Fertility and Women’s Health

Fertility and Women’s Health conditions I can treat:

  • Premenstrual Syndrome
  • Uterine Fibroids
  • Hormonal Imbalances
  • Recurrent Miscarriages
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Pre and Peri-Menopausal Conditions
  • Endometriosis
  • Unexplained Infertility
  • Luteal Phase Defect
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Tubal Obstruction
  • Anovulation
  • Amenorrhea (loss of period)
  • Stress, Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue
  • Advanced Maternal Age
  • Placenta Previa
  • Fetal Growth Problems
  • Poor Uterine Circulation
  • Immunologic Infertility
  • Male Factor Infertility
  • Irregular Periods
  • Lactation Problems
  • Mid-Cycle Spotting

Women’s Health

Oriental medicine has thousands of years of history treating women’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Women’s bodies are beautiful, intricate collections of rhythms and cycles. When these become out of balance, many symptoms or dis-ease may arise, from menstrual issues to infections, from hormonal imbalances to complications with pregnancy, etc.

Oriental medicine offers a vast array of powerful tools to help regulate hormones, menstrual cycles and other conditions unique to women through all phases of life. Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Chinese herbs offer a safe, natural and effective way to support your health.

Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a perfect example of how acupuncture is incredibly effective in treating women. 75% of women suffer from PMS symptoms like mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, bloating, breast tenderness, cravings, headaches and loss of sleep. Sadly, most simply accept these irritating and often painful symptoms as “a fact of life,” and try to ignore them, treat them with ineffective medications, or just “ride them out” month after month after month. Chinese medicine and Homeopathy can provide powerful solutions to a wide range of these issues.
A recent study in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that acupuncture is remarkably helpful in alleviating menstrual cramps. Researchers concluded that, “Compared with pharmacological treatment or herbal medicine, acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in pain… as it stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin in the central nervous system.” Studies also show significant reduction – and in many cases complete cessation – of many other common PMS symptoms as well.

Menopause

Holistic medicine can help your body with the transition of menopause. A natural biological process that occurs in all women, menopause signifies yet another stage in the complexity of women’s cycles of growth. Western medical treatment addresses various symptoms of menopause, but fails to address the transition as a natural and holistic process. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a very sophisticated way of recognizing, adjusting and correcting these imbalances in the body. Many menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, vaginal dryness, etc. can be treated very effectively and often very quickly with holistic medicine.

Acupuncture enhances Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Combining traditional Chinese Acupuncture and herbs with the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) you are using can help increase your chances for pregnancy significantly. They have also been shown to reduce complications that may arise.

Acupuncture can enhance traditional Western reproductive procedures in these ways, and many more:
  • Decrease chances of miscarriage
  • Produce higher quality eggs
  • Produce more follicles
  • Increase thickness of the uterine lining
  • Regulate hormone levels
  • Regulate healthy blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
  • Reduce the side-effects of IVF medications
  • Prevent uterine contractions
  • Improve sperm count, motility and morphology
  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Strengthen and regulate the immune system
According to the results of a widely published German study (Paulus and Zhang), a group that received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer showed a 43% pregnancy rate, while another in-vitro group without acupuncture had a 26% pregnancy rate.
Another study showed that miscarriage and tubal pregnancy rates were lower in a group that received acupuncture treatments when compared to an untreated group (American Society for Reproductive Medicine, October 2004).
If you plan to use any ART procedure, beginning acupuncture treatment 1-2 times/week at least 3 months before that procedure has been proven to be very helpful. I will also discuss with you Chinese herbs, dietary and lifestyle changes that will help you to increase your fertility.
If you are undergoing in-vitro fertilization, a pre and post-transfer acupuncture session is highly recommended as well as weekly treatments throughout the cycle.

What can I do to increase my Fertility?

  • Eliminate nicotine, caffeine, drugs and alcohol
  • Be Happy!  Smile and find ways to eliminate stress
  • Get enough sleep
  • Take a natural high potency vitamin with folic acid, iron and B vitamins
  • Eat hormone free meat and organic fruits and vegetables
  • Eliminate white flour and white sugar
  • Exercise moderately, try deep breathing and meditation
  • Become aware of your fertility signs and start using a Basal Body Temperature chart
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Of all of the people in my life, I feel most seen and supported by Elizabeth. She listens to, intuits, and understands her clients at a very deep spiritual, physical, as well as psychological level.  Elizabeth has supported me in listening to and following my own intuition and inner knowing, and has helped me become more whole, present and well. Her work is powerful, profoundly helpful, and healing. She has had extensive training in many different healing modalities, as well as meditation and spiritual study, and she brings all of this experience to her patients and teachings in very accessible ways.  She is a very grounded, down to earth and relatable human who practices and implements all of the techniques she uses to support her clients in her roles as a powerful healer, spiritual teacher and mother.  Elizabeth has been my primary support for recovering from multiple chronic physical issues, as well as through divorce and family of origin issues, and has helped me learn how to better ground and nourish myself in all my roles at home and at work. She nourishes my psychological and spiritual growth and continues to support my life in many profound and unexpected ways. I consider Elizabeth to be one of my greatest teachers.

— Jaime S.