Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views one's inability to conceive as an imbalance that needs to be rectified, not a matter of fact condition of infertility. When a woman is able to conceive her body is in a natural balanced state. In TCM a deviation from this state does not necessarily imply "infertility"; it simply implies a shift from one's optimum reproductive health. The TCM practitioner therefore will treat the "root" imbalances with a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Customized Treatments
You are an individual, thus your acupuncture and herbal treatments will be customized for your individual needs. Your treatments will be based on current and past medical history, present symptoms, and diet and lifestyle habits. Please allow time for your body to restore balance and harmony. Treatments are typically 3 to 6 months, with 1 to 2 weekly visits. However, the length of treatments varies from patient to patient.
Herbal Therapy
Herbal therapy will play a major role in your fertility treatments. Certain herbs contain natural energetic substances that subtly yet powerfully correct underlying deficiencies or removes obstructions.
Herbal therapy in TCM is rarely given as a single herb, but rather as herbal formulas that contain 6 to 12 herbs that work synergistically to correct an imbalance. Your herbal formula will be customized, providing different herbs for various segments of your cycle; some women may need to switch herbal preparations 2 to 4 times throughout their cycle.
Your herbal formula will contain the following herbs:
Herbs that strengthen your system and improve general health
Herbs to correct imbalances
Herbs that are used specifically at improving reproduction function
TCM and Assisted Reproductive Therapy
When TCM is used as a complimentary form of therapy for women undergoing other fertility treatments, acupuncture has been proven to be very beneficial. Studies have shown that acupuncture increases the rate of pregnancy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). A German study done in 2002 demonstrated that of the 80 women who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, An American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of the study demonstrated that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF only group was 20%.
IVF and other assisted reproductive therapies can be very expensive and taxing emotionally. It is recommended that couples try TCM for several months before trying assisted reproductive therapies.
