Women’s Health

Fertility, Pregnancy, Labor Induction, Postpartum, and Menopausal Support

Acupuncture & Fertility

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a wonderful medicine to help support the Fertility journey for the 1 out of 8 couples, who experience Fertility challenges. Traditional Chinese Medicine has an established system of TCM Gynecology that supports Women’s Reproductive Health including the tools of Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, and more. The end goal of the Fertility journey is to have a healthy baby. In order to reach this goal, both intending parents need to work on the many levels of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, environmental, and relationship. The Fertility journey encompasses the ups and downs of hope and disappointment, fear and courage, grief and surrender, frustration and peace. Our goal is to walk alongside your Fertility journey, while helping you achieve your goal of having a baby.

Acupuncture has been researched and found to help:

● Restoring hormonal balance

● Regulation menstruation

● Increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus to improve ovarian function and the quality of the cervical mucus

● Builds the immune system and reduces miscarriages

● Decrease the frequency of uterine contractions after embryo transfer (8)

● Within three months, the thickness of the uterine wall lining and quality of oocytes are improved

● Improving sperm function

“TCM sees every patient as unique, and the treatment is made by their current condition and constitution. With such a long history for more than 5000 years, TCM is highly effective with no side effects. Acupuncture as part of the TCM as a treatment for infertility is used for a very long time. With the insertion of tiny sterile needles into acupoints located at specific points on the body the way the body functions can be regulated and the problem that affects fertility can be addressed. Acupuncture treatment can balance the hormones, strengthen the immune system, regulate the energy and Blood flow, remove the stasis and phlegm and stimulate the nervous system. With a combination of acupuncture and herbs, it is possible to improve the ovarian and follicular function and increase the blood flow to the endometrium [1] [2] [3]].” [4].

Acupuncture has been found to improved the rate of conception by half the time compared to women only using lifestyle adjustments (5) By using the tools of Basal Body Temperature charting, tracking cervical mucus, cycle tracking, ovulation status, emotional wellness check in, tongue and pulse diagnosis, we use a multi-phase approach to fertility. This means we prescribe a different set of Acupuncture points each phase of the cycle alongside herbal medicine. We use herbal medicine and target nutrition to help optimize the building of the endometrium lining, improve ovulation regularity, improve quality of cycles, and increase cervical mucus to improve the environment of the womb for pregnancy. Research has shown by using” multiphasic fertility acupuncture protocol there was a positive influence, where the women who received it compared to the women who used lifestyle modification alone. It increased their fertility awareness and improved their wellbeing. Those who conceived did so in half the time of their lifestyle only peers (5)

Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone medicine for supporting Natural Fertility, or used in combination of Reproductive Technology such as IVF, IUI, ICSI, and more. Acupuncture has been proven to increase the chance of implantation for IVF and IUI procedures by 60-65 % (6,7). “It was observed that three sessions of acupuncture before and after ET significantly increased the pregnancy rates in women with unexplained infertility. It was also found that acupuncture significantly reduced anxiety levels that occurred before ET” (8). Not only did Acupuncture help improve success of implantation, but also improved the rate of live births.

It is essential to plan for Fertility to help optimize your health and the environment of the womb space. We recommend planning to prepare for fertility 1 year before trying to actively conceive by starting slow and adjusting lifestyle habits for optimal health such as whole food nutrition, stress reduction, getting lab work and semen analysis completed to check in, and working on sleep hygiene. The minimum preparation time with using TCM Gynecology is 4 months because within the 4 months Acupuncture can help improve quality of egg, endometrium lining, and sperm health for Male health. Each Fertility plan varies upon the need of each person and we do offer a Fertility consultation to do a full medical intake, review any recent labs, review supplements, lifestyle, cycle health, and emotional wellness.

Labor Induction & Preparation with Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to prepare for labor and natural “induction”.  We have seen many pregnant women come into the clinic looking for natural ways to prepare for labor and are trying to decrease the risk of scheduled inductions, or C-Sections.  This blog is to explain how Acupuncture can help with labor preparation, what are the benefits, what points are used, how we approach Labor preparation, and what we have seen in the clinic.

When it comes to giving birth, our society has created this picture of pain, fear, and failure.  In movies, unresolved birth trauma stories from our mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, and fear induced tactics are used in the mainstream medicine.  When we use Acupuncture for labor induction, we go beyond trying to start contracting the uterus. The process of labor is an elaborate orchestra of hormones dependent upon a sense of safety, support, education on the process, instinct and a trust.  Whether the birth is planned to be at home, in a birth-center, free-birth, or in a hospital; it is important to feel seen, heard, supported, and give informed consent on every decision making process leading up to the birth and during.

It is important to start the Labor Preparation at 37 weeks pregnant.  Here, we can safely prepare the body for labor with working on the physical, emotional, and mental levels.  The benefits of using Acupuncture for labor preparation include: cervical ripening (4,5), shortening the duration of the labor process ( 4, 5)  decreasing anxiety and fear, release past womb trauma stored in the pelvis, relax tension in the hips, lower back, and help increase uterine contraction through influence the umbilical artery waveforms (6).  Normally, Acupuncture is performed weekly from 37 weeks till 40 weeks; then, twice per week till the labor starts. When we have an expecting mom coming in at 39/40 weeks with irregular contractions and practice contractions; we normally see increase in uterine contractions, more regular surges, more relaxation, and the birth to be smoother and shorter in duration.  On average, we may see moms go into labor within 1.5 days after an Acupuncture treatment during the 39 to 41 week gestation week.

“Acupuncture with and without electrical stimulation was used to induce labor in 12 pregnant women. Their periods of gestation ranged from 19 to -13 weeks. This method proved simple and effective, yet painless, in both the early and late stages of pregnancy. The technique could induce and maintain an entire course of labor without complications; the success rate was 83%, and average induction-delivery time was 13.1 hours. Whatever the pattern of uterine contraction, the relation between the force of contraction and the degree of dilation of the cervix differed from that in Oxycontin-induced and spontaneous labor. The possibility of acupuncture stimulation transmitted from a neural origin is suspected. Further studies arc required to demonstrate this particular pattern of uterine contraction and the mechanism of acupuncture stimulation” (1).

Some of the most common Acupuncture points used for Labor Preparation include Spleen 6, 8, Large Intestine 4, Urinary Bladder 67, Gall Bladder 21, and others Acupuncture customized to the needs of the mom.  These Acupuncture points have the main treatment action of descending downwards.  This helps with the natural flow and contraction of the uterus and opening of the cervix.  There are additional points to help lessen lower back pain during labor, relaxing the joints, opening the pelvis, and calming the nervous system down, so the natural physiological biology of labor can start and flow.  “Acupuncture at points LI4 and SP 6 supports cervical ripening at term and can shorten the time interval between the EDC and the actual time of delivery” (5).  “Our study indicates a positive influence of acupuncture treatment on umbilical artery waveforms when using a combination of SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) and LI-4 (Hegu) acupuncture points (7).

The general treatment flow of Acupuncture Labor Preparation includes a medical intake and questions, assessment of pelvis for tightness, alignment, and positioning of baby (with permission), tongue and pulse assessment, Acupuncture point selection, sometimes using Electroacupuncture on SP 6 and LI4, and Tui Na (Asian Body Work) to help open the channels to open the hips and support the labor.  Every expecting mom will get a customized and detailed health plan to support the best possible labor and birth outcome.

Resources:

1. Tsuei, Julia J. MD, FACOG; LAI, YIU-FUN MD.  “Induction of Labor by Acupuncture and Electrical Stimulation”.  Obstetrics & Gynecology: March 1974 - Volume 43 - Issue 3 - p 337-342

2. Chi Eung Danforn Lim, Jenny M. Wilkinson, Wu Shun Felix Wong, and Nga Chong Lisa Cheng.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Nov 2009.1209-1214.http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0100  Published in Volume: 15 Issue 11: November 18, 2009

3. Smith CA, Crowther CA, Grant SJ. Acupuncture for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 15;(8):CD002962. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub3. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Oct 17;10 :CD002962. PMID: 23945980.

4. Gaudet LM, Dyzak R, Aung SKH, Smith GN. Effectiveness of acupuncture for the initiation of labour at term: a pilot randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2008 Dec;30(12):1118-1123. doi: 10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34021-X. PMID: 19175963.

5. Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P. Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term--a randomized controlled trial. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6. PMID: 11802511.

6. Zeisler H, Eppel W, Husslein P, Bernaschek G, Deutinger J. Influence of acupuncture on Doppler ultrasound in pregnant women. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Mar;17(3):229-32. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.00221.x. PMID: 11309173.

Postpartum Care with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Postpartum depression is common and can be deeply distressing. While therapy and medication remain first‑line treatments, many new parents look for holistic, low‑side‑effect options to complement conventional care.

Promising physiological effects

Large‑scale clinical and experimental research shows that acupuncture may reduce depressive symptoms by affecting:

• Inflammation & oxidative stress

• Neurotransmitter balance

• Hormonal and endocrine regulation

• Brain–gut axis function

• Neuroplasticity & neuroprotection
  [link.springer.com]

A 2023 qualitative study reported that practitioners find acupuncture safe, supportive for breastfeeding mothers, and helpful for emotional discomfort and somatic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, tension, insomnia).
[journals.plos.org]

How Chinese Herbal Medicine May Help

While high‑quality trials on herbal medicine for PPD are limited, TCM principles offer a framework:

Childbirth can lead to:

• Qi and Blood deficiency

• Liver Qi stagnation (mood swings, irritability)

• Heart–Kidney disharmony (anxiety, insomnia)

Custom herbal formulas aim to:

• Replenish Qi and Blood

• Improve digestion and nutrient absorption

• Support hormonal balance and emotional stability

Common herbs may include formulas that nourish blood, calm the mind, or move liver Qi.

How Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine May Help You Feel Better

Based on TCM practice, acupuncture and herbs may help by:

• Balancing Mood & Reducing Anxiety

• Improving Sleep

• Boosting Energy & Reducing Fatigue

• Supporting Hormonal Regulation

Treating Menopause Naturally

Stop the hot flashes!

“I am sweating non-stop at night to where I am soaking the sheets!” “I feel this bone-shearing fire and it gets worst after eating sugar.” “My own mother when through 10 years of pure menopause hell with hot flashes, night sweats, and rage-will I experience the same thing!?!”. “Will these hot flashes last forever?”.

These are all of the questions we get in our Acupuncture Consultations with women in the Peri-menopause and Menopause transition. I am here to tell you-No, these symptoms do not need to be extreme and do not have to last forever. Let us dive into what is Menopause, why do some women experience some of these symptoms, and what Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can do to lower them.

Menopause is a natural transition for all women. It is a right of passage where a women transitions into the mother phase of reproductive years to crone. Menopause happens when there is no period for 12 months and beyond due to the ovaries stop producing eggs. As the ovaries transition from producing eggs, the hormones of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone start to decrease. In turn, the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys will take over and produce the estrogen and androgen hormones (2). You see, Menopause does not shrivel up your ovaries and leave your hormones levels to zero. You are not a sac of skin with hot flashes. You are woman with an intelligent body, who needs the right support in this transition.

For some women, the decreasing of these hormones during menopause can create an uncomfortable experience such as "irregular periods, vaginal dryness, fatigue, hot flashes, sweating or night sweats, dry skin, irritability, moodiness, and lowered libido” (1). During the transition of menopause, the liver and kidneys are effected through a “physiologic and biochemical change” from the decrease of these hormones. Many have some level of discomfort with these symptoms of change and there are some conventional treatment options such as Hormonal Replacement Therapy but they can be limiting and with adverse effects. TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, offers an another way of treating the symptoms of menopause such as Hot flashes through Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Nutritional Guidance without adverse side effects.

Menopause Transition: The key to supporting the transition of estrogen production from ovaries to adrenal glands is to have healthy support in the kidney, liver, and gut health pathways. “Estrogen has many beneficial roles to help maintain liver function such as promoting coagulation, maintaining proper fluid balance, and fostering increase in HDL and decreasing LDL for favorable lipid profiles “ (1). Estrogen helps protect liver mitochondrial structure and functions, support immunity, and promotes antioxidants” (1). The mitochondria part of the cell is known as our energy powerhouses to combat fatigue and sluggishness.

Conventional Medicine will usually offer certain medications, or Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) such as estrogen, progesterone, and other single compounds/combinations. While HRT provides temporary relief and maybe safe for short-term usage, it may come at a cost of the body not adjusting to the menopause transition. As the body switches from ovaries to adrenals producing the sex hormones such as estrogen and androgen, “taking estrogen HRT may discourage the adrenals from fully developing their estrogen-producing capacity” (2). There are some risk to HRT such as increasing the risk of imbalances such as the gall bladder disease and cancers of the breast, uterus, and liver (2,3). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a safer option.

Let us talk about Hot Flashes. Hot Flashes are a way your body is communicating to you that something is out of balance. In TCM, the symptoms of menopause usually mean a deficiency of yin fluids. These yin fluids help calm and relax the liver, which is supported by the benefits of estrogen. There are other patterns of imbalances branching off the deficiency of yin fluids such as Yin deficiency with Empty heat, Liver qi stagnation, Liver fire, and other TCM patterns. The cool things about these patterns is they can shift and change. Your body is not destined to be “stuck”, or “forever” in this imbalanced state. The tools of Acupuncture alongside Nutrition and Herbal Medicine are cardinal to managing and decreasing Menopause symptoms. Nutrition and Herbal Medicine put the ingredients into the body needed to help support the imbalances and Acupuncture helps navigate these ingredients to where they need to go. This is how Acupuncture helps cool Hot flashes, balance hormonal pathways, improve digestion and sluggish, increase energy, and balance mood.

General Nutritional: TCM nutrition is about adding into the diet and nourishing the body. For the yin deficiency, adding foods to “build the yin” such as “wheat germ, mung beans, string beans, seaweed, spirulina, millet, black bean, tofu, kidney bean, barley, black sesame seed”. Usually in Menopause discomfort, there are “vitamin E, B-complex, C, and A deficiencies due to decreased calcium absorption” (2) These vitamins are co-factors to help with calcium metabolism such as “Vitamin E stimulates the production of estrogen” (2). Sometimes higher doses of vitamin E help decrease hot flashes at the dose of 300 I.U. of vitamin E 3 times per day at meal times. Decreasing alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, poor quality of meat, and sugar will help decrease hot flashes as well.

Herbal Medicine: Herbal Medicine is essential in managing Menopause symptoms! You may have heard of the common herbs of Dang gui (angelica sinensis), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Aloe vera gel, Royal Jelly from the queen bee to decrease hot flashes. Dang gui is usually combined with other TCM herbs to help support your body type and specific heat and hot flash patterns. Motherwort is a nourishing and calming nervine for heart space and emotional balancing. Aloe vera gel helps cool the excessive heat.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy are combined to help decrease hot flashes. The Acupuncture Consultation is where our Acupuncturist can assess the symptoms, gather some information, and complete a Plan of Action for treatment. The general guide line 6 week treatment plan followed by a reassessment for maintenance. The 6 week treatment plan includes Acupuncture and Herbal therapy and most women can expect to see improvement in decreased Hot flashes at 2 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment. Maintenance may include Acupuncture once per month, or every 6 weeks, and Herbal therapy for lower dosage to support the Liver and Kidney health during the Menopause transition.

Resources:

1. “Menopause Protocol”. Wei Laboratories. 0222-01.

2. Pitchford, Paul. “Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition”. Chapter 31: Blood Disorders. “Menopausal Difficulty”. Pg 403 (4).