Fertility

Why choose Acupuncture to treat the struggles of Fertility

According to Statistics Canada, 1 in 6 couples experience infertility. The definition of infertility is being unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Infertility can be categorized into two separate diagnoses’. Primary infertility is when pregnancy has never occurred. While having a first child successfully, then failing to conceive a second time is defined as Secondary infertility. Reasons such as lifestyle, age, reproductive health, and chronic illness are a few examples of why infertility may occur.

Western Medicine provides limited options for couples that are experiencing infertility. Western opportunities for treatment typically consist of medications or alternative procedures that may be costly and ineffective. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are a natural approach that may be paired with western treatment strategies or used alone.

From the Traditional Chinese Medicine standpoint, there are many different patterns that can be treated to not only help increase chances of pregnancy but can also remedy other health concerns. TCM is also a preferred option for treatment when western medicine diagnosis’ the patient’s infertility to be idiopathic. According to TCM theories, infertility most commonly occurs from the disruption from either internal or external pathogenic factors preventing qi energy and blood movement.

Regarding women; having a regulated menstrual cycle is crucial for pregnancy because it signifies a strong uterine lining that can support and nourish the egg. Regular mensuration is also significant because it represents a proper hormonal function for building and shedding of the uterine lining as well as egg release. TCM theory states that a regular menstrual cycle should never be painful, the woman should have powerful energy, and the cycle has consistent timing of the beginning and ending as well as the duration of bleeding. Colour and volume of menstrual blood is also an indicator of woman’s gynecological health.

Regarding men’s health, acupuncture has been proven to be therapeutic in regulating the endocrine system and maintaining circulation to all body systems for ideal function. Maintained levels of hormones must be stable for not only spermatogenesis but the quality of sperm that are being produced. Lifestyle factors such as stress, overwork, diet, and exercise are examples of the main contributors to men’s infertility.

At Huatuo Clinic, the most common methods of treatment for infertility for both men and women are acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal formulas. These techniques may be used in combination with each other or used alone depending on the patient’s constitution.