Are you considering IVF but have been told your FSH levels are too high? Or perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure or early menopause? We understand that these diagnoses can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help.
Understanding Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Firstly, it’s important to understand what FSH is. FSH is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland. It’s crucial for the growth and development of ovarian follicles, which release eggs during ovulation. When FSH levels are high, it means your ovaries aren’t responding as they should. This can lead to concerns about egg quality and fertility, making conception more challenging both naturally and through assisted reproductive techniques like IVF.
Common Symptoms of High FSH
High FSH levels can bring about several symptoms. For example:
Irregular periods or periods stopping: This can be a clear sign that something isn’t functioning optimally in your reproductive system.
Infertility: Difficulty conceiving naturally might be related to high FSH levels.
Hot flushes and night sweats: Hormonal imbalances can disrupt your body’s temperature regulation.
Poor sleep: Hormonal changes can make it hard to sleep well, causing fatigue and irritability.
Palpitations: Rapid or irregular heartbeats can be unsettling and often accompany high FSH levels.
What High FSH Means for You
High FSH levels indicate a disruption in the feedback mechanism between your ovaries and pituitary gland. Consequently, this can lead to:
Poor ovarian response: A decreased ovarian reserve can make it harder to achieve pregnancy.
Reduced fertility: The ovaries may struggle to respond to the hormonal signals necessary for ovulation and conception.
Implications for IVF: High FSH levels can affect the success of assisted reproductive technologies by reducing the number of eggs available for retrieval and fertilization. In some cases, it may mean you are not qualified for IVF treatment.
How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Can Help
However, there is hope. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used for thousands of years to address hormonal imbalances and fertility issues. These treatments can:
Reduce stress
Improve blood flow to the ovaries
Enhance nutrient delivery to the ovaries
Potentially improve ovarian response and ovulation
Promising Research
Moreover, research has shown promising results: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomised controlled trials involving 888 patients found that Chinese herbal medicine significantly lowered FSH levels compared to hormone replacement therapy. This research, published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, suggests that Chinese herbal medicine may help relieve symptoms of premature ovarian failure by decreasing serum FSH levels.
Personalised Care at Almond Wellness Centre
At Almond Wellness Centre Coburg clinic and Ringwood clinic, we offer individualised care tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced practitioners, including Dr. Richard Zeng, will assess your condition, consider your medical history, and develop a treatment plan designed just for you.
Reach Out to Us
Ultimately, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re dealing with high FSH, premature ovarian failure, or early menopause and want to explore how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help, please contact us. Let’s work together to create a comprehensive care plan for your fertility journey.
References
Walker, E. M., Rodriguez, A. I., Kohn, B., Ball, R. M., Pegg, M., Pocock, J. R., & O’Brien, T. J. (2010). Acupuncture in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients: a randomised, controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28(7), 1157-1164.
Bokmand, S., & Flyger, H. (2013). Acupuncture relieves menopausal discomfort in breast cancer patients: A prospective, double-blinded, randomised study. The Breast, 22(3), 320-323.
Wu, Y., Chen, L. T., Qu, F., Sheikh, I. S., Wu, Y. T. (2014). Chinese Herbal Medicine for premature ovarian failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 6(3), 382-391.
Disclaimer: Individual responses to Chinese medicine treatment may vary. Consultation with a qualified TCM practitioner is recommended to determine the most suitable herbs, formulations and acupuncture treatment based on individual health conditions. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.
BBT Reflects Changes in Progesterone Before and After ovulation.
Both your progesterone levels and Basal Body Temperature are low before ovulation;
After ovulation, the level of progesterone rises, and BBT also rises and remains at a high level.
Therefore, measuring BBT means measuring the change of progesterone, so that we can understand the situation of ovulation. By measuring and recording your basal body temperature (BBT), we can tell:
whether you’ve ovulated during that cycle.
If ovulated, when did you ovulate, and
how is the Luteal Phase function after ovulation.
In addition, if the basal body temperature is measured and recorded correctly, we can have more insight into your fertility health by analysing the BBT chart and other related symptoms and signs. Based on these subtle changes, we can make some adjustment in diagnosis. Furthermore, change your TCM acupuncture treatment plan in a targeted manner to achieve the best effect.
How to Measure and Record Your BBT
You can download the mobile app for easy recording. We recommend Fertility Friend here
You should have at least 3 hours of continuous sleep before measuring your basal body temperature.
You need to prepare a normal digital thermometer. If you use a glass thermometer, you should shake the temperature the day before using.
It’s best to have an alarm clock and try to measure at the same time every day when you wake up (not when you get up). It should be the same on weekends.
If you wake up too early or too late, it is best to make a note on the chart of the day.
Measure your body temperature directly when you wake up in the morning (do not do anything before this –like going to the bathroom or give your husband a hug…).
There are two ways to measure body temperature: oral or transvaginal
Oral: Put the thermometer deeply between the root of the gum and face. Make sure your mouth is close when measuring;
Transvaginal: Transvaginal will be more stable, temperature may be slightly higher than oral.
Record the temperature immediately after recording.
Draw a cross at the appropriate temperature and make a line chart, if record manually.
If the temperature is between two numbers on the glass thermometer, always take the lower number.
Record anything like emotional stress and illness such as a cold, fever, etc.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us or call us to make an appointment.
According to Chinese medicine theory, the menstrual cycle involves not only changes in reproductive physiology but also energetic shifts, encompassing yin, yang, qi, and blood, which are reflected in the different phases of the cycle.
In some cases, infertility patients may appear healthy and robust, often at a relatively young age, yet experience difficulties conceiving. Chinese medicine practitioners are trained to detect subtle signs of imbalance during evaluations. One such subtle clue is the state of cervical mucus. Within Chinese medicine, tracking cervical mucus is highly valued as it represents the Yin energy, which supports the growth of the follicle and promotes a healthy endometrial tissue.
It is very important for women who are trying to conceive to understand the best time for conceiving. There are various methods to help determine when the best time for conception is. One of the most effective and cost-efficient techniques is observing changes in cervical mucus.
It’s important to acknowledge that external factors can influence cervical mucus, including:
Stress
Medications or drugs (inc. Clomid)
If you may be pre-menopausal
Illness
Dieting, weight change or fasting
Travel
It is crucial to report any changes in cervical mucus to your Chinese medicine doctor or acupuncturist so that they can adjust the treatment plan to enhance mucus production. Typically, when a client exhibits favourable fertile mucus and experiences a successful ovulation, it indicates a positive outcome.
So, How Do You Observe Cervical Mucus?
There are three methods you can choose from, depending on your comfort level:
Toilet Paper: Observe the mucus found after wiping.
External Observation: Use your fingers to feel for mucus around the opening of your vagina.
Internal Observation: Insert your index and third fingers into your vagina, reaching the cervix, and gently sweep to check the mucus from the cervix.
Once you have some mucus on your fingers, place it between your thumb and index finger, then press them together and stretch the mucus. Pay attention to its behaviour:
Does it stretch?
Does it retain its shape and feel sticky?
Is it slippery?
Is it clear, yellow, or cloudy?
Take note of these characteristics.
Infertile mucus
After your period for 3 to five days, you may find that you have no mucus (dry). Any mucus that is seen at this time is infertile. If you do find mucus, it will likely be sticky and may come out as a blob.
Words women use to describe their infertile mucus at this time include:
Thick
Dense
Sticky
Flaky
Tacky
Infertile mucus feels drier to touch than fertile mucus. It may be yellow, white or opaque. Upon observation by touch between your thumb and index finger, you will find that it does not stretch or move – it is quite thick.
Fertile mucus
Cervical mucus will become moist but sticky, about the consistency of a hand lotion product, just days before you ovulate. At this stage, the colour will range from white to cream-coloured. If your cervical mucus appears this way, there is some chance for conception.
When you are ovulating, you will have the most cervical mucus. The cervical mucus should be about the same texture and have a similar appearance to an egg white; at this stage, it is often referred to as “egg-white cervical mucus.” Finger testing will allow the mucus to stretch quite a ways (several centimetres) before it breaks (if it breaks at all). This is the time, during ovulation, when you are most likely to become pregnant.
Words women use to describe their fertile mucus include:
Wet
Slippery
Watery
Clear
Thin
Fluid
After ovulation
If your cervical mucus resembles an egg white but is less slippery, it indicates that you have recently completed ovulation. This typically occurs between the end of ovulation and the start of your next period. While there is still a chance for conception during this time, it is relatively low.
Regularly checking your cervical mucus can help you determine your current position in the menstrual cycle. By tracking changes in your cervical mucus over several months, you can gain a better understanding of the number of days from the end of your period until ovulation occurs. This information allows you to identify the optimal time for conception.
Best time for conception
It is best for couples to have unprotected sex every few days throughout the cycle, however studies have shown that most couple conceive through sex two to three days prior to ovulation. So as soon as the mucous become fertile is a good time to start.
Cycle
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
Rise in temperature
+1
+2
Probability
0.3
1.4
2.7
6.8
17.6
23.7
25.5
21.2
10.3
0.8
0.38
Study
3175 cycles with 434 pregnancies. Reference point is the first day of elevated temperatures; ovulation itself usually occurs on the day before the rise in temperature.
