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Infertility: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Your Fertility

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture have been used for millennia to treat issues of female and male fertility and reproductive health. Since the aim of TCM is to "normalize," "harmonize," and "to bring into balance," these ideas are brought to bear on the problems associated with male and female infertility.

TCM manipulates the flow of Qi using acupuncture, and using Chinese herbs to nourish, support and strengthen the Qi and the vital fluids (including blood), as well as the internal organs. Using these natural fertility techniques, the possibility of conception is optimized.

Women are often physically and emotionally depleted and have constrained energy that causes blockages, particularly in the pelvis. These blockages may have presented as painful menstrual cramps, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, PMS symptoms, irregular cycles, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and so on. Later in life, these disharmonies may result in difficulties with fertility by affecting different parts of the reproductive cycle - production of the egg, fertilization of the egg and implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. Similar energy disturbances in men may result in poor sperm production (low sperm counts), shape or motility. TCM seeks to address these problems with time tested methodologies.

At our clinic, we treat people facing infertility using TCM alone, or in combination with concurrent western medical intervention such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. We would be happy to share our many success stories with you.

Our clinic is the most established and experienced acupuncture fertility clinic in Toronto and the GTA. Our Doctors practice TCM and acupuncture as their primary medical modality, not as an add-on treatment. We are passionate about patient care and health care. Please review our FAQ for pointers on how to choose an acupuncturist.

Acupuncture and TCM have no contraindications. Our highly experienced Chinese doctors are aware of a few acupuncture points and a few herbs which should be avoided during pregnancy or while under the concurrent care of a Western fertility specialist. Many, if not most western medical doctors are happy to work with acupuncturist because TCM augments the treatments they provide.

Please review the following article outlining the 65% improvement in conception when you combine IVF with acupuncture. The following articles outline some further benefits of combining acupuncture and IVF treatments, including a substantial increase in the success rate:

• Acupuncture 'helps women have babies'
• Acupuncture may boost IVF success (CTV)
• Acupuncture boosts IVF success' (BBC)

Our aim is to help you conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. There are many causes of infertility. We have extensive experience treating patients with a large variety of fertility and reproductive disorders. Our patients include people with:

• high FSH
• age related infertility
• history of Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections leading to infertility
• damaged ovaries
• blocked fallopian tubes
• hypothyroidism and other hormonal disorders
• endometriosis (a condition where cells from womb lining are found outside the womb)
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• scarring in the uterus
• fibroids (benign smooth-muscle tumours of the uterus)
• congenital diseases like cystic fibrosis
• people who have had recurrent miscarriages
• unexplained infertility
• infertility caused by medical intervention (such as cancer treatments)
• other many varied reasons in both women and men

Recently, acupuncture has been used by western clinics and hospitals to successfully treat many disorders, including the route causes of infertility. Acupuncture is reported to be effective in the treatment of female anovular infertility.¹ The following article explains some of the benefits of using acupuncture either as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with western fertility treatments. Also, please read a Globe and Mail article regarding acupuncture and infertility. Acupuncture has been proven to help improve the success rate of in-vitro fertilization. Most recently, research has begun into the positive effects of acupuncture on PCOS.

Please read more about our fertility specialists. If you have a question, browse our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or email us anytime.

Does acupuncture work for infertility?

There is a large body of research and evidence that acupuncture is effective at treating infertility. Acupuncture can help to release endorphins in the brain to help the patient relax. This is primarily useful because for many patients, stress might be one of the most important factor why they are unable to conceive. Acupuncture can help to improve blood supply to the female sexual organs, help restore hormonal balance, and often treat or reverse premature menopause. Acupuncture can also increase sperm count and motility in men. Acupuncture and TCM are an effective stand-alone treatment, but also work well in conjunction with Western medical intervention. How does acupuncture work?

Please browse our case studies where we present a variety of patient profiles.

Infertility Studies

Review Studies On TCM And Infertility Effectiveness For Both Women And Men
This link will lead you to our summary of studies from around the world where acupuncture and TCM has been examined for its effectiveness in treating infertility and other illnesses. If you have any studies you wish to share with us, please email them so that we may review them.

IVF and Infertility

If you are undergoing IVF, or about to commence a new cycle, please review our IVF and Acupuncture page.

Seminars

Please consider attending a free Fertility Seminar offered by our clinic.

Downloads and Patient Forms

You may download our Basal Temperature chart in Excel format, or you may view and print it directly in your browser. Once you have booked your appointment, print and fill in our Patient Fertility Forms and bring them to your consultation.

Books

For a more detailed reading of acupuncture, herbs, Chinese Medicine and infertility, we recommend: The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis. For further reading regarding general acupuncture, how it works and how it is explained by Western medicine, we recommend Acupuncture for Everyone, by Dr. Ruth Kidson. Both books are available for sale in our clinic, or by phone or email. We can arrange to have a copy delivered to you.

Ensuring a Healthy Pregnancy

Acupuncture, TCM and associated methodologies can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. From back pain to breech position, to inducing labour, let our experts assist you and your baby.

1. World Health Organisation, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Trials (2002)