Acupuncture for Infertility
Acupuncture for Infertility – ETHOS HEALTH CARE
What is infertility
Causes of infertility
Diagnosis of infertility
TCM basis of infertility
Acupuncture treatment of infertility
Enhanced Natural Fertility
What is infertility
Infertility is the state of not being able to get pregnant despite of frequent unprotected sex for at least a year. If the cause is due to male factor, it is called sterility. It is estimated that about 10-15 % couples face this problem. In about 20% cases, the cause is male factor (sterility). In about 30-40% cases it is due to both male and female factors. In rest about 50% cases it is due to female factors.
Causes of infertility
- Female factors – The common female causes are fallopian tube block or damage, endometriosis, disorders of ovulation, hormonal disorders, ovary disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS or premature ovary failure, pelvic cause like pelvic adhesions, uterus cause like fibroids, disorders of menstruation like amenorrhea, premature menopause etc.
- Male factors – Common male causes are disorders of sperm shape, disorders of sperm concentration, disorders of sperm movement, disorders like varicocele or undescended testicles, absence of semen, hormonal disorders like deficiency of testosterone, infection like orchitis, genetic defect, disorder of semen delivery like impotence, retrograde ejaculation, blockage of ejaculatory duct etc.
- Common or general factors – Age, stress, malnutrition, obesity, alcohol / smoking / drugs, cancer & its treatment, injury, surgery, systemic disease like diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, anemia, exposure to chemicals etc.
Diagnosis of infertility
Diagnosis of infertility is crucial as it decides the course of management. It includes:
- Medical history
- Reproduction related history
- Clinical examination
- Hormonal assessment
- Test for ovulation
- Hysterosalpingography
- Laproscopy
- Ultrasound
- Genetic testing
- Semen analysis
TCM basis of infertility
Although hormonal changes or changes in ovary / uterus are direct causes of infertility but according to TCM there are some causes which leads to such hormonal changes or changes in ovary / uterus. According to traditional Chinese medicine, infertility is due to following factors:
- Congenital deficiency of energy system to support pregnancy
- Excessive and pathogenic emotions
- Excessive sexual activity
- Exposure to cold and / or damp
This leads to:
- Kidney yin or kidney yang deficiency
- Blood and/or Qi deficiency
- Blood and/or Qi stagnation
- Liver Qi stagnation
- Excess cold & phlegm in uterus
Acupuncture treatment of infertility
Acupuncture for infertility
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into specific acupuncture points that are located along meridians or channels that connect to the various organs in Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture can help increase your fertility. Acupuncture can be used to enhance fertility health. It is a great alternative for both women and men seeking to enhance their ability to successfully conceive. There are many causes of infertility in women. Causes due to problems in the endocrine system include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. Sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia can cause infertility by damaging the fallopian tubes. Other common causes of infertility include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Decreased sperm count and/or motility are common causes of infertility in men.
Acupuncture for men fertility
Acupuncture is one of the safest and most effective ways of improving the overall sperm profile. It increases blood circulation, supply essential nutrients to the pelvis and genitals. The needles have also been shown to trigger hormone regulation. This in turn promotes sperm production and quality. It also helps to balance men’s hormones and reduce overall stress, both of which have great impacts on fertility. Using acupuncture, sperm motility improves and the normal sperm ratio will also increase.
Acupuncture for women fertility
Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the pelvic organs in women. It also helps in improving the endometrial lining. It regulates ovulation and the menstrual cycle. It also decreases overall stress levels which weakens the body. It enhances the follicle development and improves the fertile mucous. In cases of tubal blockage or other conditions where surgical procedures may be needed acupuncture can improve circulation and healing after the surgery.
There are minimal risks in using acupuncture for fertility treatment. Fertility acupuncture treatments help balance the body’s natural hormone levels and reduce feelings of stress and optimize reproductive health.
Acupuncture creates internal order & equilibrium of health. Specific acupuncture treatment of infertility helps in restoration of natural fertility by:
- Improves natural conception abilities and chances
- Fights conditions which causes infertility like stress & its impact on body
- Improves and balances Qi (vital energy)
- Corrects Qi and blood deficiency and stagnation
- Removes excess cold & phlegm from uterus
- Improves all physiological body functions
- Corrects hormonal imbalance
- Corrects immunological system and antibodies thereby fights endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases etc.
- Improves psychological status
- Improves reproductive organs and their functioning
- Improves ovulation with healthier eggs
- Improves uterus lining and conditions for implantation of fertilized egg and its stay in uterus
- Improves semen and sperm count and quality in males
- Improves blood flow and nutrition to uterus, ovaries, testis
- Improves uterus and ovary morphology
- Supports In Vitro Fertilization IVF treatment and Intra Uterine Insemination IUI treatment, improves success rate and eliminates side effects.
Treatment Plan
It is always customized and prepared depending on various factors like infertility cause, age, over all health status etc. The first consultation is towards diagnosis according to TCM and how the condition can be corrected. The treatment program will then be explained. It is better to start acupuncture treatment about 3 – 4 months before the desired time of conception.
Enhanced Natural Fertility
In addition to treatment, Dr Anjali Sharma helps couples in realizing their goal by providing guidance to enhance natural fertility. Some vital aspects are :
- Fertility diet – Changing the diet pattern and including fertility supportive food articles.
- Astro Fertility – Simple and easy to follow astrological suggestion.
- ReproYoga – Unique Yoga program to enhance fertility in both males and females.
- Exercise & Massage – Various exercise & massage techniques to improve fertility and reproductive function.
- Electrostimulation – Stimulating the reproductive organs and enhancing fertility.
- Destressing – Reducing the detrimental effect of stress on fertility.
- Homeopathy – Natural remedies to enhance fertility.
- Hypnotherapy – Hypnosis is stated to improve body functions.
