Yoga for Improved Fertility

Chinese Medicine almost always emphasizes increasing blood flow to the reproductive area when attempting to conceive.  The following poses, which aid in conception, are usually added to a gentle and restorative yoga practice.  Geeta Iyengar recommended them because of their possible effects on regulating hormonal imbalances.

A very famous teacher, Geeta S. Iyengar, author of Yoga a Gem for Women (Allied, Publishers Limited, 1983), writes extensively on women's issues. She stresses the importance of practicing several asanas to aid in conception. Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand), Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand) , and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Supported Bridge Pose) are recommended because of their hypothesized effects on hormonal balance.

She also recommends the following poses:

Forward Bends: To make the poses more restorative, place a chair in front of you and rest your head and arms on the seat for support, or use a bolster for support.
Dandasana (Staff Pose)
Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose)
Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Forward Bend)
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
Upavistha Konasana (Wide Angle Pose)
Malasana (Garland Pose)

Reclining Poses: These poses are helpful because they open and elongate the abdominal area.
Bound Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose)
Supta Virasana (Reclined Hero's Pose)

She also recommends Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose) after coitus (which will theoretically keep the sperm inside the body and close to the opening of the uterus) to encourage the opportunity for sperm penetration. Before coitus set up for Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose). As you move into and out of the pose, keep the abdominal area soft-your partner can assist you to make this possible. The amount of time you spend in Viparita Karani is up to you.

To set up for Viparita Karani: Fold a sticky mat into quarters and place it two inches from the wall. Place a round bolster or a firm folded blanket on top of the sticky mat with the back edge of the bolster or blanket in line with the back edge of the mat. Place the buttocks on top of the bolster with the sitting bones as close to the wall as possible and the legs up the wall. The tailbone should tilt toward the ceiling so that the vaginal area is pointing upward. The shoulders, arms, and head rest on the floor. Once in the correct pelvic position, allow the legs to soften and bend the knees to allow the abdominal and pelvic floor to relax.

Chinese Medicine and Endometriosis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, endometriosis is primarily caused by Blood Stasis. Blood Stasis can be caused by emotional disturbance, chronic illness, surgery and infections. In addition to this there are disease-causing factors which are part of the Chinese Medical pattern discrimination diagnosis of cold, heat, deficiency, excess or mixed pattern.

To determine these additional factors, an experienced practitioner will diagnosis a patient based on the timing, location, nature and severity of pain and symptoms.

These symptoms include but are not limited to:
emotional stress, anger and anxiety
pain and pressure before, during or after periods
clotting issues during the period
soreness of back
breast pain and tenderness
knees and hip pain
irregular periods, scanty periods
nausea
vomiting
bowel issues
lethargy
fevers
dry throat or dry skin
painful intercourse.

In a review of two clinical trials, researchers found that a mix of Chinese Herbs worked as well or even better than two conventional hormonal therapies for endometriosis. And it came with no side effects.

Both trials, which included 158 women, have the positive message that Chinese Herbal Medicine may offer equivalent benefits to conventional medicine with fewer side effects. And what this means for patients is a suitable strategy for long-term use. Coupled with acupuncture during the painful stages of the cycle, herbal medicine presents as a safe and effective treatment plan.

Chinese Medicine and High FSH

As a woman ages her hormonal makeup wavers and the axis which governs her reproductive status becomes less stable. This leads to the ovaries becoming less predictable and less responsive to FSH. Chinese Medicine recognizes this natural progression and attempts to provide more hormonal fuel for the remaining eggs and strength for this axis as aging becomes an issue.

Contrary to popular belief, follicular growth does not take thirty days. (or one menstrual cycle) From its resting state to ovulation takes up to one hundred days. (or more than three menstrual cycles) Only during the last few weeks of its cycling does a follicle become dominant and responsive to FSH.

Many women over 41 or 42 will be turned away from Assisted Reproductive Technologies, ART, because Western reproductive endocrinologists often find the ovaries in a poor state and the woman’s ovaries less responsive. In Chinese Medicine it is believed that the reason for the lower success rates of ART are because the only portion of the cycle that is manipulated is the last few weeks of a process which at a minimum is more than three months in duration.

It is paramount in Chinese Medicine to take the time to normalize and strengthen the reproductive system so that the hormonal fluctuations are reduced and the HPO axis, (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian axis), becomes more stable. This in turn leads to a better quality egg and reproductive environment.
The hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis is a critical part in the development and regulation of a number of the body's systems, such as the reproductive and immune systems. Fluctuations in the hormones cause changes in the hormones produced by each gland and have various widespread and local effects on the body.

In addition to acupuncture, which is quite effective, Chinese Medicine places a strong emphasis on:
Restorative exercise
Deep and rejuvenating sleep
Avoiding processed foods, products treated with hormones
Including foods which are whole, cooked and high in nutrients

Chinese Herbal Medicine plays a critical role in the stabilization and harmonization of the reproductive system. It is best to see a practitioner who can evaluate you and determine if this is the correct route for you. Often times, herbal medicine is the key treatment factor in success.

Free Therapies to Improve Fertility

Gynecology in Chinese Medicine has always emphasized the need for women to take extra care of themselves during their menstrual cycle. The reason for this is that the uterus is open and discharging blood. A very famous Qing dynasty text states, “When the period arrives…it is important to avoid cold and damp…During the period, the lower body is open…too much cooling foods and environments can lead to infertility...”

Here are the factors that can negativly affect a womens fertility:
Environment: exposure to environmental cold (not as common in the USA) and dampness (very common in the USA).
Emotional Stress: grief, excessive thought and worry, explosive anger (unfulfilled desires) and fear and fright.
Dietary Deficiencies: consumption of too much cold and raw foods (salads and fruits) and greasy, fried foods or very unregulated and erratic eating.
Excessive Exercise: prolonged and too draining to the system
Overwork: physical or over-thinking.
Surgery: scar tissue.
Birth control: long term use.

Of all of these factors, Chinese Medicine puts emphasis on the effects of emotional stress in gynecology. Because of this, Chinese medical practitioners who specialize in gynecology recommend what Bob Flaws, a famous Chinese Medical practitioner, states as The Three Free Therapies.

The Three Free Therapies:

Good diet: Good diet is a very generic phrase. However, this diet emphasizes warm and cooked foods that are high in protein and greens. Avoiding raw and cold foods especially during the period.
Physical exercise (more restorative forms, like yoga and tai chi) Restorative exercise is low intensity to help move the circulation and qi (chi) of the body, while ridding excess damp and strengthening the GI system.
Daily deep relaxation (20 minutes a day of deep breathing) Daily deep relaxation quiets the mind and soothes the heart while it moves blood and qi throughout the system.

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative Medicine is the treatment of mind, body and spirit at the same time. Many practitioners claim to practice this, however when asked what specific treatments they employ to treat the spirit they say listening and advising.

Unfortunately, those two things are a given in the practice of medicine not a specific "treatment" per se. (this does not apply to talk therapies). Finding a practitioner who truly encompasses Integrative Medicine is difficult at best.  Again, many will claim to do this.

In Chinese Medicine, practitioners have time tested treatments for the spirit and mind in addition to the body. In homeopathic medicine all three modalities exist and many practitioners use all three. In naturopathic medicine, the same.

However, again not all practitioners use all three. Some Western physicians will claim to practice Integrative Medicine and this is simply untrue. There are no treatments for the spirit and pharmaceuticals do not fall under the category of Integrative Medicine for the mind.

The best way to determine a practitioner's Integrative Medicine capacity is to look at their website, testimonials and then speak directly to them. 

Endometriosis and Chinese Herbal Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, endometriosis is primarily caused by Blood Stasis. Blood Stasis can be caused by emotional disturbance, chronic illness, surgery and infections. In addition to this there are disease-causing factors which are part of the Chinese Medical pattern discrimination diagnosis of cold, heat, deficiency, excess or mixed pattern.

To determine these additional factors, an experienced practitioner will diagnosis a patient based on the timing, location, nature and severity of pain and symptoms.

These symptoms include but are not limited to emotional stress, anger and anxiety, pain and pressure before, during or after periods, clotting issues during the period, soreness of back, breast pain and tenderness, knees and hip pain, irregular periods, scanty periods, nausea, vomiting, bowel issues, lethargy, fevers, dry throat or dry skin and painful intercourse.

In a review of two clinical trials, researchers found that a mix of Chinese Herbs worked as well or even better than two conventional hormonal therapies for endometriosis. And it came with no side effects.

Both trials, which included 158 women, have the positive message that Chinese Herbal Medicine may offer equivalent benefits to conventional medicine with fewer side effects. And what this means for patients is a suitable strategy for long-term use. Coupled with acupuncture during the painful stages of the cycle, herbal medicine presents as a safe and effective treatment plan.

ART and Chinese Medicine

As a woman ages her hormonal makeup wavers and the axis which governs her reproductive status becomes less stable. This leads to the ovaries becoming less predictable and less responsive to FSH. Chinese Medicine recognizes this natural progression and attempts to provide more hormonal fuel for the remaining eggs and strength for this axis as aging becomes an issue.

Contrary to popular belief, follicular growth does not take thirty days. (or one menstrual cycle) From its resting state to ovulation takes up to one hundred days. (or more than three menstrual cycles) Only during the last few weeks of its cycling does a follicle become dominant and responsive to FSH. Many women over 41 or 42 will be turned away from ART because Western reproductive endocrinologists often find the ovaries in a poor state and the woman’s ovaries less responsive. In Chinese Medicine it is believed that the reason for the lower success rates of ART are because the only portion of the cycle that is manipulated is the last few weeks of a process which at a minimum is more than three months in duration.

It is paramount in Chinese Medicine to take the time to normalize and strengthen the reproductive system so that the hormonal fluctuations are reduced and the HPO axis becomes more stable. This is turn leads to a better quality egg and reproductive environment.

In addition to acupuncture, which is quite effective, Chinese Medicine places a strong emphasis on:

1. Restorative exercise

2. Deep and rejuvinating sleep

3. Avoiding processed foods, products treated with hormones

4. Including foods which are whole, cooked and high in nutrients

Chinese Herbal Medicine plays a critical role in the stabilization and harmonization of the reproductive system. It is best to see a practitioner who can evaluate you and determine if this is the correct route for you. Often times, herbal medicine is the key treatment factor in success.