Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Fertility: Does It Really Work?

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. 12% of women ages 15-44 and up to 15% of males are affected by infertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Infertility is more common than you think. In the United States, 1 in 5 of married women with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after 1 year of trying, and 26% of them have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

However, it doesn’t mean all hope for becoming parents is lost. With a proper understanding of its possible causes, many couples can learn what to do, leading to having children.

For women, infertility may be caused by the following conditions:

• Disruption of ovarian function, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), impaired function of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), or premature menopause.
• Fallopian tube obstruction
• Abnormalities of the uterus, such as intrauterine adhesions, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, congenital anomalies of the uterus, or fibroids

For men, disruption of testicular or ejaculatory function, as well as hormonal and genetic disorders, contributes to infertility:

• Varicocele
• Trauma to the testes
• Cancer treatment involving the use of certain types of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
• Diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and certain types of autoimmune disorders

Dr. Carolyn advises you to check with your doctor for a thorough assessment before seeking any TCM or acupuncture treatment.

How TCM and acupuncture work in fertility treatments

From the lens of TCM, addressing fertility issues is more than the physical issues of the reproductive system, organs, and hormones. The ancient teachings remind us everything is interconnected—mind, body, and spirit. An imbalance of energies may lead to all kinds of ailments or issues. Diving deeper into infertility, TCM suggests that there is a disconnection between these organs: Kidney, Liver, and Spleen.

At Classical Herbs and Acupuncture, we believe in restoring these connections to make pregnancy possible, creating a nurturing environment for the baby to grow. By blending the healing power of herbal medicine and acupuncture, Dr. Carolyn can treat the root cause of infertility and assist you in promoting overall wellness for you and the baby in your tummy.

In fact, a study revealed that there was an overall 48% increase in successful pregnancy for women who received TCM compared with those who did not.

Here are the Chinese herbs that a certified TCM physician, Dr. Cook, may prescribe for your kidney, liver, and spleen deficiencies:

• Dang Gui (Angelica root)
• Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage)
• Shu Di (Rhemannia root)
• Bai Shao (White Peony root)

On the other hand, acupuncture for fertility is showing promising results as well. Research findings showed that acupuncture 25 minutes before embryo transfer significantly increased the IVF outcome in women undergoing IVF. Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into precise points on the body, allowing you to experience these benefits:

• Improved ovarian function
• Balanced hormones
• Increase blood flow to the lining of the uterus
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Aid in reducing side effects of IVF medications, such as bloating, nausea, headaches, and mood swings
• Better sleep quality, digestion, and immunity
• Pain relief

Meet Dr. Carolyn Cook: Your compassionate fertility partner

Dr. Carolyn has more than two decades of dedicated experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Trusted by many for her gentle and warm approach, couples with fertility issues consult with her and seek her help.

One of them was Michelle A., MS, MHC, who battled with various issues, including PCOS, which made it difficult for her to conceive despite trying for months. With Carolyn’s expertise in acupuncture and prenatal massage, Michelle became pregnant after just two months in her care.

“Carolyn helped me create this beautiful baby girl, Harlee… Throughout the pregnancy, Carolyn did prenatal massage and helped keep everything flowing. Now I have this beautiful baby girl.”

You can read more successful pregnancy journeys at Success Stories. Ultimately, Dr. Carolyn’s technique focuses on ensuring you have a healthier internal environment for the baby.

That said, her services also include the following to give you a holistic experience:

• Offering both telemedicine visits and in-person visits.
• Conducting a thorough pulse diagnosis for personalized treatment.
• Boosting immunity and encouraging a healthy diet.

Curious about how Dr. Carolyn performs her fertility treatments? Contact Classical Herbs and Acupuncture at (305) 665-9711 or cc@miamiherbs.com.