East/West Acupuncture and Wellness Center

Scottsdale, Arizona

Dasha Trebichavska, L.Ac.,RN, M.S.

Infertility

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Helps Resolve Infertility

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs a broad spectrum of treatment modalities including herbs, acupuncture, bodywork, and dietary and lifestyle adjustments. One of least commonly advertised uses of TCM is in the field of infertility. Successful treatment of infertility dates back in China to the Sui Dynasty (589 CE). Chinese medicine provides a noninvasive, holistic approach to reversing infertility and has a surprising success rate of sixty percent among infertile women; a very high number, considering that many women discover TCM late in their search for infertility solutions.

Traditional Chinese medicine treats infertility using a combination of specific herbs and the stimulation of acupuncture points to strengthen and regulate organ functions, primarily the production of hormones, an essential component to fertility.  In addition, by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, Chinese herbs and acupuncture serve the fertility process by restoring a deep relaxation in the mind and body.

Patterns of Organ Disharmony

From the perspective of TCM, infertility is caused by patterns of disharmony in organ systems such as the liver, heart, spleen and kidneys.  The TCM patterns of disharmony such as blood stagnation, cold entrapment, phlegm accumulation, excess heat, and so on, play important roles  in blocking fertility.  In the vernacular of western medicine, these pathologies are known as hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction (anovulation), polycystic ovarian syndrome, luteal phase defect, and other syndromes and conditions that can make it difficult or impossible to conceive.  However, the key factor in treating infertility with TCM lies in regulating the menstrual cycle by re-establishing harmonious communication among the endocrine glands. 

The Growing Popularity of TCM

As many recent newspaper and magazine stories demonstrate, TCM has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more women are waiting until they are in their mid-thirties and older to start a family.  It is undisputed that women starting their families later in life have more difficulty becoming pregnant, and many couples spend up to $50,000 on attempting to conceive – with no guarantee of success.  TCM offers rate of success for far less money; prices range from $50 to $70 per session for acupuncture plus the cost of herbs.  A routine treatment program consists of two acupuncture treatments each week, and many women become pregnant six months to a year after beginning treatment.  Once pregnant, it is usually recommended that acupuncture be maintained once a week, and herbal therapy is usually recommended through the first trimester. 

Acupuncture Used in Successful Artificial Insemination

Acupuncture has also been used as a successful adjunct to artificial insemination.  In a study conducted in Germany at the Christian Lauritzen Institute in Ulm, acupuncture was used 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer, with needles placed in the stomach and colon meridians, as well as the ear meridians, to try to increase blood flow into the uterus and reduce uterine contractions. The results were indisputable. In the control group, 26% became pregnant; in the IVF-plus-acupuncture group 43% became pregnant.

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to improve your chances of a successful pregnancy, call Dasha Trebichavska, M.S., L.Ac. at 415-420-3750

Go to other websites to learn about infertility.

dasha@mindspring.com

Phone: 415-420-3750 Fax: 480-237-5436, Scottsdale
Last modified: April 02, 2008, copyright material