Fertility and the wish to conceive

For many people, the wish to have a child is an important step in life. Usually a pregnancy happens on its own, but sometimes it takes longer than expected. When pregnancy does not occur, this can bring a great deal of uncertainty, tension and sadness.

Reduced fertility can have various causes. Sometimes the cause lies with the woman, sometimes with the man, and regularly factors in both partners play a role. It also happens that, despite extensive investigation, no clear cause is found.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used as support for a natural wish to conceive, and are also regularly used alongside a fertility programme, such as IUI or IVF.

Possible causes

Possible causes in women

There are various factors that can affect fertility, including:

reduced or absent ovulation;
an irregular menstrual cycle;
PCOS;
endometriosis;
a reduced egg reserve;
blocked fallopian tubes;
adhesions after an infection or operation;
fibroids (myomas), depending on their location;
hormonal abnormalities;
older age.

In addition, lifestyle factors such as being over- or underweight, smoking, alcohol use, chronic stress and certain medicines can also influence fertility.

Possible causes in men

In men, too, various factors can reduce fertility, such as:

a low sperm count;
reduced motility of the sperm cells;
abnormal shape of the sperm cells;
hormonal abnormalities;
varicose veins around the testicle (varicocele);
previous infections;
genetic factors.

Lifestyle factors such as being overweight, smoking, alcohol, drugs, prolonged heat exposure and certain medicines can also affect the quality of the sperm.

Fertility concerns both partners

In about a third of couples the cause lies mainly with the woman, in about a third mainly with the man, and in the remaining part factors in both partners play a role or no clear cause is found.

That is why it is usually important that both partners are examined when pregnancy takes longer to occur.

Medical investigation and fertility treatments

When pregnancy does not occur for a longer period, a fertility investigation can be started via the general practitioner or gynaecologist.

Depending on the cause, various treatments can be chosen, such as:

medication to stimulate ovulation;
IUI (intra-uterine insemination);
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation);
ICSI in the case of severe male fertility problems.

If desired, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used as a complement to a fertility programme. They do not replace the medical treatment, but can support it.

What can acupuncture do?

Acupuncture is aimed at supporting and regulating bodily functions during the treatments. The treatment is tailored to your personal situation and can be adjusted over the course of the treatment, for example when the menstrual cycle changes or when you start a fertility programme.

Depending on your situation, acupuncture can be used to:

support a regular menstrual cycle;
support ovulation;
support blood flow to the pelvic area;
reduce stress and tension;
prepare the body for a pregnancy;
offer support during an IUI or IVF programme.

What can Chinese herbal medicine do?

Chinese herbs are often used as a complement to acupuncture. The herbs support the body daily in between treatments and can be used over a longer period. The herbal formula is fully tailored to your personal situation and can be adjusted over the course of the treatment.

Because acupuncture and Chinese herbs complement each other, both forms of treatment are regularly combined.

Depending on your situation, Chinese herbs can be used to:

support a regular menstrual cycle;
support the body over a longer period;
support overall health in preparation for a pregnancy;
offer support in between the acupuncture treatments;
tailor the treatment to the different phases of the menstrual cycle.

In an IUI or IVF programme, the use of herbs is always tailored to the medical treatment protocol.

How does Chinese medicine view fertility?

Traditional Chinese medicine looks at health complaints differently from Western medicine. Where in conventional medicine the diagnosis is often central, Chinese medicine looks mainly at which bodily functions are functioning less well and how different complaints are connected.

Various bodily functions are thereby linked to organ systems. Thus, in Chinese medicine the Kidneys stand not only for the kidneys as an anatomical organ, but for a whole set of functions involved, among other things, in growth, development and reproduction. Depending on the underlying pattern, the Liver, Spleen and the special meridians Ren Mai and Chong Mai can also play an important role. Each organ system is connected to a meridian, along which, according to Chinese medicine, Qi and Blood circulate through the body.

When one or more organ systems function less well, a recognisable combination of complaints often arises. Such a combination of symptoms is called a pattern in Chinese medicine. As a result, two people with the same Western diagnosis or the same fertility problems can still receive a different treatment. The patterns that occur most often with reduced fertility are:

Kidney deficiency

In Chinese medicine the Kidneys play an important role in reproduction. When these functions are weakened, this can affect the menstrual cycle, ovulation and fertility. Complaints that may fit with this include, among others:

reduced fertility;
fatigue;
lower back complaints;
cold hands and feet;
frequent urination;
reduced libido;
an irregular menstrual cycle.

Liver Qi stagnation

According to Chinese medicine, the Liver ensures a free flow of various bodily functions that are involved, among other things, in the menstrual cycle. Prolonged stress or emotional tension can disrupt these functions. Complaints that may fit with this include, among others:

an irregular menstrual cycle;
PMS;
irritability;
mood swings;
a tense feeling in the lower abdomen;
painful menstruation.

Blood stasis

When the flow of Blood is obstructed over a long period, Blood stasis can arise according to Chinese medicine. As a result, the normal function of the uterus can be disrupted. Complaints that may fit with this include, among others:

painful menstruation;
dark menstrual clots;
brown spotting;
menstruation that starts and stops;
endometriosis or adhesions.

Damp and Phlegm

When the Spleen processes fluids less well, Damp or Phlegm can arise according to Chinese medicine. This pattern is regularly seen in women with, for example, PCOS or being overweight. Complaints that may fit with this include, among others:

an irregular menstrual cycle;
cyst formation;
a heavy feeling in the body;
being overweight;
abundant vaginal discharge.

Blood and Qi deficiency

The Spleen, too, plays an important role in Chinese medicine in the production of Qi and Blood from food. When this function is weakened, the uterus is, according to Chinese medicine, less well nourished. Complaints that may fit with this include, among others:

fatigue;
little menstrual blood;
pale menstruation;
dizziness;
palpitations;
a pale complexion.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the underlying cause, age, the duration of the wish to conceive and any medical conditions.

In Chinese medicine, treatment usually takes place over several menstrual cycles, because changes in the menstrual cycle and fertility take time. At the start, a weekly treatment is often chosen. When the complaints improve or a fertility programme lasts longer, the treatment frequency can usually be gradually reduced. In an IUI or IVF programme, the treatments are tailored to the different phases of the treatment protocol.

Contact

Do you have a wish to conceive and would you like to know whether acupuncture can mean something for you? During a first consultation we discuss your health, medical history, any menstrual cycle and fertility treatments in detail. On that basis a treatment plan is drawn up that suits your personal situation. You can book an appointment online right away or get in touch for more information.

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