Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine for Supporting Fertility and Treating Infertility
How do acupuncture and Chinese herbs increase chances of conceiving?
The holistic diagnosis and treatment methods of classical Chinese medicine support fertility and treat infertility by addressing the total mind-body health condition of the patient. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treat symptoms affecting reproductive organ function while simultaneously addressing co-occurring imbalances such and digestive, sleep, hormonal, or mental emotional disturbance. Due to its holistic mind-body approach to healing, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are particularly well suited to address both the physical and mental emotional aspects of supporting optimal fertility.
How do acupuncture and Chinese herbs enhance female fertility?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine promote normal female reproductive cycle physiology and/or treat other conditions that adversely affect the reproductive organs:
· Regulate the menstrual cycle: Approximately 28 days in length, minimal pain, healthy moderate bleeding
· Support healthy ovulation: On or about cycle day 14, resolve cysts or PCOS
· Stimulate ovaries: Support healthy follicle development and hormone balance
· Improve uterine health: Endometriosis, fibroids, healthy lining
· Manage stress -> Increased Cortisol interferes with follicular development and can interfere with normal ovulation
· Support overall body condition -> Regulate endocrine system, promote better sleep, improve digestion/elimination, strengthen immunity
How does acupuncture and Chinese herbs enhance male fertility?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine support normal male urogenital physiology and/or treat other conditions that adversely affect the reproductive organs:
· Support healthy sperm formation: Count, motility, and morphology
· Support optimal prostate and urogenital health
· Support pelvic circulation for healthy erectile tissue function
· Manage stress -> chronic elevated stress hormone adversely affects testosterone (HPA/HPG axis)
· Support overall body condition -> Regulate endocrine system, promote better sleep, improve digestion/elimination, strengthen immunity
How do Acupuncture and Chinese herbs support fertility and treat infertility?
Classical Chinese Medicine utilizes unique terminology to describe the various physiological functions of the body. According to Classical Chinese Medicine, the following organ systems are most frequently involved with supporting fertility and treating infertility:
· Kidney/Water element: Governs the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes) to support healthy egg & sperm development; benefits prostate health and erectile dysfunction.
· Liver/Wood element: Governs the menstrual cycle. Regulates length cycle, healthy ovulation, smooth flow of blood, and emotional ease.
· Heart/Fire element: Makes blood to benefit circulation, benefits reproductive organ function, and warms the uterus.
· Spleen/Earth element: Extracts and assimilates nutrients from food used to make blood and provides “lifting energy” to support healthy pregnancy/prevent miscarriage.
Pathological conditions associated with improving fertility and treating infertility are characterized by descriptions such as: “blood stasis”, “blood deficiency”, “cold in the lower burner”, “kidney yang deficiency”, “heart yang deficiency”, “spleen yang deficiency” “dampness in the lower burner”, “heart and kidney not communicating”, “deficiency taxation”
Do Chinese herbs work for fertility?
Many Chinese herbal formulas effectively support fertility or treat infertility.
A key strength of Chinese herbal medicine is its history of practice. As the oldest continuously practiced system on medicine on the planet, countless millions of case studies have shown consistent results. When certain diagnostic criteria are present concurrently, a particular “pattern of disharmony”, is present. Specific herbal formulas are prescribed for various patterns of disharmony. When properly prescribed Chinese herbal medicine has consistently shown to be effective for treating the conditions listed above.
Choosing the correct herbs is established by forming a proper classical Chinese medicine diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is essential to writing an effective herbal prescription. Classically trained herbalists form a Chinese medicine herbal formula diagnosis by utilizing thorough medical history and review of symptoms, forming a differential diagnosis, and performing physical examinations including pulse diagnosis, abdominal palpation (hara diagnosis), and inspecting the tongue.
Some examples of herbal formulas that address fertility and reproductive system support include:
· Guizhi Tang
· Guizhi Jia Longgu Muli Tang
· Guizhi Fuling Wan
· Xiao Chaihu Tang
· Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang
· Renshen Tang
· Xiao Jianzhong Tang
· Zhen Wu Tang
· Danggui Sini Tang
· Danggui Shaoyao San
· Wenjing Tang
· Jinggui Sheqi Wan
· Tianxiong San
· Jiao Jiang Tang
· Di Dang Tang
How many acupuncture sessions do you need for fertility?
The short answer is, it depends. A course of treatment can be a few weeks, or a few months depending on the severity and chronicity of one’s condition.
You may need to have regular acupuncture every 1-2 weeks for up to 3 months before attempting to conceive (roughly 10-12 sessions). In additional to regular acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine may be prescribed as well.
During the initial consultation and exam a through medical history and body systems review will be conducted to assess your condition and create a treatment plan.
If you would like to know more about how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help your specific case, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with me to address your specific questions and concerns.
Check out some great success stories on Yelp and the Testimonials page!
Thank you, take care, and I look forward to seeing you in clinic soon.
Sincerely,
Joe Recsnik L.Ac, DCCM
Licensed Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, herbal pharmacist,
& Founder of POPULUSS Classical Eastern Healing
Proudly serving the nearby communities of Venice, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Palms, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Westchester. LAX and Greater Los Angeles