Fertility
About 20 years ago we began to notice that acupuncture and TCM were very helpful to those who wanted to be parents but had trouble conceiving. We started collecting information about fertility treatment from scientific papers, books and case reports and set up our own fertility clinic in Vancouver. Since then we have accumulated rich knowledge about fertility treatment based on our own practices. For about 20 years we have combined acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with Western medicine, particularly new knowledge in the field of fertility treatment, to treat infertility. As such we are a unique fertility clinic.
Our uniqueness is demonstrated in the following ways:
- Special Initial Assessment
As we have formal training in Western medicine, our assessment is based on both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Besides traditional Chinese medical assessment, we pay attention to clients’ Western medical data, such as hormone level, function of ovary, and sperm analysis. As a result, we are able to better understand a client’s conditions and develop more effective treatment plan each client. Using Western medical data we can also more objectively assess the results of each treatment cycle and allow clients to better understand the progress. We always request clients to bring their BBT chart and other data to us as references.
- Optimal Time for Treatment
Because follicles go through a development period of at least 85-90 days before they are released for fertilization, we plan acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment according to this cycle to balance hormone level, increase blood circulation of reproductive organs, improve ovary function, and enhance egg quality. We have noticed that the timing of treatment at certain points of a menstruation cycle makes a significant difference. Following BBT chart and other data, we can help clients choose the right time for acupuncture treatment, and we can also adjust each treatment in accordance with the information provided by BBT, consequently maximizing the chance of success. We have been successful in treating those who are diagnosed as “unexplained infertility.” To achieve better results, we usually recommend a minimum of three treatment cycles.
- Reasonable Costs for Clients
It is difficult to predict how many treatments a client needs. However, we are certain that there is no strong correlation between the frequency of treatment and the rate of success. We generally follow a plan of 4-5 treatments within a menstruation cycle (not including irregular menstruation). Each acupuncture treatment lasts about 45 to 60 minutes according to clients’ conditions. We also offer Magnetic Ear Tack, visualization (CD), herbs, and suggestions of changing diet or supplements to complement acupuncture treatment.
We work with each client as a team. In the process of treatment we closely monitor changes in clients’ BBT chart and other data, and adjust the treatment according to the changes in order to seize every possible opportunity of conception. To meet our clients’ special needs, we can extend our office hours without extra charge to weekends and statutory holidays for those who need IUI insemination, IVF embryo transfer at other fertility clinics. As part of a team we offer emotional support in this special journey, and also we are more eager to share the joy of clients’ success.
Treating Unexplained Infertility:
Unexplained Infertility is one of the most common diagnoses of infertility in western medicine and our clinical practice. Unexplained Infertility is idiopathic infertility due to unknown reasons even though the lab results of the fertility examinations (Day 2 or Day 3 hormone tests, uterus status, and hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for females and sperm count, morphology, and motility for males) are normal. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is usually suggested by the specialists to people who are diagnosed with unexplained infertility.
With more than a decade of clinical practice, we have found that some infertility factors of many unexplained infertility cases could be identified. Western medicine focuses on hormone values but the performance of the hormones or physiological responses triggered by the hormones are often overlooked. We however closely monitored the clients’ body temperature, which is an indicator of the performance of the hormones, when we provide treatment to our clients. Our observation shows that the progesterone level of the luteal phase may not increase even when the hormones and the LH surge (i.e. OPK (Ovulation Prediction Kits)) of the follicular phase are normal. This suggests that no ovulation occurs due to unsuccessful communication between the pituitary gland and the ovary. This situation is usually referred to as an “imbalance” in Eastern medicine. Long-term hormone imbalance induces infertility even though a couple has intercourse regularly during the OPK period.
To our clients with this type of unexplained infertility, we have applied an individualized acupuncture treatment that re-establishes hormone balance and assists them to ovulate, which makes natural pregnancy possible. Our approach provides our clients with a natural and effective option so they may not need to seek IVF treatment, which is expensive and involves exposure to a large amount of hormones with an uncertain outcome. Additionally, long-term hormone imbalance affects the development and quality of the oocytes, which is the key for becoming pregnant, regardless of IVF or natural conception.
We have accumulated substantial amount of successful clinical cases and experiences in treating unexplained infertility. There are many “unexpected surprises” that happen to our clients every year.