Latest Fertility & Perinatal News

Adding Acupuncture Improves Ovarian Reserve in IVF

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture plus medication in the treatment of poor ovarian response (POR) patients and to explore its mechanisms in assisting pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 100 volunteer POR women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) were recruited in the present study. On the 1st cycle of IVF-ET, these POR women received microstimulation of ovulation program (oral administration of Clomiphene, muscular injection of Menotrophin, Chorionic Gonadotrophin triggering, etc.). Before receiving the 2nd period of IVF-ET, these patients were equally and randomly divided into control, medication (Climen, composed of estradiol valerate and cyproterone acetate), acupuncture and acupuncture+medication […]

Sperm

A Man’s Sperm Passes on Poor Diet and Lifestyle

A couple of eye-opening studies were recently released that showed how non-DNA information is picked up by the sperm and transferred to the offspring.      The information passed along seems to be a current snapshot of the guy’s state of health – trauma,  emotions, overeating, sleep deprivation, current infection etc.    These studies were done on mice, not men.  Although there is no relation to a John Steinbeck novel it shows that men pass on more than DNA genetics – so guys take care of yourself.    You need treatments and healthy lifestyle as much as the one carrying the […]

Adequate Vitamin D Provides Higher Birth Rate

Among women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART), those with vitamin D levels greater than 30ng/ml (or 75 nmol/L)  were approximately 33% more likely to deliver a live baby, compared with women whose levels were deficient or insufficient, a systematic review and meta-analysis suggests. A similar result was seen when the researchers looked at the results of pregnancy tests and clinical pregnancies (where a fetal heartbeat could be detected). When compared with women who had deficient or insufficient concentrations of vitamin D, women who had sufficient vitamin D were 34% more likely to have a positive pregnancy test and 46% more likely […]

Infertility and the Microbiome

April 2018 is the 4th International Fertility Symposium in Vancouver, BC.    I have attended every conference as they are filled with valuable nuggets so I can be better prepared for the toughest fertility cases.      Not to mention Vancouver is the most beautiful large city I ever visited and the food is incredible. A study was released just a couple of months ago that showed altered gut flora in a significant number of women that had trouble conceiving.  However, correlation does not equal causation.    It may be that the women with fertility challenges have other immune challenges […]

Why You Need to Ditch The Sweet Tooth During Pregnancy

One of my most influential acupuncture teachers, Kiiko Matsumoto. always said “No sugar during pregnancy, then 38 weeks you can have sugar”. She learned this from her acupuncture teachers. I asked why and although I never got a straight answer from Kiiko I believe the thinking is that in Chinese Medicine sugar can have a negative impact on the organ system known as the Spleen. In Chinese Medicine the Spleen plays an influential role on the immune system, muscle strength and holding tissue in place. Too much sugar weakens the Spleen and may lead to miscarriage or poor development. Eating […]