Unleashed Vitality Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Services - Fertility Support Therapy

There is evidence that alternative therapies can help to increase the chances of getting pregnant. 

Whether you are planning to conceive on your own or are working with a fertility clinic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has so much to offer to prepare your body for pregnancy, or as an adjunctive therapy for functional infertility.
 
Our fertility services often involve regular acupuncture treatments, dietary therapy, and we strongly recommend tailored herbal prescriptions. Chinese herbal medicines have been used for a long time as a treatment of infertility. 
 
One of the advantages of our treatments is that we individualized each herbal prescription to the patient’s condition at the time of the appointment, and we further customise it as the signs and symptoms change. The aim is to improve the uterus environment and gradually enhanced ovarian function.
 
Your doctor will recommend seeking fertility care after failing to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. For women over the age of 35 who do not conceive after 6 months of trying or who have irregular menstrual cycles, it’s recommended to see a fertility doctor earlier.

You should get medical advice even sooner if you:

• have severe pain during your menstruation or during intercourse,
• have no periods or have irregular periods,
• had surgery in your abdomen or womb in the past
• had more than one miscarriage
• have a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• had cancer treatment in the past
• have a family history of early menopause (before age 40)

 
Both male and female infertility are common, so it’s important that both partners to see a fertility doctor, and for men to consider incorporating TCM treatments too to improve the quantity and quality of sperm.

Men should see a doctor if you:

• had surgery on your testicles or an injury to your testicles in the past
• have premature ejaculation or lack of erections
• have a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• had cancer treatment in the past

 
Based on your health assessment and the TCM Diagnosis, we will discuss your personalized treatment plan during your following appointment.

Did you know?

Roughly 16% (or 1 in 6) couples in Canada experience infertility. This number has doubled since the 1980s.

Causes of infertility

Infertility can be traced to either the man or woman or a combination of both:

• 3 times out of 10, the cause is in men.
• 4 times out of 10, the cause is in women.
• 2 times out of 10, the cause is a mix of factors from both male and female.
• 1 time out of 10, at first, no specific cause can be found.

Causes of infertility in women may include:

• age (fertility decreases after age 35)
• problems producing eggs (which shows up when she has no period/menstrual cycle, or no regular one)
• having a sexually transmitted infection (STI), like Chlamydia (which can cause blockages in the fallopian tubes)
• problems in the uterus (like fibroids or polyps)
• problems with the fallopian tubes (like missing tubes or blockages)
• endometriosis (excess of tissue that gathers around the reproductive organs)
• hormonal imbalances
• early menopause (before age 40)

Causes of infertility in men may include:

• poor sperm quality (their rate of movement and shape)
• low sperm count, or lack of sperm
• a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), like Chlamydia
• hormonal imbalances

Other causes of infertility in both men and women may include:

• past treatments for cancer (like chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery)
• some chronic illnesses (like diabetes), as well as their treatments
• tobacco and alcohol use
• being underweight or overweight

When appropriate, we recommend herbal prescriptions as part of your personalized treatment plan. For the safety of our patients, a list of prescribed pharmaceutical drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies that the patient is taking must be in the chart before an herbal medicine prescription can be recommended.

Herbal medicine and acupuncture are two big components of our treatment protocols. But that is not all! We include personalized dietary therapy and based on your diagnosis we will use other Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities, such as moxibustion or heat therapy. 

Acupuncture is a safe non-invasive therapy that may restore optimal health and vitality!

Let me know your thoughts, and share your fertility experiences, or success stories using complementary therapies!

Reference

Government of Canada

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