What Causes infertility?

• Infertility due to Ovulation Factors
• Infertility due to Fallopian Tube Factors (partial tube blockage)
• Infertility due to Immunological Factors (NK cells, anti sperm antibody)
• Infertility due to Cervical (cervical mucus hostility factor, Postcoital Test Abnormal)
• Infertility due to Uterine Factors (such as fibroids)
• Infertility due to Premature Ovarian Failure POF
• Infertility due to Elevated FSH, High FSH (level > 10 on day 3)
• Infertility due to Elevated Estradiol, High Estradiol (E2) (level>50 on day 3)
• Infertility due to Poor egg quality, poor ovarian reserve.
• Infertility due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS (LH/FSH ratio is abnormal, high testosterone levels, irregular menses)
• Infertility due to Luteal Phase Defect LPD
• Infertility due to Thyroid Factors (Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroglobin Antibodies abnormal, Thyroxine Peroxidase Antibodies abnormal)
• Infertility due to Prolactin (PRL) abnormal.
• Infertility due to Frequency miscarriage
• Frequent failure of IVF and IUI
• Frequent Chemical Pregnancy
• Infertility due to Blood Clotting Issue
• Infertility due to MTHFR Mutations positive
• Infertility due to Endometriosis
• Infertility due to Thin and unresponsive Endometrium
• Infertility due to Amenorrhea
• Irregular and Annovulatory Menstrual Cycles
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease PID
• Infertility due to Stress
• Unexplained Infertility

How Acupuncture Works:

• Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
• Thicken the endometrial lining
• Help produce more follicles
• Improves egg (ova) quality
• Reduces High FSH and High E2
• Reduces High Prolactin
• Reduces the chance of miscarriage
• Regulates and stabilize hormone levels
• Balances immune function
• Regulates Thyroid Hormone levels
• Stress relief, energy improvement, controls weight
• Improves the outcome of ART procedures, increase the success rate of IVF/IUI

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been successfully used to treat infertility for several thousand years with no side-effect in China. I have been becoming more and more popular in the western world in this decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Based upon scientific research, what is the rate of success for acupuncture helping IVF/IUI?

Author, Year (Reference) Study Population Avg. Age Years Intervention (Sample Size) Acupuncture Results 1. Paulus etal, 2002 (1) 160 women 32.5 Acupuncture:80 Control:80 Acupuncture right before & after Embryos Transfer Acu group had a higher pregnancy rate (42.5%vs26.3%) 2. Dieterle etal, 2006 (2) 225 women 34.9 Acu: 116 Control: Placebo Acu(Sham points)109 Acupuncture right Before and After Embryos Transfer plus one session 3 days post Embryos Transfer. Acu group compared to the placebo group had significantly higher pregnancy rate(33.6%vs16.5%), implantation rate(14.2%vs 5.9%) and ongoing pregnancy rate(28.4%vs13.8%) 3. Westergaard etal, 2006 (3) 273 women 37 Acu group Control group:no Acu Acupuncture right   before & after Embryos Transfer, plus 2 days post Embryos Transfer. Acu group compared to control had significantly higher clinical and ongoing pregnancy rate(39%vs26% and 36%vs 22%) 4. Stenervictorin etal,1999 (4) 150 women 34.4 Acu group Control group One acupuncture  before and until the end of oocyte aspiration Acu had significantly higher implantation rate(27.2%vs16.3), pregnancy rate(45.9%vs28.3%), and take-home baby rate(41% vs 19.4%)

Reference Articles: (1.) Paulus We etal. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(4) 721-724. (2.) Dieterles etal. Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril. 2006; 85(5) 1347-1351 (3) Westergaard LG etal. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women. Fertil Steril 2006; 85(5) 1341-1346 (4.) Stener-Victorin E. etal. A prospective randomized study of electro-acupuncture vs alfentanil as anaesthesia during oocyte aspiration in in-vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(10) 2480-2484

2. Do I need acupuncture only before Embryos Transfer (ET) and after the transfer?

According to the research protocols stated above, a 25 minute acupuncture treatment, right before ET and after ET, increases the chance of a successful pregnancy. Acupuncture helps blood flow to the uterus during ET and release stress, so that it will help the implantation of the embryos. If this is your first IVF/IUI cycle, it is recommended to start acupuncture 8 to 10 sessions before the embryos transfer. Failure of previous IVF/IUI cycle means there could be some disorders going on in the body and it needs longer time to be balanced. In this situation, you might need an average of 20 to 30 sessions of acupuncture before starting the IVF/IUI cycle.

Results that I have obtained in my 23 years+ of practice in the field of acupuncture for OB/GYN/Fertility has shown me that in order to prepare and balance the hormones, it is advisable for patients who have complicated conditions, to start acupuncture two or three months before IVF/IUF. Some of these disorders include:

• Failed the previous IVF/IUI cycle
• High FSH
• Luteal phase defect
• Poor egg quality
• Thyroid problem
• Unexplained infertility issues
• Immunological factors.

Acupuncture should be done befor IUI and ET:

*Before (2 to 3 months prior to cycle) – to improve egg quality and regulate hormones, increase the number of follicles, thicken uterus lining, and improve your overall health and well-being. For men, acupuncture is able to strenghten semen, impove semen quality and quantity.

*During – to increase the amount of blood in the uterus, improve the quality of the uterine environment by relaxing uterine muscles, release stress, and give embryos a good environment.

*After (once pregnant) – to prevent miscarriages and minimizes morning sickness in the first trimester.

3.  When should I start acupuncture treatment for IVF/IUI support?

If you are scheduled to start the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) of IVF/IUI, it is recomended that you come for acupuncture as soon as possible.

4. How often should I have acupuncture treatments for my Infertility?

If an IVF/IUI cycle is scheduled within one month, treatment is recommended 2 times per week, or, 8 to 10 sessions before transfer. If you have planned to do IVF/ IUI 3 or 4 months in advance, you can do acupuncture 2 times per week before ovulation, then once per week after ovulation. In this way, acupuncture will help to improve your egg quality and thicken the uterine lining. Of course, more treatment will increase the benefit. Lots of my patients have naturally conceived before IVF/IUI started.

5. What should I expect from the first visit?

During the first visit, Dr. Zhao will take a detailed medical history related to infertility, including;

• Review the details of your menstrual cycle and blood flow during menstruation
• Review your BBT chart
• HSG result
• Day 3 of blood work if it’s available
• Understanding your purpose for having acupuncture (such as if it is for natural conceive or IVF/IUI support)
• Review your previous IVF/IUI result if it’s available
• Review your partner sperm analysis if it’s possible
• Examine your whole system

Dr. Zhao will also ask questions about your whole system, check your tongue and the quality of your pulse. She will give you a holistic and traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis code, followed by a discussion on acupuncture treatment plans. In the first visit you will get acupuncture treatment too.

Our goal is to offer new hope through natural, holistic fertility treatment and gynecological care by bringing experience and compassion for your quest to conceive and helping your dream to become a reality.

6. After a failed IVF/IUI cycle, can acupuncture help to conceive naturally?

Yes, it is definitely possible.

In our acupuncture clinic, we have had many success stories with women who failed IVF/IUI cycle. After several acupuncture sessions, many patients were able to naturally conceive. Many of my patients tell you not to rush to do IVF, you should try acupuncture before IVF/IUI cycle.

If you want to naturally conceive, we want to make sure that the male’s sperm is also good quality. Successful conception not only depends on the women’s egg, but also depends on the male’s sperm quality. Sperm needs the capacity to get to the egg, the strength to penetrate it and ability to fertilize it; therefore, optimal sperm will posses normal motility, morphology and count/quantity.

Acupuncture treatments are also recommended for men in order to strengthen sperm and increase the chances of pregnancy. Scientific research supports that acupuncture can improve male’s sperm quality in motility and morphology.

7. After I conceived, do I need acupuncture again?

I highly suggest that you do some “holding baby” sessions. There are several safe points can be needled during your pregnancy, to prevent miscarriage, reduce the risk of blood clotting issues, and reduce the chance of severe morning sickness. This would be done once per week until you have passed your 12th week of pregnancy.

8.  In your acupuncture clinic, how old was the oldest oldest woman to successfully conceive?

In our acupuncture clinic, the oldest woman who conceived was 42.5 years old. There are many women over 40 in our clinic who conceived successfully. Some conceived naturally or via natural IUI, some of them employed IUI or IVF with medication. For women who are over 40 years old with long term High FSH, it is suggested first to try to conceive naturally, use natural IUI or wait for FSH levels to be normal. The last option would be IVF.

9. Do you prescribe herbs in your clinic?

We offer both patent herbs and herbal tea. Herbal tea is made by concentrated powder.  We prescribe the formula based on your tongue, pulse and your condition.  Herbs are highly recommended for patients who want to conceive and have additional complications, such as: hormone imbalance, high FSH/E2, endometriosis or unexplained infertility. Some western doctors may ask you to stop herbs when you start the stimulation drugs for the IVF/IUI cycle.

Testimonials:

Case 1

“My husband and I tried for 4 years to get pregnant. We saw several doctors who could find nothing wrong, and therefore, did not know how to help us. With herbs and acupuncture, Dr. Zhao strengthened my system and helped prepare my body for pregnancy. Six months later, I was pregnant. ”

Gena

Case 2

"I am pleased to extend my gratitude to Dr. Zhao for my infertility treatment for 4 weeks. Dr. Zhao has been very attentive, gentle, and care about her patients.

I found out about Dr. Zhao when I searched for acupuncturist nearly my area from Google. I read the testimonies from other patients on the website and it gave me courage to make a phone call and set up an appointment for consultation on that same day. In addition to that, her office happened to be very close to where I work so it is very convenient.

Dr. Zhao is indeed a true professional. During my consultation session with Dr. Zhao, I was not expecting a lot; however, the way she explained things and communicated with me gave me confidence and assurance that this treatment could work together with my IUI treatment.

After my 7th visit with Dr. Zhao, I finally got a positive pregnancy test. My journey is certainly far from over but I thank God for giving me a chance to be treated by an expert like Dr. Zhao."

Grace W.

for testimonials, visit Testiomnials page