Infertility and Acupuncture for Fertility

We are currently enjoying huge success in helping couples to conceive

"Women who undergo IVF increase their chances of pregnancy if they are also treated with acupuncture, a new analysis suggests. The benefits may be large — a 65 per cent increase in the chance of becoming pregnant, and a 91 per cent increase in the number of live births." Times Online 8 Feb 2008. Link to article

Acupuncture is almost seen as a mainstream therapy to support IVF and assisted conception methods. In our clinic we see couples with unexplained infertility, low sperm counts, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, endometriosis, repeat miscarriages. We can usually help to improve all these conditions.

As many as 1 in 6 couples currently have difficulty in conceiving a child. For these couples, life can be very hard as the desire to have a baby increases as time goes on and pressure mounts. Yet the increased stress that is generated can be counter productive to conception in itself. At Golden Health we pride ourselves on understanding the pressures faced by couples struggling to conceive and the high emotions experienced by both partners. We offer a specific programme of treatment for both partners, which aims to increase to the maximum the chances of conceiving. Treatment is holistic in nature and will address diet and lifestyle factors as well as incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine of acupuncture and sometimes herbal medicines too.

Where great stress is being experienced and the couple are feeling overwhelmed or where there may be a psychological block we can offer a structured programme of hypnotherapy. Our Clinial Hypnotherapist, Helen McPherson DCH NRH GQHP specialises in fertility, pregnancy and birth. There is evidence that hypnosis helps couples to conceive naturally and can also increase pregnancy rates where assisted conception methods like IVF are used. To find out more go to Helen's website Golden Health Hypnotherapy

We can assist with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and other hormonal imbalances. We have had a lot of success in treating male factor infertility – low sperm counts, poor motility and abnormal forms. We can also offer acupuncture support to IVF treatment.

Unexplained Infertility

Unexplained infertility is probably the frustrating diagnosis that any couple can hear. There is no logical explanation and no specific treatment other than expensive, stressful, time-consuming IVF with no guarantee of success and a suspicion that IVF isn't necessary. For such couples, TCM and/or Hypnotherapy may offer a solution. It can take time to balance the body and emotional systems of both partners but it is easier, calming and much less costly than invasive fertility procedures.

IVF Support

There is evidence that acupuncture improves the chance of success of IVF treatment cycles. At Golden Health we can offer support to “conventional” IVF treatments. This can include acupuncture and/or hypnotherapy for the female partner. For the male partner, if required to improve sperm count or quality, he will be given herbal preparations and/or acupuncture.

Male Factor Infertility

Where there is a significant problem with sperm, which has led the couple to consider or decide upon sperm donation, we would urge them to consider TCM first. There are now far fewer sperm donors in the UK due to the effect of recent legislation. The private infertility clinic in Northamptonshire was forced at one time to import sperm from the USA. The use of sperm from the male partner is by far preferable for many reasons and even if couples have been advised to use donor sperm they may, with our assistance, be able to use their own instead. We have achieved a lot of success in improving sperm counts and quality so it makes sense to try TCM first.

Testimonials

Mrs M – “I had had one miscarriage and a failed IVF (ICSI) cycle and my partner had a low sperm count. Doctors had said we would need “significant technological intervention” to achieve a pregnancy. After Frank’s treatment I became pregnant within months and our son is now 3 months old.”

Mr & Mrs K – (This couple had significant problems – PCOS and low sperm motility. In 8 years they had tried drugs, IUI treatment and 2 IVF cycles with the result of 2 IVF pregnancies and 1 natural pregnancy but 3 miscarriages)

“The specialists were going to refer us to a DNA fertility expert as there was no logical explanation for our miscarriages.” At this point Mr K decided to talk to Dr Frank Fan. “My wife was sceptical at first but after the initial consultation she had a more positive outlook. Frank said, “You will have a baby, it will just take a bit of time – about 7 months” How true he was! After acupuncture and herbal treatments, both my wife and I were tested again at hospital. To our joy, my wife’s PCOS had all but disappeared and my results were the best I had ever had (normal). We continued the treatment stopping just before Christmas and a month later my wife became pregnant naturally. We would not hesitate to recommend others in the same situation (knowing the mental, physical and financial strain IVF has on a couple) to try a more “traditional “ treatment (TCM) first. The only point I wish to make to others considering this treatment is to be patient and not expect miracles in a short period. As with most treatments, there is no quick fix!”

Mr and Mrs K have recently become proud parents of a healthy baby girl!

Contact us

We see couples from Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and around the Midlands for acupuncture for fertility and support to IVF cycles. We can offer other beneficial therapies including hypnotherapy for fertility programmes which can help enormously especially for couples with "unexplained" infertility.

For more information please contact us by email at info@goldenhealth.org.uk

Phone us on 01327 300133

Or by post at Golden Health, 21 Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northants NN11 4AA