Chinese medicine is known for being effective in regulating various gynaecological conditions, whether it’s menstrual pain, irregular periods, menorrhagia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, leucorrhea, or infertility, including habitual miscarriage. Through acupuncture and herbal treatment, significant improvements are often achieved. Below are some well-known research reports that show, through scientific experimental testing, that Chinese medicine is indeed an effective method for treating gynaecological conditions and infertility.
Acupuncture can effectively treat menstrual pain in women. A study conducted on 74 women from Australia and New Zealand with menstrual pain problems involved pre- and post-treatment acupuncture efficacy experiments. After three months of acupuncture treatment, followed by a nine-month follow-up, the results confirmed that the average pain score decreased by nearly half, the duration of pain was reduced by half, and the amount of painkillers taken decreased by nearly half. The study confirmed that acupuncture is effective for treating menstrual pain, and the therapeutic effect can last for more than nine months after treatment cessation. (Mike et al., 2017)
Acupuncture can increase the chances of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF treatment. A study on 57 women with infertility undergoing IVF treatment showed that the pregnancy rate for those who received acupuncture was 64.7%, significantly higher than the 42.5% pregnancy rate in those who did not receive acupuncture treatment. (Judith et al., 2009)
Taking herbal medicine increases the chances of pregnancy more than the success rate of IVF. A study on 616 women found that after taking herbal medicine for four months, the pregnancy rate reached 50%, while the pregnancy rate for the IVF control group was only 30%. (Daily Mail Australia, 2011)
With the assistance of Western medical technology, modern Chinese Medicine can more effectively utilise acupuncture and herbal medicine to improve various causes of infertility. For issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, poor egg quality, insufficient sperm count, or poor sperm quality, CM offers precise treatment methods to enhance the chances of conception.
For cases of unexplained infertility, we often refer to blood test reports, hormone reports, and basal body temperature charts to adjust treatment formulas. By leveraging our understanding of modern medicine, we can more accurately use acupuncture and herbal medicine to adjust the body’s constitution, aiming for the best medical outcome tailored to the patient’s condition.
IVF is often the last resort for infertile couples, not only because of its high cost but also due to its relatively low success rate. Another study indicated that combining TCM with IVF treatment can increase the success rate from 25% to 70% with the support of acupuncture. (Original link)
Our approach to treating IVF patients is based on the specific treatments outlined in the aforementioned research. Based on the hormone and egg/sperm issues found in pre-treatment testing, we use herbal medicine to improve the quantity and quality of eggs and sperm before their extraction. Prior to embryo implantation, acupuncture is used to optimize the uterine environment to facilitate embryo implantation. After implantation, acupuncture is performed again to stabilise the embryo’s growth.
