FEMALE FERTILITY

Couples are often diagnosed with infertility following unsuccessful efforts in conceiving over the course of one year. Today, it is estimated that one in six couples are affected by infertility.  When the cause of infertility exists within the female partner, it is referred to as female infertility. Female infertility factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases, and female infertility alone accounts for approximately one-third of all cases.

Most cases of female infertility are due to problems with ovulation (the release of a mature egg), followed by structural abnormalities such as blockages of the fallopian tube, and endometriosis. Age, weight, nutrition and lifestyle factors also play a significant role. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, female infertility is due to a disharmony of the reproductive system coupled with an overall impairment in general health and wellbeing. 

How may acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine influence female fertility?
Studies which support the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for treating infertility—either as a primary treatment modality, or as a supportive treatment to assisted reproduction—suggest that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help influence fertility by:

• regulating reproductive hormones

• stimulating blood flow to the reproductive organs

• influencing the biological stress response through the stimulation endogenous opioid production

What female infertility factors may acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine help treat?
Current research and clinical practice suggest several infertility factors may benefit from treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Such factors include:

• ovulation disorders  (e.g. anovulation, irregular periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome) [1-6]

• premature ovarian failure

• endometriosis [7-10] 

• uterine lining problems [11-13]

• poor response to fertility medication (e.g clomid, IVF medication)[14]

• advanced maternal age

• poor egg quality

• threatened/recurrent miscarriage [15-17]

• ‘unexplained’ infertility [18]

What does a typical treatment programme involve?
A typical treatment programme with traditional Chinese medicine uses a combination of acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Treatment is individually customized and takes into account multiple factors including the female menstrual cycle rhythm, specific symptoms of the female reproductive system, biomedical test findings and diagnoses.

The frequency and length of treatment are typically determined by the nature of infertility, although a minimal course of three months is generally recommended.  
 

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REFERENCES

1. Johansson J et al (2013). Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Americal Journal of Physiology- Endocrinology and Metabolism. 304 (9): E934-43. [abstract]

2. Zheng YH et al (2013). Effectiveness of Abdominal Acupuncture for Patients with Obesity-Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 19(9):740-5 [abstract]

3. Yu L et al (2013). Effects of electroacupuncture and Chinese kidney-nourishing medicine on polycystic ovary syndrome in obese patients. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 33(3):287-93 [abstract]

4. Jedel E et al (2011). Impact of EA and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with PCOS. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 300(1):E37-45 [abstract]

5. Stener-Victorin E et al (2008). Acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: current experimental and clinical evidence. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 20(3):290-98 [abstract]

6. Liang et al (2006). Shanghai Zhong Yi Yao Zazhi. 40(2):31-6 [abstract]

7. Lian F et al (2009). Effect of Quyu Jiedu granule on microenvironment of ova in patients with endometriosis. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 15(1):42-6 [abstract] 

8. Yu XL, Chen J, Sun W (2010). Acupuncture combine with medicine effects on outcomes of patients with endometriosis who accepted IVF-ET. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 4:731-3 [abstract]

9. Lian F et al (2009). Effect of quyu jiedu granule on microenvironment of ova in patients with endometriosis.Chinese Journal of Integrated Medicine. 15(1):42-6 [abstract]

10. Fu Y, Xia T (2005). Clinical observations on the treatment of endometriosis by combined acupuncture and herbs. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3:3-5 [abstract]

11. Ming H et al (2009). Electroacupuncture reduces uterine artery blood flow impedance in infertile women.Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 48(2): 148-51 [abstract] 

12. Yu W et al (2007). A Pilot Study Evaluating the Combination of Acupuncture with Sildenafil on Endometrial Thickness. Fertility Sterility. 87(4):S3 [abstract]

13. Stener-Victorin E et al (1996). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Human Reproduction. 11(6):134-7 [abstract] 

14. Magarelli P, Cridennda D (2004). Acupuncture & IVF poor responders: a cure?  Fertility and Sterility. 81:S20 [abstract]

15. Betts D, Smith CA, Hannah DG (2012). Acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment option for threatened miscarriage. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 12:20 [abstract] 

16. Liu F, Luo SP (2009). Effect of Chinese herbal treatment on Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, progesterone and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in early pregnant women of threatened abortion. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 15(5):353-8. [abstract]