FERTILITY

Fertility Treatments

What is the Causes of Fertility Issues in Terms of TCM?

In TCM, the kidneys, liver, heart and uterus form the core of reproductive activity and they help regulate the menstrual cycle. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can increase the chance of getting pregnant by improving the function of these organs, which in turn promotes qi (energy) and blood flow to critical areas of the body. Emotional stress, infection, trauma, poor nutrition and a hectic lifestyle can disturb the supply and flow of blood and qi, which leads to problems such as irregular bleeding and ovulation. Other problems caused by impaired flow of blood and qi include endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), amenorrhea and advanced age.

What Fertility Problems TCM Can Help With?

• Hormonal and ovulation problems;
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS);
• Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR);
• Premature ovarian failure (POF), or peri-menopause;
• Endometriosis;
• Unexplained infertility;
• Immunologic reaction and recurrent miscarriage;
• Mechanical infertility - pelvic inflammatory disease and blocked fallopian tubes;
• Increase libido, and

• Raise sperm numbers, quality and motility.

How Does Chinese Herb & Acupuncture Boost Fertility? 

Chinese Herbs for Fertility

Traditioal Chinese herb has promoted the use of herbs for health purposes for thousands of years and many of these herbs are believed to significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant. Try these:

Chasteberry: this herb works to increase fertility by stimulating the pituitary gland, which is responsible for producing sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Dong Quai: this Chinese fertility herb has been long-used to solve menstrual difficulties. It also helps to balance estrogen levels in the body and improve chances of conception.

Acupuncture for Fertility

Chinese medicine doctors believe that there are over 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body connecting with 14 major pathways, called meridians which conduct qi, or energy between the surface of the body and internal organs.

Acupuncture involves thin, disposable sterile needles gently inserted and stimulated at  key energy meridians(acupuncture points for fertility) linked to the reproductive organs, it increase and move the flow of qi from areas where it may be overly abundant to areas that are deficient, thereby increasing a woman’s chance of conceiving.

TCM aims to restore balance to the whole person, it can be used to treat all non-genetic causes of infertility in both men and women - either in conjunction with modern assisted fertility techniques (IVF, IUI) or on its own.

In women, it can help with hormonal and ovulatory problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, partially blocked fallopian tubes, unexplained failure to conceive and repeated miscarriage.

• TCM can balance the body's yin and yang while regulating qi and blood flows during the menstrual cycle.
• TCM can improve egg quality and strengthen the lining of the womb, so increasing the chances of successful implantation. This is particularly relevant in older women and most of our female patients are aged between 34 and 44.
• TCM can reduce levels of circulating FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). 

In men, it can improve sperm count and/or sperm motility.

• TCM herbs are used to address sperm count, motility and morphology.

• Acupuncture can support ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and libido.

• Both acupuncture and herbs are aimed to improve your body constitution and treating other factors that may interfere with conception.

IVF & IUI Support

What is IVF & IUI?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are two types of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments: 

• IUI is when the sperm is collected in advance and placed into a woman’s uterus when she is ovulating.
• IVF involves the combination of the eggs and sperms in a specialised laboratory to create embryos. The embryos are then selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus, through her cervix, to enhance the chances of pregnancy.

Both of these are artifitrial fertility treatment commonly used to improve the chances of pregnancy. Many couples choose to begin with intrauterine insemination (IUI) because of its significantly lower cost when compared to IVF. While IVF has considerably higher success rates than IUI. 

What do TCM treatment support IVF & IUI?

TCM treatment combined with acupuncture that our clinic offers can help to increase the response and success of all forms of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART).

• Studies have found that acupuncture can increase blood flow in the uterus and ovaries creating a more suitable and fertile environment for mature follicles to both develop and implant.

• Additionally, treating a male partner at the same time can improve sperm counts, motility, and morphology.

Our treatments can also be effective in reducing the stress and side effects associated with fertility treatments.

Acupuncture for IVF & IUI

Acupuncture in Pre-Conception Preparation before IVF/IUI:

It is recommended to start the acupuncture treatment at least 3 months prior to embryo transfer or insemination– follicles have a 90-120 day maturation period, while sperm have a 90 day development period before being released for fertilization. This allows sufficient time for your physician to prime your body for the IVF/IUI treatment.

Frequency:
Typically once a week.

Benefits: 

• Optimize overall health.
• Improve hormonal balance.
• Relaxes the uterusand reduce stress levels.
• Primes the body to ensure optimal condition during IUI/IVF treatment.

Acupuncture during IVF/IUI:

Your first acupuncture session will take place after you have started on ovaries stimulations to produce more follicles as part of your IVF/IUI treatment.

Frequency:
Typically twice a week.

• For IUI: The last session usually ends 10 – 12 days after IUI treatment is completed.
• For IVF: The last session usually ends 10 – 12 days after the embryo transfer is completed.

Benefits:

• Strengthens the Spleen and Kidney to enhance their response to the Follicle Stimulation Hormones (FSH).
• Supports the Liver to improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, thereby improving the quality of follicles and thickening the endometrial lining.
• Decrease uterine cramping to encourage implantation and reduce miscarriage.
• Decrease cortisol and reduce stress levels to improveluteinizing hormone(LH) levels and progesterone production.

Acupuncture after IVF/IUI:

When pregnancy is confirmed, acupuncture session is recommended. This is to provide a stable pregnancy journey.

Frequency:
Typically once a week.

Benefits:

• Improves circulation and reduces stress.
• Improves blood circulation to the uterus, thereby maintaining implantation and nourishment of embryos for a healthy and successful pregnancy.