Fertility Treatments

Chinese Medicine taps into the body’s innate system of healing to help it self-correct and improve the function and health of the reproductive organs as well as the entire body.

Numerous research has shown that acupuncture will improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, normalize the HPO axis, regulate the menstrual cycle, promote ovulation and prevent miscarriage.

Commonly Treated Infertility Issues in both Women & Men

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Poor Egg Quality

Poor egg quality is caused by diminished ovarian reserve and is one of the most common causes of infertility, especially in women over 35. Egg quality is important because it determines embryo quality. If your FSH number is low, your IVF doctor might tell you that you have poor egg quality. This is not irreversible. Studies have shown that acupuncture paired with a specific vitamin supplement regimen can improve your FSH number and your egg quality.

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Low Egg Count

As a woman, when you are born, you have a predetermined amount of eggs called your “egg reserve”. This is the total number of eggs that your body will release during menstration. When you are in your younger “child bearing years” your body will release a larger number of eggs. As you get older, you body will release less. Acupuncture cannot help you release more eggs, but can improve the quality of the eggs that you release. So if your AMH number is low, don’t worry, that does not mean you will never get pregnant.

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Sperm Motility

Sometimes, the reason that couples struggle to get pregnant is because the man has poor sperm motility. That can be caused by many things, both out of and in the control of the man. Acupuncture treatments will increase the blood flow to key areas of the male body to help increase sperm mobility and your chances of getting pregnant naturally.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The name polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, describes the numerous small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries from an abnormal amount of androgens. Not only can this condition be painful for women, it can also impact their ability to get pregnant naturally. IVF is one of the most common treatments for women with PCOS who wish to have children. When acupuncturists team up with Fertility Doctors, the percentage of success increases exponentially.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue, similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus the endometrium, grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. This can drastically impact your ability to get pregnant, both naturally and via IVF. I have treated many patients with Endometriosis to successful pregnancies naturally and with the help of IVF.

Embryo Implantation

Going through the IVF process is stressful and an emotional rollercoaster. Once you have an embryo or several embryos, that is no guarantee that your treatments will result in a successful pregnancy. Through the use of acupuncture, we can increase blood flow, creating healthy cells, to help with the implantation of your embryos.

Reference List

    1.  Stener-Victorin E, Waldenstrom U, Andersson SA, Wikland M. Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Hum Reprod. Jun 1996;11(6):1314-1317.
    2.  Yu W, Horn B, Acacio B, Ni D, Quintero R, Nouriani M. A Pilot Study Evaluating the Combination of Acupuncture with Sildenafil on Endometrial Thickness. Fertility and sterility. 2007;87(4):S23.
    3.  Stener-Victorin E, Humaidan P. Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer. Acupunct Med. Dec 2006;24(4):157-163. Sample referral letter ©2014 Lee Hullender Rubin, DAOM, LAc, FABORM 2
    4.  Jedel E, Labrie F, Oden A, et al. Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. Jan 2011;300(1):E37-45.
    5.  Johansson J, Redman L, Veldhuis PP, et al. Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2013-05-01 16:00:40 2013;304(9):E934- E943.
    6.  Johansson J, Stener-Victorin E. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effect and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2013;2013:762615.
    7.  Stener-Victorin E, Jedel E, Manneras L. Acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: current experimental and clinical evidence. Journal of neuroendocrinology. Mar 2008;20(3):290-298.
    8.  Magarelli P, Cridennda D, Cohen M. Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment. Fertility & Sterility. Dec 2009;92(6):1870- 1879.