Ancient Wisdom for Modern Fertility

Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying to conceive.

Pregnancy is the result of a chain of events. There can be fertility struggles in one or more pieces of this chain.

In order to get pregnant:

A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation)

The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb)

A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way

The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation)

1 in 6 individuals worldwide experience infertility. 12% of women experience difficulties becoming pregnant or carrying a child to term. 19% of all couples are unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. 10% of all couples are unable to conceive after two years of unprotected sex.

Only about one-third of cases is infertility due to the woman (female factors). In another one-third of cases, infertility is due to the man (male factors). The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male and female factors or by unknown factors (unexplained infertility)

Infertility in men is most often caused by:

Problems making sperm (sperm count) or producing too few sperm or none at all

Problems with the sperm’s ability to reach the egg and fertilize it

Abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly. ( Sperm morphology and motility)

Problems with ovulation and egg quality account for most cases of infertility in women. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.

Less common causes of fertility problems in women include:

Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy

Physical problems with the uterus

Uterine fibroids

Anyone trying to conceive who is looking for added support and alternative and natural treatment possibilities.

Aging lowers a woman's chances of having a baby because:

The ability of a woman’s ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization decreases with age

The health of a woman’s eggs declines with age

As a woman ages, she is more likely to have health problems that can interfere with fertility

As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.

Some health issues also increase the risk of fertility problems but all can be addressed with Chinese herbs and Acupuncture.

Irregular periods or no menstrual periods

Very painful periods

Endometriosis

Pelvic inflammatory disease

More than one miscarriage

WomanCare specializes exclusively in reproductive medicine and gynecology and women’s health. This specialization deepens our knowledge of the human body and its inner workings in terms of western and eastern reproductive medicine and women’s health. I use this expertise to develop comprehensive treatment programs for each individual patient and at times work in conjunction with your western medical provider if ART (assisted reproductive technology) is the path that is best for you.

Specializing in treating women and the imbalances they face, allows me to do just that, specialize. Having an expertise allows me to be the leader in this field without the distraction of trying to understand thousands of other medical conditions for which someone might present. In western medicine when you have fertility or menstrual irregularities you see your gynecologist or your reproductive endocrinologist, not your family practitioner. That isn’t any different in Chinese medicine, and allows you to receive the best care from the most knowledgeable practitioner.

I also treat men for reproductive issues given that sometimes male factor is involved in the struggle to conceive. I have advanced training in these imbalances so both partners can be treated together at WomanCare Fertility and Wellness.

Both acupuncture an Chinese herbal medicine have been shown to improve fertility and pregnancy rates in a number of ways including increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, regulating the hormonal system, increasing the thickness of the uterine lining, regulating the menstrual cycles, improving ovarian function, and relaxing uterine contractions post IVF/IUI transfers, as well as improving sperm count, motility and morphology.

At WCFW, we treat each person as an individual. Although there are some common reasons why fertility may not be optimal in our patient population, we take the time to treat each person holistically. We look at each piece of our patient’s life in relationship to their reproductive system. Whether you are a younger women in good health and want to conceive naturally or have been diagnosed with infertility and will be using assisted reproductive technology (ART), Chinese herbal medicine will help increase your chances of conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

If you want to conceive naturally, treatment at each phase of the menstrual cycle will help to increase the chances of successful conception. Regular treatments will create a cumulative effect in preparing your uterus for a healthy pregnancy. Chinese Herbal Medicine and nutritional counseling will be utilized to help you achieve your best health overall as you begin the journey to becoming a mama. Once pregnant, some of the side effects of the hormonal changes that may be experienced including morning sickness and fatigue, are minimized. In addition, the risks of miscarriage and premature birth are significantly decreased as a result on-going treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with infertility and are using western pharmacology or ART, treatment can greatly increase your odds of success. Patients also report that the side effects of hormone therapy are lessened. We understand that undergoing fertility treatment is physically, emotionally and financially challenging. Regular treatment can help to ease the stress of the journey on every level and improve the outcome.