Infertility and Oriental Medicine
Infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman keeps have miscarriages, it is also called infertility. Lots of couples have infertility problems. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the woman. In another third cases, it is because of the man. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause found. Female causes of infertility:
Scarring from sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis*, ovulation dysfunction, poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, ovarian cysts, pelvic infection, tumors, or a transport system abnormality from the cervix through the fallopian tubes are responsible for 40 - 50% of infertility in couples.
Male causes of infertility: Approximately 30 - 40% of all infertility is due to a “male” factor such as retrograde ejaculation*, impotence, hormonal deficiency, environmental pollutants, scarring from sexually transmitted disease, or decreased sperm count. Some factors affecting sperm count are heavy marijuana use or use of prescription drugs. A woman’s peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. As a woman ages beyond age 40, the likelihood of getting pregnant drops to less than 10% per month.
According to the National Survey of Family Growth conducted by the CDC in 2002:
• 7.3 million women had impaired fecundity, a physical difficulty with getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term.
• 2.1 million women were infertile.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)* and similar treatments account for less than 3% of infertility services.
• The average cost of an in vitro fertilization cycle in the United States is $12,400.
• The Center for Disease Control has found that in vitro fertilization was achieved in only 30.7% of all attempts.
• About 69% of the IVF procedures carried out did not produce a pregnancy.
• Less than 1% of all IVF cycles resulted in an ectopic* pregnancy.
• About 11% of these IVF pregnancies involved multiple fetuses.
• About 83% of the IVF pregnancies resulted in a live birth.
• About 17% of the IVF pregnancies resulted in miscarriage, induced abortion, or a stillbirth.
Today will be talk about successful solutions that are less financially and physically draining on you and your family. In Chinese Medicine an overall picture of your health problems is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment. We will investigate the role of Acupuncture and Hers in treating infertility and other health problems. Acupuncture is a system of healing discovered over 3500 years ago in mainland China. It works by restoring the proper flow of blood to organs, glands and tissue by finding where circulation is blocked and using tiny needles to remove those blocks. As a result, the injured or weak organ, gland or tissue can heal and health is restored. Oriental Medicine includes not only Acupuncture but the use of Chinese Herbs. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are few, if any, negative side effects from Acupuncture treatments.A poll taken by Acupuncture Today found that nearly 80% of acupuncturists are treating their female patients for infertility with a combination of Herbs and Acupuncture.How Acupuncture can help the male role in infertility: A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective Acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects.
How Acupuncture can help the male role in infertility: A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective Acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects. Compared to the control group, the ability of semen to move increased significantly in the samples of the men receiving Acupuncture. The number and percentage of healthy sperm also increased dramatically in the Acupuncture patients. Compared to the control group, the ability of semen to move increased significantly in the samples of the men receiving Acupuncture. The number and percentage of healthy sperm also increased dramatically in the Acupuncture patients. Fertility and Sterility conducted another study of 160 women, all of whom had undergone an average of two previous in vitro fertilization cycles. Their average age was 32. Half of the women received 25-minute Acupuncture treatments before and after the embryo transfer. The control group did not receive any Acupuncture treatment.
The Emotional Factor:
A study was conducted by the University of Arizona consisting of 38 adult women diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. They were treated with Acupuncture according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, each for her own specific pattern of symptoms. They were treated twice per week for one month and once per week for a second month, for a total of 12 sessions.After completion of their Acupuncture treatment for depression, 70% of the women experienced at least a 50% reduction of symptoms, results comparable to the success rate of psychotherapy and medication, without the dangers or side effects of drugs.
• Vitex, which works by stimulating the pituitary gland. This increases the production of progesterone, which helps regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle. Vitex also reduces a hormone called prolactin, which has been found to benefit infertile women.
• Cynomorium is used to treat impotence in men, and infertility and a lack of libido in women. In both genders it is used for strengthening the kidneys.
• Cistanche is used to replenish blood and strengthen the kidneys. It is most commonly used to treat impotence and premature ejaculation. Some studies suggest cistanche can treat some cases of infertility and lower blood pressure.
• Morinda is also used to treat kidney deficiency that manifests as certain sexual ailments such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility.
• Cnidium is often combined with other herbs to treat infertility and impotence; in many classical traditional Chinese medicine texts, cnidium is used as a form of aphrodisiac.
Of course, each herb is unique and it is highly suggested one consult a trained herbalist who would recommend a formula of all or some of the above herbs Since there are several causes of infertility, an extensive history and evaluation to uncover the nature of the problem needs to be done. In our clinic we specialize in pain management, infertility treatments, weight loss treatments and stress management. Naturopathic medicine and Oriental medicine offers more possibilities than ever before. Understanding the body ability to heal to better pick the right care for each patient, ultimately becoming healthy is the ultimate goal for all parties. An ND and LAc., can provide the tools to lead the body to 100% functioning and healing, the health care practitioner expertise to help the patient to navigate the road of superior health care. The point is: health is not simply being symptom free.
Health is functioning at 100% of your full potential.
My duty as a practitioner of alternative medicine become more familiar with the benefits of Naturopathic medicine and Oriental medicine, the growing demand for health problems and to understand the choices of those that already having health issues, alternative medicine today more than ever plays an important role in the industry of health care.
Georgina Salgado Chavez ND, LAc.
Marbett Beauty Clinic
4051 W 63rd ST.
Chicago, IL 60629
Salgado can be reach g_salgadochavez@sbcglobal.net or 773-284-8878.