Infertility Treatment

Inositol is one of the supplements I regularly recommend to patients; due it is effectiveness at helping the body utilize insulin. 

What is Inositol? 

Inositol is from the B vitamin family and has the molecular form of sugar, though the body does not metabolize it like sugar.  For individuals familiar with Chinese medicine, Inositol would support spleen qi energy.  Inositol is classified as a B vitamin, but the body can manufactured it from fruits and veggies.  Researchers believe some individuals (especially PCOS cases) are deficient in inositol or are unable to manufactory it from food sources.

What does Inositol do? 

Inositol helps the liver […]

A study from the Universities of Liverpool and Newcastle by Dr Roberts found that women taking the birth control pill lose their ability to choose a partner.  It appears the pill stops a women’s naturally ability to avoid a partner with similar genetic DNA.  This can lead to problems if a couple is conceiving.  When a man’s genetics match the women’s, her body will recognize the embryo as foreign and the immune system will attack.  This leads to a greater risk of miscarriage and trouble with full term pregnancy.  Children from parents of similar genetic background can inherit weakened immune systems.

How […]

If you have been diagnosed with high FSH, often doctors view this as predictor of depleted ovarian reserve and poor egg quality.  This article focuses its’ research behind the correlation of high FSH and miscarriage.  Modern medicine believes most early miscarriages (i.e.: chemical pregnancies or miscarriages within the first several weeks) are related to aneuploidy resulting in DNA fragmentation and chromosomal defects. 

What is aneuploidy and why is it important? (From the website www.ourstolenfuture.org)

Aneuploidy is an error in cell division that results in the "daughter" cells having the wrong number of chromosomes. In some cases there is a missing chromosome, […]

This week’s article discusses the correlation between low ovarian reserve and bone density.  From a Chinese perspective this makes sense, especially when women are experiencing hot flashing (HF) and night sweating (NS).  These two symptoms are commonly found in the kidney yin deficiency pattern.  The kidney energy is the primary source of reproductive reserves.  Just like a car, we have a tank of energy and if we travel too far without fueling up, the energy can run out.  That tank of energy is found in the kidneys and as the tank starts to get low the emergency light comes on […]

Since I started specializing in fertility, I have noticed a common belief in which women trust their fertility will stay strong until the early forties.  As part of the treatment process, I discuss family planning with all reproductive aged women.  There are so many misconceptions around fertility and beliefs about when to conceive, most young women (late teen age years to late twenties) don’t comprehend how this is will be a long journey for some.  Too many women see other ladies in their forties pregnant and believing it occurred naturally.  Women don’t realize the pregnant forty something moms have undergone […]

As part of the process of helping women conceive, a complete discussion of their menstrual cycle history is an important factor in Chinese medicine.  When asked “Do you have problems with your menstrual cycle?” most women will answer its normal.  It has become clear to me that women have little knowledge of what a normal menstrual is like.  From a Chinese medicine perspective a normal cycle will be:

 
*Regular 27 to 30 days between bleeding

*No spotting or very little spotting before the period.

*No breast tenderness

*Minimal mood swings or changes in bowel movements before or during the period

*Minor cramping (cramping should […]

Inositol, a member of the B-vitamin family, has been center of great interest.  Forms of inositol have been found to improve insulin levels in diabetic patients and improved follicular growth/ovulation/menstrual cycles in PCOS women. 

What is inositol?    It is a B-vitamin and the sweet nature of inositol comes in part from the properties that make up the nutrient, in particular the component of cyclohexanehexol. While still a form of sugar, inositol works differently from glucose. Inositol is a compound that has nine different forms. The most well-known and nutritionally active form is "myo-inositol", which most people simply refer to as […]

Dysmenorrhea is defined as severe uterine pain during menstruation.  How does dysmenorrhea affect fertility?  Depending on the cause of the dysmenorrhea (fibroids, endometriosis, and polyps) can change the environment of the uterus resulting in monthly pain and an unfertile atmosphere.  In cases of large fibroids or polyps, it is best to have them removed with surgery.  With endometriosis, if the scar tissue or adhesions are numerous, once again surgery is the best mode of action.  Post surgery, acupuncture and herbs are extremely helpful.  Even though the surgery has removed the problem, it has not changed the cause which allowed the […]

There is much debate in the fertility profession about the inhibin hormones, which could be an indicator of egg abundance and quality.  Research has found Inhibin B to be an good indicator of the number of follicles recruited for the current menstrual cycle.  The higher Inhibin B is, the great number of follicles is present for selection to become the dominant follicle at ovulation.  

Currently there is much contemplation about how to integrate Inhibin B into the baseline testing.  According to Resolve the FDA has not approve the test and the test is only offered by a few laboratories due […]

I find most women who come to me for fertility issues are not taking supplements and have a poor diet.  Even with moderate healthy eating habits, women are still not getting the vitamins and minerals to support proper ovulation, thyroid function and metabolism.  Thus it is important to supplement our bodies with multi-vitamins and minerals.  This particular research article has found a clear connection with ovulation and the intake of folic/B-vitamins.

When working with an acupuncturist to improve fertility, they should go over basic supplements to help you conceive.  Depending on the client’s symptoms, basic minerals (such as magnesium and zinc […]