Fertility - NEW! One Day Intensive Fertility Workshops
Whilst I am experienced in treating the full scope of illnesses, I have a special interest and experience in using acupuncture to promote pregnancy, childbirth and fertility including IVF enhancement and supporting assisted conception techniques. I have had specialised training in fertility and obstetrics and I am a member of the Acupuncture Fertility Network.
I work with couples providing natural fertility enhancement through acupuncture, nutrition, massage and lifestyle interventions. I look at your reproductive system in relation to all the other systems of your body, and am able to tailor your treatment specifically to your individual diagnosis. I also work hand-and-hand with reproductive clinics in Barcelona to support couples who have chosen to undergo IVF and other ART to meet their fertility objectives. I am well-versed in conventional treatment of infertility.
The following are some of the Western diagnoses that can be treated with Acupuncture and TCM:
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The Eastern Way of Approaching Fertility
To conceive and have a healthy pregnancy, you must have a free flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. An adequate supply of blood is required by a woman’s body to sustain a normal menstrual cycle, to successfully implant an embryo within the uterine lining, and to support a growing foetus and a healthy pregnancy. Through acupuncture we can raise your fertility potential by affecting the quality, quantity, balance, and flow of Qi and blood.
Chinese medicine can help increase fertility in women by:
- Establishing a regular menstrual cycle
- Increasing blood flow to the uterus to improve the chances of ovum implantation
- Reducing anxiety and stress that may significantly decrease fertility
- Increasing the libido
- Normalizing the hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation
- Unblocking fallopian tubes
- Positively affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that plays a key role in fertility
- Increasing endometrial lining
- Increasing and regulating beneficial cervical fluid
- Strengthening the immune system
Chinese medicine can help increase fertility in men by:
- Improving sperm motility
- Improving semen volume
- Improving sperm morphology
- Decreasing stress
- Increasing the libido
Who can benefit?
Couples given an "unexplained infertility" or "functional infertility". In reality, many couples given unexplained reasons for not conceiving are not clinically infertile; they may simply not be in emotional or physical reproductive balance. Chinese Medicine helps to address this imbalance with skilful diagnosis and treatment plans to regulate your hormones to maximise your chances of falling pregnant.
Couples having difficulties who want to conceive naturally before trying IVF. This can be the result of female or male factors. PCOS, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, abnormal or low sperm count and motility.
Couples wanting to maximise their chances with IVF or ICSI. For couples going through IVF, I provide preparatory treatments to help address any imbalances and strengthen your bodies to get the best possible outcomes. I provide treatments before you start your cycles, which can help to increase the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. This helps to improve the quality and quantity of follicles produced by the ovaries, and increases the endometrial lining thickness, which provides a better chance of implantation. I also provide before-and-after acupuncture treatments for any procedures such as egg pickups and embryo transfers; research has found this to increase implantation and pregnancy.
How I can help
I make individual diagnosis, check your medical history (including any blood tests and ultrasounds if necessary), check any current BBT charts (see link for more information), and check your tongue and pulse. I can provide lifestyle and dietary advice tailored to suit your needs. I understand that this can be a difficult and anxious time for couples, and I am here with my team to provide you with a great deal of care!
I have years of experience in helping couples to conceive successfully using specialist acupuncture techniques and tailored lifestyle plans. Read some of my success stories here. Read an article by me that was published recently (in Spanish).