Acupuncture
Acupuncture And Infertility
By Ross Rosen, JD, MSOTM, LAC, CA, DIPL OM (NCCAOM)
Jun 20, 2008

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used for centuries to successfully address the sensitive
complexities of infertility by restoring balance and creating an environment in which new life can flourish. Any
difficulty in conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy is evidence of an imbalance that needs to be addressed and
is often accompanied by other symptoms that may seem completely unrelated to infertility. Since our goal as
Chinese medicine practitioners is not only to enable pregnancy, but to create an ideal environment to produce a
new life, we seek to establish a complete health profile. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of each
individual from a holistic perspective, it is possible to successfully treat infertility and improve oneís overall
health.

Although acupuncture is based on ancient medical theory, a modern and scientific neuroendocrine perspective
has also begun to confirm its efficacy. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can enhance fertility in a number of
ways:

• Regulating the menstrual cycle
• Regulating hormone levels
• Increasing blood flow to the uterus
• Improving the function of the ovaries
• Improving sperm numbers, quality and motility
• Increasing libido
• Reversing ejaculatory defects and erectile dysfunction
• Treating blocked fallopian tubes
• Enhancing response to IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures
• Relaxing the patient and alleviating stress
• Preventing miscarriage

Infertility can be due to a variety of factors. Some of the leading causes of infertility are advanced age, heredity,
poor diet, overwork, insufficient rest, illness, poor menstrual health and stress. Very often, modern diagnostic
techniques may not recognize any laboratory abnormality or functional cause for infertility, but readily resort to
fertility drugs and medically assisted reproduction technologies when they are not necessary. A Chinese
medicine practitioner can detect the subtle disharmonies within each individual that are responsible for impairing
the reproductive process. Acupuncture and herbal therapies are a gentle and effective way of reversing some
of these disharmonies without the physical and emotional angst that is associated with modern medical
intervention.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, there are two primary patterns for infertility:

1) Stagnation: the blockage of qi and/or blood flow anywhere in the body that can manifest as symptoms
such as PMS, painful periods, irritability, fibroid tumors, cysts, endometriosis and blocked tubes. Stress
is frequently a factor in these instances.
2) Deficiency: a broad term used to describe a condition in which there is insufficient qi, blood, yin or yang
to properly nourish the body and its reproductive capacity. Deficient conditions often manifest as
weakness and fatigue, inadequate hormone levels, low sperm count or poor motility, hereditary
ailments, and threatened miscarriage.

A Chinese medicine practitioner uses a variety of diagnostic techniques, including a detailed pulse and tongue
evaluation, to determine the root imbalance that is responsible for hampering the reproductive process. Once
this is established, he or she develops a treatment plan that incorporates acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine
and nutrition and lifestyle counseling. In this way, a practitioner is able to treat symptoms that occur on a variety
of levels all at once. Since treatments and lifestyle modifications are geared towards restoring balance, patients
frequently report experiencing beneficial ̀side effects', such as improved sleep and digestion as well as reduced
stress levels. Women will generally observe fewer symptoms and more regularity in their menstrual cycles as
balance is restored.

Since each new life relies on his or her parents for health and a strong constitution, we advise our patients to
consider their overall health as they begin to consider conceiving a child. Take the time to get healthy and
strong so that you can pass that health along to your child.

OTHER WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
• Eliminate nicotine, caffeine, drugs and alcohol.
• Replace refined, processed foods with whole, fresh foods free of hormones, refined sugars or synthetic
sweeteners.
• Eat sufficient green vegetables, which can provide omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, magnesium and chlorophyll
for a healthy pregnancy.
• Incorporate moderate exercise, outdoors if possible, in sunlight and fresh air.
• Avoid over-consumption of cold or raw foods (including cold drinks), particularly during menstruation
• Moderate sexual activity and get proper rest

FOODS TO ENHANCE FERTILITY

asparagus: eases menstrual difficulty and promotes fertility
walnuts: nourishes kidneys and adrenals and enriches sperm
lycium fruit, sesame seeds: strengthens Liver and Kidneys; promotes fertility
chestnut: strengthens the Kidneys, warms the uterus
black beans : tonifies Kidneys and reproductive function
coconut: increases semen, builds yin fluids
BERRIES, ESPECIALLY RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES
• Most nuts, seeds and berries are believed to enhance reproductive function.