A significant amount of my time in the clinic is in treating for fertility related issues. While Chinese herbs and acupuncture are potent modalities in treating female and male infertility, there are also some practical and sometimes necessary strategies that can people implement regardless if they are trying to conceive naturally or are contemplating IVF or other assisted reproduction technologies. In this series of posts I will list 10 such strategies.
Allow yourself 120 days before trying to conceive.
There is a common misconception that egg and sperm quality can not be improved. In fact, it is possible to improve the quality of your egg and sperm however, it takes 120 days. This is because it takes approximately 120 days for eggs to mature and sperm to develop. During the generation and maturation of gamete cells -- sperm and ovum -- that form an embryo, everything that you and your partner ingest, inhale or are exposed to will influence the health of your eggs and sperm for better or worse, and the ultimate quality of the genetic building blocks you pass onto your child.
Sperm disorders contribute to 40% of infertility cases. Woman who suffer from recurrent miscarriages often have partners with low sperm counts and visually abnormal sperm. Therefore both partners should follow an appropriate diet, avoid reproductive toxins, and take advantage of Chinese herbs and acupuncture therapy.
