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SOUTH MELBOURNE FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE & INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE

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Fertility โ€ข IVF Support

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How does acupuncture help fertility?

Increases blood flow How acupuncture works

Increase blood flow

Acupuncture can improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, leading to better survival of an egg, including IVF.

Balances hormones How acupuncture works

Balance hormones

Acupuncture has a normalising effect on bodily systesms, including reproductive hormones.

Reduce stress How does acupuncture help fertility

Reduce stress

Stress releases cortisol, which alters the pituitary hormone balance that is key to the reproductive cycle.

Increases blood flow How acupuncture works

Increase blood flow

Acupuncture can improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, leading to better survival of an egg, including IVF.

Balances hormones How acupuncture works

Balance hormones

Acupuncture has a normalising effect on bodily systesms, including reproductive hormones.

Reduce stress How does acupuncture help fertility

Reduce stress

Stress releases cortisol, which alters the pituitary hormone balance that is key to the reproductive cycle.

We partner with you to get you to your goals faster

We partner with you to get you to your goals faster

That includes your partner and any other fertility specialist you are working with

Our Method

We partner with you to get you to your goals faster

That includes your partner and any other fertility specialist you are working with

Our Method

Acupuncture may help many fertility conditions

Explore more of the conditions we treat

Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstruation where women have not bled for 3 cycles or more.

If you donโ€™t menstruate and go through ovulation you canโ€™t become pregnant.

It is usually a sign of another health problem rather than a stand alone condition. Underlying causes include thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, medications and lifestyle factors such as stress.

Chinese Medicine can assist by:

  • Regulating the endocrine system
  • Regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis (HPOA) which controls the female reproductive functions
  • Restoring balance to the body

โ€œThe present study highlights effects of alternative interventions for the management of hyperandrogenism and amenorrheaโ€
ย  ย  ย - American Journal of Physiology

1. Jedel, E., Labrie, F., Odรฉn, A., Holm, G., Nilsson, L., Janson, P., Lind, A., Ohlsson, C. and Stener-Victorin, E., 2011. Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 300(1), pp.E37-E45.

2. Chen, B., 1997. ACUPUNCTURE NORMALIZES DYSFUNCTION OF HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-OVARIAN AXIS. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, 22(2), pp.97-108.

3. Zhao, H., Tian, Z. and Chen, B., 2005. Electroacupuncture stimulates hypothalamic aromatization. Brain Research, 1037(1-2), pp.164-170

Amenorrhoea

Decreased Ovarian Reserve is where the ovaries reproductive function is lost leading to infertility.

This is a common universal process in women as they age. However for some it is more pronounced during their supposedly fertile years.

Which can lead to complications in getting pregnant and sustaining a pregnancy.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

  • Improving ovarian function
  • Regulating reproductive hormones
  • Preventing further decline of the ovary

โ€œAfter treatments with BCR (a type of Chinese Herbal Medicine), ovarian morphology, ovarian index, estrous cycle, growing follicles and corpus luteum from ovulation were significantly improvedโ€
ย  ย  ย - Frontiers In Pharmacology

1. Sun, Y., Chen, S. and Tan, Y., 2018. Influence of nourishing yin and tonifying yang sequential therapy combined with Western medicine on TGF-ฮฒ1/Smads signaling pathway in anovulatory infertility rats with diminished ovarian reserve. Journal of Central South University (Medical Sciences).

2. ZHANG, C. and XU, X., 2016. Advancement in the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve by traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 11(4), pp.1173-1176.

3. Jiang, M., Wang, W., Zhang, J., Wang, C., Bi, Y., Li, P., Yang, S., Li, J., Xu, Y. and Wang, T., 2020. Protective Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Actions of Bushen Cuyun Recipe on Diminished Ovarian Reserve Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Rats. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11.

Decreased Ovarian Reserve

Elevated FSH may indicate a loss of ovarian function, menopause or PCOS.

This negatively affects fertility chances as it is a reflection of how few eggs are going through the maturation process in the ovaries.

Prompt treatment in these cases are necessary to prevent further ovarian failure.

Chinese Medicine can assist by:

  • Regulating the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries to correct reproductive dysfunction
  • Improving blood flow and structure of ovarian tissue
  • Improving menstruation conditions

โ€œClinical observations suggested that acupuncture can be potentially used to increase the efficient/response rate of clinical treatment of POI, improve menstrual conditions, reduce serum FSH and LH levels, and increase serum estradiol levelsโ€
ย  ย  ย - Medicine (Baltimore) Journal

1. Shen, X., Du, Y., Yan, L., Xia, Y., Yan, H., Han, G., Guo, Y. and Shi, X., 2005. Acupuncture for treatment of climacteric syndrome--a report of 35 cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,.

2. Shi, Y., Li, L., Zhou, J., Sun, J., Chen, L., Zhao, J., Wu, L., Cui, Y., Wu, L. and Wu, H., 2019. Efficacy of electroacupuncture in regulating the imbalance of AMH and FSH to improve follicle development and hyperandrogenism in PCOS rats. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 113, p.108687.

3. Huang, L., Chen, Y., Luo, M., Tang, Y. and Wei, S., 2019. Acupuncture for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency. Medicine, 98(18), p.e15444.

Elevated FSH

Endometriosis is an oestrogen dependent inflammatory condition.

It affects 5%โ€“15% of reproductive-age women causing infertility and pain.

Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility as severe cases can distort the anatomy of the tubes and ovaries, cause scarring, inflammation, changes in the hormonal environment and affect implantation of pregnancy.

The current conventional treatments involve hormonal medications and surgery.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

  • Activating the bodyโ€™s natural pain inhibitory systems
  • Enhancing the immune system to eliminate misplaced endometrial tissue
  • Regulating hormones to inhibit the growth of endometrial tissue

โ€œAcupuncture enhances the ability of the immune system to more actively eliminate malignant cellsโ€
ย  ย  ย - Evidence Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine

1. Xu, Y., Zhao, W., Li, T., Zhao, Y., Bu, H. and Song, S., 2017. Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 12(10), p.e0186616.

2. Lund, I. and Lundeberg, T., 2016. Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of pain in endometriosis?. Journal of Pain Research, p.157.

3. Johnston, M., Ortiz Sรกnchez, E., Vujanovic, N. and Li, W., 2011. Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, pp.1-14.

Endometriosis

Hormones dictate a great deal of our bodily processes, especially menstruation and fertility.

As well as having an impact on other processes such as sleep, weight, appetite, mood, stress and body temperature.

So when hormone levels are affected it can have an impact on many aspects of our body which can affect our reproductive environment.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

  • Regulating the endocrine system
  • Supporting the natural rhythm of hormones
  • Reducing side effects of adjunct hormonal therapies

โ€œAcupuncture was effective in restoring the normal endocrine and metabolic functionโ€
ย  ย  ย - Complementary Therapies in Medicine Journal

1. Cao, Y., Chen, H., Zhao, D., Zhang, L., Yu, X., Zhou, X. and Liu, Z., 2019. The efficacy of Tungโ€™s acupuncture for sex hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, pp.182-188.

Hormone Imbalances

Immune related conditions can cause barriers to fertility.

Particularly in autoimmune conditions where the immune system attacks your own tissues causing inflammation and damage.

Autoimmune diseases can affect the thyroid, joints and even the ovaries.

When these systems are affected it can disrupt the synchronised interactions of reproduction.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

  • Regulating the neuroendocrine system
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Restoring the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
  • Activating natural killer cells to regulate cell growth
  • Reducing uterine receptivity

โ€œAcupuncture was effective in restoring the normal endocrine and metabolic functionโ€
ย  ย  ย - Complementary Therapies in Medicine Journal

1. Cao, Y., Chen, H., Zhao, D., Zhang, L., Yu, X., Zhou, X. and Liu, Z., 2019. The efficacy of Tungโ€™s acupuncture for sex hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, pp.182-188.

2. Johnston, M., Ortiz Sรกnchez, E., Vujanovic, N. and Li, W., 2011. Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, pp.1-14.

3. Saraswati, W., Dahlan, E., Saputra, K. and Sutrisno, T., 2019. Effect of Electroacupuncture on Natural-Killer Cells and Tumor Size in Patients with Cervical Squamous-Cell Carcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Medical Acupuncture, 31(1), pp.29-36.

4. Zhong, Y., Zeng, F., Liu, W., Ma, J., Guan, Y. and Song, Y., 2019. Acupuncture in improving endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1).

Immunological Factors

Having an irregular cycle, including a long or short cycle, light or heavy bleed and missing a period can contribute to infertility.

As this can mean that a woman may not be regularly ovulating.

Abnormal periods can be caused by so many factors such as stress, weight, birth control pills, fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS or hormonal imbalance.

The main recommendation by Western Medicine for irregular menses is to take birth control medication to regulate it.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

  • Regulating hormone levels
  • Regulating the nervous system
  • Reducing symptoms associated with menstruation

โ€œA systematic review revealed that there was an improvement in the menstrual frequency of PCOS patients after acupuncture treatmentโ€
ย  ย  ย - Medicine (Baltimore) Journal

1. Zhou, J., Yang, L., Yu, J., Wang, Y. and Liu, Z., 2017. Efficacy of acupuncture on menstrual frequency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Medicine, 96(47), p.e8828.

Irregular Menses

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that places sperm directly into the uterus.

The aim is for the sperm to fertilise a waiting egg, resulting in a normal pregnancy.

IUI can be coordinated with your normal cycle or with fertility medications.

Chinese Medicine can assist by:

  • Improving pregnancy outcomes for recurrent pregnancy loss
  • Increasing blood flow to your uterus and ovaries to support implantation
  • Supporting your bodyโ€™s overall health during pregnancy for a successful birth

1. Bostonivf.com. 2020. Boston IVF's Fertility Acupuncture Improves Pregnancy Rates. [online] Available at: <https://www.bostonivf.com/wellness-center/fertility-acupuncture-program> [Accessed 23 September 2020].

2. Smith, C., de Lacey, S., Chapman, M., Ratcliffe, J., Norman, R., Johnson, N. and Fahey, P., 2019. The effects of acupuncture on the secondary outcomes of anxiety and quality of life for women undergoing IVF: A randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 98(4), pp.460-469.

3. Xie, Z., Peng, Z., Yao, B., Chen, L., Mu, Y., Cheng, J., Li, Q., Luo, X., Yang, P. and Xia, Y., 2019. The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1).

4. Smith, C., Armour, M., Shewamene, Z., Tan, H., Norman, R. and Johnson, N., 2019. Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 38(3), pp.364-379.

IUI Support

Clinical research has highlighted the effectiveness of Acupuncture while undergoing IVF treatment.ย 

A systematic review of 20 clinical trials and 5130 women receiving Acupuncture alongside IVF treatment showed โ€œa clinically significant 30% increased chance of an improved reproductive outcomeโ€

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Improving the effectiveness of the IVF drugs
  • Relaxing the uterus and addressing uterine spasm after embryo transfer
  • Increasing blood flow to the ovaries during the stimulating process

โ€œA benefit from trials of acupuncture when administered within 1 day of embryo transfer increased clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live births when compared with no adjunctive treatmentโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Reproductive Biomedicine Online Journal

โ€œThere was evidence of fewer miscarriages when acupuncture was compared with no adjunctive treatmentโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Reproductive Biomedicine Online Journal

1. Smith, C., de Lacey, S., Chapman, M., Ratcliffe, J., Norman, R., Johnson, N. and Fahey, P., 2019. The effects of acupuncture on the secondary outcomes of anxiety and quality of life for women undergoing IVF: A randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 98(4), pp.460-469.

2. Xie, Z., Peng, Z., Yao, B., Chen, L., Mu, Y., Cheng, J., Li, Q., Luo, X., Yang, P. and Xia, Y., 2019. The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1).

3. Smith, C., Armour, M., Shewamene, Z., Tan, H., Norman, R. and Johnson, N., 2019. Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 38(3), pp.364-379.

IVF Support

A luteal phase should be 14 days which allows a fertilised egg enough time to implant and to signal to the body that it has implanted.ย 

Luteal phase defect (LPD) is when this phase lasts less than 12 days and becomes too short for the endometrium to develop to support a fertilised egg.ย 

This leads to women having trouble conceiving and sustaining a pregnancy in the early stages.ย 

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Increasing the uterus lining in preparation for implantation
  • Regulating hormone production
  • Targeting underlying conditions contributing to LPD such as PCOS and hypothyroidism

1. Cochrane, S., Smith, C., Possamai-Inesedy, A. and Bensoussan, A., 2014. Acupuncture and womenโ€™s health: an overview of the role of acupuncture and its clinical management in womenโ€™s reproductive health. International Journal of Women's Health,.

Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)

Male infertility factor contributes to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive.

Which makes it equally as important to consider male infertility in the process of failed conception.ย 

Treatments that affect sperm quality from a Chinese medicine and Western medicine perspective can take a minimum of 3-4 months, so it is best to start treatments as soon as possible.ย 

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Increasing sperm motility
  • Increasing blood flow to the testicals
  • Increasing sperm concentration

โ€œThe percentage of morphologically normal sperm increased significantly after acupunctureโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Fertility & Sterility Journal

1. Katz, D., Teloken, P. and Shoshany, O., 2017. Male infertility - The other side of the equation. Australian Family Physician Journal,.

2. Hong, C., Ku, J. and Wu, P., 1992. Astragalus Membranaceus Stimulates Human Sperm Motility In Vitro. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 20(03n04), pp.289-294.

3. Kwon, O., Jerng, U., Jo, J., Lee, S. and Lee, J., 2014. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Journal of Andrology, 16(6), p.884.

4. Fleckenstein, J., Dieterle, S., Li, C., Greb, R., Bartzsch, F., Hatzmann, W. and Huang, D., 2010. A prospective randomized placebo-controlled study of the effect of acupuncture in infertile patients with severe oligoasthenozoospermia. Deutsche Zeitschrift fรผr Akupunktur, 53(1), pp.44-45.

Male Infertility Factor

Ovarian cysts are an abnormal collection of fluid on an ovary. Most cysts are non problematic and go away by themselves.ย 

In some cases they can cause pain in the pelvic area and interfere with your fertility.ย 

They can occur naturally or secondarily from hormonal problems and as a side effect to some fertility treatments.ย 

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Regulating the hypothalamicโ€pituitary ovarian axis, which in turn affects the menstruation cycleย 
  • Regulating hormonal imbalances
  • Reducing associated pain

โ€œThe pooled results showed acupuncture produced a significant improvement in LH/FSH ratio and testosterone levelsโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Medicine (Baltimore) Journal

1. Jo, J., Lee, Y. and Lee, H., 2017. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medicine, 96(23), p.e7066.

Ovarian Cysts

The prevalence of PCOS is as high as 15% and accounts for 70-90% of ovulatory disorders.ย 

Hormonal dysfunction is a hallmark feature of PCOS that results in irregular or no periods, absent or intermittent ovulation and infertility.ย 

There are also cysts present which produce androgens which can also prevent ovulation.ย ย 

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Regulating hormonal imbalances
  • Regulating the hypothalamicโ€pituitary ovarian axis, which in turn affects the menstruation cycleย 
  • Regulating the endocrine system
  • Improving ovulation rates

โ€œOvulation rates were significantly improved by acupuncture only when it was compared with no treatmentโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Medicine (Baltimore) Journal

1. Jo, J., Lee, Y. and Lee, H., 2017. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medicine, 96(23), p.e7066.

2. Ma, Q. and Tan, Y., 2017. Effectiveness of co-treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and letrozole for polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 15(2), pp.95-101.

3. Yin, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., Jiang, D. and Guo, G., 2018. Clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal

4. medicine on infertility of polycystic ovary syndrome in the patients with ovulation induction with letrozole. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion Journal,.

5. Li, J., Ng, E., Stener-Victorin, E., Hu, Z., Wu, W., Lai, M., Wu, T. and Ma, H., 2016. Comparison of acupuncture pretreatment followed by letrozole versus letrozole alone on live birth in anovulatory infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 6(10), p.e010955.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Uterine fibroids are a common benign growth that is characterised by abdominal pain and irregular bleeding. It may also affect fertility.

Some women donโ€™t present with any symptoms.ย 

The main treatment for uterine fibroids is surgery and drug treatment.ย 

However they may not be suitable for all women particularly those in their fertile years.ย 

Chinese Medicine assists by:ย 

  • Regulating female sex hormones
  • Improving blood circulation in the pelvic cavity
  • Adjusting the metabolism of connective tissue to regulate growth

โ€œAcupuncture as a treatment for UF is well-founded and may have long-term effectsโ€
ย  ย  ย -ย Medicine (Baltimore) Journal

1. Zheng, M., Weng, C., Hu, W., Shen, C., Tao, Y. and Pan, Z., 2020. Efficacy assessment of acupuncture in improving symptoms of uterine fibroids. Medicine, 99(18), p.e20016.

Uterine Fibroids

After a year of unprotected sex and inability to fall pregnant is deemed unexplained infertility.

It is a difficult diagnosis to receive after many rounds of medical testing proving no irregularities to be found.ย 

Chinese Medicine is able to look outside of the test results to assess the bodyโ€™s environment to identify subtle nuances that could be affecting fertility.

Unexplained Infertility
Acupuncture may help many fertility conditions img
We hold your hand from the start

We hold your hand from the start

We get to know you and the unique dynamics in your life

Your first visit is a 60 minute initial consultation, acupuncture teatment, & personalised herbal formula.

First Visit

We hold your hand from the start

We get to know you and the unique dynamics in your life

Your first visit is a 60 minute initial consultation, acupuncture teatment, & personalised herbal formula.

First Visit

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Our Team

We are a passionate team of licensed acupuncturists, herbalists, chiropractors & physios

We also run Sustain Health Academy, which brings in top minds in Chinese medicine from around the world to Australia to teach.

Dr Scott Ling

Dr Scott Ling

CHIEF ACUPUNCTURIST & CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Dr Woon Jee Tio

SENIOR CHIROPRACTOR

Dr Evan Pritchard

SENIOR ACUPUNCTURIST & CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Dr Jacqueline Heng our practitioner team img

Dr Jacqueline Heng

SENIOR ACUPUNCTURIST & CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Dr Marita Smith

SENIOR CHIROPRACTOR

Dr Jingjing Yu our practitioner team img

Dr Jingjing Yu

SENIOR ACUPUNCTURIST & CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Meet our team

Fertility articles

Acupuncture

Endometriosis โ€“ A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Chinese Medicine

Early Pregnancy Care with Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Treating Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) with Acupuncture

Academic

Infertility Also Rates Highly in Men

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