WOMEN'S HEALTH/ FERTILITY

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine provide an effective way of addressing a range of women’s health issues, including fertility.

Traditional gynaecology (women's heath) has a long history of using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines to alleviate many women's health issues.  Chinese medicine is also well known for supporting fertility based on its' ability to establish the possible underlying root cause as to why a patient may not be falling pregnant or having repeated miscarriages.  Western science is beginning to understand the science and mechanisms behind the practice of Chinese medicine. 

The primary treatment principle of Chinese medicine when supporting women's health, including hormonal issues and fertility, is to regulate the menstrual cycle.  This process involves the use of Chinese herbal medicines (powder form) &/ or acupuncture.  A menstrual cycle that presents itself as being irregular, early or late, heavy or scanty, long, painful, bleeding between periods, spotting prior to bleeding, blood clots, significant premenstrual symptoms including breast tenderness, emotional instability and/ or bowel disturbances, sleep disturbances and dizziness, or absence of a period, all indicate imbalances within the body that may lead to syndromes and disease, hormonal imbalances and fertility issues, according to Chinese medicine theory.

Chinese medicine (both Chinese herbal medicine & acupuncture) can also assist in the management of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriages.  This is done by addressing imbalances of the body (preferably prior to conception) or providing treatment (either acupuncture &/ or Chinese herbal medicine) during the first trimester.  Incorporation of prior Western medical diagnosis is important when establishing a treatment plan and will guide appropriate intervention.

 

 

In clinical practice, Chinese medicine uses approximately 200 individual granulated herbal medicines.  Based on the differential diagnosis of the individual, a Chinese medicinal formula is developed accordingly that consists of 8-12 individual herbs. 

If fertility is the primary concern, consideration of male infertility is also discussed, if appropriate, during consultation.  Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to increase sperm production and support mobility and morphology.  A differential diagnosis is established to develop an appropriate treatment plan.  Generally, Chinese herbal medicines are administered in pill form for treatment of male fertility without the need for acupuncture or granulated herbs.

Treatment to support fertility generally involves 8-12 weeks of initial treatment to regulate the menstrual cycle to support conception.  If a patient is non-responsive to Chinese medicine during this time, Western medical intervention will be recommended. 

The following conditions below have been shown to benefit from the treatment of Chinese medicine (acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine):

  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  • Irregular uterine bleeding
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Thyroid Dysfunction
  • Pre-menstrual syndrome ( PMS )
  • Post menopausal syndrome
  • Menopausal symptoms associated with post chemotherapy/ radiotherapy