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For more then five-thousand years herbs have been a very important part for infertility treatment in China.
According to Chinese medicine, whether or not a woman can become pregnant is related to the condition of her whole body.
Most important are organs like the kidney, liver and spleen because their health is related that of the uterus, ovaries and hormone system.
When discussing this with patients I always tell them that their uterus is like a garden.
If the other internal organs are in good health, the garden will have rich soil, water, and sunlight. Only then can a seed grow.
According to Chinese Medicine, the most common reasons for infertility (other than age) are:
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Kidney deficiency: This is related to ovary function and can cause hormone imbalance. It is also related to thyroid and uterine function.
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Blood deficiency: Related to the spleen and liver function. This can cause problems in the uterus lining and the circulatory system.
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Blood Stagnation: Related to endometriosis, fibroids, tube blockage, chronic infection, etc.
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Liver energy stagnation: Related to stress, anxiety, anger, and other emotional problems.
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Phlegm and dampness: Related to spleen and thyroid dysfunction, ovary-function, obesity, etc.
My treatment follows the Chinese Medicine diagnosis, where I check the patient's tongue, pulse and symptoms to determine her body's condition.
Patients are treated with Chinese herbal formulas made specifically for her conditions.
During hormone injection treatment, I do not use herb treatment.
Acupuncture stimulates the body; it can make every organ better for a certain period of time.
Before retrieval, acupuncture can stimulate ovary function by making it more responsive to medication, making more eggs.
Before embryo transfer, it can make the uterus condition, lining, and circulation better.
Additionally, it improves hormone balance increasing the success rate for IVF and Artificial Insemination.
But acupuncture doesn't work in all instances. Patients who fail IVF again and again often have a more acute problem that can't be treated by acupuncture alone.
For patients like these, I recommend two to three months of herbal treatment to improve organ function.
Attempts at IVF after this treatment are usually successful.
As you know, the quality of the man's sperm and semen is also very important to successful fertilization.
I also treat male patients with Chinese herbs and acupuncture.
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