Q: What do you mean by an "integrated approach" to fertility?

A: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the form of both herbs and acupuncture combined with Western Medicinal practices to achieve a healthy pregnancy. One can pursue an integrative course of treatment through various methods. First, they can use Western Medicine to recieve a diagnosis and then treat the problem naturally with TCM. Secondly, the individual can use a combination of both Western and Eastern treatments. Finally, one can receive acupunctire and herbal treatment to prepare the body for an IUI or IVF procedure, which will increase the success rate of the IUI or IVF treatment. 

 

Q: Why should I use this approach?

A: According to thousands of years of successful use, countless case reports and many clinical and experimental studies, a definitive role for TCM in the treatment of infertility has been established. These results suggest that TCM must have a different way to affect the reproductive system. For instance, kidney tonic herbs with blood promoting herbs not only affect follicle development, ovulation inducement and luteal phase support, but also work on the endometrial function and regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis as well. The form of effectiveness is as we always describe: The regulation of organisms as a whole. Several studies have shown a better outcome for women who have combined the two approaches with both Western medicine and TCM instead of using either independently. Many women go through months of hormone therapy and undergo standard procedures that result in failure. In combining these two approaches a woman will be more likely to succeed in a healthy pregnancy, and be more supported along the way.

 

Q: Is there any scientific evidence?

A: A study by Chen Yi Xin, and Qian Zu Qi in 2000 looked at the effects of an integrated approach (both Chinese and Western medicine) to endocrine/ovarian dysfunction. One group of 101 individuals received the treatment while the other, 126 individuals used a Western drug, Clomiphen Citrate. Pregnancy rates in the integrated group were much higher, at 78%, than the Western group, at only 46%. In 2002, another group of researchers used a randomized control study to observe the effectiveness of ovarian dysfunctional infertility treated by integrated TCM and Western medicine. Pregnancy rates in the integrated group were 53%, 23% higher than the control group. Usually, the pregnancy rate of Chinese medicine use for ovarian dysfunctional infertility is roughly between 40-75%. This is similar for women who use Clomiphen; however, miscarriage rates are higher for the medication group. A combination of both TCM and Western medicine has proven to have significantly higher rates of pregnancy than TCM or Western medicine alone.

 

Q: How does acupuncture and herbal treatments help male infertility?

A: A few factors contribute to male infertility such as, low sperm count, low immunity, and disorders of sperm shape and mobility. Commonly, the male receives the therapies practiced in TCM for improving fertility. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture combined with herbs will increase the success rate for fertility. This treatment will effectively improve the quality of sperm, as well as, sperm count. Even with a normal sperm test result, receiving acupuncture and using herbal remedies, will enhance a man's life force and energize the sperm for a better outcome.

 

Q: How will acupuncture and herbs help prevent a miscarriage?

A: There are many different causes of a miscarriage. Generally speaking, a patient who has a history of miscarriage should take preventative care when becoming pregnant. Miscarriages are mainly caused by low progesterone levels or abnormal chromosomal development. TCM can greatly aid in the prevention of miscarriages caused by low progesterone levels. Acupuncture treatments greatly increase the odds of bringing a pregnancy full-term. If a patient has a history of miscarriage with the fetus having abnormal DNA development, acupuncture treatments and herbs should be given to the man and woman at elast one month before attempting to conceive, since these treatments have a great impact in improving the sperm and egg quality. The herbal formula, Tai Shan Pan Shi Ying, is a classic herbal formula used in China over thousands of years to prevent miscarriage. It is also used as a regular herbal tonic for the early stages of pregnancy.

 

Q: How can TCM help with reoccurring miscarriages and repeated IVF-implantation failure?

A: Recurrent miscarriage is usually defined as at least three pregnancy losses. Repeated IVF-implantation failure generally refers to at least four IFV cycles without pregnancy. There are four common causes of recurrent miscarriages, and IVF-implantation failures. TCM is used routinely to deal with these conditions. The first, is poor embryo quality; in this case TCM is used to tonify kidney essence to nourish the embryo. Immunological factors are another cause and this occurs when a woman's antibodies attack the sperm. The third cause is a luteal phase defect, a shorter than normal luteal phase and low progesterone levels interfere with a successful embryo implantation. TCM is used in this case to tonify kidney Yang Qi to support the implantation of the embryo. Another common cause is inherited thrombophilia, when the blood clots more than normal. In this case, TCM is used to promote blood flow.

 

Q: Is herbal treatment safe and effective?

A: Chinese medicine has thousands of years of history in treating infertility with herbs and acupuncture. Clinically, it is proven to be safe and effective. That is the reason that the treatment of infertility with herbs and acupuncture is still the first option in the east. Using TCM treatment is extremely suitable for women who are seeking a natural approach or for women with repeated IUI/IVF-implantation failures. A clinical study examined the use of herbs in comparison to Clomiphen, a common fertility drug, in 150 women over a 12 month span. The results showed a 61.7% pregnancy rate in herb users and a 43.3% pregnancy rate in those women who took Clomiphen. For women who are unable to undergo the IVF procedure due to high FSH levels, they should take a special herbal formula for 1-2 months to regulate the hormones and strengthen fertility. Herbal formulas have been shown to successfully  lower FSH levels in pre-menopausal and infertile women. The herbs at the Integrative Medicine Center are pharmaceutical grade, highly concentrated Chinese herbs. They are tested with state-of-the-art instruments for hygiene, water solubility, active components, and heavy metals to ensure their authenticity and quality.

 

Q: Should I continue herbal treatment under IUI/IVF?

A: Generally speaking, we usually do not suggest using herbal treatment which have impacts on hormonal cycle, because some herbs could increase the growth cycle of the egg, which may interrupt the IUI or IVF schedule. But, a mood regulatory formula is used to calm the mind and body and will be beneficial to manage those procedures. We do suggest, in some cases, that if a woman has no response to the hormone simulation (due either to high FSH levels or poor health condition), that she use certain herbal formulas which can produce better quality eggs. We also strongly recommend that using an herbal formula after the insemination or transfer to reduce abdominal swelling and improve the uterine lining to aid in conception.

 

Q: What suggestion may help a woman approach a healthy pregnancy?

A: To be drug free (this includes birth control pills) at least one month before attempting to get pregnant. Couples should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking one month before trying to conceive. We suggest eating meat, dairy products, and other animal proteins daily to nourish the body's fertile nutrients and energy. To avoid vaginal infections, we encourage couples to maintain hygiene during intercourse and have a proper and healthy sex life. We suggest having intercourse every other day during a woman's ovulation period to increase pregnancy success rate.

 

Q: How can I set up an appointment to speak with Dr. Wang about my particular situation?

A: You may call the Integrative Medicine Center at (607) 275-9697 or email us at ithacaIMC@gmail.com to set up an appointment for a phone consultation.