Fertility Enhancement with Traditional Oriental Medicine

When it comes to the treatment of infertility, acupuncture and Chinese herbology have been scientifically proven to influence the body's nervous system and hormonal system. Many modern researchers have confirmed its benefit in the following areas:

Regulation of the menstrual cycle
Invigoration of sperm
Enhancement of sperm count and motility
Enhancement of general health
Reduction of stress and anxiety
Enhancement of sleep and energy levels
Balancing of the endocrine system
Improvement of blood flow to the pelvic cavity
Increasing the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Women who have infertility due to hormonal problems, immune disorders, amenorrhoea, irregular menstruation, stress and age related factors are all great candidates for acupuncture treatment.

When is Acupuncture NOT the appropriate therapy for infertility?
Acupuncture can be helpful in most any situation, but when it comes to structural obstacles, such as fallopian tube damage and severe endometriosis, the root problem needs to be addressed first before fertility enhancement treatments can ensue. Therefore, a complete medical evaluation by a reproductive endocrinologist is recommended before acupuncture treatment ensues.

Choosing the right practitioner…
A growing number of Traditional Oriental Medicine (OM) practitioners specialize in the treatment of infertile couples. When choosing an OM fertility specialist, be sure:

that they are NCCAOM certified
that they have an in-depth knowledge of female physiology and pathology as well as pregnancy
that they are educated in modern western treatments and will assist you through the fertility process.
to ask friends or family members for a referral

Whether you choose to use natural medicine alone or in conjunction with assisted reproductive techniques the right practitioner can help you. Make sure you feel comfortable working with the practitioner you choose as this is your process and you should trust who you are working with.

What to expect?
Fertility treatments may vary from practitioner to practitioner, but on the average, an acupuncturist will see you once a week for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (approximately twelve weeks).

Your treatments will begin with a comprehensive health history intake in which you will discuss details of your menstrual cycle, medical history, lifestyle, nutrition and exercise habits.

In conjunction with acupuncture, individually tailored herbal formulas will be prescribed. Very often practitioners will ask clients to follow a fertility enhancing diet, monitor their own Basal Body Temperatures, and will make individual lifestyle recommendations depending on your presentation.

It is usually recommended that patients give the treatment six months before evaluating results.