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| Health Conditions
& Concerns | Health Condition I-Z |
| Infertility
treatment |
| Acupuncture
and Chinese Medicine have been used as an alternative or complimentary
treatment for infertility for thousands of years. But only recently
their effectiveness was scientifically proven as complimentary
treatment to In Vitro Fertilization, IUI and ICSIs. |
|
| A
recent report suggests that IVF with acupuncture increased the
odds of pregnancy by 65% (according to early evidence on ultrasound),
increased the odds of ongoing pregnancy by 87% (according to
ultrasound evidence of pregnancy at 12 weeks) and increased
the odds of a live birth by 91% compared with IVF on its own. |
Please
click on a link below to download the complete article:
Acupuncture
and Success of IVF  |
| One
such study was reported in “Fertility and Sterility”,
the official publication of American Society of Reproductive
Medicine in April of 2002. It included 160 patients who women
were randomly assigned in one of the two groups. 42.5% of the
women in the group that received acupuncture became pregnant
vs. only 26.3% in the group that did not get it. The researchers
concluded that acupuncture significantly improved the pregnancy
rate for women undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). |
| Another
study was presented in 2004 by Reproductive Medicine and Fertility
Center in Colorado. 114 patients of this fertility clinic, who
were receiving IVF, were randomized into two groups. The first
group received acupuncture treatment before and after their
IVF treatment. The pregnancy rate for this group was 51% vs.
36% for the group that did not receive acupuncture. Also, the
rate of miscarriage and stillbirth was significantly lower (8%)
for the group that received acupuncture vs. a 20% rate for the
other group. |
| An
acupuncture treatment performed before IVF helps to increase
blood flow to the pelvic region which improves receptiveness
to the embryo. A treatment after IVF improves adherence of the
egg to the uterus by relaxing the uterus. Along with direct
fertility benefits, acupuncture treatments can help by reducing
stress and anxiety, improving sleep and energy. |
| Acupuncture
may also be very valuable in treatment of male fertility. Studies
showed that it can increase the sperm count as well as improve
sperm structure and morphology. |
| Alternative
or complimentary option |
| Either
you choose a Western reproductive technology or an alternative
natural treatment to achieve fertility we can help. |
| Dr.
Shikhman will diagnose your unique Chinese medicine patterns
by investigating your signs and symptoms. She will design an
individualized treatment protocol that would include acupuncture,
herbal formulas, diet supplements and life stile changes. |
| What
to expect |
| Different
treatment protocols are used during the cycle. The goal of a
herbal treatment is to support each part of the women’s
natural cycle and to correct irregularities that may be causing
infertility. |
| For
example, during menstrual period specific herbal formulas are
used to help to exfoliate the old layer of uterine lining allowing
for the new fresh layer. Right after the menses herbs that rebuild
the lost blood are used. Around the ovulation time the herbs
that support maturation of the new egg are added. After ovulation
special formulas that increase the energy flow to the uterus
in order to promote better fertilization and retention are utilized.
Herbal treatments are always supported by acupuncture. |
| It
is recommended to start acupuncture treatments 2-4 month before
a conventional fertility treatment. Generally, you will receive
one acupuncture treatment every week for the first 2-3 month.
Treatment frequency may increase up to two treatments a week
during the last two weeks before fertilization procedure. Also,
acupuncture can greatly improve the outcomes if you are already
undergoing infertility treatment. In both cases, it is recommended
to receive an acupuncture treatment 12-48 hours before and after
the fertilization procedure. |
|
| To
learn more about this condition, please call White Oak Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at 203-323-0500 to
schedule a free consultation
or make an appointment. |
