Fertility Support Program
Steps for Fertility Support
Understand Fertility Read: Slideshow
Follow the D’Arcy Protocol. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Formulas
Do the Stress-Relief Body Scan 20 minutes a day
Program Tools
Introduction – Natural Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Therapy with Acupuncture
Slideshow – Fertility, A Natural Protocol Developed by D’Arcy Wellness
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Get a consultation at D’Arcy Wellness to customize your plan, or find a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner near you.
Herbal Formula Phase Plan
Protocol to Enhance Fertility
Acupuncture
Herbal formulas
Stress Relief
Exercise
Nutrition
Cycles of Flow
Our Planet, Human and animal physiology are subject to seasonal, lunar, and circadian rhythms.
The lunar cycle has an impact on human reproduction, in particular fertility, menstruation, and birth rate.
Admittance to hospitals and emergency units because of various causes (cardiovascular and acute coronary events, variceal hemorrhage, diarrhea, urinary retention) correlated with moon phases.
In addition, other events associated with human behavior, such as traffic accidents, crimes, and suicides, appeared to be influenced by the lunar cycle.
Our creative biological and psychological cycle parallels the phases of the moon; recent research has found that the immune system of the reproductive tract is cyclic as well, reaching its peak at ovulation, and then beginning to wane. From ancient times, in many cultures, have referred to women having their menstrual periods as being “on their moon.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine)
Women who did IVF alone compared that with women who added acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer, and women who had acupuncture during their IVF cycles (around 13 to 15 sessions). The women who added more acupuncture sessions were twice as likely to have a baby compared to women who did IVF alone, and 60% more likely when compared with women who just had two acupuncture treatments on the day of embryo transfer. Acupuncture helped their IVF outcomes.
Increase blood flow to the reproductive areas
Balance hormones
Reduce stress & anxiety
Improve implantation
Reduce inflammation from Endometriosis
Decrease adhesions & fascial restrictions
Decrease incidence of miscarriage
Increase sperm count
Improve sperm motility and morphology
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture reduces anxiety, de-stresses and calms
This is because of endorphin release
Endorphins cause uterine artery widening which causes increased blood flow to the uterus and to the ovaries
More blood flow means greater delivery of hormones, nutrients, oxygen and electrolytes and greater excretion of dead cell waste matter
This means improved egg quality
Your Endometrial Lining
Just because you have a “perfect 10mm lining” does not mean that there is enough blood flow to ensure a successful implantation
Acupuncture & herbs frequently help increase blood flow to your lining, increasing implantation rates.
Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) combined with Acupuncture
Improve IUI/IVF rates 50%, the acupuncture 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer
It’s important to understand that improving your health is a process that happens incrementally, so the more time that we have to work with, the better the chances are of getting the results you seek.
When Should you get Acupuncture? For best results start acupuncture 90 days before IVF cycles
At the beginning of a cycle for improving blood flow to the uterus (uterine lining)
Before ovulation to help follicles mature
5-10 days after ovulation for improved implantation
Weekly when pregnant to prevent miscarriage during the first trimester.
If your IVF cycle and has yielded poor results or if you have poor ovarian reserve and a donor egg is your MD’s option, Chinese medicine might help, but to treatments to nourish egg quality more treatments around 9 cycles, if possible.
Follicles take 9-12 months to develop. When the follicle is about 90 days from ovulation, it is exposed to blood supply within the ovary. This is where TCM can have a nourishing impact on follicle quality. By improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus (as studies have demonstrated) and correcting any imbalances present in the system, this improves health and circulation that can result in greater success rates for IVF and natural pregnancies.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Formulas to Support Fertility
Herbal Formulas that Support the Four Phases of the Cycle
Phase One: Women’s Health
Phase Two: Women’s Health
Phase Three: Femin-Ease
Phase Four: Femin-Ease
Phase One
Menstruation
The main principle is to move and begin to nourish blood and yin. This part of the phase is when blood is discharged and begins to regenerate lasting about 4-5 days.
Useful Chinese Herbal Formulas: Customized to your constitution
Tao Hong Se Wu Tang, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Wen Jing Tang, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang. Ba Zheng Tang.
Phase Two
Post Menstrual Phase
The main principle here is to nourish and build blood and yin. This phase starts from about seven days after menstruation begins until ovulation. At this stage blood continues to be built along with yin essence and qi, both of which are a part of blood.
In our modern busy lifestyles this phase is an important time to rebuild blood and yin by allowing time for rest and regeneration. Yin essence is important in creating moistening fluids for the whole body, it moistens and nourishes the organs and tissues. In the uterus it is important for conception and the nourishment and the development of follicles. Rest no overly-vigorous exercise depletes blood and yin
Useful Chinese Herbal Formulas: Customized to your constitution:
Ba Zen Tang, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, Gui Pi Tang, Liu Wei Di Hang Tang, Zuo Gui Tang.
Phase Three
Ovulation
Switch from Yin to Yang – The principle here is movement and warmth.
At this stage of the menstrual cycle yin and fluids have built to a climax, if there is a good solid base of blood then good quality, stretchy fertile mucus appears, this is when the yin energy begins to transform into yang energy. Yang energy is the counter part of yin – yin is cool and moistening while yang is active, warm and drying. This warmth encourages the dilation and blood flow so that the egg can be released from the follicles and travel smoothly down the fallopian tube unobstructed. During this phase of the menstrual cycle it is important to promote the even switch from yin to yang. Keep warm. Do exercises that stretch the hips and move the pelvic area, to help increase the blood flow to this area. Avoid stress; Eat less. Plenty for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Useful Chinese Herbal Formulas: Customized to your constitution:
Xiao Yao San, You Gui Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Tang, Zuo Gui Tang, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Phase Four
Premenstrual or Implantation
The main principle is to continue to promote yang or move Qi and blood.
This phase of the cycle begins about one week post ovulation and yang energy has reached its peak. This Yang essence is the motivating force for all transformations in the body, it is warming and enlivening, when you have ample supply of yang you have plenty of energy to work and play, Yang essence is most important for positive pregnancy outcomes. – it is the impetus that begins a human life, it is the energy that holds a pregnancy in place. You need to move and gently exercise. Reduce stress
Useful Chinese Herbal Formulas: Customized to your constitution:
Xiao Yao San, Xiao Chaihu Tang, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, Wuzhuyu Tang, Er Xian Tang, You Gui Tang, Jinq Gui Shen Qi Tan.
Nutrition
Phase One: It is important to eat food that stimulate the circulatory system, stimulate digestion and aid detoxification. Incorporate blood-moving foods like turmeric, eggplant, kelp and seaweeds into your cooking. Alkalize the system with the help of cider vinegar in warm water. Avoid cold raw foods or drinks and fatty foods as they can impede the blood flow and create stagnation. Instead have cooked warming foods like bone broth soups and stews, good quality organic red meats, and foods like tempeh, beetroot, eggs, legumes, dark leafy green vegetables as these all help nourish the blood.
Phase Two: All food should be fresh and in season. Eat three meals per day, with healthy snacks in between. Stop all processed foods like cakes, white breads, cereals (corn flakes). Limit sugar and carbohydrates. Avoid fatty fried foods Eat high quality protein, free range (where possible], once per day. Use plenty of water when cooking. soups, bone broths, stews, steaming.
Eat lots of vegetables and some fruit. Try not to eat when stressed or upset. Eat slowly, chew your food well, and do not over-eat. Protein: eggs, fish, chicken, tofu, bone marrow soups, seeds and nuts especially black sesame, black beans, kidney beans. Vegetables: string beans, asparagus, seaweeds, algae, nettles, green leafy vegetables. Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, coconut. Blood and yin nourishing foods are nutrient rich and encourage fluid and moisture levels. Restrict: Alcohol, coffee, recreational stimulants, junk food, heavily fried food, nicotine, excess sugar.
Phase Three: Eat less. Plenty for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Eat light mildly spicy foods and foods that help mobilize fluids and prevent congestion things like ginger, onion, garlic and leeks, cardamom, cumin, or basil in your cooking. Avoid cold drinks and raw food e.g. salads, raw juices, cold beer. Reduce sugar and dairy.
Phase Four: All food cooked and warm, cooking food increases yang Qi in the foods.
Long slow cooking, stew broths, soups, use vegetables like pumpkin, leek, onion, sweet potato, carrot, corn, parsnips, beans, peas, yams, quinoa, chicken, salmon. Steamed vegetables like broccoli, beans. Add spices like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, cloves, rosemary, Avoid: raw fruit and vegetables, cold drinks, too much sweet food, dairy, alcohol, coffee.
References
Stener-Victorin, E., “Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture,” Hum Reprod. 1996 Jun;11(6):1314-7.
Generalized Herbal Formula Plan
Phases 1&2: Menstruation to End of Follicular Phase 1-12 days
Femin-Ease, $34.99
A PMS balancer; helps support healthy menstruation*
Smooth, harmonious menstruation, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is considered related to the relaxed, free flow of energy (Qi) and blood. This formula is described in ancient texts with stories of allowing a free and easy flow “soaring above a restricted world view.” The chief herb, bupleurum, relieves constrained liver energy. (The liver, according to TCM, regulates menstruation.) Chinese angelica and peony potentiate each other to nourish the blood and soften the edginess of liver Qi constraint (PMS, irritability). These descriptions of TCM energetics distill the wisdom of 1600 years of experience to benefit women in modern times.
Quantity:
Phases 3&4: Ovulation to Luteal Phase 12 to 28 days
Woman's Health, $34.99
Supports and promotes health and wellness in women*
This formula is based upon the famous Chinese women’s tonic, “Women’s Precious,” that combines a formula to strengthen energy, Four Gentlemen’s Soup, and one to strengthen and nourish the blood, Four Substance Soup. It is used whenever the energy (Qi) or blood are depleted, as in recuperation from chronic illness, childbirth, heavy or deficient menstruation, or as a long-term women’s pick-me-up. Men can get away with strengthening only their energy, but women must also strengthen their blood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the concept of blood is closely allied to energy (Qi); blood nourishes, moistens, and lubricates the body and mind, circulates nourishment to tendons, muscles, and vital organs, and anchors the mind by allowing a clear thought process. The ingredients in this formula provide a well-balanced way for women to strengthen themselves.
Quantity:
Stress Relief Program
Do the Body Scan Audio 20 minutes daily.
Stress Relief is a vital part of any fertility program. Studies have shown increased fertility with Stress reduction. Relaxation increases blood flow to reproductive organs, supporting greater fertility. One study showed Infertile women have a 42% conception rate, a 38% take-home baby rate, and decreased levels of depression, anxiety, and anger. ( Journal of American Medical Women's Association. Volume 54, pages 196-8, 1999.)