Feb 4

Written by: Geoff Depaula
2/4/2010 11:43 AM

Somewhere between 10-20% of couples having trouble achieving pregnancy are diagnosed with “unexplained infertility”, which means that there is no medical explanation for the problem, based on the standards and parameters by which fertility is tested from a Western medical perspective .  For many women who are over 35, even if functional and hormonal tests are normal, the explanation is age (i.e. “eggs are too old or of poor quality”).  Many couples are experiencing extreme frustration, heartbreak, and stress when trying to conceive, and many are subjected to lots of misinformation on the internet and in news blurbs.
            Chinese Medicine (TCM) measures the ebbs and flows of a menstrual cycle by stricter standards than Western medicine.  We notice more and more women are experiencing multi symptomatic, and irregular, cycles, who believe that this is normal.  In our view, common doesn’t equal normal.  It is common to have a headache, but not indicative of normal functioning of the body to have one.  Some of the most common presentations we see in women trying to conceive are a very light menstrual flow, shortened cycles, and low body temperature (chilly even in warm weather).  In addition, we see pain at ovulation and prior to or during the bleed, irritability and emotional changes that can last anywhere from one day to two weeks, breast tenderness, heavy clotting ( which Chinese medicine diagnoses as stagnant blood-i.e the reproductive organs are not getting a fresh supply of blood and therefore not functioning optimally), bloating, and sleep disturbances, among other things.  These symptoms  are indicative of disturbances in the menstrual cycle, and are communicating to us where the imbalances lie.
            We have seen many women who were able to achieve pregnancy simply by using acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs to smooth out the cycle and eliminate these symptoms.  However, most women need a lot of information about how their lifestyle (i.e. stress, exercise, etc.) and dietary choices have contributed to these symptoms.  We believe that most women are doing their best with a lot of confusing information.  Most are trying to stay healthy, fit, and strong.  However, many of us are eating in ways that are not supportive of our own individual constitution.    No "one" diet is good for everyone, and we teach you how to eat for optimum fertility for YOUR body and Chinese medical presentation.
            TCM works with fertility and gynecology issues by looking in detail at the individual patterns each woman has, all of the symptoms that make up her cycle.  We spend a lot of time to determine the constitutional strengths and weaknesses of each patient.  Subsequently, we are able to make recommendations that are specific to the person's healing process, optimal health, mental wellness, and fertility.  Diet, lifestyle, and emotional state, are given a great deal of consideration in order for us to make connections as to how things got to where they are, as well as what adjustments need to be made to move things in a more positive direction. 
     We have found that most women, once they understand the relationships between the choices they make and the physical symptoms they have, are more than willing to make changes to improve their cycle and overall health. The bonus is that very quickly they begin to feel quite different and much better.  We provide a different perspective from western medicine, and give people a way to positively participate in the fertility process in very grounded ways.  Our goal is to "ripen the soil", to enhance the potential for a successful conception, pregnancy and postpartum period.  Regardless of weather the couple has chosen to peruse in-vitro fertilization or getting pregnant naturally, Chinese medicine can be a wonderful adjunct to your process.


Sincerely,

Geoff & Eileen DePaula M.Ac., Lic.Ac.

77 West Main Street
Suite 205
Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-435-8184
www.RootandBranchOM.com

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