Eastern Medicine Fertility Acupuncture Articles

FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE. DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK WHEN WE WANT TO FALL PREGNANT?

Fertility Acupuncture, does it work? The trouble with this question is it depends on who you ask. When it comes to trying for a baby we know how stressful this can be. Who can you trust at this important time when the clock is ticking. The pressure we put on ourselves can be more than from our families.

When it comes to fertility suggestions, there are four main categories of opinion.

1. Western Science has an opinion
2. Chinese Medicine has an opinion
3. Family & Friends
4. Really let’s not forget that anyone you tell is likely to have an opinion

Fertility Acupuncture & Western Medicine

Western Science is renowned for being conservative in its opinions. It also varies from Doctor to Doctor. This incident occurred when some Western Doctors decided to stop Bleeding with Leeches. They also moved away from Wrapping people in Wet sheets. This change happened only 100 years ago. These Doctors wanted to differentiate themselves from superstition and folk medicine, and this was only 100 years ago. Doctors of the time trusted in science. They held themselves to high standards of scientific proof. They wanted to find out what worked and what was a dangerous tradition of the time.

As a fairly young field, Medicine is very idealistic. It sets a high bar for proof. This has led to incredible breakthroughs in health and Natural fertility. This has also led to a disregard for what is natural and what has been around for thousands of years. Unfortunately, the media often misinterprets science-based studies that fail to recognise a clear mechanism or cause. News outlets and some science writers often sensationalise reports. They often interpret a “lack of evidence” as meaning that something does not work. Real Science is mainly interested in if something is safe and finding out conclusively how things work. Lack of research should be recognised as ignorance and addressed with further research.

Acupuncture is relatively new in Australia. The oldest Western college for Doctors of Western Medicine in Acupuncture, founded in 1976, has only 600 members. As you would expect, Western Science and Doctors without training or experience are not capable of offering an educated opinion. If you read the negative press and some narrow-minded scientists, they don’t really think it works for anything. As you can imagine, this applies to Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal interventions, including fertility.

Science and Acupuncture for Fertility

If you look at real science both from Australia and overseas it suggests positive things about Acupuncture. Most agree Acupuncture is very safe in qualified hands. It also suggests that we don’t really have enough studies to know for sure how it works. We cannot confirm if it can be relied upon for everyone in the treatment of infertility. We mainly don’t have enough studies in English for our scientists to read. There are plenty in China. To be fair, we have much higher standards on how a study should be designed. Some can wait while science reaches its conclusions. Many are opting to try Acupuncture as the risks are small.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In China, however, they take a very different approach. They embrace Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Western Medicine is very practical and fantastic are correcting things when we know what’s wrong. TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine which includes Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are still used alongside more modern treatments. Chinese are pragmatic and whatever is safe and effective will be used. We can’t fault China on the size of their population, even with Government Child limits per family.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 3000 years old and with written records, for over 2000 years they have been able to assemble a broad system of medicine, based on what works.

A recent study on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine to assist female infertility and fertility has had astounding results. Australian researchers at Adelaide University have created hope for women suffering from infertility. The recent study sheds new light on effectively helping women with infertility issues using Traditional Chinese Medicine. The research, titled “Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: A systematic review”, found that TCM methods improved pregnancy rates. The methods significantly enhanced fertility outcomes. Women who used these methods experienced better pregnancy outcomes. The study revealed that TCM techniques improved pregnancy rates. The rates increased as much as 2-fold in just a 4-month period. This was in comparison with Western Medical fertility enhancement drug therapies (1).

The research was funded by the Australian government. It involved reviewing 30 earlier conducted studies. These studies included more than 1,800 women with fertility challenges. The likelihood of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine was double, according to the study authors. “Our meta-analyses suggest Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility. It achieves on average a 60% pregnancy rate over 4 months. This is compared with 30% achieved with standard western drug treatment, or IVF over 12 months” (1).

Fertility Chinese Herbal Formula Australian Study

In Australia, a study into assisted fertility was conducted. It concluded that using a particular Chinese herbal formula contributed to the success of the treatment. This was especially true when the formulas were made for an individual’s reproductive system and particular fertility challenges 

Western fertility treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilisation) try to increase the chance of pregnancy through implantation. In contrast, Chinese herbal treatments and other TCM methods, including acupuncture, seek to balance the body. They aim to help it conceive naturally. This is all without the use of costly and aggressive drugs or implantation (1).

Yet another recent study showed males improved their sperm motility. Morphology improved after just 12 weeks of treatment with Korean ginseng (Ren Shen). Sperm concentrations and viability also improved. These changes thus underpin improved fertility. (2). This study, whilst small, shows the positive effects of Chinese herbal treatment. In Eastern Medicine clinics, we treat primary and secondary infertility. We like to look at the health of both the man and woman as a couple.

Fertility Acupuncture Friends and Family opinions

With a 50% increase in the number of people getting Acupuncture between 1995 to 2004 (old news we know). You can bet that the numbers have grown exponentially by now.

Fertility Acupuncture Why are so many women trying Acupuncture for Fertility?

Eastern Medicine has been supporting natural fertility for over 20 years. We have seen a large number of our couples conceive in the first two months of being treated. As you would expect, this depends on the causes of infertility. Along with trying to fall pregnant often comes a good deal of stress. As you might expect, this can interfere with what usually happens naturally. Many recognise that Acupuncture is excellent for reducing stress from all causes. We see more and more patients each day in our clinics for Fertility Acupuncture. Compared to 20 years ago, we recognise a clear need. Our experience has shown that we can help get you back in balance. We would love to support things happening naturally, and they often do.

Fertility Acupuncture, what’s the truth?

There is no substitute for a good Western Gynecologist when trying to conceive. They are crucial for having a healthy pregnancy. Things are not always straightforward, and these specialists are invaluable.

Fertility Acupuncture may be just the thing to do to turn around your difficulty conceiving. Especially if other things have not worked. If you have ruled out other physical causes. It is logical that you may want to give Eastern Medicine a try. Each consultation is gentle, safe and can be a cost-effective option. Perhaps Eastern Medicine is not for everyone. There are more and more people however feel it made a big difference for them.

CLAIM YOUR FREE 20 MINUTE ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY CONVERSATION

If you would like to discuss if Acupuncture may or may not be suitable for your situation. Please email us with your available days and times. We will have Dr Stephen Phillips Eastern Medicine to give you a call. There is no pressure or obligation with this call. You can ask anything at all about Acupuncture and your fertility goals.

Email us here. Or text us on 0414 339 300

We offer a range of TCM treatments. Each one chose uniquely for you to facilitate natural fertility. We will do all we can to assist your chances of becoming pregnant this year. You have a choice of our three clinics in Sydney Penrith & Katoomba. Appointments are from 9 am to 7 pm Weekdays.

Please book an initial personalised session with us today.

TODAYS PARENT ARTICLE – ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY

WHY MORE WOMEN ARE USING ACUPUNCTURE FOR FERTILITY

References:

1. Ried K, Stuart K., Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: a systematic review, 2011, Discipline of General Practice, School of Population Health & Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.

2. Park HJ, e. (2017). Effects of Korean red ginseng on semen parameters in male infertility patients: A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study. – PubMed – NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25967606