Acupuncture for Infertility

Infertility affects millions worldwide. It leads to emotional and physical stress for those yearning to start a family. In the United States alone, around 6 million women in the childbearing age struggle with getting pregnant or continuing the pregnancy. This issue can stem from various reasons, demanding an effective and long-term solution. Acupuncture has been one of the most sought-after solutions for those battling with infertility issues. Many are turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches to increase their chances of conception. Let’s explore how acupuncture, a part of TCM, may be beneficial in supporting fertility.

Understanding Fertility Challenges

Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide. Not just women; men, too, are facing the brunt of this condition. Causes of infertility may include hormonal imbalances, PCOD, poor lifestyle choices, improper nutrition, age, genetics, medical conditions, ovulation/ semen disorders, stress, STDs, and more. The journey to parenthood is indeed fraught with obstacles when you’re undergoing such health challenges. Alternative therapies like acupuncture, under an expert practitioner’s guidance, can enhance the prospects of conception.

How Acupuncture Supports Fertility

Acupuncture has been in practice for thousands of years. It helps stimulate specific points on the body to balance the Qi (or flow of energy) and promote overall well-being.

For fertility issues, acupuncture creates a healthy conception environment, which enhances blood flow (containing ample oxygen and nutrients) towards your reproductive organs. The practice also helps balance hormones, reduce stress, improve egg and sperm quality, and even manage the adverse effects of treatments like IVF.

Choose Hermosa Acupuncture for Expert Assistance

Challenges with fertility require professional guidance. It isn’t a DIY project that can be mitigated with diet and hydration alone. Certainly, these count, but there’s more to the treatment than nutrition and lifestyle.

Hermosa Acupuncture, situated in Redondo Beach, offers a sanctuary to those looking to enhance fertility with holistic approaches. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Virginia Prior, leading Hermosa Acupuncture, combines her extensive TCM knowledge with modern medical practices to offer a tailored and comprehensive treatment plan.  

Her compassionate care has helped many individuals and couples in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas achieve successful pregnancies. If you’re looking to transform your health, Dr. Virginia Prior at Hermosa Acupuncture can help you achieve balance, rejuvenation, and happiness.

Start Your Journey to Parenthood Today!

If you’re facing fertility challenges, don’t wait any longer. Dr. Virginia Prior at Hermosa Acupuncture can help you with your unique circumstances. Her holistic approaches integrate the best of Eastern and Western medicine practices to improve your chances of conception and achieve your dream of parenthood. Call us now at 310-930-5328 to book your appointment. Let us be your partners in health and well-being for a brighter, more joyful future.

Low AMH Levels? Acupuncture Can Help!

Are you looking for a holistic solution to overcome fertility challenges? Acupuncture emerges as a vital tool to improve fertility outcomes, especially in the case of low AMH levels. Join us as we dive into the effectiveness of acupuncture in boosting AMH levels and fostering reproductive wellness.

What is Low AMH?

It’s a key fertility indicator!

Low AMH or Anti-Müllerian Hormone levels are often a significant concern for women trying to conceive. AMH is a substance produced by the granulosa cells of follicles in the ovaries, and a reduction suggests a lower quantity of viable eggs remaining in the ovaries.

AMH levels are critical for assessing reproductive health, with declining numbers frequently associated with challenges in natural conception and reduced responses to fertility treatments. 

According to a study, 14.5% of women under 35 have low AMH values (<1.1 ng/ml). This number goes up to 50% in women over the age of 35. Anything below <0.5 ng/mL is considered critically low and is common among women aged 40–44. However, 1.0-4.0 ng/ml is regarded as a normal AMH level to get pregnant.

The Prevalence of Infertility

Infertility is a severe, life-changing condition that impacts an estimated 60 to 80 million couples worldwide. In the United States itself, about 11% of women and 9% of men of childbearing age experience infertility.

Factors contributing to infertility include age, smoking, and lifestyle factors like heavy drinking, substance use, and strenuous labor. Due to these, there’s a notable increase in infertility cases observed in the last few decades. 

This widespread issue affects physical health and emotional and social well-being. It demands making effective treatments more crucial than ever, especially if low AMH levels lead to infertility challenges.

The Role of Acupuncture in Improving AMH Levels

Acupuncture is a strategic approach to addressing low AMH levels. This ancient practice stimulates the body’s natural healing processes to improve ovarian and follicular function. It helps increase AMH levels through better blood circulation and hormonal balance. Acupuncture emerges as a promising option for those facing the challenge of low AMH.

Experience Expert Care in Fertility & Wellness

At Hermosa Acupuncture, located in the serene environment of Redondo Beach, we bring decades of expertise to offer compassionate and comprehensive care. Our clinic, under the guidance of Dr. Virginia Prior, provides a supportive and nurturing environment to tackle fertility issues. We deliver a unique healing experience that helps maintain the mind-body balance for long-term recovery.

Unlock Your Fertility Potential with Hermosa Acupuncture Today!

If you are struggling with fertility issues like low AMH and are looking for a natural approach to improve your chances of conceiving, Hermosa Acupuncture is the place to trust. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Virginia Prior and discover how acupuncture can enhance your reproductive health and help you achieve your dreams of becoming a parent. We transform challenges into opportunities for health and joy. Call 310-930-5328 for a healthier, more fertile future.

Endometriosis Awareness Month

Reclaim Your Health: Explore Holistic Endometriosis Care Today

March marks Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating and supporting millions of women impacted by this chronic condition worldwide. If you or someone you know is suffering from endometriosis, do not let the condition hold you back from living your best life. There are several treatment options available, and many women are experiencing relief from their symptoms.

Understanding the Impact & Prevalence of Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years, indicating widespread impact. The disorder leads to tissue growth similar to the lining inside the uterus but in places outside the uterine cavity. This can cause severe pain, fertility issues, and several other health complications.

Despite being so common, it often goes undiagnosed for several years due to the complexity of symptoms and normalization of pain. For this reason, there's a major need for greater awareness about the condition and more nuanced treatment options.

Hope Shines through Holistic Practices

Those suffering from endometriosis experience constant pain, fatigue, and anxiety. These symptoms often prevent women from attending school, university, work, or social gatherings. Pain medications, hormone therapies, birth control, etc., are common treatment methods to manage the condition.

Since the pelvic tissues and organs stick to each other, endometriosis can be a big deal and have long-term adverse effects. Holistic avenues of acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you tackle the condition and its complications. These are effective remedies for endometriosis, providing pain relief, hormonal balance, and enhanced fertility.

Such practices restore the body's natural equilibrium, demonstrating significant potential in managing endometriosis symptoms.

Turn To Dr. Virginia Prior for Healing Your Body

Leading Hermosa Acupuncture in Redondo Beach, Dr. Virginia Prior combines over two decades of expertise in Eastern and Western medicine to offer innovative treatment for endometriosis. Her holistic approach encompasses symptom management and addresses the condition's underlying causes. This allows our team to pave the way for lasting health and fertility improvements.

We offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes fertility acupuncture, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle adjustments, fostering a journey toward enhanced well-being. Dr. Prior has been illuminating the path to wellness for many individuals battling endometriosis in Redondo and Hermosa Beach, and she can help you, too.

Embrace Balance, Embrace Healing With Hermosa Acupuncture

This Endometriosis Awareness Month, let's highlight the empowerment of informed choices and the healing power of alternative therapies.

If endometriosis is part of your story, it's time to explore the holistic pathways Dr. Virginia Prior and Hermosa Acupuncture offers. Embrace your health transformation today and step into a life of balance and joy. Contact Hermosa Acupuncture and discover how you can transform your health journey.

Remember: you are not alone. We've got your back, and healing and vitality are within reach.

‘Tis the Season for Healthy Skin

Keep skin lookin’ healthy, smooth & youthful, naturally, with cosmetic acupuncture treatment. Many city-dwellers are choosing to use injections, botox and fillers to keep looking young & healthy, but there is a natural option that helps one’s dermis get fit & healthy while also addressing the signs of aging through stimulating collagen production, reducing lines & wrinkles, decreasing the anti-youth, inflammation, in addition to clearing toxins & the lymphatic system, smoothing & evening the complexion, increasing circulation & elasticity, all while working an internal AND external level.

Facial rejuvenation

Healthier Looking (and Feeling) Skin, Naturally

Is It Bad to Take Your Vitamins in the Morning?

vitamin love

When? Where? How?

Does it matter when you take your vitamins? Or prenatal? Is it better to take Omega 3’s at night or on the morning?

Chronobiology examines cyclic phenomena (or bio-rhythms) in humans, along with our adaptation to solar and lunar rhythms. Through years of research the top chronobiologists have discovered that certain substances are more effective when taken at night. This is true with food consumption, topical creams or lotions, and with supplements and medications. Certain nutrients women take for enhancing their fertility may be better taken in the evening, while others may be better consumed in the morning.

B-complex (B1,2,3,5,7,9 & 12) are water soluble and work during the night as co-enzymes in their recovery functions relating to cognitive ability, the nervous system, the production of energy, and the process of detoxification. B9 in particular (folid acid) maintains blood cell count and cell growth in the reproductive system. This this is a must for any woman who is ttc (Trying to Conceive) or who could potentially be pregnant.

CO-Q10 is a CO-enzyme. It’s involved in a variety of processes, playing a major role in successful fertilization and implantation. Biotin, Resveratrol, and a veriety of trace elements and minerals (like Mg (magnesium) and omega 3-fatty acids) are also important for TTC. Omega 3’s (including DHA and EPA, which we do not produce endogenously) are a component of the cell walls, and are indispensable for brain health starting in the womb, and support healthy circulation and blood pressure within normal ranges, along with balancing cholesterol levels.

If you are taking any of these supplements (or plan to take them because you are actively trying to conceive or may potentially be doing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or IUI) consider asking your health care provider when the best times are for optimal absorption.

What to Avoid to Improve Your Reproductive System

Foods & Reproduction

Stay Away from the Dirty Dozen!

Are you getting in the proper nutrients to maximize your fertility potential? With so many diets our there, it can get confusing and tiring trying to figure out what to eat when you are preparing for pregnancy or trying to optimize your fertility. Here is some information on what to eat, and what to avoid, when trying to conceive.

In this first post, we’ll start with things to avoid. Processed foods, junk food, fast food, fried food and foods high in sugar, salt, saturated/trans-fats and chemicals are things that should be avoided as much as possible. This goes without saying, whether you are trying to conceive or not.

Overall, drinking plenty of water from a clean source is very important. Avoid drinking lots of bottled water, if possible. The bisphenol-A (BPA) from the plastic containers (both in many plastic bottles and in the linings of some cans) may act like a xenoestrogen, binding to Estrogen receptors, and is therefore considered a potentially dangerous hormone disruptor. This may interfere with normal hormonal messaging, which is necessary when trying to ovulate regularly, or when a patient is doing IVF and balancing a fine ration of hormonal medications in preparation for a cycle. Moreover, it has been linked to increasing negative epigenetic mechanisms, such as turning on the diabetes and the obesity gene, which can be passed on to not only one’s children, but one’s children’s children. And most recently it has been linked to neurological disorders – something that should be avoided whether you and your partner are trying to conceive or not. Also, BPA bioaccumulates in pregnancy, and has been found in large amounts in the placenta – best to avoid exposure to these plastics throughout the entire pregnancy.

Another thing to consider avoiding is artificial sweeteners. Chemicals such as aspartame can be great for reducing caloric intake and sugars, which is a great idea, overall, but it can also act as hormone disruptor in certain individuals. Even stevia should be used with caution, as there are some animal studies showing it may interfere with spermatogenesis, and possibly egg quality.
Other things to avoid are smoking, for both men and women. Smoking (tobacco or other products) and drinking alcohol (a neurotoxin) are things that should be completely cut out when trying to conceive, during preconception care, and in an effort to get as healthy and fertile as possible with the highest quality eggs and sperm. A large variety of fruit and veggires ensures both antioxidants and satisfaction, as well as fiber intake and other important vitamins. Berries are a great fertility food as they are both low glycemic and high in antioxidants, making them a great choice for men and women trying to conceive. In the winter, cooked fruits & vegetables are a great way of getting in natural, healthy vitamins and minerals. If you have a sweet tooth, cooked Asian pears with cinnamon and a little bit of honey is thought of as a great dish to support lung function – great for cold & flu season, as well as heart health & fertility.

Try to avoid foods from polluted areas, and animal protein that is not organic. Animals that have been injected with large amounts of antibiotics and fed large amounts of hormones may interfere with one’s fertility, and decreasing this should be definitely be taken into consideration when trying to conceive. Going for organic, grass-fed animal protein is better than getting chemical and hormone-laden proteins that may interfere with conception.

Decreasing caffeine and coffee are also things to take into consideration when trying to conceive. Caffeine decreases motility & health of sperm, and in some women, may encourage miscarriage, especially within the first 8-10 weeks, and is thought to negatively impact fertility. It is recommended to limit caffeine to 1 cup/day, and if it can be managed, cut out completely. Many women switch to decaf. Although the U.S. used to use many cancer-causing solvents in the direct and indirect decaffeination process in the 1970’s, today most companies no longer use these chemicals. Carbon dioxide is still used in the direct version, but evaporates by the end of the process, so is considered safe. Sticking to naturally decaffeinated coffee, or even better, coffee that have been processed through the Swiss water process is best, if it is absolutely necessary. For some people, if their body is particularly sensitive to the coffee bean itself, which has stagnating properties according to traditional Chinese theories, it would be best to cut it out completely, or consider switching to green or white tea – all of which are the same plant as black tea (Camellia sinensis) but with much less caffeine.

Soy, dairy & wheat are also controversial when it comes to fertility. The best way to navigate these 3 food products is to avoid large amounts of highly processed versions of them. If you have a thyroid condition, you may benefit from cutting out goitrogenic foods,  inflammatory foods and even wheat gluten, or other grains processed in a facility that processes wheat. (We’ll address thyroid health and fertility in another blog.)

When in doubt: moderation! Having a glass of wine at a special event or a dessert once in a blue moon will not throw off all the hard work that you’ve put into your pre-conception care. In fact, the stress that some people experience over food dilemmas may in fact be even more unhealthy – perceived stress is just as bad as certain foods! They key is an overall healthy lifestyle, cutting out foods that might not be working well with your body, and moderation.

Male Factor and Other Hidden Fertility Factors

MEN & INfertility

It's more common than you think...

When a couple is struggling with trying to get pregnant, often times the woman begins to take action and go see a doctor, whether it’s her general provider, her OBGYN, or a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). All too often I’ve seen patients come in with prescriptions for Clomid from their gynecologist when they haven’t had some basic testing done, such as a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check to see if their tubes are open, or their male partner hasn’t been tested with even a basic semen analysis.  News Flash: Men also struggle with subfertility or infertility.

Blame it on later fatherhood, GMO’s or good ‘ole boring stress, these days many men are having trouble trying to conceive with their partner. Male factor is becoming just as prevalent as female factor, both of which account for about 40% each of the reasons why couples are not able to conceive, the remaining 20% thought to be unexplained infertility.  This means men have to get checked out too (sorry guys). And some may need treatment, whether it’s surgery, stopping a certain medication or habit, or getting natural treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine or supplements. If there is a problem with sperm count, morphology or motility, or there is a health issue (diabetes, auto-immunity, etc.) that is affecting the sperm indirectly, this could greatly reduce the chances of a couple conceiving.  Just because your partner may look like Channing Tatum (or is it Tatum Channing?) doesn’t mean his sperm doesn’t have two heads. Send him to the doc, and if he’s squeamish, his doctor may be able to set him up with a home- kit for the semen analysis (SA) portion of the examination.

There are many other factors that get overlooked when stumbling down the road of infertility which may keep a couple from conceiving. An underactive thyroid, an overactive immune system or  pre-diabetes, among other health challenges or concerns, should be addressed.  Want-to-be dads greatly benefit from taking care of their health issues, not only so that they can have a child, but so they can be healthy for that child throughout the kid’s life (not to mention the epigenetic reasons and having healthy children). Men can participate in pre-conception care too!

Some doctors won’t test for these things unless indicated, so some TTC-ers will be walking around with the diagnosis “unexplained infertility” or their OBGYN or GP may just assume everything is fine and tell the couple to keep trying. This is where I highly recommend seeing a fertility specialist, like an RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) and a natural fertility specialist; and in the cases of unexplained infertility, a trip to a thyroid specialist. Sometimes seeing the experts can save a couple years of futile effort and struggle, and emotional issues like anxiety and depression, not to mention dollars.

So before you jump to Clomid, which may not work if your tubes are blocked or if your partner is suffering from azoospermia, go see a fertility specialist. Don’t be one of the many women or couples who spend a year taking Clomid, only to find out down the road (and in a potentially less fertile phase) that their partner was not producing healthy sperm, or their tubes were blocked and there was an almost 0% chance of getting pregnant.  Increase your chances of conception (and having a healthy baby) and see a specialist sooner rather than later. And if you have questions, ask. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Or something like that.