South Shore Acupuncture & Wellness

For a couple hoping to start a family, receiving a diagnosis of infertility can be devastating. Many people turn to In-Vitro Fertilization and other Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which can be costly, unpleasant, invasive, and have low success rates. Sometimes, for couples who have gone through the physically and emotionally harrowing experience of failed attempts, the idea of another let-down is entirely too much, and they give up. But there are many types of treatments available to couples to assist them in their journey to parenthood Acupuncture and TCM can provide hope for couples who want a child. In a growing trend, many couples are turning to acupuncture and TCM for fertility enhancement.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, it is often said that there is no such thing as “infertility.” That is because TCM is based on the theory of balance. One's inability to conceive is considered an imbalance that needs to be rectified, not a matter-of-fact condition of infertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine treats infertility without use of drugs or surgery that is often a part of current ART procedures. The use of acupuncture and specially formulated herbal remedies has a high success rate treating infertility in both women and men. Acupuncture and TCM is a safe, natural and low-cost is approach to infertility. Treatments are also pleasant and relaxing. Couples may choose to use acupuncture and TCM only, or as an enhancement along with modern fertility treatments and Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

Acupuncture for the treatment of infertility does not aim at creating conception; rather it aims at creating a healthy person. Conception and pregnancy then become a natural event, the way it should be. Most patients are aware of the "window of opportunity" and think they are running out of time. In reality, a successful conception and pregnancy relate more to a woman's state of health than to a woman's age. A woman who is 40 years old, who gains her health back through acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations stands a better chance of conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy than a 40 year old woman who is in poor health.

It is very common for couples today to feel like "it is getting too late; we must employ severe measures." While it's true that the average couple waits until later in life to conceive, acupuncture and TCM may help "turn back the reproductive clock." It is important to try to be patient with the process and with your body. It usually takes at least three cycles to normalize a woman's cycle; longer if she has taken fertility drugs, has a history of sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or polycystic ovaries. Likewise, it takes 70 days to generate new sperm in a man.

Acupuncture and TCM can greatly enhance fertility. The amount of treatment time needed will from person to person, and is dependent on many factors, including general state of health, frequency of treatment, cause of infertility, age and adherence to diet and lifestyle recommendations. Within a short period of time, most people begin to notice overall changes in their health and well-being, including more energy, better sleep, less stressed and anxious, and regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Acupuncture and herbal therapies are gentle, yet effective. Conventional Western medicine offers a bigger bang, but this is like putting a thumbtack in the wall with a sledgehammer. Many women do not need fertility drugs and medically assisted reproductive techniques, yet they go through months of physical and emotional agony, not to mention the financial burden. Acupuncture and TCM will put the tack in the wall with a thumb. It is safe, natural, cost effective, and has no side effects. In fact, acupuncture and TCM can only make you stronger, while helping create a healthier environment for a harmonious pregnancy. Acupuncture and TCM will also increase the likelihood of conception if you do opt for the fertility drugs or medically assisted fertilization techniques.

In studies reviewed by Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, researchers concluded that Acupuncture helps to:

• Increase blood flow to the uterus to improve the chances of ovum implantation.
• Reduce anxiety and stress that may significantly decrease fertility.
• Normalize the hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially if Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an issue.
• Positively affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that plays a key role in fertility.
• Regulate the menstrual cycle

Stress plays a major role in the regulation of hormones in the body. High levels of stress hormones are known to suppress fertility and decrease the chances of a natural conception. When people are under stress, the hormone cortisol is released in the brain. This alters the brain's neurochemical balance, thus changing hormone levels and disrupting the pituitary balance that is key to the reproductive cycle. Because of the delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary and reproductive glands, stress is capable of preventing a woman from ovulating entirely. Stress can also cause spasms in both the fallopian tubes and the uterus, which can interfere with movement and implantation of a fertilized egg. Acupuncture counters the effects of stress and cortisol by releasing endorphins in the brain, which exert a calming effect.

Other factors that cause infertility are ovulation disorders, endometriosis, an imbalance in reproductive hormones, a weakened immune system, fallopian tube blockage, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and much more. Acupuncture increases fertility by balancing and regulating hormones, and strenghtening the immune system. Acupuncture can also increase fertility by increasing blood flow in the body, specifically to the pelvic area. This provides a woman's reproductive organs with more nourishment. Improved circulation to the ovaries can lead to healthier eggs, and improved circulation to the uterus increases the density of the uterine wall, enhancing the likelihood of embryo implantation.

It is estimated that male factor infertility is responsible for up to 50% of infertility among couples. Despite scientific medical advances, the cause of 40% to 50% of males with infertility is unknown with little to no available medical treatment, leaving IVF as the only option. If the semen analysis shows decreased sperm count, motility, poor liquefaction, or low levels of normal morphology, acupuncture & herbal medicine can often address these issues successfully. A recent study showed that acupuncture treatment for men increased sperm count and motility in 67% of the men in the study. Recent studies have also shown acupuncture can improve sperm quality, resulting in less chromosomal abnormalities and decreased likelihood of miscarriage.

Acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization

Recent research has shown that acupuncture can increase the effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other Assisted Reproductive Technologies. When acupuncture is used along with in vitro fertilization, the likelihood of conception can increases up to 60%. Many couples who have had numerous unsuccessful attempts at IVF have become pregnant after an acupuncture treatment program in conjunction with IVF. It is recommended that acupuncture treatment is administered two to three months prior to the IVF procedure for the greatest chance of success.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can regulate the abnormal hormonal function, which is often a factor in infertility. Acupuncture can help the ovaries respond better to the stimulating drugs used with IVF by producing more egg follicles and better quality eggs. Based on clinical experience, acupuncture can enhance the quality and quantity of embryos.

Acupuncture is effective in increasing the likelihood of pregnancy along with IVF because it increases blood flow throughout the body and specifically to the uterus. This leads to a thicker lining of the uterine wall and thus increasing the likelihood of the embryo implantation.

Acupuncture can also help improve the quantity and quality of sperm. Improving the sperm quality can lead to a healthier embryo. This will help reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Acupuncture can be administered as an adjunct to all Assisted Reproductive Technologies safely and without side effects. There are no negative interactions with fertility drugs or procedures, and in fact works well at enhancing medical fertility treatments.

Acupuncture also has a significant impact on "poor responders", whose bodies do not respond well to standard IVF protocols. In one study, poor responders that had acupuncture achieved the same pregnancy rates as normal responders.

Acupuncture administered as an adjunct to ART can help to:

• Improve the function of the ovaries to produce higher quality eggs
• Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• Increase blood flow to the uterus and thicken the uterine lining
• Relax and de-stress each individual
• Strengthen the immune system and increase energy
• Improve sperm count, motility and morphology
• Increase the chances of conceiving
• Decrease the chances of miscarriage

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