Infertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine

/in , , /by

By Mairead Fahy R.G.N., Dip Ac and TCM, C Ac Nanjing (China)

Fertility

Infertility in all its guises has long been an emotive and complicated issue for many couples, and with many couples now deciding to postpone starting a family because of lifestyle and / or financial reasons; infertility has become an increasingly prevalent problem of contemporary society.

There are many physiological reasons for infertility, many of which include
Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Uterine Fibroids, but Hormonal imbalances, which can include elevated FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) or Prolactin levels can account for a huge proportion of a woman’s inability to conceive, as can Anovulation (failure to ovulate) and irregular menstruation. However, there are many unexplained reasons for infertility also, which may have stress, diet and lifestyle influences as a portion of the causative factor.pregnancy-fertility-acupuncture-gorey-wexford (4)

The male role in this cannot be underestimated either. Good quality and quantity of sperm with adequate motility is essential also for conception to occur.

How can Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine enhance fertility?

Chinese Medicine has been treating infertility for over two and a half thousand years, and its effectiveness cannot be underestimated. Its main function is to bring the body back into balance in every way, harmonising Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood and because of this it can therefore:

    • Normalise hormonal imbalances
    • Regulate menstruation
    • Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase uterine thickness
    • Diminish chances of miscarriage
    • Improve sperm count, motility and morphology
    • Reduce stress and anxiety

Many couples are now also choosing to use acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF fertility treatment. Recent research has been published to demonstrate the role of acupuncture in helping to increase success rates of IVF around the time of embryo transfer. The research, which was published in the British Medical Journal of 7/2/08, states…”acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65% compared to the control groups”.

How can Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help with IVF and ICSI?chinese-herbal-medicine-2

    • Improves the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs
    • Helps to regulate hormone levels to help produce a larger number of follicles
    • Increases blood flow to the uterus which in turn creates a thicker uterine lining which enhances the likelihood of implantation of the embryo
    • Relaxes the uterus during implantation to minimise painful cramping
    • Decreases the side effects of the drugs used in IVF, e.g., emotional instability, insomnia, palpitations, headaches etc.,

It is always advisable though not essential, for preparation with acupuncture and sometimes Chinese Herbs, to begin 3 months prior to commencement of IVF. In this way, the optimum environment for implantation can be naturally achieved. The treatment method will vary according to the patient’s individual diagnosis and degree of infertility, but it is not unheard of, for the lady to become pregnant naturally in this time!

Mairead Fahy R.G.N., Dip Ac and TCM, C Ac Nanjing (China).
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic,
The Palms Centre,
The Avenue,
Gorey, Co. Wexford.
Ph: 0539483155 / 0876452409
www.Bodymatters.ie

info@bodymatters.ie

Women’s Health

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Clinical Research

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1447-acupuncture-reduces-stress-for-ivf-fertility-treatment

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/10755530152755207

An Exploratory Pilot Study of Acupuncture on the Quality of Life and Reproductive Hormone Secretion in Menopausal Women

To cite this article:

Hongguang Dong, Frank Lüdicke, Isabelle Comte, Aldo Campana, Patrick Graff, and Paul Bischof. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. December 2001, 7(6): 651-658. doi:10.1089/10755530152755207.

Published in Volume: 7 Issue 6: July 5, 2004 search

Acupuncture helps relieve PMS symptoms including stress and anxiety.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21609380

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1317-acupuncture-herbs-best-drugs-for-menstrual-pain-and-cramps

Acupuncture For Fertility

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Clinical Research

Recent research shows that Acupuncture can:

  • Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
  • Regulate hormones to produce a large number of follicles
  • Improve the quality and thickness of the uterine lining
  • Improve hormone levels including FSH, Prolactin, Oestrogen and Progesterone
  • Reduce stress
  • Regulate the Menstrual cycle

There are also studies to show that Acupuncture can be highly effective in improving conception for women undergoing IVF (Click here for research). The most commonly quoted research is from the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany. Commonly known as The German Report, it studied 160 patients undergoing IVF randomized into 2 groups of 80, one group which received acupuncture pre and post embryo transfer, and the control group which received no acupuncture. The results showed that 34 out of the 80 patients (42.5%) who received acupuncture achieved a positive pregnancy test, compared to 21 of the 80 in the control group (26.3%).

The thought here is that Acupuncture received as close to transfer both pre and post, can reduce uterine contractions which might result in expulsion of the embryo, or may prevent a successful implantation.

In general, if a couple is deciding to have Acupuncture to either enhance natural conception, or to assist in IVF or other ART procedures, it is advisable to undergo at least 3 months of treatment. This is based on the knowledge that it takes 3 months for healthy eggs and/or sperm to form, so that in this way the body is at its optimum health for conception to occur. Of course if trying naturally, conception may happen within this time frame, and in this case Acupuncture can be utilised to prevent miscarriage in the first Trimester. Special attention is placed on Diet and Lifestyle advice in this time also, again so that the body is in its healthiest state for pregnancy to occur.

Fertility Research

Acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus (Stener-Victorin E, et al Human Reproduction Oxford Journal 1996; Vol. 11, No. 6, pp.1314-1317 http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/6/1314.abstract )

Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome of IVF, compared with no acupuncture (Westergaard L et al, Fertility and Sterility April 2006 Vol 85, pp. 1341-1346 http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2806%2900212-3/abstract ).

Dept of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany. Fertil Steril 2002:77;721-4. 2002. American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI (Dieterle S et al, Fertility and Sterility May 2006 Vol 85, pp. 1347-1351 http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2806%2900213-5/abstract ).

‘Acupuncture Normalizes Dysfunction of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis’
Bo-Ying Chen M.D. Prof. Of Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200032, P.R.China.
(Received June 3, 1997; ccvepted with revisions June 30, 1997)
Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Res., Int. J., Vol 22, pp. 97-108, 1997. Copyright © 1997 Cognizant Communication Corp.

Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART. (Paulus W et al, Fertility and Sterility April 2002 Vol 77, pp. 721-724 http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2801%2903273-3/abstract ).

IVF cannot turn back the biological clock!

/in , , , /by

Working women are leaving it too late to have children because they wrongly believe that ivf clinics can restore their fertility at any age, a leading academic has warned.

Women cannot simply rewind their ‘biological clock’ and easily have a baby later in life, the expert says.

A new study warns that becoming pregnant relatively later in life leaves mature mothers-to-be facing a higher risk of pregnancy loss, birth defects and other complications.

Women may delay pregnancy in their most fertile years for a variety of reasons, such as focusing on careers, lack of financial stability or not having a partner.
They are vaguely aware that fertility decreases with age, but it is only when they experience age-related infertility first-hand that they realise the reality of their situation, according to academics.

Dr Pasquale Patrizio, of the Yale School of Medicine in the United States, said the problem is increased due to images of celebrities who seem to effortlessly give birth at advanced ages

He said: “There is an alarming misconception about fertility among women.
“We also found a lack of knowledge about steps women can take early in their reproductive years to preserve the possibility of conception later in life.”

The research stemmed from the observations Dr Patrizio and colleagues made that more women are coming to the fertility clinic at age 43 or older expecting that pregnancy can be instantly achieved – and are disappointed to learn it is cannot be done easily.

He added: “We are really seeing more and more patients ‘upset’ after failing in having their own biological child after age 43 so we had to report on this.
“Their typical reaction is, ‘what do you mean you cannot help me? I am healthy, I exercise, and I cannot have my own baby?’

Even though the number of women turning to ART {Assisted Reproductive Therapy] has increased, the number of IVF cycles resulting in pregnancy in women above age 42 mostly remained static at nine per cent in 2009.

If pregnancy is achieved at an older age, women then face higher risk of pregnancy loss, birth defects, and other complications.

“As clinicians, we should begin educating women more aggressively. Women should be given the appropriate information about postponing fertility, obstetric risks, and the limited success of ART in advanced age to allow them to make informed decisions about when, if at all, they hope to become pregnant.”

Dr Patrizio said that one of the techniques women should take advantage of is oocyte (egg) freezing, which appears to be the best strategy for women who want to postpone motherhood but really care about having a child with their own genetic material.

Alternative options such as egg donation, which leads to the highest pregnancy rates reported for any ART method, are also available.

He added: “There is an urgent need to educate women that reproductive aging is irreversible and, more importantly that there are options to safeguard against he risk of future infertility.”

These techniques are valid options for women and should not be viewed as experimental.

“Doctors and health professionals must begin the discussion about fertility preservation in their patients and make certain that young women truly understand all their options.”

According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies, the number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles performed for women under age 35 increased by about nine per cent between 2003 and 2009.

During this same time period, the number of IVF cycles performed for women aged 41 and older increased by 41%. But this procedure doesn’t always result in success.

The findings were published in the journal Fertility and Sterilit

Women with PCOS benefit from Acupuncture and Excercise

/in , , , , , , , /by

Natural alternative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and regular exercise may improve hormone levels and regulate menstrual bleeding patterns in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to  research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

What is PCOS?

In the recent study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, a group of women with PCOS were treated with acupuncture where the acu-needles were stimulated both physiically and with a weak electrical current at a low frequency.

A second group of women were asked to exercise at a minimun of three times a week, while a third group acted as control subjects. All of the groups were given information on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

“The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation,” says  associate professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who is responsible for the study. “Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective.”

Cause

Although PCOS is a common disorder, researchers have not dertimined the root cause.“However, we’ve recently demonstrated that women with PCOS have a highly active sympathetic nervous system, the part that isn’t controlled by our will, and that both acupuncture and regular exercise reduced levels of activity in this system compared with the control group, which could be an explanation for the results.”

This study is encouraging for PCOS sufferers as it allows for more natural treatment methods such as acupuncture, nutrition and excercise to help manage many of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome and possibly increase fertility rates and the chance of conception for women trying to get pregnant.

Reference

edel, F. Labrie, A. Oden, G. Holm, L. Nilsson, P. O. Janson, A.-K. Lind, C. Ohlsson, E. Stener-Victorin. Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2010; 300 (1): E37 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00495.2010

Acupuncture for Morning Sickness

/in , , , /by

Acupuncture treatment for morning sickness is one of the most effective treatments available in my clinic, and quite often the lady is led to its effectiveness  indirectly – by having had Acupuncture to assist her conception and Fertility!

Its often a surprise to hear that Acupuncture can help her deal with and eliminate the horrors of Morning Sickness.  Quite often the lady WANTS  to experience the Morning Sickness as PROOF that she is actually pregnant, especially if she has been trying for quite some time to enhance her Fertility and become pregnant. But for most women, it is a misery, and thus a pleasant surprise when they learn that Acupuncture can cure their Morning Sickness. Obviously for those of you who have experienced it, a pleasant surprise!

Morning Sickness occurs in about half of all pregnancies, and most often between the 6th and 16th weeks, with weeks 8 to 12 being the worst, although it is possible in the unlucky few for Morning Sickness to carry on for most of the pregnancy!

The degree to which symptoms present and their severity varies from person to person. For some it can be slight queasiness, or nausea which occurs at different times throughout the day (Morning Sickness??)! For others, symptoms can be very severe with violent vomiting, and an inability to digest any food however small, and in most cases not even water. Obviously this is quite critical, as it can lead to severe dehydration, and in some cases may require hospitalisation. This is a condition known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and is obviously very distressing for the mum to be. But the good news is, that despite the severity of the vomiting, the growing baby is not harmed in any way. Nature has put a Bypass in place, and it still stays snug and nourished in the mums womb!

But dont just take my word for it that Acupuncture can help Morning Sickness! Obviously Im biased!! But thankfully several scientific studies have shown that Acupuncture is very effective in treating Morning Sickness, as indeed I have found this to be the case in my own practice.

“Here comes the science”…as a well known add used to say!

A study undertaken in an Adelaide Maternity Hospital, Australia in 2002 was undertaken on 593 women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant, and experiencing nausea or vomiting. They were randomised into 4 groups: Traditional Acupuncture, Pericardium 6 (P-6) Acupuncture, (P-6 is an Acupuncture point which is the basis for the commercial “sea bands”. It is located approx 2 inches above the wrist crease between 2 tendons), Sham Acupuncture, or no Acupuncture (control).

Results showed that women receiving Traditional Acupuncture or P-6 Acupuncture, demonstrated less nausea and less dry retching, than those receiving Sham Acupuncture or no Acupuncture.

They concluded that Acupuncture for Morning Sickness treatment is an effective procedure for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy.

Furthermore, The Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2001, published a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of P-6 for the relief of Nausea and Vomiting in early pregnancy. Both this study and a similar one conducted by Dundee et al Evans et al 1993, conclusively showed that proper stimulation of the Acupunctue point P-6 reduced Nausea and Vomiting in patients.

So the proof as they say is in the pudding which you obviously dont have any intention of eating because you are so sick!! But try Acupuncture for your Morning sickness and start feeling well again.

Call me Mairead Fahy, Gorey on   0539483155 or 0876452409 if you have any queries relating to your Fertility and / or Morning Sickness. Ill be happy to talk to you.

Male Fertility. A brave approach.

/in , /by

While I was getting ready for work this morning, TV on in the background, I listened with no small amount of admiration to a couple speaking about their problems in conceiving a child.

Now, as is mostly the case, when a couple have been trying diligently to make a baby, and with no positive outcome  (other than becoming even more determined that they really want a baby), it is invariably the woman who goes down the route of being checked hormonally and sometimes surgically to determine the cause. This a natural female response! “There might be a problem, lets face it head- on , find out what it might be, and see if we can fix it!”  This was the case with this couple, and with all the tests coming back “clear”, i.e. she was  hormonally balanced, and her tubes were patent having had surgical investigation (Laporoscopy, and, Lap and Dye , where a small amount of Dye is inserted into the Fallopian Tubes to see if there is blockage), they finally decided to test the man.  Eureka!  It was discovered that he had virtually NO SPERM!

My admiration for this man knows no bounds, as indeed for ANY man who is willing to overcome a suspected psychological and emotional attack on his masculinity and virility, by admitting that HE may have the problem, not his female counterpart!  AND –  he went on TV and told the world!  Not only did he openly admit the problem was his, but instead of shrinking into denial and depression, he was man enough to admit there was a problem, and ask HOW it could be fixed! If he did retire to his cave, it was only temporarily while he licked his wounds and then he came out fighting and  decided to try and FIX things!  Well done him!

With advice he went down the route of making positive  Lifestyle changes.

He stopped  smoking –  (research has shown that smoking can affect the quantity and morphology (quality) of sperm), changed his diet from a junk food diet to a whole food, fresh,  low fat diet and in 3 months –  he lost 3 stone! (He had been quite “chunky”)! He incorporated exercise into his regime, and looked at ways of combatting the stresses in his life.

He included Acupuncture as part of his lifestyle change which research has shown can positively increase blood flow and improve sperm motility and quality (morphology). This is particularly important around a womans ovulation time. It takes approximately 3 months for healthy sperm to form in the testes, and according to this man and the changes he made, he went from having NO sperm (azospermia) to having just under the desired amount for conception in 3 months!

Changes in Diet and Lifestyle also apply to women with Fertility problems, and huge benefits can be achieved in a relatively short time by having  Acupuncture and by addressing stress factors, diet and lifestyle issues.

Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow, improve the quality of eggs, improve follicular stimulation, benefit ovulation, thicken the uterine lining and balance hormones.

Because we women are so dependent on Hormones  (men….its a FACT- not an excuse!!),  stress hormones like adrenaline, can adversely affect the sex hormones and may lead to an irregular menstrual cycle, Dysmennhorea (painful periods), High Prolactin levels, and ovulation problems, any of which can cause problems with natural conception. Acupuncture  can play a hugely beneficial role in Fertility problems, both male and female and together with changes in diet and lifestyle, can often result in natural conception.

I wish my TV couple well and hugely admire their strength and courage.

Fertility treatment

/in , , /by

The infertility trap!

 

Youre 32yrs old and finally you’ve found Mr. Right!! Hes 36yrs old, tall, dark, and drop dead gorgeous! You cant keep your hands off each other, and you want him to be the father of your children…all 10 of them! So you come off the pill, and your periods are all over the place, no regularity….you don’t use protection either, but still after 18mnths of sex any rabbit would be proud of… nothing!

 

You decide to go to the GP and get tested. After all, feeling as tired as you do may not just be because of your night time frolics, enjoyable as they are! And isn’t it funny how your back pain tends to get worse at the time of the month?

 

The GP does a range of blood tests on day 3 of your cycle and day 21 of your cycle, and everything comes back normal! He tells you to go away, relax and keep practicing! But now the fun has gone out of it, it becomes an obsession…will your period come or……!!?!

 

So you begin researching into what may be wrong, and you come across a lady called Zita West, an English fertility expert whose holistic approach to fertility has helped numerous couples achieve beautiful healthy babies, the only thing in life you really want now. And you learn that she advocates Acupuncture as a method to aid conception, and that there are a list of affiliated acupuncturists in Ireland who are trained in and also use her methods….and whats this?…theres one in Gorey?? Mairead Fahy….o yes you’ve heard of her! Your friend went to her with migraines and after 6 sessions she was floating down the street giving flowers to complete strangers! (Strange considering she suffers from hay fever, but that got cured too!!)

 

Anyway you make an appointment, and youre amazed at the amount of questions she asks in the initial consultation. You never thought about how your diet could be affecting things, so you decide to throw out the deep fat fryer, and clean out your fridge! (Mmmm…you never knew THAT was in there! ) You decide to cut down to one bottle of wine a week instead of the obligatory 3 buckets a night!! But how will you deal with the stress youre under at work now? The wine was the only thing that helped to relieve that… but Mairead shows you different ways of  handling it. You never knew you could breathe so deeply, or that your lugs went that far, and as for the needles…youre asleep before the last one is in! Mairead explains everything clearly and puts your lifestyle into a different perspective so that you can make comfortable changes. She explains it may take 3 months or more, but youre happy to go with that. After 6 sessions and the addition of supplements to aid fertility, youre more relaxed, your dog is happier because hes being walked every day, and youre feeling positive and at peace with the world.

 

Mr. Drop Dead Gorgeous has changed too! He never brings work home any more, and has swopped those glove – like jeans for comfy baggies! He takes supplements too, and your relationship has become closer now that its not wine fuelled!

 

After 4 months of treatment, your periods are totally regular, the crippling pain you used to have has gone to Panadol consistency, and suddenly….no period!! Could it be?….? Get ready for sleepless nights for a different reason!