Fertility

There are many aspects of women's health which can affect fertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide a natural treatment to many conditions and assist in boosting female fertility.

TCM fertility treatment starts by looking at the menstrual period. By regulating the menstrual cycle many issues can be resolved. Treatment aims at improving the flow of the qi and blood. This can improve the endometrial lining, ovulation, egg quality, strengthen the luteal phase and regulate the hormone levels.

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By improving the endometrial lining we can increase the chances of implantation, which can also help in IVF cycles.

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By improving ovulation many women who have been unable to conceive previously due to infrequent or no ovulation can be helped to ovulate regularly so conception may occur.

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By increasing the circulation of qi and blood to the ovaries, available nourishment for the eggs can be improved and in turn the quality.

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By strengthening the luteal phase we can ensure it is long enough for implantation to occur and conception to be achieved.

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By balancing the hormones we can strengthen the body's ability to achieve and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

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Conditions treated: PCOS and LUFS, Amenorrhoea and ovulation disorders, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Unexplained Infertility, Hyperprolactiaemia

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Male infertility:

The one of most common problems encountered by couples today having difficulty to conceive is male infertility. This has lead to an increase of the use of assisted conception methods such as ICSI. Methods such as ICSI can bypass many of the logistical issues of male infertility but do not address the root cause of the infertility.

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TCM can help by working on the underlying cause of infertility. Improving sperm quantity, quality and increasing the success rate of assisted conception.

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Treatment mainly uses Chinese Herbal medicine to strengthen the male reproductive system. Acupuncture can also be used to improve circulation and relaxation.

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IVF / ICSI

Oriental Health offers treatments to prepare and support the body for assisted reproduction.

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Acupuncture during IVF provides 4 main benefits:

• Helps alleviate the side effects of medical treatments and improve response to hormonal stimulation.

• Improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.

• Helps alleviate the tension as a result of the stress of IVF procedures.

• Helps relax the uterus in preparation for implantation.

Ideally preparation for an IVF Cycle begins 3 months prior to the start of down regulation. Aiming to make the body as strong as possible before undergoing IVF and in some cases help increase the chances of conception before the cycle begins.

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Once the IVF cycle begins an IVF treatment protocol is used throughout the IVF cycle to encourage the body to produce the appropriate response. Below is the current treatment protocol used by Laura Bicker.

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Down Regulation and Up cycle:

Treatment is usually given weekly

During down regulation treatment aims to encourage the thinning of the endometrial lining and in Up-regulation encourage follicle growth and circulation.

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Egg Collection:

Prior to egg collection Acupuncture is used to help relax and prepare the body for the procedure that follows.

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Embryo Transfer:

Two treatments are given either side of embryo transfer.

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A pre-transfer treatment is given to improve blood flow to the uterus, relax your mind and cervix and prepare your body to receive the embryos.

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After transfer an acupuncture treatment is given. This gently encourages circulation to help nourish the embryos, boost energy, relaxes the uterus and aid implantation.

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Two Week Wait

An optional treatment is given during the 2 week wait, to help with implantation and relaxation during this stressful time.