Reproduction of an article from Rutland Pride Magazine, May 2016
Conventional medicine can offer much to those with fertility problems, yet more and more people are turning to alternative therapies before embarking on the process of IVF, while other use such therapies to help them deal with the side effects of drug-based treatments and to support them through IVF.
Therapists are keen to stress that they don’t offer a magic solution, however their aim is simply to get both partners into optimum condition physically and mentally, so conception can happen naturally. Even so, many have high success rates; Acupuncturist Jo George at The Broad Street Practice in Stamford, claims that more than50% of those who come to her with fertility problems become pregnant. Practitioners such as Jo aim to identify and remove any ‘blocks’ to conception.
“In Chinese medicine, the whole orchestra of the body must be tuned together to work in harmony,” she explains. “It can redress very subtle imbalances such as a poor womb lining, that aren’t picked up by conventional medicine, and also classifies several categories of infertility, such as an energy block that prevents conception.”
“Acupuncture has become widely recognised as effective for fertility, on it’s own or in conjunction with orthodox reproductive medicine, such as IVF. What acupuncture does is to help prepare the ground, much like a gardener, so that seeds can be nourished, can implant and grow.”
“A majority of women have grown up with the idea that pregnancy happens easily and that one must therefore take precautions. However, pregnancy followed by the delivery of a healthy baby does not happen as easily as one might think.”
Jo points out that for women in their late teens and twenties the chances of pregnancy in a given month is less than 25% – they have to try, on average, for four months. Reproductively healthy women in their thirties will, on average, have to try for ten months, and once women get into their early forties, despite all appearances to the contrary (athleticism, youthful appearance, vigour and energy) the chances per month of becoming pregnant is reduced to 3% or put another way, they will have to try for almost three years on average.
The chances at all ages are further reduced if the man has a low sperm count, poor morphology or low motility or if the woman does not ovulate, has a short luteal phase (less than ten days), polycysctic ovaries (PCOS), hormonal insufficiency, thin endometrium, endometriosis or physical barriers such as fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes.
“Don’t worry if you don’t conceive even though you have tried for a baby at exactly the right time. This does not, on it’s own, suggest that you have any particular barrier to conception. However, for all age groups, acupuncture vastly improves the chances of conception through stimulating ovulation, regulating hormonal cycles, increasing progesterone production and flow of blood to the uterus.”
Jo also highlights the importance of reducing stress which has a direct impact on a woman’s ability to conceive and also her ability to carry the baby to full term.
“In many cases, especially in those who have unexplained infertility, acupuncture which treats any underlying distress is often enough to turn things around. However, in some of these cases treating both partners can make a big difference to the chances of, and speed of, successful conception. Physical, mental and emotional components are all important and in harmony can help create the fertile conditions necessary for conception and a full term healthy pregnancy.
Jo is happy to talk and share her knowledge – please call for a FREE preliminary phone conversation with Jo on 07914 851995, or book a consultation by calling the Broad Street Practice on 01780 480889. Go to www.lifemedicineclinic.com for patient testimonials and research.
Jo George, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist. MSc Traditional Chinese Medicine, MBAc, BSc (Hons) Acupuncture, Dip. Clin. Acu (China), Two post graduate diplomas in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Fully registered member of the BAcC and RCHM, leading bodies of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in the UK
