FERtility & pregnancy
There have been a number of studies showing that Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can improve the success rate of pregnancy in infertile couples.
For the Girls
When everything works as it should the menstrual cycle should be 28 to 29 days long, the period 3 to 5 days, pain free and not too heavy with ovulation occurring around days 12 to 14. In Western medicine longer or shorter cycles may not be seen as a problem but in Chinese medicine achieving a balanced cycle is often the starting point for treating unexplained fertility. This may take 2 to 3 months of treatment. Often acupuncture is more effective at first and then we may rely on Chinese herbs as a cheaper and equally effective treatment.
Acupuncture can help to reduce 'stress' and anxiety as well as improve blood flow to reproductive organs and the endometrial lining.
Where there are specific problems the treatment is adapted to take these into account, for example:
IVF
For those who have already taken the IVF route, acupuncture in particular has been shown in some studies to increase the odds of success by around 45%1. It may be helpful to have just a couple of treatments, before and after embryo transfer, but experience suggests that preparing for IVF with a longer course of treatment is more beneficial.
The aim of Chinese medicine is to make a difference by:
After reminding him to cut out the smoking, drinking and late night takeaways, and threatening him with acupuncture in the nether regions, Chinese medicine, especially herbs can be used to increase sperm counts, volume and quality. Where acupuncture is needed, points on the arms and legs are commonly used. So relax chaps. Approx twelve weeks of treatment are suggested. Again, it may be beneficial to treat 'stress' and any other health problems at the same time.
Pregnancy
In pregnancy acupuncture is a safe and reliable way to treat problems such as nausea & vomiting, back pain,and slow onset of labour, breech and posterior position baby (using moxibustion).2
For the Girls
When everything works as it should the menstrual cycle should be 28 to 29 days long, the period 3 to 5 days, pain free and not too heavy with ovulation occurring around days 12 to 14. In Western medicine longer or shorter cycles may not be seen as a problem but in Chinese medicine achieving a balanced cycle is often the starting point for treating unexplained fertility. This may take 2 to 3 months of treatment. Often acupuncture is more effective at first and then we may rely on Chinese herbs as a cheaper and equally effective treatment.
Acupuncture can help to reduce 'stress' and anxiety as well as improve blood flow to reproductive organs and the endometrial lining.
Where there are specific problems the treatment is adapted to take these into account, for example:
- Disorders of ovulation
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Insufficient thickness of the endometrium
- Poor egg quality
- Excessive mucus
- Mild obstruction of tubes
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Other general health problems such as poor immunity or feeling stressed.
IVF
For those who have already taken the IVF route, acupuncture in particular has been shown in some studies to increase the odds of success by around 45%1. It may be helpful to have just a couple of treatments, before and after embryo transfer, but experience suggests that preparing for IVF with a longer course of treatment is more beneficial.
The aim of Chinese medicine is to make a difference by:
- Increasing the responsiveness of ovaries
- Reducing FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels if elevated
- Improving quality of follicles and egg
- Reducing side effects of any drugs
- Optimising or increasing endometrial thickness
- Supporting implantation
- Improving sperm quality if treating the male partner
After reminding him to cut out the smoking, drinking and late night takeaways, and threatening him with acupuncture in the nether regions, Chinese medicine, especially herbs can be used to increase sperm counts, volume and quality. Where acupuncture is needed, points on the arms and legs are commonly used. So relax chaps. Approx twelve weeks of treatment are suggested. Again, it may be beneficial to treat 'stress' and any other health problems at the same time.
Pregnancy
In pregnancy acupuncture is a safe and reliable way to treat problems such as nausea & vomiting, back pain,and slow onset of labour, breech and posterior position baby (using moxibustion).2
Diet and fertility – why a vegan diet is best - article Dr Justine Butler
https://www.vivahealth.org.uk/healthfeatures/diet-and-fertility-why-vegan-diet-best
https://www.vivahealth.org.uk/healthfeatures/diet-and-fertility-why-vegan-diet-best
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Milk and accelerated ovarian aging - video Which food can help with cervical ripening
and shorten the duration of labour?
References:
1. Paulus et al; (2002) Influence on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility & Sterility 77(4):721-4
2. Interventions on Bl67 for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation. Van den Berg I, Kaandorp G, Bosch J, Duvekot J, Arends L, Hununk M. Cost-effectiveness of breech version by acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67, including moxibustion, for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation: a modelling approach. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2010;18, 67—77. Link
and shorten the duration of labour?
References:
1. Paulus et al; (2002) Influence on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility & Sterility 77(4):721-4
2. Interventions on Bl67 for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation. Van den Berg I, Kaandorp G, Bosch J, Duvekot J, Arends L, Hununk M. Cost-effectiveness of breech version by acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67, including moxibustion, for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation: a modelling approach. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2010;18, 67—77. Link
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