How many people does it take to make a baby? For those of you who have struggled to have a child, the answer to that question is not as obvious as it seems.
Often people come to my office as a last resort, usually after repeated disappointing attempts with assisted reproductive technology. Media emphasis has been on acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures, as detailed in a peer reviewed study published in Fertility and Sterility Journal, vol. 4, #77, April 2002. The study showed that success rates nearly doubled with acupuncture treatments before and after IVF .
Traditional Oriental medicine offers infertility patients much more than just adjunctive before and after acupuncture treatments. TOM has a long and established history for the regulation of the woman’s menstrual cycle, as well as treatment for various male infertility issues.
It is often amazing to me when I review an infertility patient’s medical history and see little, if any, attention has been paid to correcting menstrual irregularities prior to assisted reproductive technology procedures. It is my personal opinion that one should logically enter in to such procedures in the best health possible.
Before coming to see me
1. Please download and complete the new patient intake form as well as the infertility intake form. Bring BOTH forms with you to your first appointment. Previous diagnosis and evaluations from your doctor will also be helpful.
2. Begin taking your temperature every morning with a mercury thermometer before rising, before talking, or doing anything.
3. Chart your basal body temperatures by entering them online at www.fertilityfriend.com, or with your own software. If you do not have a computer, ask the office for a form you can fill out by hand.
4. If you do not have a good fertility monitor, I suggest the Ova-cue from www.zetek.net. It can be rented for 45 dollars a month or purchased for 300 dollars.
Treatment Strategy:
The sooner I see a BBT chart the more efficiently I can target your treatment. The rate at which your body responds to treatment may be influenced by many factors, not all of which are under my personal control. This includes your age, present state of health, drug usage, previous history, your diet, and how well you manage stress.
The ideal treatment schedule for infertility patients is as follows. The first appointment of the cycle is on cycle day five, six or seven to build the lining. The next treatment is on CD 12 or 13 to promote ovulation. The next treatment would be five days after ovulation to support implantation. The final treatment of the cycle would be 1 to 3 days before your period to move blood and promote menstruation.
You don’t get acupuncture while you are having your period unless you are experiencing PMS, clotting or other menstrual problems. If your get your period on the day of a scheduled appointment, please call the office to cancel.
Three to six months is the average amount of time to regulate the cycle. When I have established as to where the cycle is weak, I will recommend treatment accordingly. It is sometimes necessary to recommend that one refrain from trying actively to become pregnant for a cycle or two until certain issues are straightened out, especially in the case of endometriosis.
Stress and Fertility
Many infertility clients come to this medicine with their patience worn thin. This is unfortunate because this is a gentle medicine and does not make for dramatic improvements quickly. By contrast, neither does it induce the negative side effects of more powerful therapies that western medicine has to offer.
Emotional issues can become an obstacle to hormonal regulation, thereby making the work of regulating the cycle more complicated and difficult. I often recommend patients enroll concurrently in therapy while working with me, and at very least maintain some sort of practice like yoga, meditation or the Emotional Freedom Technique to relieve stress.
Recommended therapists with whom I am personally acquainted and who specialize in counseling people stressed out from fertility issues are listed below. If you know other good therapists to add to the list please let me know.
West side:
Liz O’Donnell, PCC, PT, NCC
24692 Detroit Road #8,
Westlake, Ohio 44145
440-212-2595
www.mindingmatters.com
East side:
Laura Chapman, M.A.
2026 Murray Hill Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
216-229-4111
Resolve
Resolve is a nationally established infertility support group. They offer monthly meetings on both the east and west side of Cleveland, and other areas as well. Various speakers and topics are explored at these meetings, and they are free to attend.
Fertility patients are among the best informed and educated clients I have encountered in my practice. Much valuable information has been gleaned from them. If you can add to this body of knowledge, please share your experiences and information with me for the benefit other women (and men) who struggle likewise with this difficult situation.
Suggested Reading:
These books are specific to infertility and Oriental Medicine, and will greatly aid in your understanding of the how and why Oriental Medicine and your particular issues. They can be purchased at my office or ordered on line from Amazon.com.
The Infertility Cure, by Randine Lewis
Endometriosis and Infertility, by Bob Flaws
