Women’s Health and Fertility FAQ

Infertility is usually defined as a failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. Recent data suggests worldwide 1 in 6 couples experience infertility at some point in their lifetime. In the US, according to the CDC, this number is 1 in 5. The cause of infertility can vary from sperm dysmorphia to ovarian or tubal dysfunction to metabolic disorders to unknown factors. In general, lifestyle has a major impact on the overall health of the couple. 

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can provide a holistic perspective on an individual’s health, helping to correct lifestyle impacts such as excess stress, poor nutrition, and exhaustion that may be impacting one’s overall health. Moreover, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to have a positive impact on the pregnancy rate for those struggling with infertility and for those undergoing IVF. It improves ovulation by helping to modulate the body’s endocrine system, improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, balancing the nervous system, and inhibiting uterine motility to reduce miscarriage. 

Male infertility accounts for 30% of infertility cases. Sperm quality can be affected by lifestyle, injury/surgery or diseases. In a similar way to women’s infertility, Chinese medicine can help reduce the impact of unhealthy lifestyle choices, regulate the sex hormone cascade (often referred to as the H-P-T axis), and improve microcirculation to the testis. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are non-invasive with no side effects to help improve sperm quality whether trying for a natural pregnancy or IVF/IUI-supported efforts. 

Premenstrual Syndrome encompasses a wide range of symptoms that occur 1-2 weeks before the menstrual cycle but dissipate with the onset of the menses. Common symptoms included headaches, bloating, and emotional volatility. According to the Office of Women’s Health, over 90% of women report some form of PMS. Severe PMS often impacts patients’ ability to actively engage in work and school. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a similar collection of symptoms as with PMS, but these symptoms occur at an extreme level where daily life is severely impacted. Often with PMDD, anxiety, depression, or severe irritability are a primary component. 

A systematic review of acupuncture treatment for premenstrual syndrome in 2019 concluded that acupuncture significantly improved PMS symptoms. A systematic review of acupuncture and herbal medicine for PMS and PMDD found a 50% reduction of symptoms with no adverse side effects. Further research has found significant decreases in anxiety and depression for patients suffering from PMDD.

Menstrual cramping or dysmenorrhea, affects more than half of women who menstruate. Often this pain is mild, lasting only a day or two. However, for some, the pain is severe and can impact their ability to complete normal daily activities such as school or work. Severe dysmenorrhea can include additional symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Dysmenorrhea can start with one's first period or can be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as endometriosis or fibroids. 

Acupuncture has been shown to have an pain relieving effect on primary dysmenorrhea, reducing the need for pain medication  by 41%. Currently this is believed to be achieved by the downregulation of inflammatory cells and biochemicals, lowering the inflammation and pain response. It also increased blood flow to the uterus, reducing the pain due to lack of oxygen to the uterus caused by contractions. 

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, which is often very painful. It can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tissues lining the pelvis. Endometriosis tissue acts just like the lining of the uterus—it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because it grows deep in the abdomen and cannot leave the body, it can lead to the formation of cysts, scar tissue, and fibrous adhesions, causing the pelvic organs to stick together. This causes pain and may lead to fertility problems.

The symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful periods
• Pain with sex
• Pain with bowel movements or urination
• Excessive bleeding—Heavy periods or bleeding between periods
• Infertility
• Other symptoms—Fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea that are more common during menstruation

For many people who see their doctor because of the pain, endometriosis may be confused for other conditions that cause pelvic pain—like pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome. For some, the pain may be ignored and attributed to normal menstrual cramping.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine has a long history of considering the special nature women’s health and has developed many effective treatment protocols. In a 2023 review of studies, published in Integrative Medicine Research, acupuncture demonstrated a greater reduction in pelvic pain when compared both to no treatment and to standard care offered by conventional medicine. The authors of the study went on to recommend acupuncture as a treatment intervention for endometriosis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is determined by clinic symptoms including no ovulation or irregular ovulation which cause irregular menstrual periods, excess androgen hormones that cause excess facial hair growth and acne, as well as, the presence of cysts (fluid filled sacs) on the ovaries. Weight gain and insulin resistance are often seen in patients with PCOS. Currently, PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. 

Studies show acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can significant increase pregnancy and ovulation rates for patients with PCOS by balancing levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), as well as, lower levels of testosterone. This may be achieved by influencing the production of β‐endorphin which impacts the reproductive system through the gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Electro-acupuncture has also been shown to help regulate levels of adrenaline and serotonin in patients with PCOS which helps to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. One interesting study suggests Chinese herbal medicine may improve insulin resistance by regulating the inflammatory response in the body through the gut biome.

A baby is breech when the baby’s feet or butt are pointed towards the cervix. This is common in 3-4% of pregnancies in the U.S. Most babies will move into a head down (head towards the cervix) position by week 36. However should a baby present in a breech position most mothers will be encouraged to try various techniques to encourage the baby to flip head down. Acupuncture and has been shown to significantly increase chances of a baby turning head down when administered between 33-35 weeks of pregnancy without any adverse effects. 

While treatment for breech can be administered from week 36 and beyond, its success rate decreases as the baby loses the space to move easily.

Labor preparation starts at week 36 and is recommended to be continued up until delivery or induction. Treatment will start at once a week, but may quickly increase in frequency as the due date nears. Utilizing acupuncture for labor prep has been found to help ripen the cervix and shorten the time between the estimated due date and start of labor. There is some evidence that it may also shorten labor times. This is a labor preparation—not induction. Acupuncture cannot force the body into labor before it is time. Acupoints used in the labor preparation protocol have been shown to stimulate nerves and blood flow in the uterus so that it may more easily achieve unified contractions and encourage the prostaglandin cascade needed for cervical ripening. No adverse side effects have been found.

A cesarean birth is a major surgery. The healing of the cesarean scar is important. It can impact your ability to try for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for subsequent pregnancies. It is important for the health of your uterus and pelvic region as you age. Acupuncture and topical herbal treatments can greatly improve the time it takes to recover from the surgery, decrease adhesions from scar tissue in the pelvis, and reduce the thickness of the scar over time. Numbness, pulling/stretching, and pain at the site of the scar are all frequent side effects that improve with acupuncture. Studies show acupuncture can help lessen symptoms connected to surgical scars. 

Cesarean scar healing is a combination of acupuncture, massage, and patient education in home care. Depending on the state of scar, moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha may be utilized to encourage the body to remodel the scar tissue to lessen adhesions and restrictions.

Perimenopause is the transitional time between a regular menstrual cycle and when the menstrual cycle stops—known as menopause. A person is considered to be in menopause after 12 months of no menstrual period. The perimenopause phase can last from 2 to 10 years. During perimenopause, your ovaries slow down. This cause ovulation—and your menstrual cycle—to become irregular. Common symptoms during perimenopause include heavy menstrual bleeding, mood changes, changes in sex drive, night sweats, hot flashes, headaches, weight gain, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and body pain. 

A study of women with moderate to severe perimenopausal symptoms showed statistically significant decreases in hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and emotional symptoms after 5 weeks of treatment. Studies also show that Chinese herbal medicine is able to decrease the intensity and frequency of hot flashes by improving FSH and estrogen levels, redirecting blood flow in the body.

Postpartum can be a challenging time in a new parent's life. From a conventional medical perspective, postpartum healing takes only 6 weeks! By then any injury to the vaginal tissue should be healed and all lochia should have stopped. In reality, what we have observed from 10 years of experience in working with postpartum women in the clinic, is that recovery from a birth really lasts about a year. During this period, your body is recovering from the tremendous effort it took in growing another human being. Joints and ligaments are recovering from delivery, your core muscles are recovering from changes in your abdomen and body weight during pregnancy. Your body is recovering from blood loss during delivery, as well as, managing to produce breast milk. You are sleep deprived trying to learn how to be a new parent to this baby who is also trying to understand this new world outside the womb. This causes tremendous stress to the body, mind, emotions, psyche, and your relationship with your partner. It is completely possible—and normal—that you may need more time to recover than the conventional medicine suggests. Alternative therapies like acupuncture and Chinese herbs can provide support during the process, whether you are just one week postpartum or are just celebrating your babies first birthday. Below are a few major issues we can help with, but if you have something else going on, we would be more than happy to support you and your family during this time of healing. 

• Postpartum depression and anxiety
• Lactation support: Mastitis, blocked duct, low milk production 
• Perineal discomfort
• C-scar recovery 
• General exhaustion 

While it is common to feel a mix of emotions the first week after delivery, care needs to be taken if these feelings extend beyond a few weeks. Feelings of depression or anxiety are not uncommon in the postpartum time. On average, 1 in 9 mothers experience postpartum depression.  In these instances, feelings of sadness or fear may be overwhelming, making it hard to be motivated, to be patient with your baby, or to want to be around your baby or others. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been shown to improve symptoms of postpartum depression and can easily be used in concert with antidepressants to help improve results.

In addition to lactation consultants, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be able to assist with low milk production, blocked ducts and mastitis, and engorged breasts.