Approximately 1 in 6 Australians suffer with infertility. This is a stressful, costly and challenging time for most couples, let Chinese medicine help you!
Acupuncture is one of the main modalities of Chinese medicine, it is an effective and safe treatment for aiding to restore fertility and reducing stress.
How can Acupuncture & Chinese medicine help?
From a western perspective, some studies have shown that acupuncture may help to improve ovarian function as well as improve both egg and sperm quality. Some of these studies have shown that acupuncture may also help to balance the endocrine system and the hormones, assisting in aiding to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Acupuncture may also help to increase blood flow to the uterus improving the endometrial lining and overall health of the uterus. A healthy uterus is very important for a healthy pregnancy!
Do you need to prepare for pregnancy?
YES! It takes about 100 days to develop a dominant follicle that will become the ‘one’ that is released at time of ovulation. It is important to allow a minimum of 3 - 4 months of acupuncture treatment to impact egg quality.
The same amount of time is required to ensure a regular and healthy menstrual cycle. In Chinese medicine, the amount of pain experienced, the length of the cycle, the length of menstruation itself as well as the flow and quality of the bleeds (not too heavy, not too light, colour of the blood, clots etc) offer direct insight into the health of the uterus and also what is happening from a hormonal perspective. It is important to go into pregnancy in an already balanced situation from a hormonal, uterine and blood quality perspective.
In Chinese medicine, longevity, conception, egg and sperm quality are directly linked to the energy of the Kidneys. When we are born, we inherit the ‘Essence of the Kidney’ through our parents via their Kidneys. You may look at this sort of like DNA for example. The ‘Essence of the Kidneys’ predetermines your overall health and pre-disposition to certain health conditions, longevity and overall vitality.
The Kidney ‘essence’ is given at birth and utilized and depleted throughout life. It has everything to do with growth, development, reproduction & aging. Although this is present at birth, it can be affected by lifestyle such as overworking, too much sex (excessive ejaculation for example), excessive stress, not enough sleep, drugs and alcohol for example. It is important for both you - and your partner - to be strong and healthy, as your Kidney essence is transferred to your baby at ‘time of conception’ and is influenced in utero- during, pregnancy until birth. Preparation is important!
Benefits of seeking natural fertility with Chinese medicine;
It is cheaper then western fertility treatment
No side effects
You are preparing your body to carry and nourish a baby both before, during and after birth
If you are healthy going into pregnancy - your baby is more likely to be as well
It’s not stressful
What to expect;
The standard protocol for the most successful outcome is acupuncture treatment once weekly for 3 -4months, then once fortnightly for an additional 2-3 months. Herbs and certain vitamins and minerals may be prescribed by your Acupuncturist once a diagnosis has been attained.
Where are the needles placed? The needles are placed in the lower abdomen over the uterus and ovaries, in the lower back/sacral area, legs and ears.
What can you do between treatments?
Keep clean; reduce non-prescription drugs, seek natural alternatives in herbal medicine & supplements instead. Reduce exposure to chemicals such as aerosols, perfumes, chemicals in the garden or household cleaning products and reduce exposure to environmental pollution.
Eat clean; organic or as preservative free as you can. Reduce or eliminate refined sugars. Make your food from scratch and don’t overcook your veggies. Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Try to consume all 5 food groups; vegetables, fruit, organic or hormone free meat (if you are vegetarian, ensure that you are consuming adequate protein*), include dairy, if not lactose intolerant, and carbohydrates -in the form of healthy whole grains & legumes.
Choose to reduce your stress; chronic stress and being ‘stuck in a flight or fight cycle’ affects your cortisol levels and can cause a range of problems. Stress can negatively affect your heart and cardiovascular system (which includes the blood circulation to the uterus) and…stress can negatively impact your Kidney energy!
If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Margie Virgo please book online or call 02 6193 2354.
Ref; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8865966/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5030442/#:~:text=Kidney%20Essence%20is%20the%20critical,Kidney%20Yin%20and%20Kidney%20Yang.