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Acupuncture and Alterative Treatment Options for Infertility

by Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS

One of the most rewarding aspects of my acupuncture practice is aiding in the conception of a new human life. As the prevalence of infertility continues to increase, it is important for all affected to have a thorough understanding of their treatment options. While in vitro fertilization has proven to be successful for many prospective parents, the cost of the procedure and relative uncertainty of the outcome serve as common deterrents. Indeed, feelings of frustration and hopelessness can overwhelm infertile couples if they have not successfully conceived through conventional methods. Chinese medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling can be effective and much less expensive treatment options for those who have been unable to conceive. Let’s examine a few common causes of infertility and their treatment methods from the perspective of Chinese medicine.

Western society tends to view infertility as a ‘female problem.’ This can be one of the most common and overlooked mistakes, as the man definitely needs to be tested for low sperm count and motility. In Chinese medicine, low sperm count or motility often relate to weak kidney function. The Chinese call this kidney qi, yang, or jing deficiency. Other symptoms of these patterns include fatigue, premature balding or graying of hair, low libido, low back pain, a feeling of coldness, and possibly frequent urination. One of the most interesting aspects of Chinese medicine is the way it coordinates a variety of symptoms into one coherent pattern of imbalance. Therefore, if the man is afflicted with any or all of these symptoms, he should definitely get tested. If it has been verified that the man is the culprit, there are several possible herbal formulas that strengthen and warm kidney function, which often increases sperm count and motility. Moxibustion ( an herbal heat therapy applied on acupuncture needles or on the skin) is often applied for kidney weakness as well. If the man begins to feel more energy and virility, increased body temperature, etc., it is likely that the odds of conception will increase.

If you suffer from infertility, meditation is an excellent discipline to restore health, balance, and awareness to your life.

Women are susceptible to kidney deficiency as well. In this case, a similar treatment method is used, most likely with herbal formulas more specific to female physiology. Another common female pattern is based on blocked blood flow through the reproductive organs. Symptoms include sharp and painful menstrual cramps, menstrual clotting, and extreme emotional upset prior to menses. This can result from poor diet, prolonged use of birth control, extreme stress, or trauma. Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids can all be related to blood stagnation and should be ruled out by the gynecologist. In any case, acupuncture and herbal medicine are an excellent means of restoring the circulation of blood through the reproductive organs. Blood deficiency is another common pattern that causes infertility. In this case, the woman is not generating enough blood to nourish and support the conception of a fetus. Symptoms include amenorrhea (no menstrual cycle), scanty cycle, dizziness, pallid complexion, fatigue, dull headaches and cramping, and possibly (but not necessarily) anemia. Blood deficiency is often caused by insufficient protein in the diet or excessive consumption of raw foods, birth control pills, excessive exercise, or stress. Moxibustion and blood tonic herbs are employed to nourish the blood. Stagnation of phlegm is another common cause of infertility. Symptoms are obesity or extra weight, a feeling of bodily heaviness, lethargy or depression, candida (yeast) overgrowth, and digestive problems such as bloating. This is usually cuased by excessive consumption of sugary, fatty, greasy, or processed foods, overuse of antibiotics, and a lack of exercise. Acupuncture, herbs, and probiotics effectively restore integrity to the digestive system and clear excessive phelegm from the body. In any of these scenarios, the patient should get treatment once a week for several weeks and be consistent about taking herbs.

To create the best possible chance for conception, all systems of the body should be functioning optimally in both sexes. In particular, a woman’s menstrual cycle should be regular and symptom free for her to increase her chances. Also, a lifestyle should be adopted that is conducive to fertility. If you are always cold and tired, try to eat more cooked and streamed foods and avoid raw foods and iced beverages. If you have blood stagnation, incorporate some stress reduction techniques into your daily life such as meditation or yoga. If you have phegm stagnation, try to exercise 5-6 times a week and focus on whole foods, mainly vegetables, grains, and some fruit. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. If your intention to have children is authentic, then Chinese medicine and lifestyle changes could be the ‘missing link’ you have been searching for.

Stabilizing the Womb

Repetitive miscarriage is another obstacle that prospective parents can face. The woman may have no problem getting pregnant, but maintaining the pregnancy poses a challenge. Miscarriage can be emotionally damaging to the point that future attempts to bear children are fraught with anxiety or a predetermined attitude of failure. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can usually help women trapped in this traumatic cycle. There are a variety of causes for this imbalance, although internal weakness related to the kidneys is often a factor. Kidney deficiency suggests many of the symptoms mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. Anxiety is typically related to the ‘yin’ aspect of the kidneys which is related to calmness, coolness, stillness, etc. When the yin is deficient, the body feels too hot, the mind becomes tense, and thoughts are rapid and edgy. This can easily lead to a ‘restless fetus’ in which yin deficiency affects the stability of the womb due to anxiety and emotional tension. Conversely, the ‘yang aspect of the kidneys can also factor into frequent miscarriage. In this case, the woman is more likely to feel depression, coldness, listlessness, low back pain, and muscle weakness. Kidney yang deficiency indicates that the woman’s deepest reservoir of energy is insufficient to properly house and nourish a growing fetus. Both of these scenarios are very treatable. With kidney yin deficiency, the herbal formula ‘rehmannia 6’ is commonly prescribed to nourish the yin, dispel anxiety, and calm the fetus. Kidney yang deficiency is treated with ‘rehmannia 8’ to warm and fortify the yang and generally strengthen the woman’s reproductive capacities. Spleen deficiency is commonly implicated in frequent miscarriage. In Chinese medicine, the spleen consolidates the blood, meaning that blood is properly restrained from leaking inappropriately. Occasional or frequent spotting of pale blood during pregnancy is likely a sign of this pattern. Many digestive disturbances, sugar craving, low energy, bloating, worry, and fatigue are also signs of a weak spleen. There are wonderful herbal formulas for this condition such as dang gui and gelatin (dang gui e jiao tang) to consolidate the blood and stabilize the womb. Shepherd’s purse is also an effective herb to stop bleeding and protect the fetus. The last commonly seen pattern is liver stagnation/ depressive heat. In this pattern, stress and emotional tension are the primary causes of miscarriage. Anger, irritability, and frustration have to be metabolized by the liver which often creates toxic heat through the mid and lower abdominal organs. This heat travels directly to the womb and creates instability. High blood pressure and jaundice are commonly exhibited by the mother in this scenario. She tends to have a history of PMS, menstrual cramping, a high stress level, and a propensity toward anger. Liver stagnation responds well to acupuncture and herbal formulas like ‘free and easy wanderer’ (xiao yao wan).

If you are interested in using herbs to treat yourself, it is highly advisable to consult with a trained professional who can prescribe the right formulas for your specific needs. Increasing numbers of women are turning to Chinese medicine to heal the patterns of imbalance that cause miscarriages. Deep seated kidney deficiency is the most challenging pattern to treat and can take a few months of consistent acupuncture and herbal medicine to remedy. Spleen deficiency and liver stagnation are relatively easier patterns to address. In any case, aside from certain crisis situations, Western medicine offers little hope for women caught in this emotionally trying cycle. My hope is that the new generation of OB/GYN doctors are willing to work with acupuncturists and herbalists (and vice versa) in order to offer the patient the most comprehensive medical support possible. Such a collaboration would likely lead to more successful pregnancies and fewer high risk obstetrical procedures.

If you would like to know more about this topic, please call Kevin directly at (303)725-6208 or email him at Kevin@HavingHealthNow.com