We are both Acupuncturists and Herbalists who have treated complex infertility cases for over a decade using medicine that is thousands of years old. We often co-treat patients or my husband will treat the husband for poor sperm count, morphology and/or motility. We just had our first set of Irish Twins last month treating exclusively with acupuncture and herbal medicine for infertility and habitual miscarriage.
Numerous studies prove acupuncture's efficacy beyond the billions of cases supporting empirical evidence accumulated over thousands of years. This ancient form of medicine actually works according to a western medical model and has been published in respected allopathic medical journals.
A study published in the July 2005 issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility found that acupuncture helped infertile men by apparently helping improve sperm quality in their semen.
Fertility and Sterility July 2005
I treat women for all types of fertility issues including: unexplained infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, High FSH levels (early menopause), annovulation, irregular cycles, hypo-thyroidism, habitual miscarriage, or auto-immune disorders.
Here is yet another ... "study to demonstrate that repeated low-frequency electro-acupuncture and physical exercise can reduce high sympathetic nerve activity seen in women with PCOS,” according to the authors. “Furthermore, both therapies decreased measures of obesity while only low-frequency electro-acupuncture improved menstrual bleeding pattern. "
Source: Stener-Victorin et al. Low-frequency Electro-Acupuncture and Physical Exercise Decrease High Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2009; DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00197.2009
Both my husband and I have treated hundreds of women with acupuncture during embryo transfers (the last stage of in-vitro fertilization cycle) at some of the most prestigious fertility centers in the U.S. increasing pregnancy up to an astounding 65%.
Source: BritishMedical Journal,doi:10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE (February 2008)
and
Source: Infertility and Sterility, April 2007
However, in our practice our statistical success in pregnancy rates are even more impressive when combined with IVF at 82.5%.
A 2002 German study that received a lot of attention found significantly higher conception rates (42.5% vs. 26.3%) when acupuncture was combined with IVF. Also, two studies published in May 2006, showed that acupuncture can improve IVF success rates.
Stener-Victorin et al. Low-frequency Electro-Acupuncture and Physical Exercise Decrease High Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2009; DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00197.2009
References
1. Paulus, W., et al. Fertility and Sterility. April, Vol. 77 (4):721-724, 2002.
2. Dieterle,S., Ying, G., Hatzmann, W., Neuer, A. Fertility and Sterility, May, Vol. 85 (5):1347-135, 2006.
3. Westergaard, L., Mao, Q., et al. Fertility and Sterility, May, Vol. 85 (5): 1341-1346, 2006.
4. Smith, C., Coyle, M., et al. Fertility and Sterility, May, Vol. 85 (5) 1352-1358, 2006.
5. Pei, J., Strehler, E., Noss, U. et al. Fertility and Sterility, July, Vol. 84 (1), pgs. 141-7, 2005.
6. Cnattingius, S. et al, New England Journal of Medicine Vol.343(25):1839-1845, Dec., 2000.
7. George, L., et al. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, Vol. 20 (2): 119-126, March, 2006.
8. Ibid.
Showing posts with label increase fertility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label increase fertility. Show all posts
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Planting the Seed of Life
When we want to grow things we plant a seed. Ironically this is what women and men attempting to enhance their fertility should do as well. Seeds strengthen Kidney Jing or rather enhance fertility. It's easy to incorporate all types of seeds into your diet. Here are some easy and fun ideas to start today!
Black sesame seeds are potent and should be added to breads, muffins, stir frys and grilled foods
Sunflower seeds are best as a snack or on top salads
Pumpkin seeds surging with zinc should be consumed by both men and women but have proven to have a positive impact on sperm- these are best toasted lightly with sea salt and eat as an evening snack or sprinkled on squash soup
Get creative! For more fabulous recipes with seeds buy the cookbook in our office or on-line Whole Foods Nutrition Cookbook- you will love it!
Black sesame seeds are potent and should be added to breads, muffins, stir frys and grilled foods
Sunflower seeds are best as a snack or on top salads
Pumpkin seeds surging with zinc should be consumed by both men and women but have proven to have a positive impact on sperm- these are best toasted lightly with sea salt and eat as an evening snack or sprinkled on squash soup
Get creative! For more fabulous recipes with seeds buy the cookbook in our office or on-line Whole Foods Nutrition Cookbook- you will love it!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sexy Tips for Getting Pregnant
Trying for a baby may sound fun in the beginning but after months of failed attempts couples excitement usually wanes and feels more like a chore than an exhilarating, intimate moment.
Surprisingly I advise patients to have intercourse at times when they aren't fertile and know they can't get pregnant. It takes the emotional pressure off for once enabling couples to enjoy each other for the sex of it. This way, when they are having sex during fertile times it feels OK that it's more mechanical then sensual.
Surprisingly I advise patients to have intercourse at times when they aren't fertile and know they can't get pregnant. It takes the emotional pressure off for once enabling couples to enjoy each other for the sex of it. This way, when they are having sex during fertile times it feels OK that it's more mechanical then sensual.
Monday, November 30, 2009
To Work or Not to Work? That is the Fertile Question
Your dilemma is a common one and quitting your job doesn't always equate with less stress. There are some questions you want to ask yourself. Can you afford financially to quit your job? Does your job bring you happiness and satisfaction? If you do quit your job how will you fill your daily life: sitting around watching television or taking up yoga and cooking with whole foods? The latter will bring more healthful rewards and will increase your fertility and the former weight gain and depression. Quitting your job may actually add more stress to your life but that is for you do decide.
If your job is producing an extraordinary amount of stress then yes, it will increase your fertility to quit and here is why:
Most people don’t realize the stressors we endure in modern day life. Just as I write this I have numerous stressors that I have learned to ignore 1. The traffic driving by just beyond my computer screen 2. The phone ringing 3. Music in the background 4. The lingering list of to-do for Christmas preparation 5. The pesky worry of the future that pops up from my conscience to every day awareness 6. My husband typing on his computer… you get the idea. We don’t perceive these things as stress but the modern person is constantly multi-taking even in our peaceful office with aroma therapy and soothing music. The majority of people have real intense pressures from spouses, in-laws, neighbors, bosses, and financial institutions. This constant attack we endure stresses our sympathetic nervous system putting our body in a constant state of fight or flight wreaking havoc on our endocrine system and literally shutting down our reproductive system.
Fight or flight is a state in which we feel under attack that some have theorized was built into our bodies for survival against savage animals when we lived in the wild. When we feel our lives are at stake our pupils dilate to see better, our heart rate increases dramatically propelled by adrenaline so we can run quickly and our breath quickens. Unfortunately our digestive, urinary, bowel and reproductive systems get cut off. There is no need to reproduce or go to the bathroom when all of our energy needs to be expended in order to survive and flee as quickly as possible.
How this translates to modern day time is that our stressors are constant and overwhelming. The modern conveniences push us to do more, work more, be more. The intensity of the daily news is so traumatic one can’t help but be stressed by the devastating news of the world at large. We are constantly answering phones, texts, emails, paper mail just to get out the door in the morning and get our real work done. We are constantly bombarded by advertisers, telemarketers, politicians, local business men and women, churches, schools, and neighbors, to give, drive, celebrate and donate. We have accepted this as the way of life but it costly us all dearly in our health, weight, emotional well-being and our fertility.
We often run out the door with coffee sloshing in our mugs taxing our adrenals and slowing blood flow to our reproductive organs. Maybe a handful of crackers are shoved haphazardly in our mouths as we race down the road to sit in traffic and ward off maniac drivers. Then we turn on the radio to be bombarded with talk and gossip and dread. We rush into our offices only to find our irritated boss with a deadline to meet and a pay cut delivered and it’s only 7:30 a.m. The madness must stop. We all need to slow down, calm ourselves and take a good look at our lives to discover how we can reduce stress thereby improving our reproductive successes.
Here is a list of suggestions of how to reduce stress:
Work no more than 40 hours a week
Always plan something fun on the weekends
Exercise is a priority not a luxury
Swap Coffee for Green Tea or Teccino (herbal non caffeinated coffee substitute)
Learn to Meditate or Buy a Mind Body CD
Pray
Enjoy laughter with girlfriends
Make Love when you are NOT fertile
Love your job or change careers
Turn off your TV
Go on a news fast
Have lavender aroma therapy at home, work and your car
Listen to classical music
Learn to Belly Breathe
Get Acupuncture Even if your OBGYN says “You are Fine” Unexplained infertility responds well
Take a yoga Class
Spend time only with people who nourish you; avoid those who don’t
Rent a funny movie
Join Resolve (the non-profit that helps couples who have a hard time conceiving or staying pregnant)
Just say no to baby showers
Let it go
Use an ovulation predictor kit (clear blue easy around $200 is more helpful than just the wands)
Know that what you are going through is one of the hardest things any human can face but you will get through this so try to find the gems in the journey: meeting fabulous people, rediscovering compassion through your own suffering, a stronger relationship with
If your job is producing an extraordinary amount of stress then yes, it will increase your fertility to quit and here is why:
Most people don’t realize the stressors we endure in modern day life. Just as I write this I have numerous stressors that I have learned to ignore 1. The traffic driving by just beyond my computer screen 2. The phone ringing 3. Music in the background 4. The lingering list of to-do for Christmas preparation 5. The pesky worry of the future that pops up from my conscience to every day awareness 6. My husband typing on his computer… you get the idea. We don’t perceive these things as stress but the modern person is constantly multi-taking even in our peaceful office with aroma therapy and soothing music. The majority of people have real intense pressures from spouses, in-laws, neighbors, bosses, and financial institutions. This constant attack we endure stresses our sympathetic nervous system putting our body in a constant state of fight or flight wreaking havoc on our endocrine system and literally shutting down our reproductive system.
Fight or flight is a state in which we feel under attack that some have theorized was built into our bodies for survival against savage animals when we lived in the wild. When we feel our lives are at stake our pupils dilate to see better, our heart rate increases dramatically propelled by adrenaline so we can run quickly and our breath quickens. Unfortunately our digestive, urinary, bowel and reproductive systems get cut off. There is no need to reproduce or go to the bathroom when all of our energy needs to be expended in order to survive and flee as quickly as possible.
How this translates to modern day time is that our stressors are constant and overwhelming. The modern conveniences push us to do more, work more, be more. The intensity of the daily news is so traumatic one can’t help but be stressed by the devastating news of the world at large. We are constantly answering phones, texts, emails, paper mail just to get out the door in the morning and get our real work done. We are constantly bombarded by advertisers, telemarketers, politicians, local business men and women, churches, schools, and neighbors, to give, drive, celebrate and donate. We have accepted this as the way of life but it costly us all dearly in our health, weight, emotional well-being and our fertility.
We often run out the door with coffee sloshing in our mugs taxing our adrenals and slowing blood flow to our reproductive organs. Maybe a handful of crackers are shoved haphazardly in our mouths as we race down the road to sit in traffic and ward off maniac drivers. Then we turn on the radio to be bombarded with talk and gossip and dread. We rush into our offices only to find our irritated boss with a deadline to meet and a pay cut delivered and it’s only 7:30 a.m. The madness must stop. We all need to slow down, calm ourselves and take a good look at our lives to discover how we can reduce stress thereby improving our reproductive successes.
Here is a list of suggestions of how to reduce stress:
Work no more than 40 hours a week
Always plan something fun on the weekends
Exercise is a priority not a luxury
Swap Coffee for Green Tea or Teccino (herbal non caffeinated coffee substitute)
Learn to Meditate or Buy a Mind Body CD
Pray
Enjoy laughter with girlfriends
Make Love when you are NOT fertile
Love your job or change careers
Turn off your TV
Go on a news fast
Have lavender aroma therapy at home, work and your car
Listen to classical music
Learn to Belly Breathe
Get Acupuncture Even if your OBGYN says “You are Fine” Unexplained infertility responds well
Take a yoga Class
Spend time only with people who nourish you; avoid those who don’t
Rent a funny movie
Join Resolve (the non-profit that helps couples who have a hard time conceiving or staying pregnant)
Just say no to baby showers
Let it go
Use an ovulation predictor kit (clear blue easy around $200 is more helpful than just the wands)
Know that what you are going through is one of the hardest things any human can face but you will get through this so try to find the gems in the journey: meeting fabulous people, rediscovering compassion through your own suffering, a stronger relationship with
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