FERTILITY SPIKE FROM ACUPUNCTURE

Fertility spike from acupuncture

* Adam Cresswell, Health editor
* From: The Australian
* February 09, 2008 12:00AM


WOMEN having IVF treatment can boost their chances of falling pregnant by 65 per cent simply by having acupuncture.

A review combining the results of seven previous studies has found that acupuncture also increases the chances of having an ongoing pregnancy (beyond 12 weeks from gestation) by 87 per cent -- and nearly doubles the chance of a successful live birth, increasing that by 91 per cent.

The authors of the review, published online yesterday by the British Medical Journal, said the results suggested that just 10 women would need to be treated with acupuncture in order to bring about one extra pregnancy.

In all the studies, together involving 1366 women, acupuncture was given within 24 hours of the embryo being transferred to the women's wombs.

It is poorly understood how fertility could be affected by acupuncture - the insertion of fine needles into the skin at specific points along invisible "meridians".

The review's Dutch and US authors suggested it might work by stimulating fertility hormones, increasing bloodflow to the uterus, or reducing stress.

They said that, although their results might have inflated the positive effect of acupuncture, it was probably still highly cost-effective because of the cost differential.

In Australia, women generally pay about $5000 out of pocket for IVF treatment, compared with about $100 for acupuncture.

There were more than 46,000 IVF treatment cycles provided in Australia in 2005, a rise of nearly 14per cent on the previous year.

The results were welcomed by Australian IVF experts. Peter Illingworth, medical director of the Sydney-based clinic IVF Australia, said his clinic already advised women about acupuncture and referred them to suitable providers.

Although there were many herbal and other complementary treatments claiming to boost fertility, the new study confirmed a belief that acupuncture was one of the few that actually worked.

"What this new study shows is that this effect is statistically significant, and is real," Associate Professor Illingworth said.

"As a doctor practising in Australia, I would regard it as fairly convincing evidence. But some couples might take the view that they have more than enough needles inserted into their bodies as it is with an IVF process."

Coping with the Stress of Christmas and Infertility

BAH HUMBUG ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’

We have all seen the Hallmark version: the loving, happy laughing family gathered around the Christmas tree. Then there’s real life. Why is that, upon reaching adulthood, the ‘magic’ of the season seems to lose its essence that was once bestowed upon us growing up. Jesus was born into a family that had its own Christmas drama of sorts- an unmarried pregnant woman, a long hard trip, and a no vacancy sign at the local motel. For many, Christmas can easily be the most joyous time of year of the most stressful. Buying and wrapping gifts, sending cards, close encounters of the family kind, extra baking and full schedules all work together to create an atmosphere of tension. Fertility treatments can be stressful, too. Hormone treatments, a packed medical schedule, worry and expectations all work together to create an atmosphere of anxiety. When you add them together, you have a pressure cooker filled with stress worry and a potential meltdown.

10 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD
1. Rather than getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, take a few moments to sit out in your garden with a cup of tea, watch the sunset and just breath.
2. Plan Ahead. Before everyone converges on a relative’s house, talk about or think through what to expect and set some boundaries. Make a game plan. “Don’t become a victim”.
3. For those worried about being lonely plan ahead finding some things you’d like to do and invite others to join you. Get tickets to a holiday show, volunteer for a local organization, go for walk/hike. Then hold yourself to the schedule. “Remember there’s a part of you that will want to do nothing but stay at home”.
4. Don’t be afraid to be a little selfish. If you need time away from the frenzy TAKE IT. Take care of yourself. When the family gets to be too much, it might be time to leave. Think of an exit strategy ahead of time.
5. Protect yourself during this very emotional and stressful time. Stress and depression levels can increase if you don’t have adequate sleep, don’t exercise and eat nutritious foods. Get enough sleep, enough exercise and eat healthy foods.
6. Give yourself a break. This is the time of year when you don’t need to think about fertility. Instead of focusing on getting pregnant and fertility treatments, do something different for yourself. Make it a tradition to relax.
7. Create a new tradition. For my partner Christmas is a very difficult time, for the two of us we have created our own Christmas tradition. Every year we have dinner at China Town, mind you it’s the only place that’s open!
8. Look out for others and yourself. Be sensitive to others-those who might be especially vulnerable this year. Sometimes helping others can help you forget about your own troubles for a while. Volunteer in a soup kitchen or shelter, buy presents for a child whose holiday would otherwise be bleak. Sing Christmas carols.
9. Doing that spiritual preparation will change your expectation. To cope with infertility over the holidays, stay in touch with God or Buddha or the Universe – whoever or whatever grounds you. Take time to breathe deeply and say a prayer, or just sit on a park bench and reflect on this season of your life. If you’re disconnected from your soul or Spirit, you’ll find that coping with infertility is almost impossible.
10. Use communication and empathy. Don’t lock your feelings inside. Share with your partner how these holidays are affecting you. Together you can make it through.

Acupuncture and Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Most women never suspect that they may have blocked fallopian tubes. This happens mainly because women don’t experience any obvious symptoms that would lead them to believe that they have such a condition. Infertility is what usually leads women to discover the state of their fallopian tubes. If you have been trying to conceive for longer than a year and you are over 35 years old, you definitely want to consider checking the state of your fallopian tubes.

Diagnosis

Fallopian tube obstruction can be diagnosed in a number of ways. Laparsocopy is a surgical procedure which uses a small lighted tube that is inserted through a tiny incision (cut) on the abdomen. With this procedure, a surgeon is able to see directly into the abdominal cavity and check the state of the fallopian tubes on the outside and the inside by injecting colored dye through the cervix and watching for its appearance at the end of the tube.

Hysterosalpingogram is a procedure in which a dye is injected into the uterus and the uterus is examined via X ray to see if the dye spills into the tubes and pelvic cavity. These diagnostic techniques are quite invasive so they are not done routinely unless a woman has been trying to conceive for a long period of time without success (and male factor infertility has been ruled out).

Causes

The common reason for the fallopian tube blockage is a pelvic infection which may produce minor symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, if the infection was left untreated it can cause scarring, adhesions and complete obstruction of one or both tubes. In cases of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), opportunistic bacteria coming from the uterus can spread to the fallopian tubes since they are the structures closest to the uterus. If a woman is experiencing acute infection, antibiotic therapy is indicated in order to prevent damage to the fallopian tubes. However, if a woman already has obstruction and damage of the fallopian tubes, a surgery that can repair the damage may be indicated.

Endometriosis can be another possible cause for fallopian tube obstruction.

It’s also possible that fallopian tubes are blocked only some of the time. This type of blockage is referred to as a “functional blockage”. This scenario is typical in women who experience a lot of stress. Stress tends to constrict pelvic musculature and decrease blood flow and this can be a factor in inability to conceive. This type of functional blockage responds very well to acupuncture as well as Chinese herbal medicine. Also, excessive mucous buildup within the tube can create a plug and cause blockage. In Chinese medicine, this would be refered to as “damp accumulation” and would be treated through dietary therapy, herbs and acupuncture.

Infertility Treatment for Blocked Fallopian Tubes

If there is an extensive damage and scarring in both fallopian tubes it is very difficult (or nearly impossible) for a woman to conceive and IVF is probably the best route to take. IVF was actually developed for women with extensive fallopian tube obstruction and damage since it can bypass the problem.

Using acupuncture prior to an IVF treatment is a wise decision since it can help decrease side effects of drugs, decrease stress levels and remove any stagnant blood and energy in order to ensure successful implantation.

Microsurgery is another treatment option for women whose tubes are not damaged along too much of their length. Surgery seems to be more effective if the damage is in the area closer to the uterus.

The good news is that modern technology does help women with tubal blockage have a healthy pregnancy and birth. If you decide to use assisted reproductive technology, you should make an effort to take good care of yourself in order to create optimal conditions for a new life to flourish. Nutritious diet, proper rest, moderate exercise and stress reduction are the most important things that you can do to improve your health as well as increase your chances of conception.

Can i feel ovulation?

Can i feel ovulation?

Can one feel ovulation?

• One may experience lower abdominal discomfort
• Changes in cervical mucus
• Slight rise in body temperature

Lower abdominal discomfort is known as "mittelschmerz." - lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. 20% of women feel this sensation of discomfort or pain. This sensation is felt felt as the egg leaves the ovary.

A few days before ovulation, cervical mucous becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy like raw egg whites.

Right after ovulation, one's body temperature can increase by 0.4 to 1.0 degrees.

4 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy

4 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy

More and more i am noticing a common theme amongst my new clients. Many women have fallen pregnant only to lose the pregnancy due to a miscarriage. Women need to be educated about the dos and don't during pregnancy. A healthy first trimester is crucial for fetal development. It is during this time that most miscarriages occur.

Women need to be aware that they need to slow down. As crazy as this may sound i have had clients after an IVF transfer go for a run or do a spin class. . This is the time when you need to nurture and look after yourself.

There are 4 easy steps to a healthy 1st trimester.

1. Passive exercise during the first trimester: This includes yoga, walking, water aerobics, pilates, tai chi, qi gong. Avoid running, spin classes etc
2. Eating warm Foods: The nature of raw food is cold. During the first trimester it is important you consume warming foods. So each meal is cooked.
3. Looking after yourself: Slowing down your lifestyle and not over doing it. Eating the correct foods, passive exercise. Avoid heavy lifting and avoiding over-work.
4. Gentle Massage:get your partner involved. Have your partner massage your bottom, upper back and shoulders. This helps to reduce tension and stress. Massaging your bottom stimulates the flow of qi and blood and helps to reduce any blockages.

Study shows acupuncture facilitates IVF conception

Study shows acupuncture facilitates IVF conception

A controversial new study measuring the degree to which getting acupuncture during IVF treatment increases a woman's chance of a successful pregnancy, has found this to be the case to a significant degree.

Acupuncture administered for 25 minutes both before and after an embryo is transferred to the uterus improves the likelihood of a live birth, a review presented at a medical conference in Brisbane has shown.

"On the basis of the current level of evidence we have, if nine women have acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer with IVF there will be one extra live born baby," said Professor Neil Johnson, lead researcher of the New Zealand study, and medical director of Fertility Plus in Auckland.

"That figure looks pretty good, especially to women wanting to do all they can to have a baby."

But Johnson's Australian counterparts have applied caution and skepicism to the findings, labelling the statistic as stretching "the current scientific data too far".

However, Professor Johnson has reviewed the latest major studies on the benefits of this ancient Chinese therapy regarding reproductive technology, and fertility in general, to a definitive degree.

"In a nutshell there is evidence that acupuncture administered around the time of embryo transfer really does help," he said.

"But doing acupuncture at other times in IVF treatment doesn't appear to be helpful, and there's no really robust evidence about the effectiveness of acupuncture for couples trying to get pregnant naturally."

Johnson explained that acupuncture has traditionally been believed to be effective because it improves energy flow through pathways in the body. However the conventional medicine take is that it inhibits the nervous system, which improves pelvic blood flow or makes the uterus "quieter".

"It might just be that relaxing and having some TLC at this stressful time is where the benefit comes in, but it would seem there's something more at work," Professor Johnson said.

Whatever the reason, the therapy has been widely embraced by IVF patients in Auckland, often those with the poorest pregnancy outlook deriving the most benefit.

It still may be a while however, before doctors and medical professionals embrace the method.

IVF Australia's Professor Michael Chapman said acupuncture had the strongest evidence of any alternative therapy for use in fertility, but the studies were small and "relatively inconclusive".

"The evidence to date would suggest it's not harmful but I certainly wouldn't recommend every IVF patient rush out and get it," Prof Chapman said.

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

A healthy menstrual cycle is an important aspect in women's physiology as it reflects the proper functioning of the reproductive organs. There are 4 phases in the menstrual cycle. Each phase relates to a dynamic change within the female body.

1. Menstruation
2. Post Period
3. Ovulation
4. Pre -Menstruation

With each phase different hormones are triggered and this causes the body to respond in different ways. Modern physiologists describe the menstrual cycle in terms of hormones made by the ovaries (estrogen & progesterone) and their actions on the follicles, the tubes, the endometrium (lining) and the uterus. In Chinese Medicine we talk about the involvement of Qi & Blood with the influence of Yin/Yang.

The average menstrual cycle is 28 but can range from 24-35 days.

Day 1-5: Menstruation
Day 1 is the considered the first day of the 28 day cycle. If an egg has not been fertilized it disintegrates. Low levels of both estrogen & progesterone during this phase cause the endometrium (lining of the uterus) to break down and shed in the form of menstrual blood. Bleeding last an average of 5 days.
Note: if your period begins in the evening ie 5pm or during the night 3am then Day 1 is taken from the next day.
The nature of the menstrual flow and its accompanying symptoms are all significant in pinpointing any glitches in the movement of qi and blood. Any obstructions to the menstrual flow can have implications for infertility. The timely arrival and departure of the period is therefore crucial to the transition, growth and decline between yin & yang and the interplay of qi and blood.

Days 1-13: Follicular Phase
Early in the menstrual cycle the pituitary gland in the brain produces rising amounts of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which acts on the ovaries to promote the development of several follicles, each one containing an egg. Only one follicle will reach maturity. Toward the end of this phase, the ovaries secrete increasing levels of estrogen which causes the uterine lining to begin thickening in preparation for a potential fertilized egg.

Days 10-18: Ovulatory Phase
The pituitary gland and hypothalamus release a surge of lutenizing hormone (LH) about midway through the cycle. This causes the mature follicle to bulge out from the surface of the ovary and burst, releasing the egg. Ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of the cycle. The egg then begins to travel down the fallopian tube into the uterus. This is the time woman are most likely to fall pregnant.

Day 15-28: Luteal Phase
After releasing the egg, the ruptured follicle develops into a structure called the corpus luteum (an endocrine body), which secretes increasing amounts of progesterone. The corpus luteum is the only structure which produces the hormone progesterone in large quantities. The progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken further and prepare to support embryonic development. If the egg is fertilized, the corpus luteum begins to produce chrionic gonadotropin (HCG) pregnancy hormone which maintains the corpus luteum and its progesterone secretion. The egg moves to the uterus and attaches itself to the endometrium about six or seven days after ovulation, where it begins to develop into a fetus.

If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates after about 14 days and levels of progesterone and estrogen drop. This causes the endometrium to break down and shed, and a new menstrual cycle begins.