How Chinese Medicine Can Help with IVF
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a medical procedure that involves fertilising an egg outside of the body in a laboratory dish. While IVF has helped many couples struggling with infertility issues conceive, the process can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Success rates for IVF range from 30-40% depending on factors like the age of the woman and the cause of infertility. For those who have gone through multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles, the emotional and financial toll can be immense.
This is where integrating Chinese medicine with Western medical IVF treatment can provide benefits. Chinese medicine focuses on balancing the body's energy known as qi (chi) to support overall health and well-being. Identifying underlying imbalances that may be contributing to infertility, Chinese therapies can help optimise a woman's health before and during the IVF process. This approach aims to boost the chances of IVF success and support emotional well-being.
Preparing the Body for IVF with Chinese Medicine
Before starting IVF treatment, Chinese medicine can be used to address issues like stress, digestive problems, hormone imbalances and blood flow that may be negatively impacting fertility. Specific therapies commonly used include:
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can help reduce stress, regulate hormones, improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and support a healthy menstrual cycle. Getting acupuncture before and during IVF can boost outcomes.
Herbal Medicine: Traditional Chinese herbal formulas are tailored to the individual's diagnosis and aim to restore balance. Common herbal formulas prescribed for fertility focus on nourishing blood, regulating hormones, tonifying qi, clearing heat or dampness, and invigorating blood flow.
Dietary Therapy: Eating a diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods is emphasised. Foods that tonify yin or yang, nourish the blood, and clear heat or dampness may be recommended depending on the individual's diagnosis. Avoiding foods that are too heating, cold or create dampness is important.
Gua Sha: A technique involving rubbing a rounded instrument over the skin to promote blood flow, remove blockages and relieve pain. Gua sha is applied over the back, shoulders and lower abdomen to improve uterine and ovarian blood flow.
Cupping: A therapy where suction cups are placed on the skin to increase circulation. Cups are placed on acupuncture points on the back and lower abdomen to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Tai Chi/Qigong: Gentle movement-based practices that reduce stress, and improve posture and breathing. Regular practice helps balance hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle through improved qi flow.
Giving the Body Support During IVF
Chinese medicine can provide ongoing support during the treatment. Therapies are tailored based on how the body responds at each stage:
During Stimulation: Acupuncture before and after egg retrieval aims to regulate hormones, and improve blood flow to the ovaries to promote healthy follicle development. Herbs nourish blood and regulate hormones. Diet and lifestyle support is emphasised.
After Embryo Transfer: Therapies focus on nourishing blood, tonifying qi, regulating hormones and improving uterine receptivity. Acupuncture, herbs, gua sha and lifestyle are used to optimise conditions for implantation. Two weeks of strict rest post-transfer is commonly recommended.
If Implantation Fails: Therapies address any imbalances that may have contributed to blood deficiency, qi deficiency, dampness, heat or cold. The goal is to restore balance to support the next cycle.
During Pregnancy: Chinese medicine safely supports a healthy pregnancy. Therapies nourish the blood, regulate qi and hormones, and address any issues like nausea. Acupuncture is considered very safe during pregnancy when performed by a licensed acupuncturist.
Integrating Chinese medicine requires finding a practitioner experienced in fertility support. It's best to start therapies a few months before IVF to allow time for balancing effects. While no guarantees can be made, studies show women who receive acupuncture with IVF have higher pregnancy and live birth rates. The approach aims to boost IVF success by optimising overall health and wellness from within.
Managing Emotions with Chinese Medicine
The emotional toll of infertility and multiple IVF failures can take a severe psychological and physical toll. Chinese medicine addresses not only the physical body but also the spirit. Therapies that calm shen, the mind, can help manage stress, anxiety, and depression common with IVF.
Meditation/Qigong: Gentle-moving meditations calm the spirit and reduce stress hormones like cortisol that negatively impact fertility. Deep breathing techniques oxygenate tissues and improve mood.
Acupuncture: Beyond its physical benefits, acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system to induce relaxation. Needles at ear points are commonly used for mood support.
Herbal Medicine: Formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Suan Zao Ren Tang contain herbs available in tea form that tonify heart qi, lift depression and calm them.
Counselling: Speaking with a Chinese medicine practitioner allows the processing of emotions contributing to disharmony. Lifestyle and dietary recommendations also support mental wellness.
Guided Imagery: Visualisation techniques guided by your practitioner can redirect thoughts from fear/worry to hope/positivity. Imagining a healthy pregnancy promotes emotional/spiritual well-being.
Massage: Techniques like tui na massage relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and reduce stress/anxiety.
The holistic nature of Chinese medicine addresses symptoms and their root causes. By balancing body, mind and spirit, emotional resilience is cultivated to help couples endure the IVF journey with less stress and more hope.
Incorporating Chinese Medicine with IVF
When considering Chinese medicine for fertility support, it's important to find a practitioner experienced in women's health and IVF. An initial consultation involves a thorough health history and diagnosis to design a customised treatment plan.
Therapies are integrated with IVF under the guidance of both a reproductive endocrinologist and a Chinese medicine practitioner. Communication between providers ensures safe and effective care. Some fertility clinics even offer on-site Chinese medicine to make treatment more accessible.
While Chinese medicine cannot guarantee IVF success, it aims to optimise overall health and wellness from within. For those who have experienced multiple failed cycles, it provides emotional and physical support to endure the process with less stress. When used alongside medical care, it may boost IVF outcomes and live birth rates.