Infertility

 Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that impairs the conception of children. It affects approximately 6.1 million individuals throughout the United States (10% of American couples of childbearing age). There are two kinds of infertility, primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to couples that have not become pregnant after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse). Secondary infertility refers to couples that have been pregnant at least once, but never again

Conception and pregnancy are complicated processes that depend upon many factors. Infertility may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both. Female infertility may occur when:

·           A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it sticks to the lining of the womb (uterus) due to an unhealthy hormonal environment in the uterus.

·           The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus

·           The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb

·           The ovaries have problems producing eggs

·           The blocked fallopian tubes that does not allow the sperm to reach the egg;

Male infertility may be due to:

·           A decrease in sperm count or poor quality, such as azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced), etc.

·           Sperm being blocked from being released

·           Sperm that do not work properly, i.e. inability to fertilize the egg when they meet

·           Sexual function: a decreased reach of climax

Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation, which are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance problem that can interfere with normal ovulation. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another cause of ovulation problems. POI occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40.Less common causes of fertility problems in women include: endometriosis, or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, uterine fibroids, etc. 

Acupuncture treatment of infertility can be traced to three thousand years ago. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture dramatically improves fertility rates because it reduces stress, increases blood flow in the reproductive organs and balances hormone levels in the endocrine and reproductive system. Acupuncture can be used in men to enhance the sperm count and improve of sperm quality. Its effect in enhancing the sexual function is also reported.  All these effects may be related to that acupuncture needling stimulate the neruo-endocrine system and immunity system in the body and awake the self-regulating function of our body. Acupuncture for female infertility is safer without any unpleasant side effects. It is generally less painful in the hands if a skilled practitioner. A German study in 2002 showed that approximately out of 80% of women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and underwent acupuncture, 42.5% of them became pregnant. Out of the eight women who were involved in the study who underwent IVF without acupuncture, mere 21% of them became pregnant. According to a recent study done in the U.S, 114 women had participated out of which 51% of women who had IVF treatments and acupuncture done became pregnant as compared to 36% of women who had only IVF done. A further analysis showed that 8% of women who received acupuncture suffered from miscarriages while 20% of the women who did not receive acupuncture but received in vitro fertilization suffered miscarriages.

According toTraditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) theory, infertility can be generally classified into 5 types according to symptoms and signs as well as other TCM diagnosed methods.

1. Kidney Yang Deficiency: Signs and symptoms include aversion to cold, pale complexion, fatigue, weak lower back and knees, loose stools, tendency to urinate frequently with large amounts of urine, and a low sex drive. The pulse is deep and weak, the tongue pale with a thin white coat. In men, symptoms also may include impotence and sensations of cold in the scrotum; in women, symptoms may include prolonged menstrual cycles with pale menstrual discharge or lack of menstruation.

2.Kidney Yin Deficiency: Signs and symptoms include sensations of heat in the palms, soles, and chest; irritability; aversion to heat or sensations of heat in the afternoon or evening; difficulty sleeping; night sweats; dizziness; possible palpitations; a hyperactive sex drive; and weakness in the lower back and knees. The pulse is thin and rapid, the tongue red with a scanty coat. In men, symptoms may include decreased ability to control ejaculation or abnormally protracted erections; in women, symptoms include short menstrual cycles with scanty menstrual discharge that is dark in color. Kidney essence Vacuity in women is indicated by empty follicles, low ovarian reserve at a young age (under the age of 30), dizziness, hair loss, blurred vision, and infertility. In men it is often represented by azoospermia in the absence of anatomical anomalies.

3.Liver Qi Stagnation: Signs and symptoms include emotional depression, irritability, the tendency to anger easily, and distending pain or discomfort in the abdomen or ribcage. The tongue may be a dusky color with a thin white coat, and the pulse wiry. In men, symptoms may include sagging pain in the scrotum, inability to maintain an erection, and difficulty ejaculating; in women, symptoms may include irregular menstrual cycles with cramps, dark menstrual discharge with clots, and symptoms of premenstrual tension.

4.Blood Stasis: Signs and symptoms include sharp and stabbing pain in the body, emotional disharmony, stress, dark facial complexion, and dry rough skin. The tongue may be dark purple with severely distended sublingual veins. The pulse may be choppy. In men, there may be varicocele or a history of hernia. In women, the menstrual cycle may be irregular and may contain a significant number of clots.

5.Phlegm: Signs and symptoms include obesity, a sensation of bodily heaviness, feelings of "fuzzy" thought, expectoration of copious amounts of phlegm, and possible dizziness or palpitation. The tongue may have a greasy white coating, and the pulse may be slippery or slippery and wiry. In men, there may be an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum. In women, there may be a large amount of vaginal discharge with no menses or a prolonged menstrual cycle.

My interest in using acupuncture to treat inferility and women's diseases started during my period in pursuing my Master's degree. My projet was to treat the fibrocystic disease of the breast in women with acupuncture(see my publications).I had a large co-operation with several gynecologists in order to complete my project. Acupuncture and herbs are usually the most common modalities in my treatment. However moxibustion and cupping are additional choices according to the above sub-sydrome-differentiation.