Traditional Chinese Medicine can support you through your fertility journey and beyond into pregnancy and postpartum. If you are just beginning your journey, know that Chinese Medicine is an excellent complement to optimize fertility. On the other hand, if you are feeling the frustration and even devastating effects of month after month of negative pregnancy tests and are looking for more support or if you are beginning the process of working with a reproductive endocrinologist, consider adding Chinese medicine to your journey.
Yes, Chinese Medicine can help bring balance to the menstrual cycle to optimize fertility but it can also be used to support assisted reproductive treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for both donor, non-donor cycles, fresh or frozen cycles, as well as controlled endometrial development. Often the medications used in these treatments can be very hard on the body and cause physical and mental discomfort. There is help.
Through the use of acupuncture (needling), moxibustion (heat therapy), diet and lifestyle recommendations, Chinese Medicine will help to support your reproductive cycle. It promotes or may help to establish rhythm if cycles are irregular, support regular ovulation, and optimal length for follicular and luteal phases. It will help support and prevent symptoms of estrogen dominance, low progesterone, support patients experiencing PMDD and reduce PMS symptoms. It will help to decrease adverse effects of symptoms from the medication, improve positive outcomes throughout a medicated cycle, ensure the uterine lining is thick and ready for implantation, improve blood flow to the uterus, decrease stress and anxiety, and support hormonal balance with or without ART methods involved.
So, you may be thinking, what does treatment look like…
We begin the initial visit with a very detailed intake no matter where you are in your journey, meeting you and your partner where you are at and developing a treatment plan tailored specifically for you. The treatment plan is always being monitored and adapted to your needs and in relation to where you are at in your menstrual cycle or where you are at in your ART journey. We include acupuncture treatments that are supporting each particular phase you are in. For example, in the menstrual phase the aim is to move blood, reduce pain and inflammation, clear heat, and support the body with any co-occurring symptoms which may develop. In the follicular phase the focus is on building yin, supporting follicular development, while the body does the hard work of preparing for ovulation and ensuring the lining is thickening and ready for implantation in the luteal phase. During ovulation we focus on the transition from the yin phase of the cycle to the yang phase of the cycle; we encourage more qi and blood flow to the reproductive organs at this time as well when so much is happening. During the luteal phase we encourage/build yang qi, progesterone, and help to support the body with calming the mind and reducing stress, and gentle movement and blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Throughout this process we encourage you to consume foods that nourish your body and organs of digestion in Chinese medicine (spleen and stomach), foods that nourish the kidneys and the jing (or essence), and nourish blood. Often this looks like warm cooked foods that are anti-inflammatory, prioritizing bone broths, soups, stews, omega 3 rich foods, fermented foods, and limiting raw cold foods and avoiding greasy or fried foods. We examine what supplements are being taken and pare it down to focus on nutrients that support preconception health, reducing stress, and supporting a healthy pregnancy. This includes a prenatal vitamin that contains folate or folic acid, b vitamins, and minerals. Magnesium and B vitamins support stress and the nervous system. Nutrients to support a growing baby and brain health such as fish oil and choline, and vitamin D3 for hormone support and immune function. Focusing on getting as much as possible through food and nutrition first and then filling in gaps with supplements if needed.
While Chinese Medicine and Western medicine view reproductive health through different lenses, it is incredibly helpful to apply the framework of Chinese Medicine over what is happening at a physiological level. This includes patterns that arise in your basal body temperature chart, how hormone imbalances may be impacting your individual cycle and body (ie what symptoms are showing up), any diagnosed medical conditions such as PCOS, POI,PMDD, and endometriosis to name a few. Symptoms and signs showing up throughout the cycle, and using a whole symptoms approach. We support the channels/vessels and organ systems involved and help restore balance in the body with gentle manipulation and support.
If you’re interested in seeing how Chinese medicine can support your journey, we are here and would love to work with you on this incredible journey!