Clinic Blog

There is a common misconception that getting an egg fertilized is the true challenge when trying to conceive, however, the ability of a fertilized egg (embryo) to continue developing and implant is a much bigger issue. Embryo development is a hefty process that requires a high amount of energy. Only about a third of embryos survive to become a baby. The reason why most fertilized eggs struggle to become a successful pregnancy lies in the DNA.

If you are reading this blog, then you are looking to conceive and likely have been TTC for months and years too.

I remember at one of the Integrative Fertility Symposiums I chaired there was a panel discussion on integrative fertility care and the benefits of preconception care. The panel was composed of reproductive endocrinologists (IVF docs), reproductive urologist, acupuncturists and naturopathic physicians.

In honour of endometriosis awareness month, I thought I would share how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine can be so helpful in endo symptoms and period pain and give a few recent case studies. In Traditional Chinese medicine, we look at the whole picture of health to see what we can bring into balance to achieve your health goals. Often with hormone health and fertility, we look very closely at the menstrual cycle.

The male factor of fertility is often overlooked yet 50% of the cases of infertility are due to male pathology. As a matter of fact, semen quality has seen a steep decline in the last three decades and assisted reproductive technology is limited for men. The go-to medical solution only offers Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) where the sperm is injected into the egg after an IVF egg retrieval.

An integrative approach to miscarriages (recurrent pregnancy loss) and implantation failure.

In this interview, Dr Laurena White MD, L.Ac shares how she integrates acupuncture and herbs into her IVF clinic to improve IVF outcomes and also how she approaches fibroids in her OBGYN medical practice.

Yes, that’s right your endometrium has its own microbiome! And it may have an influence on implantation. 

Dr Paul Turek, a reproductive urologist, discussing Back to Basics: Why Treat Male Infertility Before Using Assisted Reproduction

This is a question I get often in the clinic from my female fertility patients. The short answer is yes, acupuncture is great for everyone, especially when it comes to fertility. There’s always something that can be improved upon to boost fertility, such as increasing circulation to reproductive organs, balancing hormones, reducing stress, or reducing inflammation. 

I talk with Dr. Mark Perloe MD, IVF consultant and PCOS expert, about the missing diagnosis and natural treatment approaches for helping women with ovulatory disorders like PCOS regulate their cycles and get pregnant and carry to term.