pregnant womanIn today’s fast-paced and high-stress environment, many couples are finding it difficult to conceive a child. If the couple has not conceived after twelve months of contraceptive-free intercourse, infertility is diagnosed. Many couples are resorting to expensive procedures such as in vitro fertilization. However, couples should consider Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a cost effective and natural alternative to invasive modern procedures. With the Chinese culture emphasis on the important of family, TCM fertility treatments have been used for over 2,000 years and perfected throughout time.

TCM treats infertility by getting to the root of the problem. Infertility arises because the female body is imbalanced and under stress. Once the body is balanced and relaxed, it will correct the problem of infertility by itself. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are common treatment procedures. By stimulating the acupuncture points, qi (body’s natural energy) flows through the body and blood flows to the reproductive organs. Drinking Chinese herbal teas will bring the body’s hormones back into balance and increase the ovarian functions. Patients are given raw herbs to cook at home and drink the tea. Treatment typically lasts for six months, giving the female body enough time to naturally repair itself.

TCM can be used concurrently with assisted reproductive treatments (ART), such as in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination to increase the success rate. According to the National Infertility Association, majority of women have per-cycle IVF success rate of only 20-35%. When acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used in conjunction with IVF, clinical experience suggests the pregnancy rate can be raised to at least 60%. German researchers found that acupuncture improved the chances of pregnancy by 50% with used with ART1. TCM treatments begin at least four weeks before the anticipated date of the embryo transfer, and treatments are performed twice a week. Once the embryo transfer is complete, TCM treatment is discontinued.

Once a child is conceived, TCM can help the woman’s body hold the baby to full term. Expecting mothers drink herbal teas and seek acupuncture treatment to treat nausea and vomiting, and avoid pharmaceutical drugs. Acupuncture relieves the hip and back pain from carrying a child, and regulate emotions and release tension to prepare the body for labor.

After the successful delivery of the child, Chinese herbs provide nutrients to body and acupuncture restores energetic balance to the body. This will allow healthier and faster recovery of the body.

Dr. Li helped numerous hopeful mothers conceive. Her specialization is in women’s health and treating infertility. She is fully supportive of her patients and works hard to provide the best quality treatment from start to finish during the journey towards motherhood.

1. Paulus, Wolfgang E., Mingmin Zhang, Erwin Strehler, Imam El-Danasouri, and Karl Sterzik. “Influence of Acupuncture on the Pregnancy Rate in Patients Who Undergo Assisted Reproduction Therapy.” Fertility and Sterility 77.4 (2002): 721-24. Web. 7 June 2015.