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By Aaron Means, June 20, 2009

Infertility affects 10% of couples trying to conceive in the US. Infertility is defined in western medical terms as a couple unable to conceive after 1 year of trying.  For many people that can feel like the longest year ever. There are multiple causes of infertility or fertility challenges that are required to be identified.  There are various factors involved that may be causing a couple to not conceive. About 40% is a female factor, 40% male factor, 10% both and 10% unexplained.   The female factor may involve ovulatory dysfunction or menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fallopian tube blockage, endocrine imbalance or fibroids. Other factors that may inhibit a woman’s fertility are age (staring to decline age 28), infections, cervical factors or immunological factors (cervical mucus attacking the sperm).  A woman’s chance of conceiving diminishes drastically after age 35 due to the rapid decline and lack of egg quality or quantity.

TCM Treatment of Infertility
Fortunately, there are many things the couple can do to increase the chances of conception before resorting to expensive traditional IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments or assisted reproductive technology. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has been used for thousands of years in China and was brought to the USA in the 1970’s.  Chinese medicine looks at fertility challenges in a different light by addressing the root cause of the imbalance. It is important to identify the correct Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis to obtain the maximum benefit of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for complete balancing.

For the female factor, it is important to regulate the menstrual cycle before conception can occur.  Usually, this takes approximately 3 months of treatment to balance out. This would entail the woman to chart her fertility to become more in tune with her own body, timing intercourse accordingly and make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes. For the male factor, usually diet and lifestyle changes and herbal/acupuncture treatments will improve sperm conditions. Acupuncture and herbs have been known to regulate the menstrual cycle and promote ovulation and to improve sperm quality, quantity and motility. They work on balancing the endocrine hormone axis responsible for making the ideal condition for conception to take place.

The male factor has to deal with sperm abnormalities (quality, quantity, motility), high scrotal temperature, erectile disorders, toxic exposures, testicular injury, infections or endocrine abnormality. Combined factors maybe a combination of both male and female factors.  The unexplained fertility may be due to emotional stresses by self or others.  It may be deep seeded fears that are stuck in the body that are preventing the conception process. Some nutritional deficiencies may also be a contributing factor to decreasing the optimal fertile conditions.  Therefore, it is important that the cause of fertility challenges be properly diagnosed.

Homeopathic Treatment of Infertility
Homeopathy is a powerful and unique healing system of alternative medicine and is one of the fastest growing in the world today (WHO report 2005). It is highly effective in stimulating and supporting the body’s own healing capacity, while at the same time addressing the underlying mental, emotional and physical imbalances that can contribute to infertility. In this way it strengthens one’s vitality without producing side effects common to conventional medicine. Homeopathic treatment is highly individualized, using one of over 3,000 remedies to treat each person’s totality of symptoms.  This form of individualized treatment is what allows homeopathy to be effective in treating many conditions such as infertility. A recent study of “Individualized homeopathic therapy for male infertility”, Homeopathy, 2002 by Gerhar I and Wallis E of University of Heidelberg, Germany, Dept of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproduction, showed significant evidence of improved sperm density, motility and general health of men over an average 10.3 months of homeopathic treatment.

By Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc. and Aaron Means MA – Homeopathic Practitioner
Published February 2008 in Natural Awakenings Magazine, Phoenix, AZ

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By Aaron Means,

The Growth of Homeopathy

Today, homeopathy is growing rapidly in popularity. Homeopathy is now “the second most common choice of alternative medicine in the world,” according to a recent survey from the World Health Organization. Even in the US homeopathy is becoming more and more well known and established. People are seeking homeopathic care, homeopathic schools are increasing, professionally trained homeopaths are in demand, and many healthcare professionals are learning about homeopathy.

Why such an interest? The results are in. People are simply getting better using homeopathy. Whether it is the past epidemics of flu and cholera, recent NIH research funded studies in fibromyalgia using homeopathy, or homeopaths with clinical evidence of people’s better health, homeopathy has a strong track record. It is based on clear and time-tested principles that have produced dependable results over the last 200 years, making it a form of healthcare that stands well on its own.

Benefits of Homeopathy
The benefits of homeopathy are far reaching. Simply put, it is safe, natural and effective. Homeopathy also stimulates the immune system, helps prevent illness, and supports the person as a whole rather than suppressing symptoms. Homeopathy also does not have side effects, so it is safe for babies, children, adults and seniors. It also can be used safely in conjunction with conventional medication.

Homeopathy also embraces the simplicity of patient centeredness and compassion, combined with deep listening and understanding. An initial two-hour consultation time is given to hear the full health concerns of each person and deeply understand their unique expression. Often people are not used to simply being heard, so the process of consultation in and of itself often provides a window to better self-understanding and for healing to begin.

Homeopathic Treatment
Another unique and powerful benefit of homeopathy is its individualized approach to a person’s health. Each person is different and has a unique symptom expression. Therefore, the same diet, pill, exercise program, advice, or the same homeopathic remedy, is not necessarily effective for everyone. Each case requires individualization and time to understand the whole physical, mental and emotional symptom picture. Various areas of a person’s life are also explored, such as habits, food cravings, hobbies and interests, sleep, body temperature, traumas, fears and relationships. Everything is understood in relation to the whole. A homeopathic remedy is then chosen which closely matches the symptom picture to alleviate the intensity and frequency of the health concern(s).

Homeopathy and the Family
Homeopathy also offers many practical benefits for the individual and family to consider in their healthcare process. Most importantly, homeopathy is cost effective, being much less expensive than conventional care and its medications. Homeopathic care is also not standardized, but provides an individual care plan and regular follow-ups that are modified according to the person’s needs. Homeopathy has dependable results with minimal intervention, so office visits are usually brief and scheduled between 1-6 months accordingly. Homeopathic care is also very accessible and convenient. Scheduling is easy and appointment availability is usually within the same week; long waits are not necessary. After hour’s calls and messages are also promptly returned by one’s homeopath.

Healing is at the heart of all the benefits of homeopathy. It deeply and gently heals both mind and body. As healing progresses under homeopathic care a person is able to handle problems with more ease and is not affected by the health problem as before. They become less limited on a physical, mental and emotional level. Essentially they become freer from the problem they came with and more free in general. This healing of suffering and increased freedom on all levels of a person is what is so powerful and heart warming to see as a homeopath.

Published October 2008, in Hill and Lake Press, Minneapolis, MN