Acupuncture & Infertility

Qi Mail™ The Acupuncture Newsletter

Julee Miller AP, DOM, BS, LMT Health Pointe Jacksonville, LLC 3840 Belfort Road, Suite 305 Jacksonville, FL 32216 904-448-0046/www.hpjax.com

Oriental Medicine for Fertility

According to the American Fertility Society, fertility issues affect at least one in six couples in the United States. Reproductive health, like all health, is about balance. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used for thousands of years to successfully address infertility by restoring optimal hormonal balance, increasing circulation through the reproductive organs, and creating an overall environment where new life may flourish. Using Chinese medicine, we can assess the underlying imbalances and detect stress and/or weakness throughout the body. A good evaluation by a well-trained practitioner allows for a clear understanding of each individual case. Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors including: advanced age, genetic disposition, poor diet, overwork, insufficient rest & exercise, illness, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, and high mental/emotional stress. Maintaining and restoring balance is at the heart of diagnosis and treatment in Chinese Medicine. Common treatment prescriptions include acupuncture, herbs, diet, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all four to bring your system back to its proper functioning. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine may enhance fertility by: Females - Regulating the menstrual cycle

Regulating FSH & hormone levels to produce a larger -

Increasing blood flow to the uterus and increase the-

thickness of the uterine lining

Improving the function of the ovaries to produce better-

Correcting blocked fallopian tubes

Enhancing response to IVF – lessening side effects-

Improving sperm count and motility

Correcting erectile dysfunction

Good candidates for acupuncture and herbal medicine are people who have a functional, rather than structural reason for infertility. Infertility due to hormonal problems, immune disorders, amenorrhoea, irregular menstruation, stress and age related factors all fall into the category of functional infertility. Stress can dramatically decrease fertility in both men and women. Acupuncture increase fertility by reducing stress. Targeted Fertility Treatment

Treatment for infertility is usually over a course of 3-6 months. While some patients get pregnant in as little as 6 weeks others may take much longer. Each person's condition is unique and each person responds differently to treatment.

Acupuncture and in-vitro fertilization Women undergoing IVF were 65 percent more likely to become pregnant when they combined the procedure with acupuncture, a recent study has shown. The remarkable success rate occurred across seven acupuncture trials involving 1,366 women in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in a February, 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Acupuncture was delivered either just before or just after embryo transfer the moment when the embryo fertilized in the laboratory must attach itself to the wall of the womb to establish a pregnancy.

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Maryland in America and the VU University Amsterdam in Holland. Researchers claim that because acupuncture costs only about $75 per session compared to $6000 to $10,000 per cycle for IVF, it would be a cost effective, safe and efficient way of boosting success rates in fertility treatment. It is thought that acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that trigger the production of gonadotrophin- releasing hormone, which controls the menstrual cycle and a woman's ovulation. Combining IVF treatment with acupuncture has shown to dramatically increase the chances for conception by as much as 60%. It is highly recommended that treatment begin prior to retrieval and continue through the implantation procedure.

On the day the embryos are implanted, receiving a special acupuncture procedure before and after implantation will further increase the chances of a successful implantation. Special arrangements will be made around this appointment as these are the most important acupuncture treatments of the series.

Call us at (904) 448-0046 to arrange a free consultation to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can assist you with your fertility goals! Lifestyle Tips during Fertility

In general for men and women, eat organic foods when possible and avoid meats that have been treated with hormones or fish that contains mercury. Women need to eat food with essential fatty acids, e.g., soy products and wild caught salmon. Essential fatty acids are also found in non-hydrogenated cold pressed oils like flaxseed, winter vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and all dark green vegetables. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. A Yale University School of Medicine study found that the risk of infertility was 55% higher for women drinking 1 cup of coffee per day, 100% higher for women drinking 1 and 1 ½ - 3 cups, and 176% higher for those drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day.

Chinese medicine takes an energetic view of our bodies and our organs, meaning that bodily energy needs to move freely and stagnation causes problems. The energy of the kidney system is very important for reproduction.

For men and women, foods that nourish their kidney essence include: chicken or duck and eggs from both; seeds and nuts; oysters; seaweed and algae.

For women, certain foods help nourish your bodies during the different phases of your cycle.

Foods that nourish Yin include: fruits such as raspberries, pineapples and grapes; vegetables such as asparagus and beans; adequate proteins, especially tofu and fish; and organ meats such as kidneys, brains and hearts. Avoid spicy, pungent foods.

Foods that nourish Yang include warming foods: ginger; ginger tea; beans; grains; and vegetables such as mustard greens, winter squash, cabbage and kale. Avoid ice cold drinks, ice cream and foods that are very cold. In general, it is a good idea to avoid ice water and ice cream during pregnancy attempts.

Foods that nourish blood include: fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and grapes; organic meats and poultry; soup stock made from the bones of the meat and poultry; and vegetables such as turnips, spinach and dark, leafy greens. Lifestyle Tips

For both men and women, try to get good amounts of sleep and limit stress. Of course, difficulties with fertility send stress skyrocketing but that makes it even more important to find ways to relieve stress. Meditation, yoga, relaxing with friends and any other calming activities that work for you are encouraged.

For men, skip saunas, hot tubs and tight clothes, all of which heat up sperm.

For women, enjoy the foods noted above, exercise as a stress reliever and to maintain health but don’t overdo it. Excessive exercise depletes Yin.

Call us at (904) 448-0046 to arrange a free consultation to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can assist you with your fertility goals!