Acupuncture to improve fertility and conceiving.
Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion
Practice Committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Published by Fertility and Sterility (http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(16)62849-2/fulltext)
The Journal Fertility and Sterility had a very interesting article about optimizing natural fertility. It’s filled with interesting facts and bits of information.
This is what jumped out of the article and made me think of my clients. I’m going to break it down into bite sized pieces.
Age of women and men: Ok….there’s nothing new here. After 14 years of practice, age can’t explain everything. So, I’ll get on my soap box. There’s so many factors to fertility – not just age. I see poor diet, unfulfilling marriages, anxiety, booze, unable to prioritize self above others, having a baby to fulfill emptiness, pressure by outside source to have a baby, overworking, poor sleep, unable to relax, strong desire to be constantly busy and many other factors that deplete the fire in a woman’s heart, soul and uterus.
Fertility is a journey of discovery of ourselves. We are complicate people and age doesn’t explain it all.
Frequent ejection does not decrease sperm quality or male fertility. In fact, frequent ejaculation increases motility and concentration of sperm. After 10 days without ejaculation, sperm quality decreases.
PAY ATTENTION LADIES: “Studies of semen parameters provide useful quantitative data, those data may not accurately predict the functional integrity or capacity of sperm.”
Yes, sperm can look good but be completely genetically crappy. Read here for more
Poor quality embryos are not just poor egg quality. It could be sperm (click here to read more).
Daily or every other day intercourse leads to the best conception rates. Once a week sex leads to the lowest conception rates. That said, recommendations for frequent sex “induces stress” for most couples.
Strict sex scheduling around just ovulation leads to stress.
Stress around sex leads to a decrease in sexual desire, intercourse, and sexual esteem.
Conception rates increases with sex every 1 to 2 days, but best “defined by the couple’s preference within that context”. In other words, try having sex as much as possible, but don’t get stressed about it.
LADIES PAY ATTENTION: Being sexually rigid with your guy – is a mojo killer. Many women come to my practice with a very specific sex schedule and their guy is fed up and frustrated. Then no one wants to have sex. Seriously??? What happened to the joy of connecting? Remember sex is not always about conceiving. Enjoy the act of connecting.
Pregnancy is mostly like to result within 6 to 3 days interval ending on the day of ovulation. Day of ovulation and beyond – conception decreases.
Having frequent sex from the time your period finishes to the day before ovulation, increases pregnancy rates.
No libido? Completely treatable and is a possible symptom of hormonal imbalances.
Tracking cervical mucus, libido, pain or mood only have a 50% chance of being accurate.
Peak cervical fluid is the best indicator of peak fertility and is more accurate than just using a calendar.
“One large study found that changes in cervical mucus across the fertility interval predict the day specific probabilities of conception as well or better than basal body temperature or urinary LH monitoring kits.”
In other words, cervical mucus is a better predictor of fertility than monitoring kits/basal body temperature.
PAY ATTENTION LADIES: Get the “action going” when your cervical mucus starts to increase. If you are not having fertile mucus, it’s completely treatable and can possibly be an indicator of a hormonal imbalance.
Laying on your back with legs in the air to “hold the sperm” in place – has no scientific foundation. Regardless of the position, sperm will enter the cervical canal within seconds.
Sexual position has no scientific evidence to decide the gender of the baby.
Organism increases the transport of sperm but doesn’t increase fertility.
Interesting facts:
Sperm enter the Fallopian tubes within 15 minutes.
Studies found during peak cycle, particles (aka sperm) can enter the fallopian tube within 2 minutes.
Particles (aka sperm) only entered the Fallopian tube with the dominant follicle.
The larger the follicle the more particles (aka sperm) were drawn into the tube.
With the addition of oxytocin (which is released during sex) more particles (aka sperm) were drawn into the fallopian tube associated with the dominant follicle.
Be cautious of lubricants.
Avoid K Y Jelly, olive oil, and salvia – all decrease sperm mobility.
Pre-seed, ConceivEase and canola oil, mineral oil – have no negative effect on sperm.
Alcohol: Alcohol has mixed results in research. In the end, it’s best to avoid alcohol while trying to conceive.
Coffee: Research indicates one to two cups of coffee a day do not effect fertility.
Check out the full article for all the information. It’s filled with tons of good sense information.
Having problems gauging your fertility? Experiencing low libido, poor cervical mucus or vaginal dryness? Completely stressed out? Try acupuncture and Chinese herbs to regain your balance and health.