OPTIMISE YOUR CYCLE FOR FERTILITY
Work with Michelle to optimise your menstrual cycle for fertility, no matter where you are in your journey. Michelle provides an integrative approach to fertility treatments, marrying the latest research and findings from modern reproductive science with the age old traditions of Chinese medicine. She is an experienced practitioner supporting both male and female reproductive health, in both assisted and unassisted fertility journeys.
Some of the ways I support you to optimise your cycle include:
- Acupuncture to regulate the menstrual cycle
- Teach you how to BBT chart for conception
- Extensive pathology testing to ensure screening of any suboptimal conditions prior to conception
- Refer you onto specialists as required
- Comprehensive testing to include functional ranges specifically for fertility
- Chinese herbal medicine and supplement support designed for your exact presentation
- Reduce the stress and confusion associated with fertility and IVF
- Work alongside treatment strategies including ovulation induction, IUI and IVF
- Provide a warm, caring and supportive environment for you to be seen
I provide a pragmatic approach to your fertility journey – I will provide you with a clear understanding of exactly where you are on your path towards becoming a parent. I will be your advocate, your biggest support, and be with you every step of the way.
Research demonstrates the following benefits of acupuncture and fertility:
- A 2019 meta analysis of 1,980 people undergoing IVF indicated that acupuncture increased positive pregnancy tests by 28-32%, ongoing pregnancy rates by 42% and live birth rates by 30% (ref:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31871519/)
- Whole systems acupuncture that included Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and lifestyle practices informed by Chinese medicine was related to higher rate of live birth compared to the control group (61.3% vs. 48.2% respectively) (ref: https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(15)00092-9/fulltext#t0020)
- A randomised control study of 86 people with obesity-type PCOS suggested abdominal acupuncture compared to metformin showed marked advantages including for menstrual frequency (ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23676106/)
- A multicenter randomised controlled trial in Australia and New Zealand demonstrated acupuncture administered between day 6 and 8 of ovarian stimulation as well as pre and post embryo transfer may reduce anxiety at embryo transfer (ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30592302/)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED ACUPUNCTURE?
After your first appointment I will send you a detailed treatment plan with your recommended frequency of treatment. For fertility patients this is typically weekly, however, this will depend on your health background and fertility journey so far. As a general rule, I prefer to work with people on a weekly basis for 3 menstrual cycles before reassessing the efficacy of treatment. When booking your initial consult with me, I recommend booking weekly appointments for 3 months in advance to ensure there is no disruption in your treatment plan.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?
Acupuncture is cumulative, so while you might not see your main complaint resolved within one treatment, my goal is that you start to see results right away. This might look like getting better sleep, feeling like there is more gas in the tank, or better emotional regulation. The length of time to see results will depend on the severity of your condition, as well as the frequency of your acupuncture treatments, whether we are using herbs and the application of lifestyle advice that I provide. During our initial consult we will establish some health milestones that we will use as a measurement of our success together. For fertility treatments an initial plan is typically weekly acupuncture for 3 months.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?
This is really dependent on each individual. Typically the style of acupuncture that I use for fertility treatments uses fine needle insertion, and does not hurt. You may experience sensations such as tingling, buzzing or notice movement through the body. If you are needle-phobic please let me know in advance and we can use extra fine needles, and I will work with you each week to slowly build our treatments. I treat many people that have needle phobia and ensure you feel safe at all times.
CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP ENDOMETRIAL LINING?
With acupuncture we are sending blood flow to the uterus. I cannot say that acupuncture definitively helps build endometrial lining, however, this is oftentimes the intention of my treatment alongside herbs and moxabustion. Fertility specialists will often refer out to Chinese medicine practitioners to support the flow of blood to the uterus and reproductive organs alongside their treatments.
ARE HERBS NECESSARY?
Not all patients will require herbs, however, in my clinical experience treating fertility patients most of my patients do take Chinese herbs. This is the case for both assisted (ie. IVF) and non-assisted fertility patients.
DO YOU WORK ALONGSIDE IVF?
Yes. I am well experienced working alongside IVF and IUI, and am constantly furthering my education and professional development to stay up to date with developments in these areas. My acupuncture and herbal protocols aim to complement your cycle, whether medicated or not. It is common for fertility specialists to refer their patients to acupuncture due to their clinical appreciation of the therapy.
I work with all people on their path to becoming parents. This may include
- Sperm donor (including natural, IUI and IVF cycles)
- Egg donor
- Embryo donor
- IVF support (including ICSI / PICSI)
- Surrogacy
- Male factor infertility
- Endometriosis and PCOS
- Gynaecological conditions
I have experience supporting people of all ages and with a range of complexities. I work alongside IVF specialists and gynaecologists to optimise patient care and outcomes so you feel completely supported.
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I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land I live and work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging. I recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
DISCLAIMER:
Disclaimer: Michelle Smith Health is not a medical advice service. Nothing on this site should be considered as medical advice. MSH provides health information & education resources for you to consult with your medical doctor on.