, told the Times Union. "All of my systems seemed to be working better. Acupuncture at the very least helps you to relax, and that was something I needed."
The only downside, Douglas said, is the cost and the time for the treatments, which she viewed as no downside at all. Insurance companies do not cover acupuncture in all states, however. California is one of the exceptions.
Dr. Cathryn Hu believes that an integrative approach which merges the best of eastern with western medical techniques obtains the best results. She periodically lectures on how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine aid in fertility at both her Arcadi and Santa Monica offices. Call for more information and a schedule. Other lectures in the series will focus on male factor improvement, hormonal imbalance, fertility complications, stress management, embryo protection, dietary supplements, integrative IVF, maternity support and strengthening the immune system.
References
Brady, Emma. “Miracle of a little red monster.” Birmingham Post. June 29, 2006. P.5.
Davis, Robert J. “Acupuncture and Fertility.” Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), New
York: Sept 7, 2004. P. D.5.
Earls, Stephanie. “Hopes pinned on alternative path to fertility. Albany Times Union.
Albany, NY. Aug. 1, 2006. P. D1.
Initial Evaluation
We consult with couples to analyze the causes of the infertility, review your medical records, and recommend individual treatment plans aimed at improving both male and female factors. Here are some of the things we look at:
Hormonal Balance
High FSH levels and irregular hormone levels tend to prevent pregnancy. The treatment protocols are specifically designed to regulate the functions of our hormone system, therefore influencing some gene expression in the brain. This enhances ovarian function and egg maturation.
Integrative IVF Procedures
We work with your Western medicine physician and the treatment you are receiving. We know that Acupuncture before and after IVF procedures reduces the uterine contractions that typically occur with embryo transfer and that may inhibit implantation.
Protection of the Embryo
Acupuncture increases the blood flow that nourishes the reproductive organs and improves the lining of the uterus. This, in turn, improves implantation and reduces some of the risk of miscarriage.
Male Factors
Acupuncture can affect sperm production and quality without causing any changes in behavior and sexual desire, unlike most other treatments. Studies shown acupuncture can significantly increase the quantity of normal sperm and reduce the number of structural defects.
Stress Relief
Acupuncture helps manage the stress that promotes infertility. Acupuncture stimulates the release of serotonin that works to resolve depression and relieve stress during the ART treatment.
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