Introduction to Fertility Acupuncture
Being able to start a family can be an impossible dream for many couples. Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes Acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments, has been effective in helping both men and women with fertility problems for years. Recent archeological searches in China have found evidence that Oriental medicine treated gynaecological conditions, including fertility treatments almost 2000 years ago and is perfect for preparation to conceive.
Why Choose fertility acupuncture?
Acupuncture can help balance hormones that affect reproduction, ease pain by relieving blockages, and improve uterine blood flow through the nervous system.
Chinese herbal medicine can clear heat, or dispel cold build-up in the lower abdomen, thus increasing women’s fertility levels and the chance of successful pregnancy.
When used in conjunction with IVF, several medical studies have shown that Chinese medicine before and after the Egg Collection, and Embryo Transfer procedures can significantly increase the chances of conception
In male infertility, Acupuncture can significantly improve sperm numbers, shape, size and mobility thus increasing the chance of successful pregnancy.
Acupuncture is very beneficial in most cases in the treatment of male Erectile dysfunction (ED)
How does acupuncture help fertility?
Chinese medicine has a different approach to the treatment of infertility than Western medicine. Conventional medicine is very technology-based, where the aim is not to treat the cause of infertility but to achieve success by successfully negotiating around the obstacles to pregnancy.
For example, in IVF, doctors can chemically control the release of female hormones to create more follicles and inject the male sperm directly into the egg, thus avoiding its risky journey to the uterus after ejaculation. In other cases, doctors extract the sperm directly from the male testes before inserting it into the egg.
In contrast, Oriental medicine has a slower approach where the goal is to resolve the cause of infertility by regulating the menstrual cycle, improving the diet, and resolving emotional issues such as stress and anxiety levels which can have a detrimental effect on oestrogen levels.
Acupuncture strongly influences the nervous system and hormone release in the body. Meanwhile, herbal medicine works alongside it to control the body’s metabolism, temperature regulation, and energy levels.
Acupuncture Fertility for Women
According to the Traditional Chinese medicine framework, the main factors affecting a woman’s fertility are constitution/generic inheritance, diet, and emotions. Poor health can lead to a weak kidney. This organ is crucial for controlling hormonal changes and managing body temperature… Either Excess heat or cold will have a detrimental effect on the menstrual cycle and the ability to get pregnant.
A poor diet, with an excess intake of either cold (excess salads, raw vegetables, etc.) or heat-generating foods ( excess meat, spice, alcohol), will affect the flow of blood into the reproductive organs and negatively affect the function of the Stomach, Spleen, Liver, and Heart organs. Finally, emotional disturbances such as stress, anxiety, or depression affect the functioning of specific organs, such as the liver, heart, and spleen and their ability to supply the body and reproductive system with nutrients and blood.
Specific acupuncture points on the channels of these affected organs can have a regulating action to dispel these imbalances.
Acupuncture Fertility for Men
Most people would be surprised to know that the male partner can be the causing factor of nearly forty per cent of failed pregnancies. Modern lifestyle, long long-term exposure to chemicals, in combination with genetics and age, can affect a man‘s ability to produce offspring.
Lifestyle factors such as alcohol, present or past recreational drug use, medications, and poor diet can have a detrimental effect on sperm numbers, shape size, and mobility. Research has shown that Acupuncture can significantly increase the number of normal sperm while reducing the number of structural defects. Acupuncture can also be very successful in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Meet Olivier Lejus
Olivier Lejus is a registered acupuncturist with over 23 years of clinical experience. He holds both a Master of Health Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a Bachelor of Health Science degree in acupuncture from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). Olivier has undertaken postgraduate studies in both Japan and Australia. He has been a university lecturer for many years, worked in a fertility clinic in the Sydney CBD, written many articles, and conducted seminars on women’s health and female and male infertility.
My Personalised Approach To Fertility Acupuncture
The first step in treating female infertility is regulating the hormonal condition of the female patient. We should address any irregularities like uneven menstrual cycles, pain, bloating, breast soreness, excess bleeding, and emotional disturbances before the onset of menses, as they pose obstacles to a successful pregnancy.
My job is to examine all these aspects and conduct the best individualised treatment for your condition. This involves palpating the abdomen, limbs, and various wrist pulses to identify the root of your condition. Based on this assessment, we select the most appropriate acupuncture points, typically between 4 and 6 points.
Like all forms of medicine, people react differently to acupuncture. Therefore, monitoring your body’s response during treatment is important to ensure you are not receiving too much. If you need Chinese herbal medicine, my advanced training lets me choose the best formula for your condition. The herbal medicine prescribed is in capsule form, which is affordable and easy to take.
Finally, remember that forty weeks pass between the start of pregnancy and a successful childbirth. We will face and overcome several obstacles together with pregnancy acupuncture until we successfully deliver the baby.
Patient Care & Comfort
A regular treatment routine consists of a 10-15-minute consultation, followed by a physical treatment on a therapeutic table. After your consultation, you will be asked to lie down on your back fully clothed, and your body will be draped and kept warm at all times.
We will expose only your arms, lower legs, and feet during the treatment, as most acupuncture points are on the limbs. Acupuncture has a relaxing effect on the nervous system which is often very enjoyable. I want my patients to look forward to their regular treatment as a temporary escape from the stress and bustle of their normal life.
Sometimes one might feel a short pricking sensation when one of the needles is inserted, but If you find yourself uncomfortable at any time, please mention it, and the offending needle will be removed immediately
Fertility Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions
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It all depends on your hormonal condition since any obstacles to pregnancy, such as increasing age, period pain, irregularity of menstrual cycle and bleeding. As well as lifestyle factors such as anxiety, stress, and poor diet will have to be addressed first, so as a rule of thumb it can range from between three to six months of regular weekly, or twice monthly treatments.
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Once again, it depends on your condition. Keep in mind that acupuncture, or herbal medicine alone will not be able to help you if you have physical problems such as abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, or fallopian tubes which might require surgery. Otherwise, if there is no physical obstruction, and the regular treatment routine is followed, a 70% chance of success is realistic, which is very competitive, both in success rate and affordability compared to Western medicine, including IVF.
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Yes, since Olivier Lejus is fully government (AHPRA) registered and accredited as both an Acupuncturist and a Chinese herbal practitioner with all Australian private health funds, you should be able to claim a rebate as long as acupuncture is included in your cover.
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The initial consultation lasts seventy-five minutes. You will be asked for details about your recent fertility test results, including your hormonal levels, egg reserve, iron levels, medical and menstrual history, and your male partner’s fertility tests. Other questions will concern your general health, including digestion, sleep, headaches, eyes, ears, skin, general circulation, immunity, and emotions. This will be followed by the acupuncture treatment described in the Patient Care and Comfort section above.