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Fertility Support Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
 Some people see me to prepare themselves for their assisted fertility treatment (for example IUI or IVF), while others use Chinese medicine to enhance their natural fertility. Either way, it undoubtedly makes a difference to their lives during this emotionally and physically demanding time. (For information on using acupuncture alongside IVF please see the link above).
Increasing research interest in this area now provides much support for acupuncture as an effective help for patients experiencing infertility. Traditional teachings, theories & practise underlying the use of acupuncture in fertility issues, togetherwith modern research and clinical trials, suggest it is useful in these areas:
- improving the success rates of IVF
- lowering stress levels and reducing the damaging effects of stress on hormone balance & function
- helps to normalise ovulation and regulate menstrual cycles
- improving ovarian function & encouraging follicle growth
- improving the lining of the uterus
- increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs
- reducing the incidence and risk of miscarriage
- lessening the side effects of medications used in assisted reproductive techniques
- balancing immune system functioning
Acupuncture is an option for infertility whether you are using high tech fertility treatments or if you want to take a more natural approach. When combined with Chinese herbal medicine, the results can be more successful, more quickly although each case is different and I always make my treatment recommendations after a full and thorough consultation. It is common for me to see patients initially for acupuncture and then when it is appropriate, introduce herbs to progress the treatment further.
My Approach
My approach is to value highly the wonderful benefits of taking a traditional approach to pre-conceptual care. As a traditional professional acupuncturist and herbalist, I know that the strength of the fabulous medicine that Chinese medicine is, lies in its individual, holistically-focussed approach to each and every case. Preparation for pregnancy - irrespective of whether it happens naturally or with help from IVF - is vital and this is truly where Chinese medicine excels.
Lifestyle and dietary factors are always taken into account. Various factors such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine play a significant role in damaging fertility. A central aspect of my treatment approach is to interpret the unique effect of these and other factors on each individual according to Chinese medical theory and to encourage and support practices that eliminate or minimise their impact. I give full advice and written information on dietary habits and nutrition that will improve pre-conceptual health following the traditions of Chinese dietary therapy; where possible I use modern nutritional evidence to support my dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
Patient testimonials:
'I met with Janetta in February 2012 as I was suffering with long, irregular cycles after coming off birth control. I wanted to regain normal cycle lengths and ultimately conceive. I'm a sceptic through and through and had never done acupuncture before, but thought it was worth a try. Five months later my cycles were shorter and I found out on Saturday that I was pregnant! I whole heartedly believe acupuncture helped my body to re-balance itself, but also that Janetta's experience and belief in the treatments she provides was the support I needed to believe my body could get back to normal.
I cannot recommend Janetta enough.' Clare.
"I have been seeing Janetta for acupuncture for almost a year and have found her to be extremely professional and the treatment to be effective. She clearly knows her stuff and often gives invaluable advice; I trust her judgement and would highly recommend her to others." T.A, researcher
"I have a long standing fear of needles, so acupuncture was not something I took on lightly. Thankfully I have found the whole experience very relaxing and not painful at all. I am very happy to say that the results for me after years of infertility have been amazing and a complete success." A.F, Administrator
My training
I have undertaken extensive post graduate studies in this specialist field, including with Zita West, widely regarded as one of the UK's leading authorities in the field and Jane Lyttleton, author of the internationally acclaimed text "Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine". My MSc thesis looked the use of Chinese herbal medicine in modern gynaecology practice.
I regularly attend courses and seminars, here's a short list of some of those I've attended in the last few years:
- Understanding IVF
- Fertility Acupuncture
- Integrated Acupuncture for Obstetrics
- Integrated Acupuncture for Fertility
- Obstetrics and Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese medicine and Infertility
- Acupressure for Pregnancy and Labour
- Acupuncture and Women’s Health
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
I am always keen to integrate my knowledge of classical Chinese medicine with modern medicine and include conventional medical reading and courses in my annual training programme. For example, I have a special interest in polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship to fertility and found that by attending a 2-day course in 2007 at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists entitled "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - a condition of our time", it broadened my appreciation and knowledge of how traditional medicine can combine successfully with modern treatments.
Frequency & Length of Treatment
My aim is always to bring the body and mind back into normal healthy functioning, as quickly as possible. However, acupuncture and herbs are not a "quick fix" and I always give realistic guidelines to each person as to how long they should expect to receive treatment based upon their own circumstances following our first meeting.
When someone sees me for the first time, we agree a treatment plan together following my assessment of all factors. I always provide a guide to how often treatments are needed and for how long, with regular reviews during the treatment course. Herbal medicine can be very useful at providing ongoing, internal medicine whilst not receiving acupuncture, this allows treatments to go on throughout a woman's cycle even if she is not able to attend for acupuncture at the optimum time of her cycle. Recommendations for medical tests and investigations form part of my approach when needed, the results of these often help to inform my treatment plan.
In fertility treatment, a common question I get asked is "How long will it take?" Although each case is different, a reasonable guide is that it is often between 6 - 9 months. Treatments are given on a weekly basis initially for around 6 weeks, we then space them out to around 1 or 2 sessions a month, depending again on the individual case. Pregnancy cannot be forced, the time spent using acupuncture and herbs to prepare the body for conception ensures that the conditions are as optimal as possible for it to take place and perhaps more importantly for it to be a healthy, sustainable pregnancy when it happens.
'It matters not if medicine is old or new
so long as it can cure.
It matters not if theories come from East or West
so long as they be true'.
Jen-Hsou Lin, Taipei
Pregancy & Fertility Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Surrey
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