Accupuncture and endometriosis

Accupuncture and endometriosis

by Vickie
(Grand Prairie, TX)

Hi, my name is Vickie and I'm 41 years young! :-) I've been getting acupuncture treatments since May 2009. In February, I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Since my treatments, I've noticed much improvement with my pain during ovulation and my mensus. I am going to a Board Certified Fertility Acupuncturist.

My question is: I am at a crossroad right now. Since my treatments, I have indeed seen improvement but I'm not pregnant YET. I really don't feel comfortable taking fertility drugs and have heard the horrible stories of the side affects. I'm taking liquid herbs along with my prenatal vitamins. Should I just wait it out or should I go talk to a family planning/fertility doctor? At least to see what and how much improvement has been made since my acupuncture treatments?

I don't think it is impossible for someone of my age to become pregnant naturally. I'm in good health and I don't smoke or drink. It is the waiting part from month to month that is so disappointing to me. My husband and I do not have any kids so this would be our first baby. We've been married 2 1/2 years and this is our first marriage. We so desire a baby and have to stay positive and cling to our faith that what I have been doing for the last 8 months have not been in vein and that what I am doing is working.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this. I think without hope there is no life and with life you have to have hope.

Thank you
Vickie

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Accupuncture and endometriosis

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Endometriosis and Pregnancy
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Vickie,
Thank you for your timely question on endometriosis and pregnancy. I'm finding a lot of cases of undiagnosed endometriosis with my patients that were given the label of unexplained infertility.

You wrote that you were diagnosed with extreme endo in February. I'm assuming that you had laparoscopy to diagnose this. However, you don't mention having the endo removed, so I wonder if you did have a lap.

It's a testament to the power of Chinese medicine that you are having reduced pain during ovulation and your menses. However, even small amounts of endo or asymptomatic endo can cause problems with conception.

It's fantastic that you've addressed the root with acupuncture and herbs. However, I would discourage you from just waiting and seeing if you get pregnant. I would have a lap to see if there is any endo in the pelvic cavity and I would have it removed. The work that you have done thus far, will discourage the endo from coming back post surgery.

Sending healing energy your way,
Amelia Hirota

Thank you for your input
by: Vickie

Thank you for your insight. Yes, I did have laparoscopic surgery the first week in March 2009. I wonder if being that I have stage 4 endo, if the adhesions are around the ovaries causing the egg not to be able to release as it should? My right ovary according to the doctor that performed my surgery said it was fine however, my left ovary is 50% scarred due to the chocolate cyst he removed. It appears to me that he didn't get all as he indicated he didn't want to cause more harm being that my husband and I desire a baby. My tubes are free and clear as he did the HSG test to determine this. I really really was and am still trying to hold out hope that I would become pregnant naturally with the help of acupuncture and herbs. I am now seriously considering making an appointment with a fertility doctor. Any other insight you can offer is most appreciated.

Thanks!
Vickie

1 Good Ovary Enough
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Vicki,
Many of my patients have had one working ovary or fallopian tube. Even if the scarring on the one ovary is affecting ovulation, I don't consider this to be a deal breaker. You really only need 1 good ovary.

However, given that your age is 41 and you don't have the leisure of time on your side, I encourage you to have some thorough hormonal testing to insure that your hormones are in balance. If your hormones and hormonal receptors are working fine, then one ovary is enough to get pregnant at 41 years young.

Please remember that hormonal drugs are not benign substances and that these drugs only help you to ovulate if you're not ovulating. I wish you the very best in your quest for a baby.

Sending Baby Dust Your Way,
Amelia Hirota

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