INFERTILITY

Common Definitions of “Infertility”:

1) Infertility is the diminished ability or the inability to conceive and have offspring.
2) Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after one year of trying.
3) Women who are able to get pregnant but have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile.
4) Infertility is also defined in specific terms as “the failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception.”

Causes

Infertility can be due to many causes. Studies have shown that a little more than half the cases of infertility are a result of female conditions. The remainder is caused by sperm disorders and other factors.

Acupuncture and Infertility

Acupuncture works very well for infertility in both men and women. Acupuncture treats infertility by working to restore the body’s natural ability to reproduce, so results are more natural and come with fewer side effects than conventional infertility treatments.

Our Clinic

Whether you are just beginning treatment, or have had previous unsuccessful experiences with IVF, ICSI, Blastocyst Transfers, Pre-implanation, Donor Eggs, or Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), we are confident that we can help you realize your dreams of having a baby.

Causes and Symptoms in Oriental Medicine

• Weak Kidney Energy Levels: In oriental medicine, the Kidney is the main root of our Qi (chi) and also regulates reproduction.

Symptoms: Irregular or weak menstruation cycles, color fading, dizziness, back pain, and tiredness of eyes.

• Liver Qi-Lumps: The liver is important because blood is stored in the liver and transferred with a woman’s Liver Qi. A woman’s Liver Qi dictates her mental and physical mood.

Symptoms: Irregular or weak menstruation cycles, the need to take frequent deep-breaths, and pain in the side ribs.

• Bladder Dampness: Our Spleen Qi is weakened by cold food, and contact with coldness. A break in water metabolism also creates dampness. When the blood in our bodies and this dampness join, it blocks the meridian of the uterus.

Symptoms: Irregular or no menstruation cycles, drastic weight fluctuations, pale face, fullness of chest, and a weak appetite.

• Heat Dampness: Heat and dampness combine to block the meridian of the uterus.

Symptoms: The duration of the menstruation cycle is extended and often accompanied by pain in the lower abdominal area, low back, waist and pelvis.

• Blood Lumps: Blood lumps create difficulty in Qi and blood circulation and may cause one to be very sensitive or stressed easily.

Symptoms: Weak, continuous menstruation cycle with severe menstrual pain.

• Insufficient Blood: Some are naturally born with insufficient Qi and blood and thus, cannot provide enough blood to the uterus.

Symptoms: Delayed menstruation with bright colored blood or weak cycles, skinny yellow-toned faces, and often accompanied by heart palpitations.

Other Symptoms

• Irregular menstruation
• Unusually cold hands and feet
• Menstrual pain that lasts over 72 hours
• Extreme weight—either underweight or overweight
• Excess hair
• Menstruation can stop completely or be significantly reduced post-child birth
• Tubercle (growth found on bone or skin), inflammation of the pelvis, parotitis (inflammation of parotid gland)

Diagnosis

• A traditional tongue and pulse check-up; a meridian pathway energy check-up; and a body analyzer check-up which includes height, weight, body fat, water density, metabolism and internal medicine test.

Treatment

• Herbs

Reduces and eliminates blood to tonify the functions of the reproductive system.

We provide custom herbal formulas to correct the menstrual cycle, balance hormones and maximize fertility. There are generally 2 – 3 formulas given throughout the cycle to balance the follicular and luteal phases.

As with any medicine, the herbs prescribed vary with each patient and can occasionally be changed according to the progress made.

• Ear Acupuncture

The ear is the reaction point of the thalamus and pituitary glands, and can improve fertility with continuous stimulation.

• Acupuncture

Specifically targets points that aid the body and reproductive organs function.

• Moxa

Reduces or removes coldness from the uterus and ovaries.

Treatment Period

If using acupuncture and herbs alone, it can take 3 – 6 months to normalize the menstrual cycle and ovulation. If you are undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, it is ideal to begin acupuncture immediately.

Our Success

Despite the common misconception that women over the age of 40 cannot become pregnant, there is in fact a high chance to become pregnant after 40. Below are the experiences of two recent patients:

• G.P. is a therapist over the age of 40. Before she came to our office, she went to several fertility clinics with no success and was simply told that a woman of her age would have difficulty becoming pregnant. She refused to give up and finally consulted with us. After 16 treatments in our clinic, she became pregnant and was thrilled.

• Lisa D. wrote us the letter below:

“I credit your acupuncture techniques with improvement of my egg quality that has led to my recent pregnancy. I am now 12 weeks pregnant after over 2 years of trying. I believe that if I had come to you and stuck with you earlier, I would have been pregnant earlier but all things work together for the good.

"Before coming to you, I tried two other acupuncturists for about 10 months and nothing happened—not even a chemical pregnancy. I had 1 previous failed IVF attempt and 2 failed IUI attempts plus numerous other failures. After 4 months of acupuncture with both stomach and back treaments once a week, I became pregnant with my second IVF.

"It was not only your skills as an acupuncturist that I appreciate, but I found you to always be very encouraging, though others would discourage me given my age of 41 with their low percentages, you always said that I will get pregnant. You were confident so I was confident.

"You are a fantastic acupuncturist. I know that God led me to you to help me. Thank you again and I pray that God will bless you and your business.”

Sincerely, Lisa D.

READ ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS FOR OTHER CONDITIONS

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