Worldwide an estimated one in five couples will experience difficulty conceiving or carrying a baby to full term. The reasons for this range from conditions such as Endometriosis or Polycystic ovarian syndrome to the more insidious "unexplained infertility." While this book does examine the basic theory and practice of Allopathic medicine as it relates to gynaecology much of the focus is placed on Naturopathic or Traditional Chinese methods of preventing and treating many of these common gynaecological conditions. The whole focus of this approach is that it allows you to play an active part (and take positive control) of your own treatment. In the book some of the areas covered are: A look at the most common tests and an explanation of what the results indicate. A brief look at the theories underlying Traditional Chinese and Naturopathic medicine and how they can be applied pre and post conception. How common foods can be used to prevent or treat many common gynaecological problems. How you can improve your odds of success with IVF by adjusting your diet. Recipes with step by step instructions are included. About the author Eddie Dowd is a full time professional practitioner specialising in women's health. In clinic he uses an integrated approach combining Dietary therapy, Herbal medicine and Acupuncture alongside and tailored to fit in with whatever treatments a patient may be receiving.

Written by experts in Chinese medicine, this textbook provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese medicine therapies for fertility disorders. It opens by reviewing the basics of current Western reproductive medicine in terms of diagnosis, treatment options, and possible risks. The book then introduces the reader to traditional Chinese fertility treatments, providing information about how they complement Western reproductive medicine. The authors describe in detail the different treatment methods, ranging from qi gong and tui na to moxibustion and acupuncture to Chinese dietetics and medicinal therapy. The main section of the book provides in-depth discussion of specific fertility disorders and their management, including menstrual disorders, early menopause, sexual disorders, male infertility, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. It closes with a section on patient support, addressing issues such as the mind-body relationship and the impact of stress.Key features: Case studies with real-life examples of specific treatment approaches Information on both Chinese and Western therapiesPerspectives from numerous Chinese medicine specialistsExtensive quotations from classical texts in translation Historical, cultural, and social perspectives on the issue of fertility in Chinese culture, modern and ancient Chinese Medicine in Fertility Disorders is an invaluable resource for practitioners in complementary medicine, including acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists who wish to include fertility treatment in their practice, and a useful reference for all physicians who seek to expand their perspective on managing fertility issues.

Endometriosis is a chronic health complaint that is experienced by up to 10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriosis results in significant psychological and financial burden. Surgical and pharmacological management can alleviate symptoms, but recurrence of endometriosis within one year is common. Many women use complementary and alternative therapies when the response to conventional medical treatments is inadequate.The latest book in the Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine series uses a 'whole evidence' approach to summarise the management of endometriosis with Chinese medicine treatments. The current understanding of endometriosis — including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment — is summarised from conventional medicine and Chinese medicine perspectives. Next, a systematic approach is used to understand how endometriosis was treated with Chinese medicine in past eras.Internationally recognised scientific methods are used to identify and evaluate the clinical evidence for Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and related therapies. The potential mechanisms of herbal medicines are identified from experimental studies. The final chapter synthesises the evidence from the different literature sources and offers suggestions for contemporary clinical practice and future research.This book is a handy desktop reference for both clinicians and students of Chinese and integrative medicine. It provides a comprehensive synthesis of both traditional and contemporary knowledge that can inform clinical decision-making.

Infertility affects more than 3 million married couples in the United States. This study explored the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating female infertility. Surveys queried allopathic practitioners and TCM practitioners regarding their perceived knowledge and use of TCM. The vast majority of allopathic practitioners referred patients to acupuncturists and believed that acupuncture helped patients. The majority of respondents identified a trend for treating female infertility with TCM and Western medical procedures. The majority of respondents supported the concurrent use of allopathic protocols and TCM but did not support the concurrent use of TCM and Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). More than 62% of respondents expressed familiarity with clinical studies that used TCM for treating stress, depression, and irregular menstrual cycles. Positive results from evidence-based studies would likely encourage allopathic practitioners to use TCM and adopt a more holistic, collaborative approach for treating female infertility.

The management of infertility using acupuncture is an expanding area of practice and one which is frequently rewarding for TCM acupuncture practitioners. Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction has been specially prepared to meet the growing demand for information in this area and draws upon 20 years combined experience of the authors together with the latest evidence from both orthodox medicine and TCM. Richly illustrated and clearly written throughout, the book takes the reader through the anatomy and physiology of reproductive medicine (from both an orthodox and TCM perspective) and explains the underlying basis of orthodox medical fertility tests and investigations. The volume then explores the pathology and aetiology of TCM syndromes and shows how common fertility-related conditions, such as endometriosis and male factor infertility, affect Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) success rates. It explains in great detail how to take a reproductive medical history and successfully diagnose TCM syndromes. Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction also provides guidelines on how to regulate the menstrual cycle in preparation for IVF treatment and shows how lifestyle can affect fertility and ART success rates. Placing a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of patient care, Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction contains an abundance of case history templates, algorithmic acupuncture treatment pathways and patient fact sheets and will be ideal for all acupuncture practitioners working in this field. "A must have for the bookshelf of any acupuncturist who is ever called upon to treat fertility issues - if you have room for one book this surely must be it." Reviewed by The Acupuncture Fertility Centre March 2015 "Practitioners of all levels of experience and TCM students should find it compelling reading and an invaluable companion to their learning." Reviewed by Stephen Clarke, Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society May 2015 "This book is extremely well re-searched and referenced." Reviewed by Danny Maxwell on behalf of Journal of Chinese Medicine, February 2015