Chinese medicine, acupuncture & natural fertility

  Over the past 30 years, Fertility Practitioners have seen decline in fertility rates, and an increase in fertility issues, such as; PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) Natural Kill (NK) cells, Fibroids, Amenorrhea , Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Luteal Phase Defect, low progesterone and Anti Mullarian Hormone (AMH), and high Estrogen or Androgen levels in women. 

It is has been established that 1 in 6 couples currently, have trouble conceiving.

Hormonal issues can lead to weight gain, infertility, low libido, irregular cycles, breast tenderness, reoccurring miscarriages, pain with periods or during ovulation (Mittelschmerz), hormonal headaches, acne and PMS.

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture, may be implemented to assist sufferers, in the easing of their symptoms. 

The goal of Chinese medicine, is to assist with the regulation of the menstrual cycle, relieve pain, and ultimately boost fertility, and support a healthy pregnancy. 

A regular menstrual cycle is said to be between 28 to 30-days. Ideally, you want your period to be around 5 days in duration, with fresh red blood without clots. 

Long cycles may be associated with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and luteal phase defect, whilst short cycles may indicate poor egg quality. Many of these factors may lead to sub-optimal fertility or infertility.

Symptoms may include; PMS, period related pain, bloating,  breast tenderness and mid-cycle spotting or pain.

In Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture theory, the menstrual bleeding reflects the quality of the uterine lining, and  overall fertility.  Studies suggest that the quality of the uterine lining affects embryo implementation. 

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture treatments aim to increase the thickness and quality of the lining, improve egg quality and ovulation. 

In Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture theory,  underlying hormonal issues result from blood deficiency or status, phlegm damp, liver qi stagnation and kidney yin or yang deficiency.

Other factors may include; cold in the uterus, and a blockage between the heart and kidney connection, this connection  is vital for optimal fertility.

Blood tests are often appropriate for assessing female hormone levels. Blood results can assist with the detection of underlying fertility/infertility issues. Britt typically requests the following blood parameters:

Day 2-3 of your cycle:

· Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)

· Estrogen (E2)

· Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Day 21 of your cycle or 7 days after ovulation

· Progesterone (P4)

Other tests may include; MTHRF gene detection, AMH, TSH, cortisol, prolactin, CRP and ESR analysis.

Efficient blood flow is linked to increased egg quality, and therefore increase fertility. An increase in blood flow, promotes oxygen and nutrients to the reproductive organs. 

In one randomized controlled trial, patients who received acupuncture treatment, had significantly more mature eggs, than patients who received  the placebo treatment.

In Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture theory, a cold uterus can lead to infertility. Britt advises that women keep their bodies warm during their periods. 

Pants, warm  leggings , socks, and enclosed shoes are essential. Keeping the legs warm, will prevent cold from entering the liver meridian at the feet and legs, from traveling to the lower abdomen and uterus.  

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture,  along with cupping, heat lamp application, electro-acupuncture and moxibustion, can increase blood flow and warm the uterus.

 Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, has been shown through clinical trials, to  increase  blood flow to the reproductive organs, therefore,  increasing egg quality, and the thickness and quality of the uterine lining.

 In more recent years, research into In vitro Fertilization (IVF)  has lead fertility practitioners to delve deep into the sphere of Natural Kill (NK) cells and DQ Alpha  genotype testing. As couples who have reoccurring miscarriages, or an inability to conceive, may have these conditions. 

Many gynecologists and Western Medicine fertility specialists, now support Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, in the effort to gain higher IVF success rates.

We work in conjunction with Western Medicine fertility and IVF specialists, to help detect such underlying factors, and assist couples along their fertility journey.

Optimal ovulation occurs between days 13-15 in a regular cycle.  Ovulation occurs with the transition of the  follicular phase, into the luteal phase.  Impending ovulation should see the arrival of the fertile mucous. 

Ovulation should not be painful                   (Mittelschmerz), or excessively uncomfortable, if so, this could indicate stagnation and hormonal imbalance.  

We often describe to our patient's, that the ovum is like the yolk, and the corpus luteum is like the shell. If the egg released is of poor quality, then the progesterone producing corpus luteum, may not be strong enough to carry a pregnancy, miscarriage can often occur.  

The corpus luteum ideally needs to last 12-14 days, showing that it is strong enough to carry a pregnancy, until the placenta can take over progesterone production at around 10 weeks gestation.

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture may be implemented to help regulate ovulation if you are early or late, and ultimately assist's  with natural fertility and conception. 

 The egg you work on today, is the egg you will release in 3 months’ time.  

 Woman can really take charge of their own fertility by Basil Body Temperature (BBT) charting. Charting is cost effective and can provide more information about a woman's own cycle, than expensive Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK) can.

Having knowledge with respect to the BBT chart process, can really help get things moving in the right direction.  

It can be exciting for a woman, to see changes occurring throughout her cycle. BBT charting is like having a little window into the on goings of your ovaries. As many infertility sufferers feel as though they are running to stand still, charting can be extremely empowering. The BBT chart can offer a woman, a greater understanding of her own body and fertility.

 BBT can be implemented to determine if, and when, ovulation has occurred. Charting is essentially used a tool, to determine the overall health of the cycle. BBT charting can also ascertain whether there are any underlying issues, that could be a cause of unexplained infertility. 

Patients often chart daily, for a period of at least 3 months. As this is how long egg quality takes to increase, when they are focused upon them. 

Just grab a thermometer, download a BBT chart, or app and away you go. Britt is skilled in BBT chart analysis, and can explain the changes in your chart throughout you fertility journey.

 Our male partners also suffer emotionally from fertility issues, with many men being reluctant to even discuss the issue. 

Some men are fearful of having their sperm tested, as they feel that not having 'super sperm' is a reflection on their masculinity. Unfortunately, societal expectations and pressures have led to this false belief in many men.

Semen quality decline is more common than many believe. You are not alone.  A recent study  indicated that sperm counts fell on average,  by 1.2% per year between the years of 1973 to 2018, from 104 to 49 million/ml.  From the year 2000, this rate of decline accelerated to more than 2.6% per year. 

Stress, overwork, poor diet, substance abuse, environmental factors and lifestyle choices, have lead to many male infertility factors. Many of these factors include; Poor Morphology, Low Sperm Count, Low Progressive Motility and Low Seminal Volume. 

You do not need to feel embarrassed, male infertility is nothing to be ashamed about, it is common, and can benefit from Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle changes.

If you already have your results, you can type them in here to assess your fertility health

When it comes to infertility, 50% of the issue rests with the male partner, 'the sperm'.  Remembering the embryo is made up of 50% mother's and 50% father's DNA - the quality of both the egg and the sperm are equally important. 

Preliminary research investigations, has found that acupuncture can positively influence sperm parameters, including sperm concentration, progressive motility, normal morphology and volume.

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture,  may address the underlying issues that can lead to male infertility factors. Often, men are reluctant to seek help for such intimate and personal issues. 

 In the clinic, we do a thorough sperm analysis. No, we don't physically need to see the specimen, however, a semen analysis test can give us great insight into the quality of your sperm, and your chance's of conceiving naturally. 

We undertake a calculation of all the semen parameters, to determine the overall health of your little fella's. 

If you already have your results, you can type them in here to assess your fertility health

  At Mornington Peninsula Health, we understand that men are often reluctant to address their own fertility concerns. However, as fertility issues are often attributed equally to both women and their partners, a guy's dedication to his own fertility issues is paramount. It really does " take two to tango".

We also understands that couples undertaking their combined fertility journey, can be quite costly, especially if they are seeking assistance through IVF treatments also. 

To encourage the fellas to get on board, 

we offer discounts on 'couples treatment's' (consultation at the same time applies). This is in the effort, to ensure both couples can achieve their own fertility goals, and achieve their combined desired outcome.....Parenthood. 

Pregnancy can be an amazing time for many expectant mothers.  Some, however, can be extremely worried about miscarriage, especially if they have suffered from one, or multiple loses in the past. 

This is understandable, as impending parenthood can be scary at the best of times, let alone being terrified that something is going to go wrong. It's such a terrible thing to go through, a woman's greatest fear.  

Chinese medicine and acupuncture, is often implemented to address the underlying causes of miscarriage, and assist with the promotion of a healthy pregnancy. 

Acupuncture may also be implemented for natural labour promotion, and can encourage a stubborn bub to get into the 'heads down bum up' position. 

Labour prep can also assist the mum to be, to get into a calmer state of mind. Especially those first time mumma bears, or those who have suffered from birth trauma in the past.

Trying to conceive can be a very stressful time for many couples. Often well meaning family and friends will suggest 'going on a holiday',  or will make statements such as "just relax, it will happen.'' Very easy to say, but very hard to do.

Sometimes your nervous system just needs that little bit of extra love and support.

 Whilst we know that stress does effect negatively upon the nervous systems, and therefore fertility, stressing about stressing out is unhelpful. 

Studies have shown, that Acupuncture can lead to a reduction of high cortisol levels (a stress hormone). Acupuncture has also be shown to significantly reduce anxiety in patients undergoing fertility treatments (Ye et al., 2021).

Lifestyle changes may also lead to increased fertility and chances of conception, if something in your life is causing you stress or anxiety,  feel empowered to make changes in your life.

We often also advise those who work evening shifts, to get a script for melatonin from their GP's.  Melatonin is proven very important in the regulation of fertility related hormones.