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Female Infertility
Getting Pregnant Isn't As Easy As It Looks
For most couples, getting
pregnant isn’t a problem, but one in five experience fertility issues in
America today. The risk for infertility among women 35-44 years of age is
double that of women 30-34 years of age, and the risk is one-and-a-half
times higher for black women than for white woman. Doctors usually define
infertility as the inability to conceive after a year or more of regular
sexual activity without contraception during the time of ovulation. It also
encompasses an inability to carry a pregnancy to full term. Needless to say,
infertility is an emotionally painful, financially draining, and physically
exhausting condition.
Getting pregnant isn’t as easy as it looks. Indeed, there are a host of
intricate processes that must be completed during ovulation, fertilization,
and implantation of eggs into the uterus. Most of the couples I see have
already been through a battery of tests to determine the possible causes of
infertility. These conditions range from failure to ovulate properly to
polycystic ovaries, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine
fibroids, sexually transmitted disease, and pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal
disorders. Emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, and resentment are often
by-products of this stressful time in a couple's life together.
This section discusses female infertility; however, it is equally important
for men to be examined for low sperm count, motility, or anatomical
abnormalities that may contribute to unsuccessful conception.
Timing is everything. The best time to attempt conception is 12-36 hours
after ovulation. Taking your body temperature in your armpit will show you
the .5C increase that follows ovulation. You can also purchase an
over-the-counter home urine test that detects the release of luteinizing
hormone (LH), which shows that ovulation has been triggered.
Improving the Odds with Oriental Medicine
Improving the Odds
with Oriental Medicine
The initial meeting would be to discuss fertility options with oriental
medicine. We discuss the diagnosis patients received from their conventional
physician, the course of therapy or medication they have tried, and their
current stress levels, which can run quite high under these circumstances.
We'll then proceed with the oriental diagnostic process to determine the
patterns of imbalance that, in traditional medicine, lead to problems with
conception.
One of the most common conditions is infertility due to cold in the uterus.
This condition is characterized by delayed menstruation with dark flow, pain
and coldness in the lower abdomen and limbs, sore back, weak knees, and
profuse, clear urine. Warming herbs and moxibustion may be used with
acupuncture to treat this condition. These are all symptoms of cold that
would hamper the flow of Qi, which is essential for normal function to occur
in or organs. These techniques are designed to restore normal function and
flow while creating the best possible environment for a child to be
conceived in.
We will first make a diagnosis and assess the situation, then discuss the
options available and outline a treatment plan. The goal, of course, is to
create the best possible environment inside your body for a baby to grow,
but of course there are no guarantees.
The good news is that, unlike many Western treatments for infertility that
can be quite debilitating, you’ll experience no side effects and will likely
improve your overall health. Patience and clear communication with your acu-pro
and conventional physician are essential for developing a safe and
successful conception.
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