Female Fertility Issues
If you are suffering with infertility you likely have been on a long journey of trying to get pregnant, only to have a negative pregnancy test month after month. When women come for fertility acupuncture they have often tried every other method to try and get pregnant, including IUI, IVF, GIFT or simply trying naturally month after month. Maybe some of you have even tried your own herbal approach using over the counter herbal capsules. I understand how devastating it is watching the months and even years go by and no baby.
What is different about fertility acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is that we look at the whole picture, we look at you, the whole person. We look at your special constitution to assess why you are having difficulty getting pregnant. No two women are alike and we create a treatment plan based on your particular set of variables. It is not a one size fits all approach.
Treatment consists of acupuncture, custom herbal formulas, dietary guidance, lifestyle issues, timing of conception and much more. We create an herbal formula that is specific for you and that helps to regulate every phase of your menstrual cycle to bring you to your highest level of fertility.
If your partner is also suffering from infertility, we address that as well. (See the male fertility page) If you are a single woman seeking to have a child we address your special needs. No matter what your situation, I treat you with compassion and care. I know this is a long journey. I have been on it myself.
Below you will find the specifics of what fertility acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can do to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been shown to increase fertility in the following ways:
- Regulate the menstrual cycle, return normal cycles
- Improve egg quality
- Increase blood flow to the uterus, increasing uterine lining
- Treat blockages in pelvic area
- Reduce stress that can affect hromone levels
- Reduce possibility of miscarriage
During your initial appointment we will evaluate your overall health, look at lifestyle issues that may impact your fertility, create a customized herbal formula to assist in regulating your menstrual cycle, make recommendations on supplements to ensure your and your baby’s health and provide an acupuncture treatment. You will also be given guidance on any other issues that may assist you in timing conception. I always consider this a team effort between myself and my patient. I listen to what you have to say and to your feelings about what you are going through. All factors impact your success and feeling free to express your concerns is of great importance. I make every effort to ensure your success.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (IVF, ICSI, IUI)
If you have decided that assisted reproductive technologies are your best option for pregnancy, acupuncture is a very beneficial addition. Most reproductive endocrinologists now routinely accept and encourage acupuncture as an adjunct to treatment.
A recent study has shown that for women who are undergoing ART using acupuncture along with in vitro fertiliztion:
- Improved their results by 40-60%
- Improved ovarian response and receptivity
- Reduce the side effects of IV drugs
- Helps produce more follicles
- Helps produce better quality eggs
- Reduces stress during procedures
- Prevents the uterus from contracting
- Decreases the chances of miscarriage
I often work in conjunction with your reproductive endocrinologist to achieve the best result. If at all possible I come to your embryo transfer to administer acupuncture using a specific protocol that was used in the study above.
Bethany Muhl, L.Ac
13323 W. Washington Blvd, Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310)367-1564