Acupuncture for Fertility.
Following her personal interest in the topic, Eloise has taken on further training in acupuncture for women’s health, specifically in fertility and assisted & natural conception. Acupuncture studies have shown it assists in blood flow to the Uterus, releases stagnation (e.g. pain) and improves egg and sperm quality.
Eloise is also a member of he Acupuncture Fertility Network, a professional special interest group of acupuncturists dedicated to helping individuals with fertility issues across the UK. They aim to nurture your sense of wellbeing throughout your fertility journey, support your choices and wishes, and enhance your capacity to conceive wherever possible.
Eloise works with the full spectrum of fertility issues and support needs, including:
“Unexplained infertility”
This can be a confusing diagnosis, often bringing a sense of frustration at being told that although your fertility markers are all in normal range, you are still infertile. We are here to help support the ways that you can improve your own fertility through adding in the wisdom of the Chinese diagnosis, and enhancing your health through improved diet and lifestyle.
Male factor (sperm parameters)
Male-factor infertility is primarily the result of modern culture and lifestyle choices. Using insights from your diagnosis and from Western sperm analysis, we can formulate a treatment plan that targets improving parameters. Chinese herbs may be an important element of treatment, and the constitutional diagnosis will guide dietary and lifestyle advice.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS often has an inhibiting effect on ovulation, making it difficult to conceive. Every woman experiences the condition differently, so your practitioner will help you to understand your profile and find the right solutions. Treatment involves providing dietary advice according to your constitutional diagnosis, and your treatment plan will be tailored to aid your body into regular periods.
Endometriosis
The TCM strategy for treating endometriosis is to use acupuncture, herbs and moxibustion to resolve the underlying condition, and relieve discomfort and pain. Diet can play a significant role in how you experience endometriosis, so we can help you align dietary guidelines to your constitutional diagnosis and to the particular character of your endometriosis.
Ovulation issues
Fertility support for ovulation issues begins with taking a full history of the character of your periods since puberty; contraceptive methods and conception; and any assisted treatment you may be having/had. This information is all taken in the context of your medical history. We then use your signs, symptoms and constitutional diagnosis to arrive at a treatment plan for improving ovulation.
Menstrual cycle irregularities
Bringing the menstrual cycle into optimum function is the TCM way of tending the garden. We look at the menstrual function throughout the whole cycle, and treat disharmonies in cycle behaviour. Your practitioner may ask you to chart your basal body temperature to help identify the phase of the cycle that needs attention, which will inform your treatment plan.
Recurrent miscarriage/repeated failed IVFs
Through TCM diagnosis we can offer extra understanding of how your physiological state (the condition or state of the body or bodily functions) may be contributing to repeated miscarriage/IVF failure. We always seek to work closely with your western practitioners as their investigations can often enhance the picture of understanding.
Assisted conception support
Acupuncture support during assisted conception can help keep your body comfortable and your mind relaxed during drug therapy. AFN practitioners are well-versed in assisted protocols — we have all done post graduate training from a Western perspective and understand how to safely use acupuncture to support an assisted cycle.