Treatment for Blighted Ovum?

Q. I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and managed to successfully have a baby with IVF. Two years later, I became pregnant without treatment, but it turned out to be a blighted ovum -- nothing in the gestational sac. I had a previous loss, too, around the seventh week after seeing the baby's heartbeat.

I took Chinese herbal drinks before my IVF treatments and before this last failed pregnancy. But I think the gentleman who administered the drinks didn't understand what a blighted ovum is...

A. A blighted ovum is usually considered a poor quality embryo from a poor quality egg. Unexplained infertility just means the reason for your fertility difficulty hasn't been discovered, not that it doesn't exist. I would highly recommend you go to someone who specializes in addressing fertility issues naturally, to see if your imbalance which has not been corrected by western medicine may be corrected by complementary medicine. If your Chinese practitioner focuses on fertility issues, it may be that the herbs helped you get pregnant, but more time on them could give you a healthy pregnancy.
All the best to you.

Clomiphene for 2 Years - Now What?

Q. I'm 27 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for two years. I've had a post-coital test and an HSG. I've been on Clomid© for two years. I just don't know what else to do.

A. Please do not continue on the clomiphene citrate (Clomid). Reproductive endocrinologists do not recommend being on clomiphene more than three months at a time. Long term use of clomiphene can thin the uterine lining and impede production of cervical fluid which is necessary for sperm to stay alive through the cervix. If your periods have gotten lighter and you are not producing cervical fluid when you ovulate, you may need some supplements to help overcome the negative effects of clomiphene. I would highly recommend you either go to a reproductive specialist who will properly diagnose the reason for your fertility difficulty, or a natural fertility specialist who can get your body in balance before you do anything else. Traditional Chinese Medicine can undo any damage the clomiphene may have caused by building up your lining again.

Is Previous Termination Preventing Conception?

Q. I'm 28 years old and have been trying to conceive for five months now with no luck. About six and a half years ago I terminated a pregnancy. Could this have anything to do with my not getting pregnant now?

A. Only if the D & C produced scar tissue in the uterus which prevents implantation. If your periods are normal and adequate in amount, I'd just give it a bit more time first. Then you may want to get an ultrasound or sonohistogram of your uterine lining to see if there are any abnormalities that might prevent implantation. If everything is normal, you may want to find a TCM fertility specialist who can find out what body/mind/spirit pattern of imbalance might be impeding conception.

TCM Treatment Resulting in Irregular Cycles

Q. I have been having acupuncture for the last four months for infertility. We've been TTC for four years now. I was underweight, body mass index of 18. Since treatment, it's now normal -- bmi 20. My cycle, which has always been 28 days in length, has changed over the last three months to 21 days, 26 days, and 30 days. I had a new Chinese doctor this month who has me taking herbs now. I feel a lot stronger than I did -- he said my kidney yin is deficient.

A. From the sounds of your history, your kidney yin probably is indeed deficient. Yet, if your cycles are beginning to become more irregular, there may be some other issues (particularly of the liver) as well. If your cycles don't normalize within a couple of months, you may need to find another TCM practitioner.

Too Late to Add TCM to Ov Stimmed Cycle?

Q. I am a 42 year old woman scheduled for an egg retrieval soon. I have begun ovarian stimulation and am wondering if it is too late to add acupuncture or other alternative treatments to improve ovarian response?

A. The best way to use TCM to improve ovarian response is to begin three months prior to your IVF cycle. If this is not possible, treatments during hormonal stimulation can still improve the blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, thereby improving response. They can also help just before transfer by calming down the uterus and your whole body's stress reaction, increasing the likelihood of implantation.

Long Cycles, Spotting, and Clomid© Prescription

Q. My periods average 41 days in length. For the past four months I have had light spotting at days 15 or 16 of my cycle. I spoke with my OB, and she prescribed Clomid© but did not test me to see if I was ovulating or not. Is this a bad sign? Does the spotting means I am not ovulating or I am weak?

A.The 41-day cycles are a worse sign than the spotting. In my opinion, the fact that your doctor prescribed Clomid© before assessing the problem is a bad sign. Your spotting may have a variety of causes; in fact, some women spot regularly during ovulation. TCM would attempt to normalize your cycles first, make sure you are ovulating on schedule and that all other factors of your menstrual cycle are on course before recommending you move on to drugs.