Oriental medicine is effective both as treatment for infertility and also when used in conjunction with fertility medications. Many people try Oriental medicine first, before attempting assisted reproductive therapies. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but also the body will be more receptive to fertility medications if assisted therapies are needed.
When should one consider acupuncture for infertility? Most people end up in my practice after several months or years of trying to conceive. For couples that have unexplained infertility, acupuncture and herbs are very effective with high success rates. The reason is that a root imbalance can be detected from a holistic point of view and thereby treated successfully. Acupuncture, together with herbal medicine can help regulate the menstrual cycle, invigorate the sperm and create a general sense of well being which aids in conception.
The endocrine system is very delicate and affected by many things that can throw it off, one of them being stress. Acupuncture can aid in relaxation, which creates an environment where conception occurs more readily. Research has shown that acupuncture directly affects hormone balance and uterine blood flow, enhancing fertility and improving the chances for conception.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine offers a safe, cost effective and noninvasive approach to conception and can treat the following conditions:

• Advanced Maternal Age
• Amenorrhea
• Anovulation
• Endometriosis
• High FSH Levels
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Immunologic Infertility
• Luteal Phase Defect
• Male Factor Infertility (except sterility)
• Polycystic Ovaries
• Recurrent Miscarriage
• Tubal Obstruction
• Unexplained Infertility
• Uterine Fibroids

If assisted reproductive therapies such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intra Uterine Injections (IUI) are needed which are the common assisted therapies many women are trying, acupuncture and herbal medicine can help prepare the body to function optimally so that the best possible outcome is achieved. It does this by assisting the ovaries in producing more follicles and eggs raising the chances of conception, and preparing the uterus and body for pregnancy. Acupuncture performed before and after an IVF transfer increases the chances of pregnancy by about 50%. In addition, acupuncture can greatly reduce the possible toxic side effects of fertility drugs, making them safer while increasing effectiveness.
In my practice there are a large amount of women undergoing IVF because of male factor infertility. Whether it's low sperm count, poor motility or morphology or sexual dysfunction, acupuncture and herbal medicine can addresses these conditions very successfully. If the only reason a couple can't conceive is due to male factor infertility, then acupuncture and herbal medicine should be considered as a primary approach.
If you would like to begin treatment, please start by copying and recording your Basal Body Temperature (BBT) as soon as possible. Begin recording your temperature with a digital thermometer every morning upon awakening (before rising) noting the quality of your mucous as well. Your BBT Chart will allow me to see where in the cycle the body needs the most assistance so that the proper herbal medicine can be administered and any imbalance corrected.

For some excellent resources regarding fertility, pregnancy and Chinese medicine go to our reproductive health links page