There are no easy answers when it comes to fertility, but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM ) has some answers that are slowly gaining acceptance in Western culture.
Although it might seem new and rare in Ireland, acupuncture and medicinal plants or herbs were used to treat infertility as early as 476 BC in China. In addition, according to Gerry Ward, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in the Chinese Medical Clinic with busy clinics in Longford, Mullingar, Tullamore, and Enniskillen, TCM puts a greater focus on gender equality in treatment.
Western medicine is based on the idea of man as a machine. Attempts to better understand this complex machine resulted in focused studies on increasingly smaller parts of the machine. This led to specialisation and fragmentation.
Chinese medicine, on the other hand, still focuses on the whole body, including the spirit, as an entity. "In the TCM concept, a person is seen as an interaction between their body, mind, and spirit," says Gerry. "It's a very ancient and balanced approach to total wellness, and tries to find the underlying cause of disease, rather than just treat the symptoms."
"When we speak of lifestyle, there are a lot of things involved, but in general we look at diet, sleep, and work. All of these tie together. If you're in a high-stress life it can complicate efforts to conceive, so we use acupuncture and herbs to assist in relaxation and to maximise the body's natural abilities."
Living a healthy life is sound advice for anyone who is thinking of pregnancy because, as Gerry points out, being at optimum health is best not only for maximum fertility, but for a healthy pregnancy and the ability to bounce back more quickly after the pregnancy.
"I tell young couples that when you get engaged is when you should start cleaning it up so you and your mate can have healthy children," says Gerry.
Infertility
There are no guarantees of fertility with Chinese medicine, just as there are no guarantees with Western medicine, but incorporating TCM into infertility treatments can bring a balance to the process that may otherwise be lacking.
"If an infertility issue is suspected, it is best if the couple visits an infertility specialist to see if there's an obvious problem with their reproductive system," says Gerry. "If everything is normal and they still can't get pregnant, TCM can help in the process of trying to conceive."
Generally, the TCM approach is to use a combination of acupuncture and herbs. Medical studies have indicated that acupuncture and certain herbs can increase blood flow to the uterus and stimulate ovulation in women and can help increase sperm motility in men. In addition when undergoing most contemporary medical procedures associated with infertility, there are usually a lot of drugs involved. Acupuncture and herbs can help alleviate these problems.
According to a German study published by the National Library of Medicine in April of 2002, acupuncture may also increase a couple's chance of conception when used in conjunction with more contemporary types of infertility treatment such as IVF.
Age and TCM
The majority of the infertile couples Gerry sees are aged 30 to 40. Biologically, the ideal age to have children is from about 21 to 28 for women, but more women are putting off pregnancy to pursue careers. This can cause problems as their fertility decreases. TCM uses a couple-centered approach to deal with this.
"The real push on TCM for older couples is to get the couple superbly healthy and to get rid of any underlying problems, such as endometriosis. Then it's time to get a check up from a reproductive endocrinologist, go back to your acupuncturist or herbalist and let them know what your FSH levels are, and what levels they need to rise to. TCM is very effective in helping to raise these important hormones." TCM also helps the man to encourage his wife in their conception endeavors, which has been shown to raise FSH levels.
A healthy lifestyle
Here are a few suggestions:
- Smoking, alcohol, and caffeine are not conducive to good health and should be stopped. A small amount of caffeine is not necessarily harmful, but it should not be excessive.
- Focus on a low-fat, high fibre diet with foods as close to their natural state as possible.
- Exercises that promote flexibility and strength – such as yoga – are excellent for anyone, particularly those who are tied to a desk all day.
- Avoid stress as much as possible. If you are in a stressful job, try to find techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or other activities, that can help alleviate or help you learn to handle the stress.
- Try to get eight hours of sleep per night.
Gerry Ward T.C.M.C.I. Chinese Medical Clinics - Longford, Mullingar, Tullamore, Enniskillen.
Visit www.ancientwisdom.ie or call (087 ) 2726665.
