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Home › Articles › Improving Your Chances of Conceiving › Chinese Medicine and Fertility

Chinese Medicine and Fertility

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine to Help You Conceive

By Kelly Burgess

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Hirsh notes that the majority of the infertile couples he sees are over age 40. Biologically, the ideal age to have children is about age 21 to 28 for women, but more women are putting off pregnancy to pursue careers. This can cause problems as their fertility decreases and they decide to become pregnant. TCM uses a couple-centered approach to deal with this.

"The real push on TCM for older couples is to get the couple superbly healthy and to get rid of any underlying problem, such as endometriosis," says Hirsh. "Then it's time to get a workup from a reproductive endocrinologist, go back to your acupuncturist or herbalist and let them know what your FSH levels are and what levels they need to rise to. TCM is very effective in helping to raise these important hormones." TCM also helps the man to encourage his wife in their conception endeavors, which has also been shown to raise FSH levels.

In the end, Hirsh would really like to see health education in schools that is focused on the important issues of reproductive health, but not limited just to sexually transmitted diseases.

"People don't understand when they are most and least fertile in their lives," he says. "They don't understand about healthy lifestyles and how they affect pregnancy and birth. It's an important subject but one that's virtually ignored in our schools. The reason I do reproductive health care is because I have a chance to affect the generations to come, but I'd rather start with a healthy, young couple who are laying good groundwork for someday having a child."

A Healthy Lifestyle
Here are a few suggestions from Eugene Zhang, L.Ac., of Traditional Acupuncture and Chinese Integrative Medicine in Fairfax, Va., and Roger Hirsh, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a doctorate in oriental medicine, to create a healthy lifestyle for pregnancy:

  • Smoking, alcohol and caffeine are not conducive to good health and should be stopped. A small amount of caffeine is not necessarily harmful, but it should not be excessive.
  • Focus on a low-fat, high fiber diet with foods as close to their natural state as possible.
  • Exercises that promote flexibility and strength – such as yoga – are excellent for anyone, particularly those who are tied to a desk all day.
  • Avoid stress as much as possible. If you are in a stressful job, try to find techniques, such as yoga, meditation or other activities, that can help alleviate or help you learn to handle the stress.
  • Try to get eight hours of sleep per night.

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Comments

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Re: Chinese Medicine and Fertility by anonymous on 11/09/2009 06:55PM

i have been treated with iui and was dieing to see the result only to here that it is negitive so i am seeking help to tcm i just my husbond heart

Re: Chinese Medicine and Fertility by anonymous on 04/01/2009 02:22AM

Love the article, I'm currently in the process of trying to conceive using these methods. One correction - the FSH levels need to be lowered, not raised. A higher FSH is an indicator of compromised ovarian function.

Re: Chinese Medicine and Fertility by anonymous on 02/17/2009 08:53AM

I went to a Chinese doctor who used accupuncture and herbs to get me "balanced" and within a year (I was very off balance) I conceived and delivered a healthy, beautiful baby girl in 2007.

Re: Chinese Medicine and Fertility by anonymous on 02/01/2009 12:11AM

Sounds like a miracle, you bet! Did it work? I wish I can post a picture of my new born baby boy! I am an African American male living in NYC in his late 30s who has been treating infertility with my wife for the past 4 years. I have been taking a specific combination of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (mainly herbs / natural ingredients) to help boost sperm count and vitality. I was very lucky to be introduced to a well known (certified and credible) Chinese Medicine doctor who specializes in treating infertility. Only draw back is male hormonal imbalance, causing me to get quite moody and emotional at home and work. Make sure that your friends, relatives and boss or co-workers are willing to put up with your emotional roller coaster.

Re: Chinese Medicine and Fertility by ancientwisdom.ie on 11/28/2008 08:51AM

I couldn't agree more with your article. I have been treating infertility for many years with Chinese medicine using acupuncture, herbal medicine and of course lifestyle changes. Fantastic article!

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