MissionInfertility
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognize infertility as a disease that results in the abnormal functioning of the male or female reproductive system. The Chinese Medical system treats infertility as a disorder involving imbalances in the body. As with most ailments, TCM finds this disharmony can be treated quite effectively through the combined use of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional therapy, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. Each treatment modality is equally important in order to achieve a successful, healthy pregnancy through term.
At Collaborative Care, treatment is integrated to support your unique fertility goals. Whether undergoing a medicated IVF cycle, preparing for one in the future, preventing miscarriage, or facilitating a healthy and symptom-free pregnancy, or trying to conceive naturally with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and lifestyle changes; we prescribe treatment according to the Chinese medical pattern you present while modulating hormone and stress levels that could be exacerbating your condition. This multiplicity is why Chinese medicine is so beneficial within Obstetrics and Gynecological health. Acupuncture allows the practitioner to influence and balance both your mind and body quite readily while Chinese herbs effectively address internal disharmonies that can obstruct pregnancy.
Combining the healing methods of Classical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with traditional methods can significantly increase your chances for a successful pregnancy. Using acupuncture in addition to an integrated mind, body and spirit approach, research at Harvard Medical School has found that take home baby rates increase from 20 to 55 percent when combined with traditional fertility treatments. Together, these treatments will help:
- Regulate the Menses.
Controlling irregular menstruation allows for better prediction of ovulation, smooth egg and embryo transport, and a more hospitable uterine environment. - Increase the Uterine Lining.
*Acupuncture can increase the blood flow to the uterus, resulting in a thicker uterine lining. - Prevent Miscarriage.
Certain herbal formulae and acupuncture are known to help secure a fetus. - Improve Sperm.
Separate studies have shown that acupuncture can increase sperm count, sperm motility, and the percentage of sperm that are normal within a given sample.
In conjunction with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), acupuncture may help:
- Regulate the hormones.
This is important because estrogen, FSH, and other reproductive hormones must fall within a desired range to avoid a canceled cycle. - Improves egg quality.
Obtaining enough good-quality eggs is the most important factor in determining whether or not IVF will be successful. - Increase the likelihood of implantation.
**A German study found that women who underwent the traditional IVF protocol became pregnant at a rate of 26%. Women who received acupuncture before egg retrieval and within 24 hours after transfer had a 43% rate of success, compared to the 26% who fell pregnant without acupuncture. - Moderate the side effects of hormone therapy.
* Pei, J., Noss, U., Wolfgang E. Paulus, M.D., Mingmin Zhang, M.D., Erwin Strehler, M.D.: Fertility and Sterility, July, Vol. 84 (1), pgs. 141-7, 2005.
** Wolfgang E. Paulus, M.D., Mingmin Zhang, M.D., Erwin Strehler, M.D., Imam El-Danasouri, Ph.D., and Karl Sterzik, M.D.: Fertility and Sterility, April, Vol. 77 (4), 2002.