About Fertility – Treating Fertility Challenges Naturally

Have you and your partner had trouble conceiving? Infertility affects nearly 10% of couples trying to conceive in the US. More specifically, infertility is defined in western medical terms as a couple unable to conceive after 1 year of trying. Fortunately, natural medicine and acupuncture offer a solution for couples who would like to give their fertility a boost. Used together, these natural treatments work by preparing the body energetically for the baby and identifying the cause of the fertility challenges.

There are multiple causes of infertility or fertility challenges that are required to be identified. About 40% is a female factor, 40% male factor, 10% both and 10% unexplained.

The Female Factor

The female factor may involve ovulatory dysfunction or menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fallopian tube blockage, endocrine imbalance or fibroids. Other factors that may inhibit a woman’s fertility are age (staring to decline age 28), infections, cervical factors or immunological factors (cervical mucus attacking the sperm). A woman’s chance of conceiving diminishes after age 35 due to the rapid decline and lack of egg quality or quantity. However, that does not mean that it is impossible to conceive naturally!!!

The Male Factor

The male factor has to deal with sperm abnormalities (quality, quantity, motility), high scrotal temperature, erectile disorders, toxic exposures, testicular injury, infections or endocrine abnormality. Combined factors may be a combination of both male and female factors.

The Unexplained Factor

The unexplained fertility may be due to emotional stresses by self or others. It may be deep seeded fears that are stuck in the body are preventing the conception process. Some nutritional deficiencies may also be a contributing factor to decreasing the optimal fertile conditions.

Chinese medicine looks at fertility challenges in a different light. Once the correct TCM (Traditional Chinese Medical) pattern (Eastern diagnosis) is identified it can be treated accordingly.

First it is important to regulate the menstrual cycle before conception can occur. Usually, this takes approximately 3 months of treatment to balance out. This would entail the woman to chart her fertility to become more in tuned with her own body, timing intercourse accordingly and make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes.

For male factor, usually diet and lifestyle changes and herbal/acupuncture treatments will improve sperm conditions.

Acupuncture and herbs work synergistically to create the ideal condition for conception by:

Pre & Post Onsite IVF Acupuncture:

Acupuncture given before and after IVF can increase success rates by 60-80% by increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, relaxing the body and mind. The natural treatments are complementary to IVF, IUI and other assisted fertility treatments.

It is important that while trying natural treatments, that the cause of fertility challenges be properly diagnosed.