Circle + Bloom™ » All Things Fertility

Why can’t anyone get pregnant?

mroth — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:23:50 +0000

Share your insights on women’s health issues, whether it is general health, infertility, PCOS or any other topic that is specific to women’s health and you will have a chance to win a $150 American Express gift card! Click here to learn more!

Leslie Goldman, a Women’s health writer and body image expert shares her Insights on Infertility. She writes a blog Health Breaks Loose you should have a look at. If you like her insights be sure to leave a comment below to help her win the $150 AMEX card!

Why can’t anyone get pregnant?

“Ugh.”

That was my husband’s reaction when he opened our mailbox last month and pulled out the new US Weekly, plastered with a sad photo of Khloé Kardashian alongside the desperate headline, “I’ll do anything for a baby.” (A few months earlier, it had been Giuliana Rancic, revealing how a surprise breast cancer diagnosis had temporarily derailed her IVF struggles.) Dan’s response was visceral and strong, and just like many mothers who grow to learn their babies’ various cries, I knew exactly what that “ugh” meant.

For perhaps the only time in our lives, we had been in this Kardashian’s position, too. Trying to conceive, month after month, only to come up empty. The thought of it being broadcast on a national level felt sickening.

Not that Khloé has anything to be ashamed of. One in eight U.S. couples struggle with infertility, which makes it about as common as breast cancer. But while glossy pink ribbons serve as a badge of courage and pride, with people walking for three days straight in mass parades to raise awareness and funds, infertility remains cloaked in secrecy. In fact, when you’re going through it, waking up at 5am to rush to the reproductive endocrinologist’s office for a quick blood draw and ultrasound before work, or when you’re shooting up straight estrogen in a Caribou Coffee bathroom, or when you’re couch-bound for two days straight after being put under anesthesia to have 20 eggs harvested through your vagina, it feels like you are the only woman alive living through this pain. And then, because a common side effect of injectable hormones is tunnel vision, you only notice the women around you who are pregnant. I remember once texting Dan a list of about 14 girls I knew on a very close basis (either friends I spoke with multiple times per week, coworkers or family members) who were all knocked up, punctuating the message with a self-pitying “WHY NOT ME?”

But if you allow yourself to open up, if you talk about it even a tiny bit, you’ll start to see that, actually, you’ve landed yourself a spot in an entirely non-exclusive club. The moment I began writing about our struggle, women leapt out of the woodwork, revealing their own battles to me. Recently, I celebrated a “coming out” of sorts when I blogged about our IVF experience and posted it to Facebook. By the end of the day, no less than four friends and three editors of mine (I’m a writer for various women’s magazines) had privately messaged me, telling me of their IUI babies, their Clomid toddlers, their IVF failures.

A few weeks ago, on the plane ride home from our babymoon in Puerto Vallarta, I was writing an essay on infertility and going organic for Natural Health magazine. I got into a conversation with the woman next to me, who was told she could never have kids, so she adopted a four-year-old…only to spontaneously conceive a few months later. Her biological daughter used IVF for all three of her sons. Later that night, Dan was forced to trudge out to the grocery store at 2am to procure cold medicine, kefir and watermelon for me, thanks to an unbearable hacking cough that had been causing me to pee all over myself throughout our romantic Mexican vaycay. He called me from the 24-hour pharmacy, saying the pharmacist on-call thought I should try Mucinex. As I frantically Googled “Mucinex AND safe AND pregnancy” in between body-wracking explosions of phlegm, I overheard the pharmacist ask Dan, “First baby?” Dan confirmed. And then the pharmacist asked, “IVF baby?” Turns out he was a kindred spirit – his wife had delivered a baby boy eight days prior, the result of four rounds of IVF. He recognized a freak when he saw one; after you go through what we went through, you aren’t taking any chances. Even if it means sticking your finger down your throat in a restaurant because you’re worried the bleu cheese that was sprinkled on your salad might be unpasteurized (which happened to me when I was five weeks along.)

In the locker room at my gym, I chatted with a girl from my yoga class who is expecting twin girls in March, via surrogate. Two hours before, I had spoken on the phone with a friend who is in the midst of adopting baby #2.

At my baby shower, I calculated that eight of the 20 or so women in attendance had used either Clomid, injectables, artificial insemination, IVF or adoption as a means of creating their family. Eight out of 20.

Perhaps it’s an age thing: More of us are waiting to have children, fooling ourselves into believing that regular gym sessions and a Flexitarian diet will somehow freeze our eggs at mid-20s status. Or a result of chronic environmental insults – pesticides, pollution, canned tomato sauce brimming with fertility-sapping BPA. As my acupuncturist once opined, “You think girls living on the family farm in Arkansas are having trouble getting pregnant? Of course not.”

For now, I’m finishing up Week 38 of our hard-won pregnancy, and it’s unreal how the intense pain of those awful months has faded into the background. Last weekend, I attended a boozy brunch where I enjoyed the fun attention typically lavished on a woman brandishing a fitted sweater-clad baby bump. I chatted with two other pregnant ladies and convinced them to shell out $75 for an elective 4D ultrasound like we did last week – one of the smartest moves I could’ve made in terms of bonding with our baby. I didn’t even mind the fact that I was surrounded by off-limits champagne and mouthwatering pomegranate vodka punch. Which brings me to another tip for my friends still embroiled in their struggle:

Drink wine. Lots and lots of wine.

And enjoy it while you can.

PCOS Doesn’t Need to End in Heart Ache

mroth — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:31:33 +0000

Sandra, a uterine cancer survivor due to PCOS shares her Insights on Infertility and PCOS. She writes a blog Lemonade and Gingerbread you should have a look at. If you like her insights be sure to leave a comment below to help her win the $150 AMEX card!

PCOS Doesn’t Need to End in Heart Ache

As most of you who read my blog regularly know I am a cancer survivor of over 2 years now. A bloggy friend of mine, Rebekah, recently posted a story for Circle & Bloom on what she learned through her infertility and pregnancy. When I read this I became motivated to share my story on PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome).

Circle and Bloom is having a contest where we can share our thoughts on Women’s Health, Wellness, and subjects like PCOS, Infertility, etc. One woman will win a $150 American Express card, but I think this is a perfect venue for us in the blogging world to talk about important issues as well.

I have probably had PCOS all my adult life. I had irregular menstrual cycles as long as I can remember. However, I did not find out an actual diagnosis until I was going through the last chances of fertility treatments around age 40. At the same time I was told that my chances of conceiving at that point were slim to none. That I should not continue on with fertility treatments and that I should instead take birth control pills to control my PCOS. The only caution I was given was that PCOS can lead to diabetes. Well, as a Catholic married woman who still had hopes of conceiving I was not going to take the advice to take birth control pills. Besides, birth control pills cause problems of their own. Imagine my surprise when two years later, I found out I had endometrial cancer.

What I wish I knew:
I wish I knew I had PCOS before the age of 40, maybe I could have done something to conceive. I also wish I had known that PCOS could lead to cancer. I still would have opted out of birth control but I could have looked for alternatives.

What I wish I did:
I wish I would have been more proactive when I was younger to find out what was wrong with me. Why I didn’t have regular menstrual cycles. What could have been done to correct this.

I am grateful I knew:
I am grateful I knew enough to seek out my doctor when I started having heavy bleeding and clotting (this was the cancer). Even though they said it was a result of the PCOS, that after a while the uterine lining builds up so much it has to shed one way or another. I didn’t believe them and insisted on a better answer. My doctor suggested we do a uterine biopsy just to rule our cancer and then it would be part of my chart as we searched for answers.

I am grateful I did:
I’m grateful that I push my doctor to consider this wasn’t normal and suggest the biopsy which lead to the diagnosis of cancer and no doubt saved my life.

I would want others to know:
Know your body and know what’s normal and what is not. First every woman whether 15 or 85 should know what is considered normal and where she fits within this normal window. And if something doesn’t seem right ask your doctor. Secondly, once you know what your normal is, then don’t be afraid to question changes that don’t seem right. It may be nothing, but it’s best to ask. And always, always don’t wait to ask. Edometrial cancer is one of the easiest cancer’s to survive but the key is early diagnosis. The only way to diagnose is through a uterine biopsy. Also, PCOS is not something to take lightly besides cancer it can cause such issues as high blood pressure and diabetes. But there are solutions and it doesn’t have to take away your chances of having children.

Thankfully for me, I had a happy ending. I’m cancer free and while it’s been a hard road my husband and I currently trying to adopt.

Facts and Myths About Your Health in Your 30s

mroth — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:37:47 +0000

Busting Myths About Women’s Health

There are many myths about women’s health, some of them so pervasive that even doctors believe them. Knowing what’s true and what’s not can help you identify if any changes in your health deserve some extra attention from your doctor, or if what you’re experiencing is one of these common myths. Many of these myths can also lower your fertility, so understanding the truth about your health can also help you conceive and successfully carry a baby to term. You should always talk to your Doctor about your personal situation and if our recommendations (or any recommendation other people give you) makes sense for your personal health program.

MYTH Osteoporosis happens around menopause

Women stop gaining bone mass at about age 30. Well before a woman hits the age of menopause, she could have already lost a significant amount of bone density. Even before her 30s, a woman should ensure she is consuming enough calcium each day and participating in some weight-bearing physical activity, like running or brisk walking, tai chi and yoga, dancing, strength training and even golf. Maintaining or building bone density is a gradual process; the easiest way to do it is to incorporate calcium-rich foods or calcium supplements into your daily meal plans, and weight-bearing activities into your normal exercise or activity plan.

MYTH Type 2 diabetes can’t be prevented

The easiest way to lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes is to keep your weight in check. Women’s weight often begins to creep up beginning in their 30s, after childbearing. Busy days, active children, little time for exercise or eating right, stress and lack of sleep all take a toll. Women in their 30s and even younger are now being diagnosed as Type 2 diabetics. Lifestyle changes, such as fewer pre-packaged and fast food selections, more activity, weight loss and adequate sleep, have all been shown to reduce or even reverse Type 2 diabetes.

MYTH A perfectly healthy adult doesn’t need immunizations

While most parents are diligent about ensuring their children receive vaccinations, many parents (and adults without children) forget or neglect their own safety. Parents are especially at risk, as their children, while building up their own immune system, can bring home a wide range of illnesses. Your doctor can suggest the appropriate schedule of immunizations for you that might include Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP), influenza, chickenpox, or pneumococcal vaccines.

MYTH Birth defects can’t be prevented

Up to 70% of spina bifida and anencephaly births each year can be prevented if the expectant mothers take folic acid, a B vitamin, daily before getting pregnant and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Women can check the level of folic acid in a daily multivitamin and make sure it contains at least 400 micrograms; folic acid supplements are available for multivitamins that don’t meet this level.

As a reminder your doctor is your best advocate and partner to help you get and stay healthy.

We were made aware of a great resource for Canadian women to get extra assistance with the online availability of Canada drugs and supplements.

Rebekah’s Insights on Women’s Health Blog Contest

mroth — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:16:24 +0000

Here are Rebekah’s Insights “What a Woman Needs to Know”. She writes a blog Broken Heart, Mended Fences where you can read more. If you like her insights be sure to leave a comment below to help her win the $150 AMEX card!

What I wish I knew
- Prior to a LONG history of Infertility and a preterm loss in 2009, I wish I knew I had to advocate for my own medical care and seek God and HIS answers instead of relying on just the guess-work of only 1 practitioner.

What I wish I did
- In hindsight, I wish as a young twenty-something that I had been encouraged to seek a second opinion on my fertility diagnosis. Had I gotten a second opinion, took the initiative to be my own advocate by reading and understanding my rights as a patient I wouldn’t have given up trying to have a baby because I was told it couldn’t happen only to learn 8 years later that we were indeed pregnant.

I am grateful I knew
- Enough after the loss of our son preterm, to get records and educate myself on the events leading up to our loss. I diagnosed myself with an incompetent cervix while fighting for a stitch for my second child. I fought for that stitch until they decided they knew for sure it was in fact IC up until week 19. If I didn’t encourage them to monitor me weekly, our beautiful daughter would have passed away at week 22 like our dear boy did. You know your bodies ladies! If something seems wrong, educate yourself and fight for the medical care and bedside manner as a consumer. While Dr.’s are well educated, they sometimes lack the knowledge of how we know our own bodies.

I am grateful I did
- Fight for the stitch. Had I not, our daughter wouldn’t be here today.

I would want others to know
-The symptoms of an Incompetent Cervix and other issues pertaining to preterm losses. Please see my resources HERE. To hear our testimony of how this blog came about please check out the Introduction Page.

What You Should Be Doing in Your Twenties To Help You to Get Pregnant in Your Thirties

mroth — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:02:01 +0000

If you are a woman in your 20s, planning for pregnancy might be the last thing on your mind, but we encourage you to take time now and understand steps you can take now to help reduce potential issues of getting pregnant when you are ready. Did you know 1 out of 8 couples struggle with infertility? Many people do not realize this because infertility is not something people talk about. All the education we receive in our high school heath class is how easy it is to get pregnant, there should be education on how difficult it can be to get pregnant when you are ready for a baby.

We are not trying to sound of the alarm bells, scare you or cause worry about the what ifs, but we are encouraging you to be smart about your health and fertility now to help make it a bit easier when you ready to start building your family!

Practice Healthy Habits

When you are in your 20s, you tend to burn the candle at both ends. Days are hectic, nights are sleepless and meals are quick and lean. Taking time to implement healthy changes in your daily lifestyle can have a long-lasting effect, not only on your future fertility but also on the quality of your life right now.

Eating a well-balanced diet is important, providing not only the vital nutrients necessary for your own daily functions but also building a healthy foundation for future pregnancy. One of the most important nutrients is folic acid, which is a B-vitamin necessary for proper neural development in a baby in the early stages of pregnancy, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends at least 400 micrograms per day. A daily vitamin supplement should be taken if your diet does not provide this amount consistently.

For your physical and mental well-being, exercise is important as well. Not only will exercise build muscle and bone tissue and help you maintain a healthy weight range for your height, it will also decrease your stress levels. Stress can be very detrimental to overall body health when unresolved and constant over a period of time. In addition to exercise, meditation, prayer or online counseling may be useful in helping you to find ways of coping with stress.

Seek Healthy Support

Building a healthy lifestyle takes work and support to achieve, so make sure your doctors are a part of your mission. Getting a regular physical with your primary care doctor will enable you both to keep track of your health and detect any issues or problems early. Many genetic diseases become exacerbated by pregnancy or have a negative effect on fertility, but early detection and treatment can decrease these effects. A yearly visit to your gynecologist is also in order and should include a breast exam, a Pap smear and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other reproductive issues, both environmentally-caused and age-related, which could become a problem as you enter your 30s.

Practice Healthy, Safer Sex

Many STDs can cause significant damage to your reproductive system, scarring the delicate tissues and making it difficult or even impossible to conceive later in life. Even if you use oral birth control, it is a very good idea to use a condom as well. The barrier a condom supplies will decrease your risk of exposure to most serious STDs. Frequent testing is also a positive choice and you should encourage your partner to get tested as well.

Summary

Your 20s may seem early to start thinking about your future fertility, but making healthy, safe choices now may mean avoiding the stress and expense of fertility treatments when you are ready to become pregnant in your 30s or later.

True or False – Our Thoughts Impact Our Reproductive Health

Joanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:09:11 +0000

We have heard many opinions on this question, and we thought it would be helpful to use a bit of science to help you answer this question and decide what side of the fence you are on.

Lets start with a very high level understanding of Cellular Biology. We have trillions of cells that make up our existence and they are constantly working, breathing, digesting and reproducing in support of our entire existence. To do this, within each cell, there are proteins. The proteins change by virtue of “signals” that attach itself to the membrane of the cell. The membrane of the cell decides which signals to let into the cell and once in, proteins change and make the cell change as well.
It used to be thought that our DNA, or genes within each cell nucleus was in charge of all decisions and what that cell would do or not do. But a project called the Humane Genome Project put the entire gene theory into question. Leading biologists now think that DNA contains the “blueprint” but doesn’t actually make decisions on when or how to create proteins based on the information. It is the signals – hormones, enzymes, etc. – as well as the cell membrane that makes the decision of what comes into the cell – that holds the power. And where do the signals come from? These are messengers and other packets of information or energy that are constantly being passed around that stem from our sensory input – what we are seeing, feeling, hearing, etc. The sensor input then goes throughout subconscious and then the output is what changes or fuels our cells.

This has ENORMOUS implications. No longer are we held hostage by our genes, but it is the signals that stem from our environment (or perception thereof) that hold the keys to our development, health and reproductive function.

Wow.

This theory makes sense when you hear of the studies showing severe stunted growth of children who are not held or shown any kind of love or attention. It also makes sense when you hear that monks meditating in sub-zero temperatures with wet robes can make their bodies steam from heat generated within. It makes sense when you hear of the miraculous stories of self-healing from cancer survivors who make an enormous empowering decision to take control of their lives and change their thoughts.
This is why visualization works. When we are “seeing” – in this case using our imagination – our subconscious mind does not know the difference between what we are imagining (which is why our perception or beliefs make such a huge difference in our health – look no further than the Placebo effect) and what we are physically seeing with our two eyes. Through our subconscious, signals from those visualizations are sent to our cells. The cellular membrane lets in those signals, and viola, we change our cells. This is why being relaxed, being fully present when visualizing, which is what our programs help you to accomplish is so important. It’s the power of your subconscious that does the work!

The subconscious mind is the part of the brain that directs physical function. It also our conscious attention to focus on the tasks in front of us and allows our bodies to function seemingly on their own. The problem with this, however, is that the subconscious is also where we hold our deep-seated beliefs about our bodies, our lives, our abilities, etc. The subconscious has been effectively “programmed” mainly when we were young children – some even say it starts in-utero. The subconscious creates our “filter” in terms of how we view the world. The filter changes our perception of our existence, and then leads to physical changes in the body by way of signals and changes in our cells.

Let us know what you think!

Cardone Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Guest Blog about Advocacy for Women’s Health

mroth — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:37:40 +0000

We are happy to share a great Guest Blog by Kim Murray, RN from Cardone Reproductive Medicine & Infertility in Boston, MA about how to advocate for your health – infertility.

Thank you to Circle + Bloom for allowing us to be part of its Advocacy for Women’s Health series. We are honored to contribute our views.

As infertility nurse specialists, we understand how important it is for patients to be their own best advocate. No one knows you better than yourself, so if something does not make sense or does not feel right, then we encourage you to speak up.

Infertility treatment can be complicated with various tests and procedures. It also can be an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. Many patients feel they have lost control with a process that seems to come naturally for friends and relatives. So becoming an advocate for yourself can be one way of regaining a sense that you still are in charge of your body and emotions.

Though there is not one road map to follow for being your own advocate, here are a few recommendations we advise all our patients to follow:

Ask questions

Your parents and teachers probably told you there is no such thing as a stupid question. Well, they were right. We realize you probably have lots of questions, so don’t be afraid to ask them. Whether it is during your morning monitoring sessions, instructional phone call or an office visit, we always hope you feel comfortable with us to ask what is on your mind.

Educate yourself

Remember the well-known saying from Sims, the Boston-area clothing store: An educated consumer is our best customer? We feel the same way about educated patients. Being prepared and knowledgeable are two important characteristics for being your own best health care advocate.

We highly recommend that you educate yourself by reading our instructional materials so you know what to expect during procedures and treatments. It is especially important that you and your partner know how to properly administer your medications. We can suggest books, videos and Websites that will be helpful. We even have a list of great resources on our Website.

We urge you to visit these sites. Of course patient beware: not everything your read on the Internet is reliable, which is why you should start with this list of Websites.

Involve your partner

If you have a partner, involve him or her. There is no need for you to shoulder the emotional burden of infertility by yourself. After all, you are trying to have a baby so you can build your family with each other.

Don’t be afraid to seek emotional support if you need it

Joining a support group or seeking the advice of an infertility counselor are two very helpful coping tools. We can provide a list of therapists in the area and your insurance may cover some or all of the sessions. Additionally, support groups can be a great way to talk to fellow patients about the common emotional issues you face, learn from each other about how to better cope with the challenges of infertility and find comfort in meeting people who are walking in your shoes. In fact, Cardone Reproductive Medicine and Infertility is starting our own group on Monday, January 10 at 6:30PM at our Stoneham offices. You can also check with RESOLVE of New England to learn about other groups or even to become a peer support leader.

Find ways to relax and relieve stress

Relaxation and stress reduction are essential for the mind, body and spirit. Take a long walk, get a massage or facial, or read a good book. The bottom line: take some time for yourself. Additionally there are many options available that have proven health benefits, including yoga and mind/body relaxation techniques. Circle + Bloom has a wonderful series of audio guides that are appropriate for many stages of your infertility cycle, as well as for specific conditions like PCOS. Cardone Reproductive Medicine and Infertility is an affiliate of Circle + Bloom and highly recommends them.

We hope you find some or all of these methods helpful. Have questions? We’re waiting to answer them.

What Should You Be Asking Your IVF Clinic? …Lots!

mroth — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:26:46 +0000

Guest Blog by Stephanie Fry, Author of The IVF Companion, a personal organizer for your IVF cycle

For most of us who undergo IVF, it is an all encompassing and life altering experience. Like any other major event, this time of your life deserves and will be well served by a little organization and preparation. The unknown is scary and feeling like you are in the dark can add greatly to the stress of an IVF cycle. Give yourself every chance to have a more positive IVF experience, no matter what the outcome, by advocating for yourself. One great way to this is by asking the right questions.

Before you begin your cycle, make an effort to understand your diagnosis and your treatment plan. Ask your doctor to explain the goals and phases of treatment and the potential responses that you may have to medications and procedures. Having a better understanding of the entire process is crucial to managing the emotional ups and downs that many patients experience. Your physician and their team do much more than just administer your cycle; they carefully plan, execute and constantly update your medications, protocol and schedule based on your specific diagnosis and current testing. They are also the all important messengers during the process. It is important that you understand who they are, what specific jobs they do, how they disseminate information and the best way to reach them when necessary.

Start by reviewing all of the information that you have been given about your clinic, your physicians and their staff. If the information you need is not readily available, call and find out if you have been assigned a patient coordinator or head nurse, and ask them who handles things like medical records, scheduling, billing, payment and referrals, and determine the best way to contact each person. Don’t be afraid to ask – your clinic contacts will appreciate that you understand and respect that certain people have specific job functions.

Here are a few specific questions you can ask about how your clinic operates. While all of the situations may not apply to you, having basic information will be handy if you experience an unexpected bump in the road.

What should you do in the case of emergency after hours?

How do cycles and appointments get scheduled?

Are there requirements, financial or medical, for starting your cycle?

Do they offer any classes or seminars about how things work?

How and when are you monitored and how do you receive test results?

How and when will you be notified about medication instructions?

Are there certain criteria that you will need to meet to reach cycle milestones, such as a three or five day transfer or to have any extra embryo’s frozen?

Finally, ask your contacts at the clinic what additional information, if any, they think will be the most helpful to you.

It is not possible to answer every question regarding your clinic ahead of time, but things will always be less complicated if you have a little background information, and know who to talk to, and how to contact them when the need arises.

About the Author of The IVF Companion
Stephanie Fry is a marketing and publishing executive and an IVF Patient. She is a personal and professional Member of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association and sits on the Board of Directors of their New England Chapter. After five years of infertility treatment she welcomed her first child in June.

Fertility: A Chinese Medical Approach

mroth — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:51:02 +0000

Guest Blog by Aradhna Behl, L.Ac., Founder of Hoboken Acupuncture, based in Hoboken, N.J., is dedicated to providing customized treatments that include Chinese medicine practices such as acupuncture and herbology to promote overall wellness, as well as treat infertility and other conditions.

Although couples often are consumed with high-tech reproductive technology, there is an alternative and practical—yet powerful—method to enhance fertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), i.e. acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been used to assist fertility for centuries throughout China and Asia. Today, this medical system is becoming an integral part of treatment here in the U.S. for a growing number of patients.

The Chinese Physiology of Infertility

Studies have shown that Chinese medicine has several positive effects on stress and hormonal imbalance:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can regulate the hormonal system in the body, for example the levels of estrogen and progesterone. It can help lower FSH levels, indicators of declining reproductive health, thereby improving egg quality. TCM can treat ovulation difficulties and other disorders that could be implicated in the causes of infertility, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis, etc.
Studies show that acupuncture improves the blood flow to the pelvic area, which also improves the blood flow to the uterus, ovaries and the endometrial lining. One study demonstrates that blood flow to the pelvic area reduces as we age and can cause egg quality to rapidly decline. If a woman’s hormonal health is improved and her ovarian response heightened by increased blood flow to the ovaries, providing better nourishment and a better environment to the follicles, some of the concerns that women in their late 30’s and early 40’s have regarding aging eggs can be offset.
Increasing blood flow to the region also means a more hospitable environment for the fertilized egg to implant. Improved blood flow to the endometrial lining enhances its quality and thickness. Acupuncture also raises chances of implantation by having a sympatho-inhibitory effect on the uterus (i.e., it reduces uterine contractions). Also, optimal levels of progesterone are produced by the body due to the regulatory effect medicine has on the hormonal system. Therefore, the womb is able to provide the ideal environment for the fetus so that not only can implantation occur, but also the chances of miscarriage are reduced.
It’s important to note that acupuncture can also enhance male fertility by improving sperm count motility and morphology.

Western Medical Approaches

Acupuncture can also be used to heighten the effect of IVF and IUI treatments. Studies show that acupuncture along with IVF treatments can increase pregnancy success rates by 50%. Stress reduction, improved blood flow to the endometrium and reduced contractility to the uterus assist with implantation when acupuncture is performed at the time of IUI, or in the case of IVF, when the transfer of fertilized eggs is complete. In addition, acupuncture helps to reduce the side effects experienced with fertility drugs.

An Integrated Solution

A multi-pronged approach is a sensible method where one can use both Western and Eastern medical systems to dramatically increase the odds of conception. Today’s acupuncturist uses Western diagnostics, such as blood tests to determine hormone levels, to ascertain and confirm their Chinese medical diagnosis. At Hoboken Acupuncture, we have had great success integrating Eastern and Western medicine and have been able to help our clients achieve optimal health – resulting in successful pregnancies in many cases where Western methodology, alone, was not enough. We use blood tests and Basal Body Temperature Charts to monitor hormones during menstrual cycles so that acupuncture and herbal medicine protocols can be customized to the individual’s response. We give direction in terms of lifestyle, exercise and nutrition and require that the patient understands achieving balance or good health is not a passive, but a dynamic process that requires the participation of both the patient and the practitioner.

About Aradhna Behl & Hoboken Acupuncture

Aradhna Behl, L.Ac., is a national board certified acupuncturist and founder of Hoboken Acupuncture. She holds a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific Institute of Oriental Medicine in New York. Hoboken Acupuncture, based in Hoboken, N.J., is dedicated to providing customized treatments that include Chinese medicine practices such as acupuncture and herbology to promote overall wellness, as well as treat infertility and other conditions.

Resources are Your Friend

mroth — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:47:54 +0000

When it comes to facing infertility, we often feel lost – sometimes even helpless. Where do we turn for the answers we need? Our doctors, try as they might, don’t always have the answers that we are looking for or the time to explain everything clearly. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on a physician to get answers to the infertility or health advice you need. There are plenty of resources available to get you the answers you’ve been looking for. It’s merely a matter of knowing where to look.

The Advent of the Internet

Twenty years ago women had to rely on their doctors for medical help and advice or they were faced with the daunting task of seeking out medical books and searching for the answers they needed in the scarce publications available at the local library. Thanks to the advent of the Internet, those days are long gone. There are a wealth of resources online – and they’re just a mouse-click away. Whether you’re looking for advice, information or just want to know that you’re not alone in your struggles, the Internet has everything you need.

FertilityWithinReach.org

The FertilityWithinReach.org website is one of the leading resources online for women who are dealing with fertility issues. The site’s mission is to make the world recognize infertility as a standard medical condition (which would qualify for insurance coverage). However, in the meantime, they offer a wealth of advice and information on fertility-related topics.

The site offers everything from a blog to newsletters to strategies for appealing insurance decisions. They’ll provide you with infertility facts, advice regarding unnecessary procedures, how to help lobby for women’s advocacy and much, much more.

EmpowHer.com

The name of this website says it all. If you’re looking for empowerment, there’s no better place to go. You can network with other women who are going through the same things you are. You can find information on everything from depression to skin, hair and nails. The site is truly a wonderful resource that every woman should visit at least once to see what there is to offer. There’s even an option where you can ask a personal health question and get an answer from the site within 24 hours. No other site on the Web is as comprehensive for women’s health and advocacy as EmpowHer.com.

You Don’t Have to Stay in the Dark

When it comes to your health and advocating for it, you don’t have to stay in the dark. There are plenty of resources out there and other women willing to help. If you haven’t looked into what resources are at your fingertips, then it’s time to log into the Web and find out exactly what you’ve been missing out on!