There are different therapies used to assist reproduction in this country. The common ones are listed below.

ART: (Assisted Reproductive Technology) requires the administration of medication-containing FSH (Folicle stimulating Hormone), which  controls follicle and egg development.

Ovalation Introduction/Homonal therapy: Clomiphene

Intro-Uterine Insemination (IUI)

In Virtra Fertilization (IVF)--ET (Embryo Transfer)

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Frozen Embryo Transfer

TCM and acupuncture can help the above therapies to increase the rate of successful implantation. Based on different therapies and individual protocols (Antagonist regime, Agonist regime, Long protocol, Short protocol, Ultra long protocol), we will tailor your treatment plan to support your IVF or other therapy plan. The following treatment plan is only the example to show how does TCM and acupuncture assist IVF

Step 1: Preparation Before IVF

During this period, TCM and acupuncture treat the causes of the problem by using TCM Pattern differentiation with Cycle Therapy.

Common causes that TCM and acupuncture can treat include Irregular menstruation, Amenorrhea, DOR (diminished ovarian reserve), Dysmenorrhoea,  POF (premature ovarian failure) ,PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, LPD (Luteal Phase Defect),  etc.

Ideally, you will need three  months Preparation in restoring  adequate balance of energy, regulating  function of organs, reducing  chromosome abnormality, improving quality of eggs and endometrial receptivity, producing  the best possible response to IVF drugs, enhancing chances  to  conceive.

The treatment can often improve the possibility of natural pregnancy during this three months  preparation time.

1.1 Yin Phase/Follicular Phase: Day 5-12 of Cycle.

Kidney Yin/essence and blood dominate  this phase, therefore the aim of the treatment is to nourish kidney Yin, enrich Qi and blood to support oestrogen, enhance eggs quality, consolidate endometrial lining and to  ensure the basic condition for conception that a successful implantation requires.

1.2 A Process of Transformation-Ovulation Phase: day 13 to 15.

Liver Qi (energy)  and blood flow dominate ovulation. Liver Qi needs to be triggered to set off the transformation of Yin energy (oestrogen) into Yang energy (progesterone). TCM and acupuncture can nourish kidney Yin and warm kidney Yang to assist  the transformation via soothing liver Qi and activating blood to facilitate  ovulation.

1.3 Yang Phase -Luteal Phase: day 16-25

Kidney Yang and spleen Qi play dominating role in this  Yang phase.

The TCM and acupuncture focus on improving kidney Yang and spleen Qi, nourishing blood so as  to strengthen progesterone & improve  the success rate of  implantation and conception.

1.4 The Premenstrual Phase: day 26 -28

Liver Qi is helpful in assisting premenstrual transformation, converting Yang energy into Yin energy, harmonizing liver Qi, increasing blood circulation,  unblocking  the channels and regulating period.

1.5 The Blood Phase-Menstrual Phase : day 1-4

Menstruation is a time of rest for all the energies. The focus of this period is regulating  Qi and blood, nourishing  Yin and removing blood stasis in order to ensure the new and fresh blood take its place in the womb.

TCM and Acupuncture During IVF

Individualized treatment will be performed based on personal IVF protocols.

* Down regulation: 2 to 4 weeks prior to ovarian stimulation.

Soothing liver Qi & strengthening spleen, harmonizing Qi & blood.

* Hormonal stimulation (stimulating and promoting ovulation): day 2 or day 3 of menstrual period till EC (egg collection).

To supply kidney Yin and improve spleen Qi, nourish blood and calm down mood for patient.

* TCM and Acupuncture between EC (egg collection)  and ET (embryo transfer).

Regulating liver Qi & Blood, Nourishing heart blood, calming down emotion & uterus.

* TCM and Acupuncture on the day of IVF/ET

Nourishing heart blood to calm down moods, strengthening spleen Qi to hold embryos in the uterus.

Two sessions of Acupuncture before and straight after ET

* After ET & during early pregnancy

Improving kidney & spleen, nourishing           Qi & blood, thus calming down the  uterus  to  help successful  implantation.

Acupuncture two sessions within 7 days after ET.

Summery :TCM and acupuncture  improves IVF outcome by

Increasing blood supply to uterus and ovaries, strengthening endometrial lining, Improving egg quality and balancing  hormone  levels and creating  a more receptive environment in the womb for conception. The treatment can calm the uterus to prepare for implantation and maintain a pregnancy if successful, and minimize the risk of miscarriage.