Treating Conditions - infertility, menopausal, pregancy
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Contacting our Practice

Reproductive Health and FertilityMenopausal Health

Conditions We Treat

Ovulation Disorders

Reproductive - OvulationThere are many reasons why women may not conceive easily. Ovulation disorders are the most common reason women struggle with fertility, and include the following:

  • Amenorrhea
  • Anovulation
  • PCOS (more information below)
  • Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) (more information below)
  • Premature menopause
  • Post-pill amenorrhea

Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, lifestyle counseling and stress management can treat many of these ovulation disorders and help women ovulate naturally.  These tools will also assist your body if you need or choose to use fertility drugs.

Treatment for harmonizing the reproductive system is personalized, yet there are a few methods that are appropriate for each patient.  Acupuncture is a proven method to stimulate ovulation induction, by normalizing the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis.  If your challenge with fertility is an ovulation disorder, we hope to have an opportunity to make a difference for you.
See study: Acupuncture Normalizes Dysfunction of HPOA by Do-Ying Chen M.D.

PCOS 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects the hormones, the ovaries, and the eggs which are developing within the follicle.  Symptoms of PCOS usually include irregular periods, late or absent ovulation, excessive facial and body hair, obesity (though many PCOS patients are thin), skin thickness, and persistent acne.  A blood test may read elevated testosterone and LH levels. Vaginal ultrasound will demonstrate ovaries with many immature follicles that look like a string of pearls.

PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE (POF)

Premature ovarian failure is the loss of ovarian function and estrogen production in women under the age of 40. Not only does POF affect your fertility, the lack of estrogen can also cause other significant health issues.  Approximately, 1 in every 1000 women between the ages of 15-29 and 1 in every 100 women between the ages 30-39 are affected.  Many times the cause of POF is unknown. Some possibilities for the loss of ovarian function may be due to a less than normal amount of follicles, a dysfunction of the ovaries, or autoimmune disease.

POF is often called premature menopause; although the symptoms may be similar, the conditions are quite different.  Menopause is a natural condition that usually occurs as a result of aging, which results in follicle depletion and the actual end of menstruation. Women with POF may skip their period for a few months and then have a normal cycle for a few months.  They may also have hot flashes or night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of energy, diminished libido, painful intercourse and bladder control problems.  FSH Levels are above 40 mlU/ml (post- menopausal range), yet 50% of women may ovulate at any given time and 5-10% may become pregnant.

A combination of gonadotropin medications that are commonly used in fertility clinics to stimulate the ovaries and prepare for IVF, along with traditional Chinese medicine, can offer hope for women with this condition.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to be effective at treating the symptoms associated with POF, such as elevated FSH, night sweats, vaginal dryness and insomnia, and deficient uterine lining. When these symptoms are improved, your fertility and overall health will also be better.

If you have been diagnosed with POF, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may offer a natural, safe, and effective option. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our reproductive specialists to find out if acupuncture can make a difference for you.