Chances are high that you or someone you know has undergone some sort of medical intervention in order to get pregnant.  According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 5 women are unable to fall pregnant after one year of trying, and of these cases, nearly half have shown male infertility to be a contributing factor. Over the years I’ve noticed a steep incline in the number of patients I see who are enhancing their ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedures with Acupuncture as prescribed by their doctors. Recent studies have shown Acupuncture to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates by 42%, prompting many fertility clinics to feature in-house acupuncturists and strongly encourage their patients to receive Acupuncture throughout the various stages of their IVF experience.  This upsurge of IVF patients in my practice has inspired me to take various courses and undergo my own research into the world of this unlikely friendship of advanced and cutting edge Western technology with ancient Chinese energy medicine.  The data is fascinating and It’s been an adventure to assist my patients as they go through the many stages and emotional peaks and valleys of the ever changing landscape of ART.  An endeavor that is not for the faint of heart, my IVF patients are some of the most dedicated, resilient and tough women I see and It’s an honor to be included in their journeys from retrieval to post-partum and all the bumps along the way. If you or someone you know has endeavored on an ART journey for fertility you know exactly what I’m talking about, it takes a lot of heart, hormones, needle jabs and perseverance and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help with the merging of these two very different yet complementary and incredible medicines.

The physiological effects of Acupuncture on the reproductive system as backed by scientific studies!

1. Acupuncture communicates with the central nervous system; Acupuncture has an effect on the HPO and HPA axis, meaning that it can modulate the release of gonadotropins and luteinizing hormone to alter reproductive organ and hormone levels. Which is a complicated way of saying that it positively influences fertility and while supporting healthy pregnancy. Electric stimulation in particular has been shown to stimulate the release of sexy hormones and opioids like serotonin, oxytocin, and neuropeptides, all of which harmonize the reproductive system. 

2. Acupuncture affects blood flow to the uterus and ovaries:  Studies show Acupuncture to lower pulsatory index (PI) to increase circulation and blood flow to the uterus resulting in thickening of the endometrial lining so vital for embryo implantation. A certain protocol involving electrically stimulated needles at specific locations has been proven to be especially beneficial for encouraging blood flow and endometrial thickening prior to embryonic transfer. 

3. Reduces stress:  Let’s face it, being poked and prodded while voluntarily exposing yourself to a myriad of hormones over several months can be incredibly stressful, fortunately, Acupuncture can help. Acupuncture inhibits the sympathetic nervous system which in-turn activates the reproductive stimulating effects of the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in reduction of stress, cortisol and prolactin levels.  

4. Regulates hormones: Due to Acupuncture’s communication with HPO and HPA axis levels, treatments can have a direct effect on hormones.  The regulating effect of Acupuncture on these axises can result in menstrual cycle regulation, increased Oocyte quality, ovulation, and endometrial lining generation.

When to get Acupuncture to enhance fertility 

• If possible, it’s best to begin treatments as much as three months prior to egg retrieval, beginning with once weekly treatments and building up to twice weekly in the weeks leading up to retrieval.  This is also a great time for us to enhance follicle development and quality with certain supplements and Chinese herbal formulas.

• For those undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) it’s common to undergo more than one retrieval. Acupuncture can be a great way to help you recover from any medication side effects while also helping to reduce stress and help ensure a good follicle count.  

• In the months or weeks leading up to transfer, Acupuncture is essential for maintaining a relaxed nervous system as stress reduction is especially helpful for IVF success.

• In the month prior to transfer once weekly treatments are recommended to help stimulate uterine blood flow for a healthy endometrium lining for implantation.  Day-of before and after transfer acupuncture is also recommended, if you can find a practitioner able to treat you directly after transfer in the recovery room.

• 
  Treatments can be resumed 10 days after treatment, weekly for the first trimester and bi-monthly for the duration of your pregnancy. 

You don’t have to look far to find a couple enduring the heartache of infertility. For those who have struggled to get pregnant it can be an incredibly lonely and exhausting endeavor, made all the more frustrating when reproductive tests come back normal. Over my 12 years of practice I’ve had the honor of working with many couples who have turned to Acupuncture to help them conceive. I’ve worked with those undergoing IU and IVF as well as other western fertility enhancements in addition to those trying to conceive naturally.

Did you know that many of the nation’s fertility clinics highly encourage their patients to undergo regular Acupuncture throughout the duration of their fertility treatments. Many fertility clinics even have Acupuncturists onsite in order to enhance the success rates of their IVF and IU treatments. Acupuncture has been shown through several medical trials to encourage the success rate of conception in these procedures by at least 30%, so it’s no wonder that Western Fertility doctors are such big fans of Chinese Medicine.

Three Ways Acupuncture Enhances Fertility

Enhances Blood Flow: Acupuncture has been shown to enhance blood flow to the uterus and ovaries which in turn helps the endometrium develop and thicken, making it more receptive to an embryo.

Balances Hormones and Menstrual cycle: Acupuncture balances the endocrine system, by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins. Beta endorphin levels regulate a woman’s follicle stimulating hormone or FSH which are necessary for the growth of follicles and eggs in the ovaries. Acupuncture has also been shown to have a dramatic effect on insulin resistance in the case of PCOS where by improving insulin resistance it normalizes reproductive hormones and ovulation.

Reduces Stress: And, most importantly, Acupuncture helps to reduce the most common culprit in both male and female infertility; stress. While many of my patients come to me with western diagnosis of PCOS, poor sperm mobility or morphology, ovulation issues or luteal phase defect, many come to my office after undergoing tests that have found nothing wrong with their reproductive health. We seem to constantly overlook the profound impact stress can have on our fertility. When men and women are under constant stress, the hormone cortisol is released in the brain, altering its neuro-chemical balance and changing hormone levels. These changes can disrupt the very delicate pituitary balance that is key to the reproductive cycle.

Increases the possibility of IVF success: by improving diminished ovarian reserve markers.

Acupuncture also helps with these fertility culprits:

Thyroid issues: Hashimotos and hypothyroidism can play a major role when it comes to infertility and Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can play a major role in thyroid health and healing.

Spasmed tubes: Can be relaxed with treatments to assist with ovulation.

Frequent miscarriages: by increasing progesterone, Acupuncture has been shown to promote and sustain implantation, resulting in better birth outcomes.

5 Simple ways to increase Fertility right now

1. Ditch the vitamin I. that’s right fellas, Ibuprofen has been shown in a 2018 Danish study to significantly disturb testosterone production when taken twice daily for more than two weeks at a time. So if you’ve fallen into the habit of popping an ibuprofen or two post bike ride, ski or climb, it’s time to kick that habit fast. Frequent NSAID use in women can also greatly diminish ovulation.

2. Ditch the smokes; smoking reduces sperm production, mobility, morphology and maturation.

3. increase your intake of antioxidants: green tea, wild blueberries, dark chocolate, pomegranates, you can also supplement with vitamin c, E and pycnogenol.

4. COQ10; has been shown to stimulate sperm mobility, and reduces the effects of aging on female eggs resulting in higher egg quality. discontinue taking once pregnant.

5. Take a prenatal vitamin and eat healthy diet of fresh fruits and veggies and adequate ammounts of protein while ditching the trans fats.

Why it’s important to solve this little canary in the coal mine with more than a pill from the pharmacy.  

There are times, it seems, that you can’t go on a raft trip in Durango without half of the women on your trip having Hashimotos.  No seriously, our raft trip of 26 people last summer included 5 women with hashi’s and that number was low because most of the folks on the trip were either under 12 or male.  Had we organized a trip of 26 women aged 30-50 our thyroiditis numbers would have been astronomical. I say we because I’m a member of the unofficial Durango Hashimotos club as well.  Before we dive into the how’s and what’s of this issue, I’ll take a moment to introduce you to:

The long and wildly pathetic list of hashimotos symptoms:  These are merely the ones I see most often at Durango Acupuncture Clinic, for a more complete list of woes click here:  https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/symptoms/

Joint Pain Hair Loss Brain Fog
extreme fatigue Dry skin Insomnia
Depression Cold hands and feet PMS
Anxiety Weight Gain Constipation
Mood Swings Constipation Infertility

Just to name a few…

Hashi-what?

Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease which is usually born from the hot and steamy love triangle of leaky gut (digestive and dietary issues), major hormonal shifts (think pregnancy and menopause) and adrenal fatigue (stress in a nutshell).  These immune, adrenal and hormonal stressors trigger thyroid antibodies to go all Rambo and attack your thyroid (among other organs), resulting in the lovely list of symptoms above as a result of low Thyroid stimulating hormone. Genetics can also play a big role into our susceptibility.  In my family, we share autoimmune disease like some families pass on good china or silver, it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving!

And why can’t we just pop a pill and forget about it?

You can just pop pills, but...While pharmaceuticals can provide symptomatic relief and prevent further destruction of your thyroid, they fail to solve the autoimmune issue that got you on the hashimotos bus in the first place.  Relying on medication alone is kind of like hiding in the bathtub while your house is on fire, sure, you’re feeling swell now, but give it a minute (or years) and things are going to get pretty uncomfortable. When the root is left untreated, those symptoms that originally disappeared with medication, can begin to slowly pop up again, along with a host of new and exotic autoimmune issues involving other organs and systems. Fun!

So What’s a girl to do?

1. Chill the heck out! Stress and adrenal taxation are recipes for autoimmune issues (among most other diseases).  Delegate, meditate, practice yoga (my class is at 4:30 on Tuesday’s, just say’in), play with your kids, let the laundry pile up, soak in a hot spring, ride your bike (shut the Strava off), laugh, walk your dog, take a moment to be present.

1. Heal your gut. Ditch the bread to start, (I know, I know, you hate me already but...) gluten has been shown in studies to have the effect of canned spinach on your Popeyed antibodies, enhancing their thyroid bashing abilities. Seal your gut lining with collagen rich bone broth or bone broth powders.  Eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi or kombucha to help repopulate the gut with good bacteria.

2. Get regular Acupuncture:  Acupuncture is clinically proven to calm your central nervous system, lower cortisol levels and reduce stress. Goodbye Adrenal taxation!  It’s also a wonderful way to balance hormones, address digestive and immune issues, increase energy and the body's ability to heal itself.  

At Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I see you as more than your long and sorry list of thyroid symptoms, I see you as the beautiful stressed out and under appreciated superwoman that you are! You’ll be encouraged to commit to self care, given some serious nurturing, dietary tips and recipes, lifestyle and supplement suggestions, Chinese herbs and someone who has experienced all that you’re going through to really listen to you.

Bring your Hashimoto's under control or even remission!  Regain your energy, vitality and balanced emotions, and Kiss that long and sorry list of symptoms goodbye.  Schedule now:  970-442-0284 or click the schedule button on this page.  Let’s set this canary free!