What Happens at the Initial Appointment?
Fertility Support and IVF
Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or intending to start fertility treatments such as IVF, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine will help improve your fertility.
Both these TCM modalities help regulate hormonal levels, improve ovarian function, improve uterine health and increase implantation rates. They also offer much to improve many aspects of sperm health.
Conditions causing fertility issues including PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids, can all benefit from using TCM treatment. Other problems such as recurrent miscarriage or reproductive immunology issues will also benefit.
When using TCM treatment before starting IVF, although treatment will not increase the actual number of eggs, they will be well-nourished eggs, developing in a balanced hormonal environment and be more responsive to the IVF medication. If ICSI is to be used alongside IVF, men will benefit from receiving Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture prior to this treatment as the sperm will be in a healthier state. Also, women who have already been through IVF treatment often get improved results when they receive TCM treatment in the lead up to their next IVF course.
At the Jade Centre we provide a personalised acupuncture treatment which begins with an in-depth consultation looking at all aspects of your life and health. By looking, listening and asking, giving you the time you deserve, we can join the dots and get to the root of the problem in order to prescribe the best treatment for you.
The TCM Approach to Fertility
After we have made our initial diagnosis, we focus on regulating the menstrual cycle; Is the cycle too long, too short or irregular? Are there premenstrual issues, or perhaps the period itself is too heavy and is painful.
In TCM, each of these signs are meaningful clues and will have related TCM patterns causing the problem. This is where we focus our treatment. Multiple factors including stress levels, diet, poor sleep, age, overwork and exhaustion, all need to be addressed. In TCM, stress stagnates qi and ultimately causes blood stasis. A poor diet may be linked to blood deficiency. Overwork and poor sleep will also take their toll, potentially impacting fertility levels. Acupuncture is brilliant for reducing the effects of stress.
However, if there is a significant level of deficiency as part of the TCM diagnosis, herbal medicine will speed up treatment results compared to just having acupuncture alone. Heavy periods or painful periods, often symptoms present with conditions such as fibroids or endometriosis, are also best treated with herbal medicine alongside the acupuncture treatment; with these conditions, we will often make a diagnosis of “heat in the blood” or “blood stagnation” and herbs are best at dealing with both these TCM patterns. Infertility presents in many ways. Ultimately, once we have assessed the underlying Chinese medicine patterns, we will treat each fertility issue differently depending on our diagnosis.
Fertility Support - What to Expect
Our patients regularly tell us they find the process energising or immensely relaxing – during treatment they often feel a sense of bliss and can even fall asleep due to the intense feelings of calm!
How Safe is it?
What about hygiene?
Your well-being and safety is our highest priority. Only disposable pre-sterilised single-use acupuncture needles are used in our clinic.
In addition, I follow my strict professional guidance regarding general clinic hygiene. and cleanliness.
How long will the treatment last and what will it cost?
Ideally, treatment should be given for at least three months as it takes this long for the full development of both an ovarian egg and a sperm cell; during this time, TCM treatment can have a significant effect on their development. Even if you are do not go on to conceive naturally you will be in a better place should you ultimately choose to receive IVF.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am proud to have been awarded “The Advanced Level Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture”. The training offered in-depth expert knowledge on integrative medicine to enable me to support all aspects of fertility using Chinese medicine including recurrent miscarriage, low sperm count, IVF, IUI, ICSI and pregnancy in the over 40s.
Side effects are very rare, but may include some soreness and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Single-use, disposable needles are used at the Jade Centre so the risk of infection is minimal.
Acupuncture needles are not comparable to other needle as they are very thin. Most people feel no pain or very little pain when they are inserted. Often people say they feel energised or relaxed after receiving treatment.
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IVF support package pricing.
Pre-IVF treatment support (two months)
8 weekly treatments = £515
During IVF treatment.
Total of 8 treatments = £515
3 treatments “during IVF stimulation”
1 treatment “After egg collection”
2 treatments “Before/after embryo transfer”
2 treatments “After embryo transfer up to day of pregnancy test”
(price breakdown for each package: 8 treatments at £70 per session = £560 less 8% discount).
You can see our prices and book here.
Although in life there are no guarantees, there have been several studies which show TCM can support fertility. Here’s a link to a retrospective study showing how three cycles of “Whole System TCM treatment” increased the positive outcomes of the IVF treatment by around 60%!
I’ll start by asking some questions about your health and any condition you may have.
Some of these questions rather different from the usual questions a doctor may ask, such as how much liquid you drink, what your tongue looks like, or what your eating habits are.
Your clear answers to these questions are important for me to be able to understand the way your body is functioning. We will then be able to put together your individual treatment plan.
Acupuncture is generally safe alongisde other treatments, but if you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia, or are taking anticoagulants, talk to your GP before you have acupuncture.
Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted.
It’s also generally safe to have acupuncture when you’re pregnant. However, please let us know if you’re pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.
The number of sessions needed varies hugely depending on you and your condition.
Acute conditions may only need a few sessions. For more long-standing chronic conditions you may need to have one or two weekly sessions for a few weeks, months or until your symptoms have subsided.
Further Information
Louise is one of a small number of TCM practitioners Worldwide who have completed Naava Carman’s world-leading Advanced Level Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture
Fertility Support Trained Practitioners are trusted experts in supporting all aspects of fertility using Chinese Medicine including recurrent miscarriage, low sperm count, IVF, IUI, ICSI, and pregnancy in the over-40s.
Louise has also written further information regarding Chinese herbs for fertility.
