CHINESE MEDICINE AND INFERTILITY by Christina Captain, DAOM, MSAOM, MSHN, MA
T
he need for reproductive medicine intervention is more common now than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that 6.7 million women have an impaired abil-
ity to become pregnant or carry a baby to term. The percentage of married women who are infertile is 6% in the United States alone. Couples are desperate to conceive, and in that desperation, look to reproductive and alternative medicines for safe, effective treatment. Chinese medicine is one of
those alternatives that many future parents investigate. With recent studies published in Great Britain, Sweden and Germany, indicating that acupuncture can be beneficial as an assistive reproductive technique (ART), Chinese Medicine (CM) now finds itself at the forefront of the infertility scene. Traditional Chinese Medicine has always had a firm grasp on women’s issues, including infertility. A main concept in CM, with regard to fertility, is constitutional strength. The blunt nature of CM information is sometimes hard to hear, but is frequently full of common sense. For example the concept of age and fertility is a challenge from conventional reproductive medicine, and is exceptionally important in CM as well. The health of both parents at the time of conception plays a huge role in the ease of conception. Chinese Medicine dictates that hopeful parents should take one full year to become clean in mind, body and spirit before attempting to become pregnant. This includes healthy eating, abstaining from alcohol, appropriate exercise and meditation upon the intention to create life. This is a purposeful progression in the mind, body and spirit—one that builds on the foundation set by the couple. In America, almost everyone seems to move at the speed of light, so with that in mind, another important concept in CM is that of overwork and excessive physical exercise. Overwork is defined as long hours without adequate rest which includes an irregular diet. Excessive physical exercise includes workouts, sports and excessive sexual activity which can cause difficulty in conceiving later in life. Chinese Medicine also has a strong conviction with regard to various patho-
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