Fertility

What is infertility?

Infertility is generally defined as the failure to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. However, for women over 35 years of age, evaluation for possible infertility is appropriate after six months of unprotected intercourse. Infertility affects 10-15% of reproductive-age couples in the United States.

What causes infertility?

Infertility has many causes, and infertility problems are associated equally with both men and women. 35% of infertility causes are considered "male factor" infertility. These factors include problems with the sperm (volume, count, shape, and motility), the testicles, the prostate and the effects of illness, medications, and hormones. Another 35% of infertility causes are considered "female factor" infertility. These factors include egg quality (the ability of an egg to become successfully fertilized and the ability of the fertilized egg to become a healthy baby), ovulation factors, tubal factors, pelvic factors, and even weight. 25% of infertility is attributed to both male and female factors while 5% of infertility remains unexplained.

How is infertility treated?

There are many ways to maximize fertility and increase chances of conception. Your treatment will depend upon your specific diagnosis. However, common fertility treatments include hormonal treatments, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, ICSI, surrogacy, and egg or sperm donation. In our clinic we use several of the treatments listed above as well as a variety of integrative therapies including acupuncture and the mind/ body approach. Learn about the fertility treatments provided in our clinic.

How does maternal age affect fertility?

Maternal age is a strong predictor of successful pregnancy. This is because women are born with a certain number of eggs and this number declines over time. As a woman ages, the quantity and quality of her eggs declines, making it more difficult to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy. Because there is a direct link between maternal age and odds of conception, we recommend seeing a specialist if you are over 35 and have been unable to conceive after six months of unprotected intercourse.

Is there a relationship between stress and fertility?

Yes. Numerous studies have found that stress can upset a woman's hormonal balance leading to irregular or missed menstrual cycles, poor ovarian function, and increased rates of miscarriage. Furthermore, many women find the diagnosis of infertility and the subsequent time and energy devoted to trying to conceive profoundly stressful. Stress and infertility can feed off one another making fertility treatment very difficult for many couples. However, combining conventional fertility treatment with mind/body approaches and/or acupuncture has been shown to decrease stress and increase pregnancy rates. Learn more about stress and fertility.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most practiced medical techniques in the world. As a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture works to restore the delicate balance of yin and yang in the body. When yin and yang are appropriately balanced, we are healthy. When there is an imbalance of yin and yang, the elemental life force, called qi, can get blocked and we experience illness. By inserting small, hair-thin needles into the channels where qi flows, acupuncture works to balance yin and yang and bring the patient back into harmony. The odds of pregnancy increase as each partner reaches his or her total wellness.

How can acupuncture increase fertility?

Acupuncture has been shown to increase fertility by regulating hormones and ovulation, providing stress and pain relief through the release of endorphins, and thickening the endometrial lining thus facilitating embryo implantation. For men, acupuncture has been shown to increase sperm count and motility. Learn about research on acupuncture and fertility.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Due to the small, hair-thin nature of the needles and their precise insertion, most people experience no or very minimal pain when receiving acupuncture. Some people feel energized after acupuncture, while others feel very relaxed.

Is it safe to take herbs during pregnancy?

As both a trained herbalist and reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Kim has a thorough understanding of the chemical components in drugs and herbs and their impacts on preconception and pregnancy. We do not advise any of our patients to self-medicate with botanicals as many common herbs can prevent implantation, irritate the uterus, promote uterine contractions, and stimulate menstrual flow. However when utilized by a trained herbalist and doctor, herbal medicine can promote an even and balanced flow of qi and prepare the body for conception.

Patient Stories

What types of patients use your services?

The stories below provide a few examples of the questions and concerns that bring patients to our clinic. Our patients quickly find that not only do we answer their questions, but we also work with them to come up with an individualized treatment plan for their health and healing needs.

Angela

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for a year. I've done a lot of research on the web and I've learned that stress can affect my fertility. I've talked with my OB but she just says "Relax. It will happen." I'm 34 and I am starting to get worried. It's been a year now, and I think I need to see an infertility specialist but I don't know where to go. My relatives insist that I see to a Chinese acupuncturist/herbalist but I'm not sure that this works or is even safe to try. I'm feeling out of control and I'm feeling even more stressed.

Maria

My periods are not regular but that doesn't bother me because I'm not trying to get pregnant. The problem is that I'm getting hair growing on my face and I keep gaining weight no matter what I try. My family has a history of diabetes but this seems different. I know something is going wrong with my hormones. My doctor said that it might be PCOS and told me to take the pill. I want to know what is really going on with my hormones. Also, if I change my mind and want to have to have kids someday, will I be able to?

Jennifer

I am very healthy and have always had boundless energy. I eat right, exercise four to five times a week (cardio and yoga) and I take multivitamins. I love cooking and going camping with my family. Recently, however, I just don't feel like myself. In fact, I think I might be losing my mind. Tiny things are upsetting me at work, and I can't concentrate on any one thing for more than a few minutes. I sleep poorly at night and feel so exhausted during the day that I can barely do basic things around the house, much less keep up with the demands of two teenagers, two dogs, and a garden. Things that used to give me pleasure now feel like chores. I'm 48 years old and I think I'm getting menopausal. I know that taking hormones is no longer recommended by gynecologists but I need some help. My friends tell me to take herbs but I don't know which ones and I don't know if they are safe.

Stacey

I have severe pelvic pain and have been diagnosed with endometriosis. A few years ago I had laparoscopic surgery to remove some pelvic adhesions. However, I am in pain again and I am afraid that my endometriosis is back. I don't want to undergo another laparoscopy. Are there any alternative medications I can take or other ways that I can deal with my endometriosis?

Jordan

I have two large fibroids. I think because of them I have heavy, painful periods. My doctor has told me about the surgical options, but I am hesitant to have surgery. Is there any other way to take care of fibroids?

Jessica

I've just had my second miscarriage. I'm starting to feel desperate. The first time was hard enough, but now I've gotten excited about two pregnancies and had them both taken away from me. I don't know if I can go through this again. My husband would be a wonderful father and I want to be a mom more than anything in the world. Is there something wrong with my body that makes it lose the pregnancies? I've done a lot of research on-line and I brought up several special tests to my OB, but he doesn't want to do anything. I need a doctor who will take me seriously.