Treating infertility with acupuncture can increase chances of pregnancy
Dear Doctor,
Infertility is on the rise these days, with up to 15 percent of American couples considered to be infertile. Couples who go for treatment with conventional Western medicine face years of expensive, time-consuming and frustrating treatments.
Ancient Medicine
The benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine in treatment for an infertile couple can be found in early Chinese medical literature dating back to 11 A.D. Not only do these techniques assist in regulating the menstrual cycle and invigorating the sperm, but they also serve to enhance the function of the whole body.
Acupuncture
The Integrative Medicine Consult published an article on infertility titled “Acupuncture May Improve Success Rate with IVF.” The article revealed that during their controlled study using acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer, “42.5 percent (34/80) of the acupuncture group experienced clinical pregnancy, whereas just 26.3 percent (21/80) of the control group had a positive outcome.” It is believed that acupuncture may help to not only relax the patients but may also relax the uterus allowing for fewer uterine contractions at the time of transfer, thus improving implantation outcomes.
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Fertility Success Rates
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In-Vitro Fertilization
(IVF) Only
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Acupuncture plus IVF
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26.3%
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42.5%
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Today, more and more doctors are readily recommending acupuncture to be combined with Western medicine because first, they feel it can do no harm and second, some believe it may help implantation by increasing blood flow to the uterus.
According to a study conducted at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, acupuncture worked as well as the drug Clomiphene in inducing pregnancy. Studies have also proven that in vitro fertilization procedures are more successful in patients who get acupuncture treatment.
Herbs, Mind and Body
Chinese Medicine is a holistic medicine and it recognizes the connection between mind and body. It explains that there are seven emotions which can cause disease. For example, stress, resentment and anger can damage the qi (energy) of the liver. This can affect the blood and the reproductive system causing fertility problems. Acupuncture can restore the smooth flow of the liver energy by relaxing the mind and body. Once the body and soul are in harmony, pregnancy has a better chance to occur.
Strengthening a woman's constitution is another way to treat infertility. Certain herbal formulas are well known to build both qi and blood, thereby strengthening the body and preparing it for conception. This is especially useful in women who have habitual miscarriages.
Herbal formulas used for treating infertility usually consist of 10 –15 herbs blended together in a pill or tincture form. According to ancient Chinese texts, the herbs help the fetus "stick" better to the uterine walls and prevent it from slipping.
In the Zhejiang Journal of Chinese Medicine (2007;7:405), Shi Jian-Jun, et al., published an article titled “Clinical Observations on A Four-Step Method for Regulating Menstruation and Improving the Adverse Effects After Clomiphene Induction of Ovulation.”
The treatment was divided into 4 stages (steps) and different herbal formulas were administered at each stage
Menstrual Period: Warming herbs used to warm channels, quicken blood
Post Menstrual Period: Tonifying herbs used to nourish essence and blood
Mid Cycle: Herbs that invigorate blood and nourish both Qi and Blood
Premenstuum: Herbs that warm Yang and nourished Kidney.
And, the results of the study were as follows
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Group
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Time
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Insler score
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Endometrial thickness
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Treatment with herbs and Clomiphene
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Before treatment
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3.37 ± 2.06
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0.62 ± 0.20
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After treatment
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8.14 ± 2.12
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0.85 ± 0.17
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Clomiphene
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Before treatment
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3.28 ± 2.00
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0.63 ± 0.26
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After treatment
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6.53 ± 2.64
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0.69 ± 0.24
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Fame and Success
Asheville local, Dr. Randine lewis has gained international notoriety with her success in treating infertility using Chinese medicine.
Dr Lewis’s fertility enhancing retreats are all over the country and in Asheville NC, where patients are fed a ‘Spleen Qi’ diet and treated with the Fertile Soul Method. The Fertile Soul Method is a modern day proprietary program designed around ancient Chinese wellness solutions for getting pregnant. It is used on its own or to optimize the latest Western-based reproductive technology such as IVF and hormone therapy. Couples travel from Australia, Europe and Africa to attend these retreats.
Several acupuncturists today work with Reproductive and Infertility Specialists so that couples can have the benefits of modern medicine and ancient medicine together at the same place. Dr. Diane Cridennda has a very successful practice in Colorado Springs, by working with Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centers (RMFC). Her interview was recently published in the newspaper ( Dr Cridennda’s interview ).
Acupuncture has numerous potential fertility-boosting benefits, according to New York Weill Cornell physician- scientists who published an article in a recent issue of "Fertility and Sterility."
The article reports that acupuncture treatment has the following potential fertility-boosting benefits:
• Increased blood flow to the uterus and therefore uterine wall thickness, an important marker for fertility
• Increased endorphin production, which, in turn, has been shown to effect the release of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• Lower stress hormones responsible for infertility
• Impact on plasma levels of the fertility hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and Progesterone (P)
• Normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, a key process in fertility
• A positive effect for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a hormonal imbalance present in three percent of adolescents and adults.
Integrate
Chinese Medicine has the tools to diagnose constitutional deficiencies and treat them successfully. A proper combination of acupuncture, herbs and/or diet is the main mode of treatment that will provide good preparation for the woman prior to getting pregnant.
The facts are here and so is the buzz. Let us not keep the potential of Chinese Medicine a secret. Help spread the word so we may benefit as many people as possible.
Hospitals, Western medical teaching institutions, cancer centers, and many other health care facilities realize the need for even a basic understanding and merging of complimentary therapies with traditional health care.
The coming decade will bring many changes for health care. Integrating different treatment methods can heighten treatment outcome, and spark something promising. If one does not have the desire to apply various medical techniques, add a skilled practitioner to your staff. At the very least, it makes good business sense.
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