Insemination and Herbal Medication

If a woman is not able to get pregnant through natural insemination, she may use traditional infertility treatments, such as the use of fertility drugs, IVF and artificial insemination.  Insemination is the introduction of sperm into the female uterus during sexual intercourse.  Insemination which takes place through sexual intercourse is known as natural insemination or NI. Insemination which takes place without sexual intercourse is known as artificial insemination or AI.

Alternatively, she may try use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herb treatment.  If you want to start TCM for infertility treatments, the best thing to do first, is to consult with your doctor.  Your doctor may determine that the infertility stems from a structural

problem, such as block Fallopian tubes, and then TCM is not an option.

Do remember that your doctor may not have the required training to promote Herbal Medications.  This means you may wish to consult with your regular doctor, in conjunction with a doctor trained in TCM.  Do disclose your decision to do so with your doctor to ensure that he/she has full access to your medical history.  You do not want to pursue a traditional and an alternative medical treatment for infertility simultaneously, unless you provide full disclosure of what drugs you are taking, etc. to both doctors.

TCM has been used for thousands of years to help women regulate menstruation and ovulation, and restore egg quality.  Many women would suggest that TCM contributed to them having successful and healthy pregnancies.

TCM, which is based on a mix of Herbal Medications and acupuncture, has proven effective in some cases in restoring body disharmony, which causes infertility.  Herbal Medications are medications prepared from plants and plant extracts, and which sometimes include bee and fungal products, as well as minerals.  Numerous clinical trials have shown that some Herbal Medications are both safe and effective.

One of the premises behind Herbal Medications is that they may assist in the elimination of any bad habits that could be causing infertility.  A good diet and nutritional supplements enhance your chance of conception.  The very first thing you should do is to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco from your diet, and ensure you are eating healthy, balanced meals.  Consider adding vitamins A, C and E, folic acid, selenium, fatty acids, and zinc to your daily diet. You can get these if you are taking prenatal vitamins.   Men should look into taking L-Carnitine tablets, which are an amino acid that helps the body to produce good quality sperm, help increase the sperm count and also to give the sperm greater motility.  Herbs to curb stress and anxiety and this can contribute to a successful pregnancy.

Any individual using herbal medicines should take the same care as with prescription medicines, to avoid overdose, interactions with other medications, and misuse.  It is also important to continue with Western medical treatments to ensure all avenues for infertility treatment are explored.

TCM have attracted growing attention, especially as some ART treatments, and particularly the more invasive ones, cause some controversy.