Choosing a Fertility Treatment Plan That is Right For You
There are options available when choosing a fertility treatment plan. Some methods are based on modern biological medicine, others are based on ancient and more natural healing arts. In some cases, an integration of both scientific and holistic methods is the best approach.
Fertility Clinics and the Biomedical Approach to Infertility
If you have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months and have not been successful (or 6 months if you are over the age of 35), your family doctor, gynecologist, or reproductive endocrinologist may want to do some diagnostic tests. A sperm sample can reveal if their number, motility, and morphology is sufficient to make babies. A hystero-salpingogram (HSG) can show whether a woman’s fallopian tubes are open. A hysteroscopy can disclose whether there are any fibroids or polyps which may be interfering with implantation. Day 3 and day 21 hormone tests provide information about how well the ovaries are functioning. An antral follicle count (AFC) is sometimes used to gauge ovarian reserve. Depending on your history, an assessment of thyroid function, immune factors, or blood clotting may be warranted.
Your medical doctor has a range of treatment options for infertility. A first approach may be to use the pharmaceutical Clomid, a drug which encourages ovulation. The three Vancouver fertility clinics (Genesis, PCRM, and UBC) have additional treatment options available. Intra-uterine insemination (IUI) involves the washing of a sperm sample before their direct injection into the uterus. Super-ovulation uses reproductive hormones to encourage the ovaries to produce more than just one follicle and the release of several eggs at once. This may or may not be used in conjuction with IUI. The final (and most invasive) option is in-vitro fertilization (IVF), where reproductive hormones are used to maximize the production of ovarian follicles. A woman’s eggs are then removed from her body and combined with sperm to produce an embryo. A few days later, the embryo(s) are transferred back to the women’s uterus, where they will hopefully implant and result in pregnancy. If a man’s sperm quality is poor, your fertility doctor may recommend intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in conjuction with IVF, where the healthiest looking sperm are inserted directly into an egg to maximize the chances of producing a developing embryo.
Holistic Fertility – Nourishing The Soil Before Planting The Seed
Wherever you are in your fertility journey, it is a good idea for both partners to be living a healthy lifestyle. As a Chinese proverb states, “It is important to prepare the soil before you plant a garden.”
* Eat a healthy diet (organic, locally grown food, with whole grains and more plant-based than animal-based protein)
* Exercise regularly, but gently (this is not the time to be training for a marathon – you don’t want your body to be competing for precious resources)
* Find ways to relax (help your blood flow return to your organs of reproduction)
* Get enough sleep (eight hours is what most people need – be asleep by midnight)
* Supplement your diet with a prenatal vitamin or men’s multivitamin, and a source of anti-oxidants such as Omega-3 or 6
* Eliminate cigarette smoking and recreational drug use (marijuana can affect both sperm quality and the development of a young embryo; harder drugs are simply toxic)
* Minimize stress (get out of your fight-or-flight mode)
* Avoid emotionally intense situations (reduce the body’s stress response)
* Reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners (get off the insulin roller coaster; aspartame and splenda are chemicals we don’t want or need)
* Minimize alcohol, caffeine, and yeast (which can create an undesirable inflammatory response in the body)
An Ancient Fertility Treatment Option – Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, relaxation, and exercise) has been used for thousands of years to treat infertility and promote longevity. In Chinese medicine theory, fertility is a reflection of the body and mind as a whole. The body and Spirit ought to be free of pathogenic influences to maximize reproductive potential. The circulation of Blood and Energy to all organs should be smooth, painless, and nourishing. The Jing must be abundant and flourishing for a successful conception.
A pre-conception treatment plan is recommended for anyone interested in maximizing their fertility using the ancient techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The program consists of weekly acupuncture treatments and daily Chinese herbal medicine, custom designed to address your particular constitution and state of balance. The duration of treatment varies to suit each situation – some women need just a few weeks or months of care, others may need several months or even years.
Research has shown that Chinese medicine can help improve fertility in the following ways:
* Increase blood flow to the organs of reproduction (uterus and ovaries)
* Optimize hormone levels (estrogen, FSH, LH, progesterone, cortisol, prolactin)
* Decrease the body’s overall stress response
There is also evidence that using acupuncture in conjuction with an IVF cycle can help improve pregnancy and birth rates. Please click here for more information about acupuncture and in-vitro fertilization.
The following situations are commonly seen in my Chinese medicine practice.
- Advanced Maternal Age
- Clomid & IUI
- Endometriosis
- High FSH
- Poly-Cystic Ovaries
- Poor Responders
- Unexplained Infertility
If you are struggling with infertility, there are many treatment options available for you. Whether you choose to use the biomedical approach, a natural therapy, or a combination of the two, an experienced fertility health care provider can help guide you on your reproductive journey.
