Conception Support

Either you or your partner may be experiencing infertility or sub-fertility.  We always recommend that both partners in the couple undergo support for conception.  We find this helps the couple support each other during a challenging period and reduces the blame and guilt.

We have a keen understanding of what deficiencies may lower your rate of conception and increase your risk of miscarriage.  With these tools, we are well suited to provide you with safe and effective treatments for fertility and pregnancy.

On your first visit we will assess your fertility status and other health factors that will affect conception.

The assessment will include a review of:

• current health complaints
• medical history, including surgery, infections, etc.
• family history
• medication use
• natural supplement use
• health systems, i.e. heart, lung, ear, eye, kidney, bladder, etc.
• existing blood tests (if any), e.g. hormone panel, CBC, CRP, AMH
• existing diagnostic tests, e.g. ultrasound, sperm analysis, etc.
• female reproductive status: menstrual cycle frequency and symptoms, absence of menstrual cycle, PMS, PCOS, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, history of Chlamydia or gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease and others
• male reproductive: varicocele, cystocele, history of undescended testicles, history of mumps, previous infections, previous cancers, erectile dysfunction, prostate function
• nutrition deficiencies
• drug-related nutrient deficiencies
• lifestyle, e.g. smoking, drug use, alcohol use, exercise
• physical examination.

At this visit, we may order additional testing, such as AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) for ovarian reserve, sperm analysis, detailed male and female saliva/urine hormone analysis, IgG food allergy testing, antibodies (anti-gliadin antibodies, anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA), anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA), deaminated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP), anti-reticulin antibodies (ARA), anti-sperm antibodies), environmental testing (heavy metals, solvents, organophosphates and chlorinated pesticides, PCBs) and others*.
* We may ask you to obtain some of these tests from your family doctor.

We will then develop a treatment plan, which may include any of the items below.

• IV therapy
• Vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements
• Acupuncture
• Exercise and modification to exercise habits, e.g. bike seats in men
• Lifestyle changes
• Diet
• Detoxification (if environmental exposure)

There are many studies indicating that nutritional deficiencies, illness, toxin exposure and other factors can all influence conception.  Low levels of probiotics, coenzyme Q10, selenium and other vitamins and minerals have been associated with poor conception rates.  Nutritional supplementation is key to improve conception rates.  Acupuncture is also an excellent complimentary treatment for improving fertility.

Here are ways acupuncture may boost your fertility:

• Increases blood circulation to the uterus, improving chances of implantation
• Reduces anxiety, stress and the hormones associated with stress, that can significantly decrease fertility (in men and women)
• Normalizes hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially in cases of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Improves internal communication of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in fertility
• Regulates the menstrual cycle

It is important to remember that fertility is something for the couple to work on together.