Up to 15% of Americans have difficulties conceiving. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year or more of regular sexual activity with no contraceptive use. Infertility is also the inability to carry a pregnancy to full term. More and more people are seeking complementary or alternative therapies to assisted reproductive technologies or fertility support.
Chinese medicine has a long tradition of treating infertility in both men and women.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can greatly increase the chances of getting pregnant by helping correct underlying hormonal issues as well as address lifestyle factors such as stress that affect fertility.
Here at our clinic, a consultation to address fertility begins with a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of infertility for the couple. For women, ovulation problems can be a result of low thyroid function, high prolactin levels, polycystic ovarian syndrome, eating disorders, extremes of weight loss or exercise, and advancing age. For both men and women, lifestyle factors such as stress and environmental exposure to toxins can affect fertility. A review of your medical history will be done along with laboratory assessment to check for hormonal issues. The cause of infertility are multi-factorial, and for many addressing lifestyle factors and stress can greatly increase fertility outcomes. Once an evaluation and diagnosis are made, treatment can include:
- dietary recommendations and vitamin/mineral support
- acupuncture therapy
- herbal medicine to correct any underlying imbalances and clear obstructions
Treatment includes a dietary program that helps support reproduction. Certain vitamin and mineral supplements may be recommended to increase reproductive health and increase the health of the egg and sperm. Therapies and exercises that help manage stress are recommended since stress affects the body physically and can cause underlying hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture can help increase conception rates. Acupuncture can help support fertility by enhancing circulation to the reproductive organs as well as balance hormones and address the impacts of stress on the body.
Herbs are recommended to help correct the underlying issues and increase chance of ovulation.
For those who don’t have any problems with fertility, preconception care can help increase the chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
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