Fertility
Hua Shen runs her specialist fertility acupuncture clinic from her clinics in Moseley which are convenient for patients from Birmingham Women's Hospital and BMI Priory. Using traditional acupuncture combined with the equipment and methods she used at the Shanghai University Hospital Fertility Clinic, Hua applies her signature electro-acupuncture and cupping technique to regularly treat patients for these conditions:
Unexplained infertility
Poor sperm count /quality
Miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage
Ovarian cysts
PCOS and other hormonal imbalances
Menstrual irregularities
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Support for IVF & other assisted reproductive treatments
When you attend the clinic for the first time, you will be asked about your general health, lifestyle, energy levels and so on, as well as the details of your menstrual cycle. Your tongue and pulse will be examined in detail, and you may be asked to start a daily basal body temperature (BBT) chart to provide more information.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy has many accompanying conditions such as:
Nausea/morning sickness
Headaches
Fatigue
Back Pain
Swollen ankles
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Foetal mal-position e.g. breech
Hua offers acupuncture treatment that can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions.
Research has shown that acupuncture is a safe procedure when carried out in pregnancy. For more information please look at the British Acupuncture Council fact sheets
Undergoing IVF or ICSI?
Acupuncture can be used as a support for all stages of intra-uterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Amongst other things, it could help minimise the side effects of drugs, e.g. nausea.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that acupuncture given at the time of embryo transfer might have a positive influence on treatment outcomes. The British Acupuncture Council has compiled fact sheets about the latest research into acupuncture for female and male infertility and the treatment of endometriosis.
Hua suggests that you talk to her before your treatment cycle commences. From experience, it is best to commence acupuncture sessions at least 6-8 weeks before your IVF process begins, then two times during simulation, pre and post transfer and again around 7 to 10 days after transfer.
On your first visit you will then be given a thorough consultation - taking into account your IVF/ICSI protocol, ongoing blood tests, ultrasound scans, etc - from which Hua can assess your individual circumstances and devise an individual treatment plan
The benefits of acupuncture specifically on the day of embryo transfer have also been studied, It showed that treatment before and after embryo transfer was the best way of using acupuncture at this time to maximise its benefits.
