Research on Chinese Medicine and Fertility
Jane Lyttleton’s acupuncture fertility clinic in Australia is in the midst of several studies looking at the efficacy of 4 months of preconception treatment using acupuncture, herbs and dietary therapy to improve pregnancy rates. They’ve compiled research and reviews on Chinese Medicine and its affect on different aspects of fertility.
Books
The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis is a DIY of Chinese Medicine and fertility. Learn what fertility type you are and treat yourself with acupressure and herbs to improve your chances of conceiving.
Making Babies is co-written by Dr Sami S. David (one of the first doctors to perform IVF in NY) and Jill Blakeway, an acupuncturist. It’s a unique and practical blend of east and west, with plenty of information on what ARTs will work with your fertility type and making lifestyle choices to improve your fertility. A client of mine has worked with Dr. David for her IUIs and cannot recommend him highly enough for his excellent bedside manner, ability to listen and incorporate the needs of the patient, and ability to titrate medication dosage based on the needs of the individual he’s working with.
Principles of Acupuncture by Angela Hicks
A very simple introduction to Acupuncture. She’s a wonderfully clear writer and includes a good deal of patient examples.
Discovering the Five Elements One Day at a Time by Janice MacKenzie
A fantastic way to really ‘get’ the Five Elements in your life. Each chapter or season begins with a general description of the element/season and its associations. Each day following offers poetry, excerpts from Chinese medical classics, and exercises you can do to stay healthy in that season. It’s a way of using the principles of acupuncture to support your health without using a needle.
Lifestyle Changes for Fertility
Again, Jane Lyttleton has created fabulous pdfs with recommended lifestyle changes:
Useful Tips for Natural Conception
- Don’t forget foreplay! Arousal improves cervical mucus and increases flow of hormones, thereby increasing fertility. Men turned on by their partner have a higher sperm count.
- Missionary position gets sperm closer to the cervix where it needs to be.
- No anal sex – it may transfer bacteria and threaten fertility.
- Lubricants – use Preseed if any. It’s the only commercially available lubricant that doesn’t decrease sperm motility or compromise sperm DNA. Don’t use water, saliva, mineral oil, etc as they affect the acidity of the cervical mucus and health of the sperm.
- Frequency – every other day around ovulation. If sperm count is normal, sex daily is fine. Daily ejaculation can improve sperm quality but will decrease quantity.
- Timing – day before and day of ovulation is ideal. Once sperm is in the body, it can live in fertile mucus 3-4 days waiting for the egg to drop from the follicle. So ideally, try to get sperm there before ovulation occurs. Have intercourse 14 days before you expect your period to start. Counting backwards may be more reliable than counting from menses.
Chinese Dietary Therapies
Debra Betts in New Zealand specializes in acupuncture and acupressure for pregnancy and labor, but she has great dietary and lifestyle recommendations useful for building your resources while you’re trying to conceive. The most common issues I see in the clinic are:
Psychotherapy
Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington has a special focus on the challenges around fertility and loss, for individuals and in group sessions.
Chana Lockerman focuses on fertility and early parenting, and offers telehealth and in person sessions in downtown Silver Spring.