Fertility

Your initial appointment will be conducted virtually with one of our Chinese medicine specialists, who will take an in-depth health history – including your fertility journey thus far, any relevant diagnostic test results, your diet and exercise routine, general physical function (periods, digestion, sleep, etc.), and your emotional wellbeing.

Based on the learnings from this  initial appointment, you will receive a fertility wellness plan tailored to your case. This plan will include nutritional advice, lifestyle recommendations, referral to our wonderful naturopath or massage therapist as necessary, and herbal / supplement prescriptions – all based on any identified health imbalances.

Your clinical care at Flourish will start in the following week or so – acupuncture is part of every treatment, and your practitioner may also include electrical stimulation, moxibustion, gua sha, or light bodywork. Our treatments are generally painless (honestly!) and greatly relaxing.

While the majority of our fertility patients come in weekly for care, you and your practitioner will decide the frequency of treatments that is most appropriate for your case. One of the great joys that we have as acupuncturists is that we get to spend so much time with our patients, getting to know their case, and supporting them closely in making positive changes over time.

This is a great question to pose to your practitioner as part of your initial intake conversation, since each journey is so unique. One thing that we emphasize with most patients is that it takes three months (give or take) from when your body starts to develop an egg / sperm to when that egg / sperm is released for conception. So we think of that three-month window as an appropriate starting place for most of our patients to see more robust results.

We also understand that your goal isn’t just conception, it’s a healthy baby and healthy pregnancy! Part of the joy of the care we provide is that we get to support you from pre-conception through your pregnancy, if you’ll have us. Many facilities end fertility care shortly after conception, but some of our patients are all too familiar with the fact that fertility challenges can actually show up later in pregnancy. So, we are here to be your partner in care every step of the way. You can read more about our pregnancy care here.

Most of the time, it’s the person that will be carrying the child that engages our care. They come in with the dread that something is very wrong with them, or that their eggs are poor quality. And, all too often, the health of their partner’s sperm (when a partner’s sperm is being used) is an afterthought. But did you know that “male factor infertility” (sperm / semen issues) contributes to fertility issues half of the time. HALF. And, of course it’s half of the time, they’re half of the genetic puzzle!

Semen analysis came back “normal”? There’s still work we can do. Semen analysis does not measure genetic quality, just like female hormone tests don’t measure egg quality. And did you know what’s considered a “normal” motility rate has been dropped by 90% in the past decades? So even when things are deemed “normal”, that doesn’t mean they’re great, or even particularly good.

Able to conceive, but suffering multiple miscarriages? This can be due to sperm quality as well! Recent research supports the finding that even conditions late in pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or stillbirth can result from poor sperm quality.

So, that’s why, for couples looking to conceive together, we strongly encourage both partners to come in for care. Outcomes are so much better with both partners coming in – even for those couples undergoing IVF or IUI.  Your goal is not just conception, it’s a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. Investing in the health of both partners, (whenever possible) prior to conception can make a significant difference.

• Advanced maternal age
• Amenorrhea
• Anovulation
• Blocked fallopian tubes (partial blockage)
• Combination fertility problems
• Cysts, fibroids, polyps
• Elevated FSH
• Elevated prolactin
• Endometriosis
• Hormonal imbalance
• Immunologic infertility
• Irregular periods
• Luteal phase defect
• Missed miscarriage
• Ovulation problems
• Pelvic scar tissue
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Poor egg quality
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Sperm allergy
• Unexplained infertility

For semen & sperm health…

• Abnormal semen analysis
• Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAB)
• Epididymitis
• Erectile dysfunction
• High semen pH
• Hormonal imbalance
• Impotence / performance issues
• Low libido
• Low sperm count, morphology or motility
• Low testosterone
• Orchitis
• Poor sperm quality (DNA)
• Toxic exposure
• Varicoceles
• Unexplained infertility