The Ying and Yang of Fertility Treatments

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Trying to decide between conventional fertility treatments and fertility-boosting practices from the world of Eastern medicine? Researchers now say that your best chances for becoming pregnant may come from choosing … both!

The Scoop

This is not a time to pick sides. According to a study from Israel's Tel Aviv University, when women seeking fertility assistance relied on a more "East meets West" approach to treating infertility, over 65 percent were able to conceive, compared to 39 percent of patients who only underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI).

What worked? For the Eastern half of the cross-cultural treatment, women in the study used Traditional Chinese Medicine, including weekly sessions of acupuncture and a regimen of powdered or raw Chinese herbs for fertility (most commonly, PeoniaAlbae and Chuanxiong), reports the International Business Times. Overall, 29 women received the combined therapy, and 94 women who underwent IUI treatment alone.

Your Fertility

Could acupuncture and herbs help you? According to lead researcher Dr. Shahar Lev-Ari, Traditional Chinese Medicine is aimed at correcting imbalances in the body's natural energy flow and promoting an overall sense of well-being. In the case of infertility, healing the body's energy flow is thought to improve ovulation and menstrual cycles, enhance blood flow to the uterus, and induce calm—all of which may better a woman's chances for having a baby.

It is important to note that women in the study were under doctor supervision for both their Western-style and Eastern medicine treatments. If you are curious about whether aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine could help your chances for a baby, it's always best to seek out a qualified practitioner or licensed acupuncturist.