IVF with Traditional Chinese Medicine

There are many different ways to get to one goal. Both Chineses and Western Medicine accomplished and treated numerous diseases, improving the quality of life. Using the best of both worls, it is possible to increase the success rate of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) significantly.

A recent German study found that using Acupuncture with IVF achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate in the test group, compared to 26% in the control group that did not receive acupuncture.

In the USA a currently released book is available in which the rate increases up to 60% with support from both Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in preparation for and as support through the IVF procedure.

Chinese Medicine (herbs and acupuncture) can significantly reduce the risk of miscarriage by supporting the female during her entire pregnancy.

Well trained and accredited Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners are available at Health Dimensions and you can get the benefit of TCM and it could change your life and your family.

In brief, TCM can help to improve the success rate of IVF in a number of ways:

1. Improve the function of the ovaries and assist them to product better quality eggs.
2. Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of matured follicles
3. Relax the patient and decrease their stress
4. Lessen the side effects of the drugs used in IVF
5. Improve semen in the male such that it is of a better quality and quantity
6. Decrease the chances of miscarriage

TCM Preparation Prior to IVF
Female:

About three months prior to the IVF procedure TCM is recommended to help regulate the body’s functions and thus make IVF more successful. Sometimes after just three months the patient regains a normal menstrual cycle and is able to become pregnant naturally.

During this three months TCM is used to treat gyneacological disorders for example:

Early and delayed and erratic menstruation, amenorrhea, endometriosis, uterine myomas, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and anovulation.

Male:

The process of sperm maturation averages 70-90 days. Therefore it is very beneficial that the male receive acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for at least three months prior to starting the IVF procedure.

With the help of TCM it is possible to improve both the quantity of sperm and the overall quality of the sperm.

This then increases the chances of creating a healthy and a viable embryo as well as assists in a more secure plantation.

TCM could improve the low sperm motility and volume, poor liquification, abnormal morphology, low testosterone levels.

TCM During IVF
This is the most important stage in the IVF process for both Western and Chinese medicine. When these two systems of medicine are used in conjunction with one another the results of the IVF are greatly improved.

1. Start oral contraceptive pills for IVF
This is done one month prior to the IVF procedure to allow the ovaries to rest and to assist in regulating the hormones. During this month the patient should be supported with acupuncture and herbal medicine to quicken the bind and Qi flow and it helps to calm the spirit and relax the patient.

2.Stimulation of the ovaries with IVF
Two to three days after the menstrual cycle begins the ovaries are stimulated with Western medicine in order to cause the body to produce more follicles.

At this time TCM should be used to assist the ovaries in producing these extra follicles and assist in the thickening of the lining of the uterus in preparation for the transfer of an embryo. TCM assists at this stage in reducing any side effects of the drugs used.

3. Before the transfer of embryos in IVF

TCM is especially helpful during this stage. It can gently help slightly dilate the cervical opening in order to more easily transfer the embryo into the uterus.
Again it assists the patient to stay calm and thereby maintain relaxing of the uterus. When the transfer is being performed the patient will experience less cramping and uterine contractions, ultimately helping with the embryo implantation.

4. After the Transfer of the Embryo in IVF
After the transfer of the embryo TCM assists bind circulation in the uterus, maintain implementation of the embryo and nourish the embryo’s growth.
Relaxing the uterus to prevent uterine contractions that may cause bleeding or miscarriage is most important.

5. Prevention of miscarriage
Once the embryo has been fertilized and implanted into the uterus successfully it is most important to prevent miscarriage with IVF patients.
Females around 40 years old experience a miscarriage rate of nearly 50% with IVF alone.
However with the help of Chinese medicine, the rate of miscarriage can be significantly reduced and the pregnancy can be supported to reach full term.