Why IVF is failing so many couples – the TRUTH to making awesome babies.

by mnfadmin on April 10, 2013

Today I'm asking for your help.  I need people to hear this message.  I need people to know the truth.  My heart longs for people to make educated decisions and not be bullied or tricked into avenues that may not suit them.  I ask you today, to share this post and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.  You're going to change somebodies life by doing so – you are living by the affirmation – 'be the change.'  Go be it.

Up to 60% your ability to conceive today, relies on your man having whipper snipper sperm.  That's a fair chunk of the puzzle when you consider most fertility treatments jump straight onto getting the lady parts happening with little thought for sperm quality.  Since coming back from maternity leave (it's nearing 1 year) I have seen one good semen analysis. ONE!  That frightens the pants off me… There's a lot of couples coming through my doors desperately seeking answers as to why they aren't falling pregnant.  Poor semen quality is such a rising trend, at times you'll find me in clinic making a b-line toward daddy – the truth is, his sperm need to be in tip top order for conception and beyond.

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baby steps… to IVF – why IVF isn’t necessarily the ‘easy’ way.

by mnfadmin on July 18, 2012

 

image from blog.mybigeyekids.com

 

I see patients from all walks of the fertility journey.  Some natural fertility, some assisted conception and some, that have truly been over the hill, to the moon, around the block and back again.  One thing I know is this; the fertility journey can be tough.  Really tough.  That's why I write here – to share some of that load, to educate and help others make well informed decisions.  I was connected with Candace and Chris from our mis-conception several weeks ago.  They write a fabulous blog and share about their journey – a very rough, tough and heartbreaking one thus far.  Take the time to look around their site – it may be exactly the support you are needing in your own journey – it's all about connecting.  Connecting with people who are in the same boat – grabbing the orr's and rowing together.  

I've wanted to touch on the physical and emotional strain of IVF for a long while – and whilst I see and share with hundreds of couples in this position, I myself have not personally experienced IVF.  So I asked Candace and Chris to share with us, from their perspective, how IVF has affected their lives.  I figure there is no better than those living it, to tell their story.  My main motivation for it is this – to help couples understand IVF isn't necessarily the easy route (although for some, the only route, granted).  In fact, it is far from simple and straightforward as you are about to see.  It makes for a very straining, painful and disconnected time.  I want you to remember, IVF isn't always a last resort either – I also see people who are told they will never have children, fall pregnant.  But, by some tiny miracle, they do.  Trust me, it happens.

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How long do we keep trying naturally before exploring assisted conception?

by mnfadmin on June 18, 2012

 

More of your fertility questions answered.

"I am wondering at what point you recommend going the medical intervention route (if at all)? We have been trying for 3.5 years.  The specialist ….. recommended trying natually as long as we wanted to, and then if we had no luck the next step would be clomid and IUI.  Do you have any advise about when to take that next step? I am 33."

I'm not at all opposed to assisted conception – in fact approximately 40% of the couples I see in the clinic come to us for support surrounding reproductive medicine, from clomid to IVF.  Sometimes, assisted conception is the best way moving forward.  Sometimes, especially in instances of couples who have been trying for a long period of time, it is whatever gets you to parenthood the quickest because as time goes by, emotional health begins to fade.  What we know is when we add acupuncture and herbal medicines to the mix, we see an increase in success by up to 70%.  This is mostly because the body is well cared for from top to toe – not just focusing the reproductive organs.  We know when the whole body is supported, we see great outcomes.  

As for a time frame to head toward medical assistance – it will differ for all couples.  In the clinic I apply a certain protocol.  Once I'm satisfied both partners have a certain level of wellness and fertility,  I allow six months, before we might begin to discuss further exploration.  One thing I have learnt is that the longer a couple is trying, the more disheartened they generally become, which does no favours for their fertility – because fertility isn't only a state of physical wellness, it also involves the emotions.

I am also wondering if there is anything you can recommend in terms of Chinese medicine for someone on a limited budget? I talked to a wonderful local practitioner about acupuncture for fertility and he said he would want to see me a few times a week for at least several weeks at a cost of $100 per session. The time commitment would be very difficult to manage, and while I don't doubt it would be worth every penny the several thousand dollar investment simply isn't an option for me right now.

My best advice is to find a practitioner that can work within your parameters.  Each practitioner's approach will differ, and this is because they do what they find works well in their practice.  For me, I like to see patients on average, twice a month, as well as the use of prescribed supplements.  I find this works really well for me and we achieve fantastic results using this protocol.  

Get to the bottom of what is happening for you.  Make sure you and your partner are in great shape, gear your lifestyle toward fertility (the new e-book out this week is your perfect go-to for this), have a semen analysis (I'm only ever too happy to look over one of these) and make sure your menstrual cycles are sound. Once you have ticked all these boxes, should things not be happening for you, it's time to look further and seek assistance.

In most instances, this is enough to provide a solid foundation for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Is your fertility potential unlimited?

by NatKringoudis on February 27, 2012

image from pintrest

 

This morning, BBC Health News reported scientists have discovered women may not actually be born with all the eggs they will ever have.  It stated "Researchers have shown it is possible to find stem cells in adult women which spontaneously produced new eggs in the laboratory."  BBC News.

This is exciting news for fertility – but something that doesn't really surprise me, given I see women with terrible results do back flips with the right attention.  It goes to show we must be able to influence our fertility when we are ticking all the right boxes.  Dr Tilly went on to say that "The primary objective of the current study was to prove that oocyte-producing stem cells do in fact exist in the ovaries of women during reproductive life, which we feel this study demonstrates very clearly."  

What does that mean?  We can continue to make quality eggs – possibly unlimited during our reproductive years?  It appears so.

The story runs with the major focus on the exciting potential for assisted conception (IVF and alike) and indeed it is super exciting!  More so is the possibility moving forward, of pumping up a woman's own natural fertility.  If we can make more eggs in a lab, we sure as heck can do this inside a woman's body with the right support and treatments.  The latest trend is testing women left, right and centre for their ovarian reserve via their anti mullerian levels .  Tomorrow it will be something different, since fertility medicine is 'faddish,' changing on a daily basis.  There's nothing wrong with being trendy, but what we must realise is that we can't place all our faith in only one type of treatment, since what's 'in' today has every chance to be 'out' tomorrow.  Insert natural therapies here.  Because this is where it excels.  It makes you more fertile as it takes into consideration every factor that could be dampening your reproductive potential – never a one size fits all approach.  So it works, and some.  There's no harm in finding out what your fertility potential is and testing for your numbers, right? In theory I agree.  But if overian reserve results come back low, these poor women are left deflated and freaking out.  This does terrible things to their fertility and often sees them jump straight on the assisted conception rollercoaster – because conventional medicine doesn't have much more to offer.   It's nobodies fault, they haven't cracked the code to make it happen – although with this new research in mind, they know it's possible.  Could it be as simple as better lifestyle choices, eating for fertility, thinking for fertility and perhaps just being more fertile?  Probably.

When I work on fertility (supportive to IVF or natural) I always explain to couples we work from the bottom up rather than the top down.  You see, we get the blood pumping down low (so to speak) we awaken that which may have been snoozing on the job.  What follows is a response hormonally – it's almost like a jumpstart and then, fertility starts working – actually everything starts working.

Be encouraged by this latest fertility news and realise that everything as we know it, is never 100% certain.  Perhaps a woman considered 'infertile' today may be as fertile as a fish tomorrow.  It's all about unlocking the right door and knowing potentially, there are plenty more eggs in your basket.

the truth of unexplained infertility

by NatKringoudis on September 29, 2011

Image from the cuba gallery 

At least one in six couples who visit me in the clinic do so because they have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility.  The thing is I very rarely see a couple to whom I can't explain why they aren't falling pregnant under their current circumstances.  Western fertility industries often only delve into the reproductive organs – where they may or may not find problems. What about the rest of the body? We  know is that the body is a whole unit.  Reproductive organs don't function on their own. By looking directly and only at what most people would think is the 'cause' we are very often looking at the 'symptom'.

Let’s take the condition of endometriosis as an example.  A large number of my patients come to me, having previously being been cleared of this condition.  However, when I send them off off to have a second laparascopy preformed because all their symptoms ring alarm bells to me – very often the second reports indeed confirm endometriosis.  Bingo!  Simply because somebody asked them to look carefully in the right place.   Now I'm not a surgeon but I know how to consider the entire body.  The signals that I look for when it comes to endometrosis are not just about reproductive signs – this is the key difference in my practice.  I look at the bowels, digestion – even the emotional state of the patient as well as other evident signs. Most specialists will agree that heavy bleeding and pain are key signs of endomentrosis – but what about very light periods and constipation?  These too can be reason to consider investigation.  Of course, fertility issues aren't limited to endometrosis.  Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome again can only stretch the fertility potential so far before it snaps.  These women are often told they will find it very hard to have children and they most likely require medication to make them ovulate.  How is that fixing the problem?  You see, even if medication is given to these women to help them ovulate – it is, again, only looking at the reproductive organs and not the body as a whole. In addition -  commonly these very same fertility medications result in disasterous outcomes if the body isn't supported through the process.  This is why we routinely add treatments to support the entire body when we see patients on fertility medications to encourage holistic support for positive outcomes.

Maybe you've been diagnosed with unexplained infertility and maybe you're not even the problem!  I very often see couples at their wit’s end – with the female having undergone every test and trial, only to discover that the male’s sperm is extremely poor.  No wonder the infertility for the woman is 'unexplained' – because there isn't anything wrong with her.  They've been looking in the wrong place.  Improving male semen, even if by 10% will vastly improve a couple’s chance of conceiving. This is becasue that each ejaculation contains thousands of potential semen.  So many couples have been told by their specialist the semen is ok.  When they say 'ok' they are referring to quality acceptable for IVF.  Perception of “acceptable” varies.  What I believe to be quality semen is at a whole other end of the spectrum but gives me great results.

Please believe me when I tell you I have had many people say to me – 'my friend tried acupuncture for fertility' or 'the naturopath couldn't help my fertility, they tried everything.'  In some instances, natural therapies may not provide a solution, however seeing a practitioner who has a specialist understanding in fertility is essential for fertility issues.  Being at the forefront of fertility expertise has taken me a lot of work, research and practice. Whilst I don't claim to have every answer, I know that in the fertility industry, I work extremely hard to be provide the best practice – in both natural and modern medicine forms.  I believe this makes a huge difference in the results we see in the clinic – we can try new ideas that work well with other fertility treatments to ensure the quickest results are achieved.  

So what's my point?  I want you to understand that there is always and answer.

I believe, unexplained fertility is a label (just like irritable bowel or anxiety) it's not a specific diagnosis but a name given to a host of symptoms. Thing is, there is always a reason – it's a matter of finding somebody to search hard enough to get to the bottom of it.  I'm committed to explaining and finding a solution.

just how much sex do I need to make a baby?

by NatKringoudis on September 14, 2011

image from flickr

Many patients share their anguish when it comes to 'baby making sex'. You know the kind? It is all about the prize but not the ride….  The kind that begin with good intimate intentions, but that quickly take a turn toward the 'hurry up and get this over with because it's the third time in three days and I'm OVER it" kind of sex.  

With fertility rates on what appears to be some rapid decline, we have all had the crapola scared out of us, leading our poor minds to think that perhaps nobody makes a baby naturally these days.  And we could be forgiven for thinking this way because we seem to be hearing of so many couples who are finding it painfully hard to naturally fall pregnant.

The biggest mistake I see couples make in the natural fertility game, is to confine their timing to what they believe is their 'ovulatary window.'  This can be a trap for several reasons.  

Firstly, we don't all ovulate at the same time. Timing of ovulation can be quite confusing, which adds complication. Secondly, by limiting the amount of intimate time we spend limits the amount of exercise our reproductive organs receive.  An athlete does not limit their training day to one day a month and your reproductive organs shouldn’t be any different.  They need all the exercise they can get if they are to win the baby making race.  This means exercising them the entire month around, to increase blood flow to the pelvic cavity, to nourish and condition the reproductive area.  Also by increasing blood flow, we are nourishing the area with what it needs to work best.  If a woman has already ovulated, intercourse in the later part of the cycle is essential to help feed the growing embryo as it imbeds into the endomentrium and feeds off adequate blood supply.  This is especially appropriate for couples going through IVF – the same rules apply in the need to the reproductive organs to be getting all the oxygen and blood supply they can.

Women who report some level of discomfort in at the period time can also benefit from this practice – increasing activity through the lower abdomen can be a wonderful period pain solver.  By having plenty of regular sex, we reduce chances of 'missing' ovulation.  We cover all bases, we have well nourished reproductive parts and well, everybody is happy (most likely daddy included).  The pressure of getting everything 'right' can be so intense, we can fail in every other aspect of the baby making check list.  

Men who have issues with their semen most benefit from regular sex (a fact that most men want to jump the room and thank me for adding).  As we treat this in the clinic (I don't remember the last time I saw a good semen analysis), one of the most important aspects of treatment is lots of regular intercourse.  Abnormal and sluggish sperm need to be shipped on out to make way for the new and great quality semen we have been working hard to treat.  It takes up to four months (minimum three months) to treat semen, which demonstrates to me that nobody can have too much sex and it affect sperm quality and quantity.  I say this because many have been lead to believe they need to 'save it up' so that the quality is best at the time they so need it.  You see, the more that is ejaculated (in frequency), the more room you make!  So being busy between the sheets is one of the best ways to improve it and see quickest change in results.  Whilst men generally have a higher libido, those with semen issues often don't.  By adding regular bedroom activity, we can also see a shift – the more you get the more you want – see I keep everybody happy!  Again, couples in IVF also need to consider semen quality – the better the numbers, the better your chances of success.  If you want to know more about making great sperm you might like to read here and here.

Some of us shudder at the thought of switching off the phone, the TV, and stepping away from the laptop because we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves (I'm just as guilty) when we finally get home from work, rush through dinner, and collapse into bed – before starting again. Slap into this diary “time to make a baby” – where does it fit in? This just adds to the stress of the daily routine. If you’re an regular reader, I often write about how everyday stressors contribute to lower fertility levels.  It seems like a vicious circle.  So how is this for an idea?  Let’s just come back to the idea of sex again – how about having intimate time as a couple, not for the purpose of making a baby?  What about removing the 'baby making' factor which we know crushes a lot of the intimacy.  How about we get back into practice of regular intimacy between two people who love each other?  What about regular sex 'just because?'  What about no TV or internet, for an early night spent under the covers?  This is the kind of sex that makes babies.  The unplanned, loving, intimate time a couple spend together with one purpose – of just enjoying each other.  Reality is, once the baby comes a long, you have all the time in the world to worry about the child, what the child needs and what the child should and shouldn't be doing – best leave that for outside mummy and daddy time and get back to enjoying being a couple.

So coming back to the original question – how much sex do you need to make a baby?  Honestly – not much, because the real question is about how much sex do you need to be healthy?  How much do you need to be physically and mentally nourished ? That is the recipe for making babies.  Should you want a rough estimate – the answer is lots.

When Illness affect fertility – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

by NatKringoudis on August 15, 2011

 

Who wants a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?  I don’t see any hands rising.  

The fact is, STD's exist and many women suffer long term effects of contracting STDs. Usually this is because they were either unaware they had contracted it, or too embarrassed to do anything about it.  This can mean massive consequences when it comes to fertility – in the shape of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).   PID is inflammation of the upper reproductive tract – including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, usually a result of an STD, or possibly a bacterial infection, or pelvic surgery.  

The infection is bad news for fertility however it is a preventable and treatable condition.  Even better news is that we can address it with natural methods if we suspect a woman has a history or suspected case which may be impacting her reproductive potential.  Our method is not necessarily better than a western method,  but treats the effects of PID in a different manner which results in greater success in the long run.

Let me explain this further.

Why the heck does PID happen?  It is a natural response where the body goes into overdrive to ward off the infection – however in doing so it can damage the reproductive organs as it causes scarring.  In severe cases, surgery and antibiotics may be necessary but for those women who have a deep history of PID combining this treatment with natural fertility methods can greatly increase the chances of conception as western medicine doesn't generally 'put back' what it takes out.

Most women would be aware if they had previously contracted PID or a history of an STD  and this is valuable information for a new patient to offer me.  You don't need to be a specialist to realise that if the reproductive organs are affected by scarring, reduced blood flow and over all damage, fertility is lowered.  This is indeed not only affecting your fertility but will explain why some women aren't falling pregnant.  The same goes for IVF – and this is why they routinely treat each women with antibiotics 'just in case.'

In Chinese Medicine we look as such conditions as 'pathological damp' . You make have heard of damp under the foundations of a house? This is similar.  The Chinese recgonise that an accumulation of substantial matter in response to infection (yes, we're referring to pus – there is no nice word for that) indeed needs to be attended to. Without doubt if there is goo stuck in your fallopian tubes, it will affect how a follicle meets sperm.  This gunk might even be stopping the sperm reaching the follicle.

Similarly, should there be even the tiniest amount of gunk falling from the tubes into the uterus, it will absolutely affect implantation.  We must treat the residue of the PID before we can see successful pregnancies result.  Tell the truth;  if you were a cute little baby making sperm,  would you want to park yourself next to a splash of goop?  No way. Again, I can’t see any hands up!

The buck doesn't stop with women’s gunk- no sir ree – the Mr is equally as important to clear any past infections that may be having a similar impact on semen – it will affect the sperm morphology and semen viscosity. So let’s look into the past, to get the future sorted.

In the case of PID the best news of all is that it is absolutely treatable.  In the past IVF clinics were routinely prescribing antibiotics to assist in treatment of any residual infections, however we know from a TCM perspective that whilst the medication will indeed stop an infection, it will not clear the residue.  It is an obstruction needing to be tended to.

We use herbal medicine and acupuncture to effectively treat these patients.  We then find that our patient’s bodies have increased reception to IVF and increased fertility once the pelvic cavity is free from any obstructions.  We know that by creating a more inviting environment we are increasing fertility levels, as your body is no longer trying to navigating around unwanted or disrupting obstacles.  

It's just another piece of the puzzle we can add to increase your natural fertility.

 

 

IVF – getting it right

by NatKringoudis on August 3, 2011

image from flickr

When I was looking for an image, I searched 'fertility' and this image came up saying it was displaying 'the lines of fertility.'  

IVF – every second person has had it, needs it or is about to start it and whilst the excitement of having a baby stands before them, I'm not sure they were ever fully prepared for the mission they were/are about to embark on.  You see, IVF is hard going.  Painfully hard.  I'm not here to put you off by any means, I'm here to help and share how to make your journey less of a roller coaster.  

There are many stress factors associated with IVF.  Hormonally, a woman's body is literally shut down and re-booted.  This is a massive deal because it's not made to be turned on an off like a light switch – and whilst this is essential for egg harvest and collection (the process where follicules are taken from the ovaries ready to be fertilised by the males sperm), it isn't something a woman would want to do every day of the year.  It's literally a trip down menopause lane and back again, all within a few short weeks.  On top of this is what I call  'fertility stress'.  The idea of 'we might never have a baby and we must get this done now' or 'this is never going to happen' just adds extra pressure to the mix – which is the last thing anyone needs!  There  are many causes of stress – including preconceptions, fear, nervousness, and lack of control.  When things don't seem to happen immediately in the natural fertility world, it's only natural for a couple to begin to worry (very often unnecessarily) that it might never happen, not to mention the pressure that'everybody else seems to having babies all over the place.

 

 And as if that's not enough to worry about, there's the cost – see, more stress!  

 

It's a stressful process that can leave people pushed to their limits.  Fortunately, couples do it, every single day of the year, and survive.  It's all about maximising fertility and recruiting coping mechanisms to relieve pressure – and that is where I step in.

Over the past few years, I have been researching, practicing and performing IVF support treatments in the clinic, and have developed an unique and extremely supportive approach.  IVF is ever changing and to keep up with the times, allied practitioners need to move with them.  Through the IVF process, like everything in life – absolutely no two couples are the same which is probably why Chinese Medicine works so very well.  Had I $1 for every time a patient has come to me and said, my specialist is fine with the acupuncture but its a no go with the herbs – I'd be on a greek Island sipping pina coladas by now.  Reality is, I know herbs.  I know Chinese Medicine and I know what works.  My specialist field is natural fertility and IVF support and so I go by what is safe and what works the best.  For these patients who are hesitant, we are more than happy to work with their wishes alongside the guidance of their fertility specialist – BUT if they don't respond well or fail to get a quality egg collection, we are armed with wonderful treatments and natural herbal medicines to boost their fertility out of the water.  Avoiding overstimulation whilst a woman is on a course of fertility treatment is essential – and we take extreme caution in what is prescribed and when it is taken.  

Want to know the biggest mistake we can make with IVF?  Discounting the male aspect and putting all the focus on the female.  It's not all about the lady!  It is most certainly up to 60% the males part when putting together an embryo.  Poor sperm may be responsible for a host of issues including recurrent miscarriage, lack of quality fertilised embryo's or no embryo's at all.  We can do wonderful things for sperm by hitting the male body with a big punch of antioxidents, acupuncture and herbal medicines.  We know that sperm take 90-120 days to regenerate, and with the right treatment based on a semen analysis, the results can be outstanding – in many instances we see extremely poor sperm quality change to increase a couples chance by over 50%.  Be cautions of what you are told when it comes to sperm – most of my patients are told their semen is 'fine' and enough to fertilise an embryo – which may be true however, when the quality is compromised, we can't expect great embryos – the same embryos that will most likely not 'stick'.  If you recall a post I wrote several months back about semen here - you might remember me saying this; 'Quality of semen has decreased by up to 50% in recent years – men are ejaculating half the amount of sperm they were in the past – this may be one reason why we continue to see infertility rates rise. (Andrew Orr, 2010.)'    The success of fertility rests with both male and female.  No wonder we are seeing fertility rates drop.

Acupuncture during IVF is paramount for so many reasons – for both men and women (another key to IVF success).  Essentially it prepares the body for the upcoming transfer, helps to thicken the endometrial lining, support egg collection, relieve stress, calm the body and encourage implantation.  It's the all round best treatment you can add to your IVF.

As I mentioned before – IVF costs a lot.   When we add this kind of detailed care to their IVF journey, we are essentially lowering the number of embryo transferred required and therefore we lessen the potential cost but a lot.  What a relief!  This comes as music to all couple's ears – especially those who have been at it for a while.  And yes, it is these couples that we see at their wits end (those that have been at it for a long time) that jump across the table when I say to them we like to see success within 2-3 transfers.  Although we can't guarantee this, this is the trend we see in the clinic.

When we tie this all together essentially our focus is:

1.  Analyse the fertility of the couple as a unit – not separate entities because both are equally important in creating a quality embryo.

 

2.  Maximise a woman's fertility PRE IVF to ensure the body is prepared and ready to be responsive to treatment.

 

3.  Using a semen analysis and genetic testing, to determine any male factors which may compromise success and treat accordingly.

 

4.  Supporting the couple through IVF from start to finish (and through pregnancy also to prevent miscarriage)

Applying this treatment approach has seen amazing results in the clinic.  Everyday we are blown away by the impact of our protocol – simply from getting it right from the get go.  We are here to support couples every step of the way and having our support combined with their fertility clinic proves to be the winning combination.  I've said it many times before – the proof is in the pudding!  Literally…

When surgery is a good option.

by NatKringoudis on June 29, 2011

image from flickr

Natural fertility techniques combined with Chinese Medicine work very well. Depending on the severity of a condition these are a great alternative to surgery.  My professional aim is to do the very best I can, with all techniques available to ensure fertile success for my patients. I look for what works!  However, there have been cases where I have seen a couple for a planned period of time and if we are not seeing the desired result, surgery has been something I have encouraged my patients to consider.  Advanced endometriosis and obstructions in the pelvic cavity can be tough to treat – and whilst we can successfully treat this, sometimes time isn't always on our side when it comes to fertility.  On top of this time pressure, we are often irrationally made concerned by well meaning friends and family that things should be all made better – yesterday.  Again, I stress that it is extremely useful to take the time to prepare your body for being in the best place to fall pregnant.  This preparation is just as vital as the falling pregnant itself!  If you are well prepared and consider fertility not just about actually getting pregnant – you may avoid potential hiccups that might arise along the fertility journey, which only add further stress to the situation and we know that stress adversely effects fertility…oh what a vicious cycle!

In the past, I would shy away from surgery.  From a Chinese Medicine perspective, surgery has the potential to lead to a host of complications, however when combining modern medicine with eastern treatments, I soon learnt that we can lessen the chance of complications arising and indeed achieve great outcomes. Let me be clear not all patients require surgery.  In fact, most don't but I want to share as much information as I can about fertility facts.  

There may be several reasons why your fertility specialist will refer for surgery.  Sometimes, when there is no explaination for failed attempts at conception, it is a good idea to explore why this is happening.  The only sure way is a laparoscopy.   A laparoscopy is surgery preformed by Gynecologist under a general anasethetic.   Using small incisions, a camera is inserted to take a look around the pelvic cavity.  if necessary a laser or electrocautery can then remove any abnormalities that may be apparent.  They will also use dye to check that the fallopian tubes are clear.  If the endometrosis is extensive, the procedure is further complicated - however if it can be successfully removed it will immediately open up great opportunity for fertility and pregnancy.  This is where Chinese Medicine kicks in.  By supporting the body post procedure, we can further enhance fertility, help to support the body and maintain the new level of health in the uterus and surrounding organs.  Best of all Chinese Medicine works very well to prevent endometriosis from growing back.  This combination proves to be a winner for many women finding it difficult to fall pregnant with endometroisis.  But wait – I have more good news.  Endometriosis is most often better post pregnancy – meaning your chances of conception increase also.

Of course there are many instances where we can treat endometriosis without the need for surgery – using a combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture with great success.  This will always depends on several factors including the history of the patient, the extent of the endometriosis and the type of endometriosis.  Any disruption within the uterus compromises it's ability to function to it's maximum ability – and working together with skilled professionals means we can deliver greater chance of healthy conception and babies – and that's the aim of the game!

More sex in your city – it is the simple answer to a more fertile you.

by NatKringoudis on June 8, 2011

image from flickr


I'm often asked, in my professional capacity as a Dr of TCM why we are faced with rising infertility rates.  For the majority of couples I see – it is directly related to lifestyle and diet, including environmental factors.  

Commonly, patients don't like the idea that they hold bad habits that need to be changed.  Sometimes it's easier to believe there is a deeper problem than to play it simple.  We are so are used to looking harder, and sometimes making the situation far more complicated than it is.  I can't help but feel we have totally lost sight of what's really going on.  This isn't our fault – some elements of science has scared the wind out of us – right down to our very thoughts – which in turn can also have a negative impact on our fertility.  

For many couples – there is a simple answer.  More sex, less stress.  Could it be that easy?  I certainly believe it.  Think about your parents and grandparents.  Sure they worked.  In fact they most likely enjoyed their work – it was more than likely simple and fufilling.  They went to work, they came home (and again, more than likely your Dad/Grandpa went to work whilst your Mum/Grandma stayed home and enjoyed her busy role maintaining a house and children – a massive task in itself), they shared a meal with the family, read the paper, watched a bit of TV and then probably got cosy under the covers . I'm certain they had more sex.  More sex and less stress.

When we start trying for a baby, sometimes something odd shifts in our mindset which see's about us limiting sexual activity to only several days in the month – the days we believe we are fertile.  This can be a dangerous baby making trap!  I was horrified whilst reading the Herald Sun on Sunday where it shared briefly about fertility trackers and iphone app's.  They said "they are a new generation of iBabies – children born with the help of an application telling a couple the best time to conceive."  It set of a really loud alarm in my head.  Understanding your menstrual is absolutely essential for everyday health, but trusting an iphone application to pin point your fertile time can set you up for a disasterous outcome.  Don't get me wrong – some app's can be very useful – but nothing can tell you exactly when the event of ovulation is occuring unless they request very specific details.  What's more – baby making shouldn't be that stressful.  Consulting your phone before you get under the sheets is, well – madness.  The best fertility signs are your own body signs.  Relying on an app which assumes that every woman's cycle is roughly the same and that every luteal and follicular phase is the same is dangerous.  It might mean that women who are using such devices are totally missing the boat all together every month.  12 months on and these women may find themselves on the assisted conception route because they have been actively trying long enough to qualify.

Unfortunately squeezing some intimate time between the covers proves a difficult task for many of us.  I was fortunate enough to spend some time with natural fertility expert, Andrew Orr recently. Andrew maintains that we should be having sex no less than once a day (outside of the period time).  This man has made a lot of babies – 10,000 and counting! He knows what he is on about.  In his opinion, having sex daily ensures several things.  Firstly – you won't miss the boat!  Secondly you are exercising the reproductive organs by invigorating and increasing blood flow – all keeping a level of tone in the uterus and in turn nourishing your reproductive organs.  Adding more sex to your routine might be a simple solution to regulating your hormones as well as lessening stress – since exercise is the best way to move cortisol (the stress hormone) out of the body.  In addition to all these lovely things -  having more intimate and loving intercourse can certainly do wonderful things for a healthy relationship. 

Evidently it may not be this simple for all couples. I appreciate that some specific treatment may be necessary to support fertility further – but all couples can indeed benefit from adding more intimate time to their relationship.  It is important to not lose sight of the foundations that make a family work - happy and healthy parents. 

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ABOUT ME

Owner of The Pagoda Tree - Melbourne's Home of Women's Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Alternative Therapies. Dr of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist, Natural Fertility Educator, Writer and Blogger. Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Family lover & Friend. Lover of Natural Health & Living.

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