Fertility & Women’s Health

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Fertility women's health

On the spectrum of where oriental medicine shines, OBGYN and fertility is on the awesome end.  Irregular periods, painful periods, PMS, cramping, and infertility respond very well to acupuncture, often alone, and sometimes better with herbal medicine.  It is a cruel, unfounded myth that women need to suffer through their monthly cycle, pregnancy, and childbirth.  In oriental medicine, women’s health issues around the reproductive system usually have straightforward causes that can be addressed.

Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat infertility.  We will treat your infertility by addressing the multitude of causes underlying the issue.  Acupuncture will even work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.  Acupuncture and herbs will also lead to improved ovarian and follicular function.  Additionally, acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a healthy lining.  Usually our strategy for treating infertility is bring your period into regularity and painlessness.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy often stands on its own to remove the obstacles to conception and gestation, or it can complement biomedical intervention such as IVF or donor-egg transfer.

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When should acupuncture treatment begin?

Begin now, the sooner the better.  It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for one to three months before progressing to insemination, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer.  This pacing of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre- and post- embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medicine. However, conception occasionally occurs when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

When should I stop?

Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Consequently, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve and beyond to help prevent miscarriage.

Are the acupuncture points different after an insemination, IVF, or donor-egg transfer than before?

Your acupuncture treatment will change as you change, but after the first trimester there are certain points that will not be used, such as those in your abdomen.

Am I a good candidate for acupuncture?

Acupuncture can address almost any cause of infertility.  Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmodic tubes, which are calmed with acupuncture.  Acupuncture is often combined with herbal remedies to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

I have had PMS with cramping and bloating ever since I can remember.  How long will it take to help me get better?

It is likely you will feel a difference immediately if you are on your period.  If you get a treatment or two before your next period, you will probably notice a difference.  In the long run, we may teat you for weeks or months, and recommend dietary and lifestyle changes.

I am menopausal and suffer from night sweats and hot flashes.  Can you help?

Certainly.  Oriental medicine has an exquisitely precise and comprehensive model for explaining and dealing with menopausal symptoms.  We can help, most likely in a short time.

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How about fertility for the fellas?

Absolutely.  Acupuncture and herbal medicine also addresses the myriad causes of inadequate sperm production, motility, performance issues, and so forth.  Treating both Mom and Dad-to-be yields the best results.

Fertility women's health

“After suffering two ectopic pregnancies and the loss of a fallopian tube, I was feeling lonely and demoralized — and struggling to conceive. After nearly a year of actively trying to conceive with my stress mounting after every negative test, I decided to try acupuncture. With Laith’s help I found the calm and balance needed to get pregnant and sustain a healthy pregnancy. I started treatment in October and was pregnant in December. When I found out my daughter was breech, Laith was able to get her to turn with acupuncture and moxibustion.” 

– K.B.,  Glen Rock NJ

“Laith treated me for infertility, and after two relaxing acupuncture sessions I was pregnant!  I then followed up with four more treatments with Laith to ensure a continued successful pregnancy and delivery.  At 43 I gave birth to a healthy baby boy who is now a bright and strong toddler.”

– S.W., Boulder CO

“After trying for over two years, I am now the happy 41 year-old mother of a healthy baby girl.  Laith helped me get pregnant in less than two months with acupuncture only, where the acupuncturist I had seen previously had given me herbal medicine for six months with no effect.  And Laith made me laugh every time I saw him.  Thank you very much!”

– A.J., Brewster NY