Chinese Medicine

 

Merrion Fertility and the Tradional Chinese Medicine Clinic have created a programme which endeavours to help couples to reach their fertility goals.  The programme aims to provide help and support to couples who are about to embark upon treatment, and also during the treatment process.  Complementary Medicine is a term used to describe a range of treatments outside of conventional western medical treatments. Many of these therapies are based on what they will call holistic philosophy i.e. that body, mind and spirit are indivisible. The strength of the complementary medical approach is that it concentrates on increasing those resources, physical and emotional, which are needed for dealing with any issue in a person’s life and on restoring wellbeing.  It is the only 'complementary' or 'alternative' system of treatment with an evidence base to show its effectiveness in helping to improve the outcome of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology).

What are the benefits of using Chinese Medicine for fertility treatment?

Couples are supported whilst dealing with often difficult diagnosis such as subfertility, and often find it easier to face into treatments such as (IUI) Intra Uterine Insemination, (IVF) Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and (FET) Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycle.  It greatly assists with the understanding of how the female is likely to experience a drug regime and will prepare her as mcuh as possible.  It will help with any side effects and assist with achieving optimal response to hormonal stimulation by using a proven acupuncture treatment protocol pre and post ET (Embryo Transfer).  Support will also be offered in the event of a positive pregnancy during the two weeks after the transfer. 

When should I start the treatment?

Three months is deemed an ideal length of time to prepare for a cycle of treatment.  However, it can and does act effectively even in shorter timescales.

Chinese Medicine and the male

The role of Chinese Medicine can aid in the management of male infertility and associated conditions such as problems with sperm count, morphology, motility or immunity issues.  Each individual is unique and may require different treatment to fully address the reasons for the diagnosis.  There are often lifestyle issues that can be addressed.  Treatment aims to improve sperm parameters and address problems with motility and morphology which can often be addressed over shorter and longer periods of time.    

Merrion Fertility Clinic has two practitioners of Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine) attached to our Clinic. As collaboration between Western Medical specialists and Chinese trained Medical specialists increases there is more and more evidence of the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in the treatment of fertility. All treatment is based on the idea that the basic issue in fertility treatment is that of the body's reserves of energy. If conserved, treated appropriately and nourished with the help of both acupuncture and herbal medicine, fertility will increase.

Chinese Medicine and the female

Chinese Medicine can be very effective both for gynaecological and fertility issues but also offers help with the following;  Menstrual cycle irregularities, Endometriosis, Unexplained or Functional Uterine Bleeding, Bleeding at time of ovulation, Pelvic Inflammatory disease, Ovarian cysts, Myomas or Fibroids, Luteal Phase Defect, Polycystic Ovarian Hyperstimulation, Recurrent Miscarriage and Anovulation.

Anyone consulting a complementary therapist needs to be sure of that practitioner’s professional credentials. Make sure at least that they belong to a professional organization.

To find out more on how acupuncture has become a staple of treatment in modern fertility services, please follow this line www.chinesemedicineworks.ie.

If you have further queries about our Traditional Chinese Medincine Clinic or wish to make an appointment, please contact our fully qualified and registered practitioners Celine Leonard or Josephine Lynch, The Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, First Floor, 5 Lower Mount St, Dublin 2.