Fertility Acupuncture - Moss Acupuncture, San Francisco Fertility Acupuncture Clinic
Moss Acupuncture San Francisco Fertility Acupuncture
Treating Fertility and infertility with acupuncture in San Francisco

Acupuncture for Fertility

Traditional Chinese Medicine practices have been used for thousands of years to treat fertility.

Endometriosis and Painful Periods

Endometriosis
Painful periods / Heavy periods
Blood Flow and Cramping
Digestive and urinary discomfort.

Irregular Menses
PCOS and Ovulation

Irregular cycles and ovulation, Amenorrhea or light periods, PCOS and ovarian cysts, Heavy periods, Short cycles
or luteal phase defect.

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Acupuncture
with IVF

Preparation for Assisted Reproductive Therapies: Increase blood flow, Reduce Stress and Side Effects of medication, Regulate Hormones.

Egg
Quality

Advanced Maternal Age, Decreased Ovarian Reserve, Thin Endometrial Lining, Decreased Estrogen Levels,
Fertility preservation.

Male Factor
Infertilty

Sperm production, health,
motility and morphology.
Improve Hormone levels, Varicocele,
Low testosterone and sex drive.

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Other Fertility
Conditions

Pregnancy Loss and Miscarriage, Hypothyroidism and Hashimotos, Hyperthyroidism and Graves, Hormone Balancing, Secondary Infertility.

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Acupuncture with IVF

In Vitro Fertilization
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body. The process usually includes stimulating ovulation, retrieving eggs from a woman's ovaries and allowing the sperm to fertilize the eggs in a laboratory setting. The fertilized egg is then cultured and implanted in a woman's uterus, with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.
 
Acupuncture with IVF
Studies have shown that acupuncture can increase the success of IVF.
 
Scientific research on the effects of acupuncture is relatively new but continues to develop at an ever-increasing rate. The landmark German study in 2002 by Wolfgang E. Paulus1 compared pregnancy rates of two groups of women undergoing IVF. The group receiving acupuncture 25 minutes before, and 25 minutes after embryo transfer had a pregnancy rate of 42.5% compared to 26% for the non-acupuncture group.
 
Embryo Transfer Treatments
The most common way Traditional Chinese Medicine is used for patients undergoing IVF is by providing acupuncture treatments done on the day of the embryo transfer, both pre- and post- transfer.
 
Moss Acupuncture routinely administers pre- and post- transfer acupuncture treatments for IVF patients of Pacific Fertility Center, UCSF and other Bay Area fertility clinics.
 
 
 1 Paulus W, et. al., Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility, volume 77, April 2002, 721-724.

Pre-Cycle Treatments
Our acupuncture treatment plan for IVF patients can include treatments pre-conception and pre-egg-retrieval and goes far beyond just the pre- and post- embryo transfer treatments.
 
Wherever possible, Moss Acupuncture strongly recommends that patients receive consistent acupuncture treatments in the 4 to 6 months prior to the IVF retrieval-fertilization-transfer cycle.
 
Consistent acupuncture treatments can balance your hormones, improve your overall health and fertility naturally, and put you in the best position to conceive before the cycle even begins.
 
Benefits of IVF Acupuncture
Patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization can use acupuncture to:

  • Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
     
  • Improve the lining of the uterus
     
  • Regulate fertility hormones which may improve the quantity and quality of follicles
     
  • Minimize IVF and medication symptoms
     
  • Reduce stress pre- and post- transfer
     
  • Decrease chance of miscarriage and increase chance of implant and full-term birth
     
  • Prevent uterine contraction post- transfer
     
  • Improve male factor — volume, motility and morphology
     

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Acupuncture for PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among females.
 
PCOS produces symptoms in approximately 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age and is thought to be one of the leading causes of female infertility.
 
The most common immediate symptoms are anovulation, excess androgenic hormones, and insulin resistance.
 
Anovulation results in irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and ovulation-related infertility.
 
Excess androgenic hormones can block the release of the egg from the follicle causing the ovaries to fill with cysts or create immature follicles that are unable to generate eggs.
 
Signs of PCOS:

  • Irregular periods that come every few months, not at all, or too frequently
     
  • Extra hair on your face or other parts of your body, called hirsutism
     
  • Acne
     
  • Weight gain and/or trouble losing weight
     

Acupuncture and PCOS
Acupuncture, supplements and herbal medicine can assist in regulating your hormones and supporting ovulation.
 
Diet, Lifestyle and PCOS
Diet alone can have a notable impact on treating PCOS, restoring menstruation and reducing excess hair and acne.
 
Your practitioner may also recommend diet, exercise and lifestyle changes consistent with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 
PCOS Acupuncture Benefits:

  • Facilitating weight loss
     
  • Increasing insulin sensitivity
     
  • Reducing blood glucose and lipid levels
     
  • Regulating endocrine, neuroendocrine, and metabolic disturbances
     
  • Increasing endorphins
     
  • Boosting immune function
     
  • Improving blood flow to the ovaries
     

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Endometriosis

Endometrial Cell Growth
Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other areas of the body causing pain and, in some case, inabiltiy to conceive.
 
Endometrial cells commonly grow in areas around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, the area between the vagina and rectum, the outside of the uterus, and the lining of the pelvic cavity.
 
Signs of Endometriosis:

  • Pelvic pain
     
  • Pain during menstruation
     
  • Pain during intercourse
     
  • Irregular bleeding
     
  • Inability to conceive
     
Western Medicine Treatment
Western medicine seeks to treat endometriosis medicinally and with surgery. Surgical treatment attempts to remove endometrial tissue and preserving the ovaries without damaging normal tissue.
 
The underlying process that causes endometriosis may not cease after Western surgical or medical intervention.
 

Endometriosis and Acupuncture
Depending on the severity of the Endometriosis, a patient may consider doing both Western and Chinese Medicine therapies to treat Endometriosis and promote fertility.
 
Whether as an alternative or adjunct to western medicine treatments, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can assist in treating Endometriosis.
 
 
Benefits of Acupuncture:

  • Reduce symptoms of Endometriosis
     
  • Regulate menstruation
     
  • Balance Hormones
     
  • Decrease Inflammation
     
Endometriosis Treatment Plan:
  • Acupuncture
     
  • Herbal Medicine and Supplements
     
  • Anti-inflammatory Diet Recommendations
     

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

Acupuncture and Male Factor Infertility

Male Factor Infertility
Studies show that 30% of infertility is related to male factor problems including structural abnormalities, sperm production disorders, ejaculatory disturbances and immunologic disorders.
 
Irregularities with the quantity and quality of the sperm can lead to fertility problems. As such, couples having difficulty getting pregnant should have the sperm tested.
 
The semen analysis looks at the number of sperm (sperm count), the percentage of sperm moving forward (sperm motility) and shape of the sperm (sperm morphology).
 
Male Infertility Common Causes:

  • Scarring
     
  • Undescended testes
     
  • Varicocele
     
  • Vasectomy
     
  • Hormonal Imbalances
     
  • Infection and Disease
     
  • Age and declining sperm quality
     
  • Unhealthy diet
     
  • Drugs, Cigarettes, Alcohol
     
  • Obesity
     

Western Medicine Treatment
Surgery is often prescribed for treating infertility caused by blockages and other structural problems.
 
Some patients undergo Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) which is a procedure in which a Man's sperm sample is prepared in a laboratory setting and inserted into the Woman's uterus.
 
Alternatively, patients may undergo In vitro Fertilization (IVF) where the woman's eggs are removed and fertilized with that Man's sperm in the lab and then the fertilized egg is then re-inserted into the Woman's uterus.
 
Chinese Medicine Treatments:

  • Acupuncture (needles are never inserted in the genitals or genital area)
     
  • Herbal Medicine and Supplements
     
  • Diet and Exercise Changes
     
Acupuncture Benefits:
  • Increase sperm production
     
  • Increase the percentage of healthy sperm
     
  • Improve sperm movement (motility)
     
  • Improve the levels of hormones responsible for fertility
     

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture and Egg Quality

Advanced Maternal Age
Families have been delaying childbirth since the advent of modern and effective contraception. Unfortunately, fertility is typically understood to decrease with increasing maternal age.
 
Recent research indicates that a woman's age, alone, is not necessarily predictive of her overall ability to conceive. A 2009 study in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that a woman's 'chronological age' (how old she is) may not be as important as the 'biological age' of her eggs and ovaries.
 
The study concluded that patients with biologically older ovaries may benefit from an individually-tailored treatment approach based on individual patient characteristics.2
 
 2 Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Alviggi, et. al., 22 September 2009, Biological versus chronological ovarian age: implications for assisted reproductive technology, Complete Open Access article can be found online at: http://www.rbej.com/content/7/1/101

Acupuncture Protocol
The Chinese Medicine approach is to provide treatment with Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and diet recommendations to optimize a woman's body health, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormones and optimize the uterine environment for implantation.
 
90 days Prior to Ovulation
Women with potentially poor egg quality or advanced maternal age should seek treatment with Chinese Medicine and acupuncture prior to ovulation.
 
Ideally, patients should receive acupuncture treatment between, roughly, 90 and 20 days prior to ovulation, when treatment efforts can have the biggest impact on egg formation and quality. A woman may go through multiple menstrual cycles during this time and it may take several months to see results.
 

 

 

Jennifer MossTreating Fertility and infertility with acupuncture in San Francisco
M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., C.H. (NCCAOM)®, FABORM
California Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbologist
 
415-244-4412

jennifer@mossacupuncture.com

Jennifer is the owner of Moss Acupuncture and has over 13 years of experience in reproductive Traditional Chinese Medicine. Jennifer is a professional member of the national infertility organization, RESOLVE, and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM).
 
She has had advanced training and specialized education in treating infertility and obstetrics with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

FABORM
Jennifer is one of a select few San Francisco Bay Area practitioners to demonstrate sufficient competency and advanced knowledge in the field of both Western and Oriental Reproductive Medicine to become a Certified Practitioner and Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM).

PFC
In 2007, Jennifer co-founded the acupuncture group at Pacific Fertility Center (PFC), a world-renowned San Francisco Assisted Reproductive Therapy Clinic. Jennifer provides fertility acupuncture treatments to patients who are undergoing assisted reproductive therapies at PFC in San Francisco as well at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and many other private fertility clinics.

      

 

 

Location San Francisco Acupuncture

 

Testimonials

To say that I credit Jennifer Moss with the birth of my beautiful daughter is really not much of an overstatement. After years of amennorhea due to a very athletic lifestyle and long-term birth control pill use, I had spent over a year trying various synthetic hormone treatments with my ob/gyn to try to get my cycle going again, with no success. I had just been referred to a fertility specialist for my first appointment and was daunted by the menu of increasingly invasive procedures that my husband and I faced to try to conceive, so I decided to try Chinese medicine with Jennifer Moss as an intermediate step.
 
The results were nothing short of miraculous. Within four weekly treatments, my cycle was back and within eight treatments, I was pregnant. I could not believe my eyes when the two little lines showed up on the test early one Saturday morning! Thirty eight weeks later, our daughter was born.

I would highly recommend Jennifer Moss as your TCM provider for fertility problems. Having not had prior exposure to TCM, I contacted Jennifer after I had been through a failed attempt at IVF two months earlier and was starting a second IVF cycle. As I approached the second cycle, I was reluctant knowing the side effects from the medications and procedures, stress and possibility of failure I was about to endure once again. I was searching for a treatment that could decrease the discomforts of IVF and increase the rate of success.
 
Jennifer's assessment was very thorough. I appreciated her knowledge of IVF and how she tailored the treatments based on how I was feeling and the stage of the cycle. As time went on, my general sense of well being improved and the side effects of IVF were much more manageable when paired with the TCM treatments Jennifer provided. Her confident, reassuring bed side manner was also impressive.
 
Lucky for us, we now have a son and our second IVF cycle was successful with the aid of TCM. However, I feel strongly that even if our attempts at pregnancy were not successful, Jen's care would have made the process more comfortable and much less stressful overall.

I highly and gladly recommend
Jennifer to anyone.

I can't recommend Jennifer Moss highly enough. I first contacted Jennifer when my husband and I were about to undergo our first IVF cycle after nearly three years of trying to conceive.
 
Jennifer was gentle and kind. She explained the benefits of acupuncture and more importantly than anything else, she listened. She always went the extra mile - rearranging her schedule on numerous occasions to fit in treatments around before and after our embryo transfer - and that meant so much at a time when our stress levels were sky high.
 
When I miscarried my first IVF pregnancy Jennifer was wonderfully supportive. This was the time when I really felt the acupuncture came into its own. In a world where I felt frighteningly out of control, my appointments with Jennifer allowed me some peaceful time -time where the endless tirade of appointments, procedures, injections and meds were put aside, and I had a moment to focus inward. Somehow (and I'll leave Jennifer to explain how!) I always came away feeling rested, recharged and more able to cope with whatever came next.
 
Now we are the very proud, very lucky, parents of a beautiful baby boy, and I have no doubt that in many, many ways Jennifer played a part in his coming.
 
Infertility is a journey, and Jennifer was on our journey with us every step of the way - we can't imagine a better travel companion......

I started seeing Jennifer Moss a few months before my first planned IUI and I can confidently "blame" Jennifer for its success and for the fact I now have a gorgeous little creature attached to my breast day and night!

Jennifer is a professional, kind, attentive very supportive and a very gifted practitioner.  I saw Jennifer through out my pregnancy and I feel it's one >of the best things I could have done for my self!

Luckily I found Jennifer Moss as my acupuncturist! I'm a 43 year old woman with a healthy baby boy. ... after several months of trying to conceive on my own, I decided to try acupuncture to help with my fertility. In February of 2007 I became pregnant and delivered a healthy little boy this last November.