Stress, Fertility and Chinese Medicine
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Stress is a common part of life, but it can have a significant impact on fertility. When we are stressed, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can interfere with ovulation, sperm production, and implantation making it more difficult to conceive. Read more about hormone imbalance on our blog.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic approach that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, including infertility. TCM practitioners believe that stress can disrupt the flow of qi, or vital energy, throughout the body. This can lead to imbalances in the reproductive system and make it difficult to conceive. There are a number of ways to reduce stress and improve fertility.
Some helpful strategies include:
Exercise: Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve overall health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of light to moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. We recommend not doing intense cardio or training that causes exhaustion while trying to conceive or while preparing the body for conception.
Relaxation techniques: Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress levels by calming the nervous system and lowering cortisol.
Acupuncture for fertility: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving fertility.
Tui Na Prenatal Massage: Tui Na is a relaxing massage that improves blood and lymphatic circulation as well as releasing muscle tension. It can help improve symptoms of depression, mood regulation, and overall comfort during pregnancy. Tui Na also improves labor outcomes and decreases labor pain.
Chinese herbal medicine: Chinese herbal medicine can be used to help balance hormones and improve overall health.
Lifestyle counseling: TCM practitioners may also offer lifestyle counseling to help couples improve their fertility. This may include advice on diet, exercise, and stress management. If you are struggling with infertility, you may want to consider talking to a TCM practitioner. TCM can be a helpful complementary therapy to help you reduce stress and improve your overall health.
Here are some additional tips for reducing stress and improving fertility:
Get enough sleep. When you are well-rested, you are better able to cope with stress. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. You can create a routine before bed to get your body and mind ready to turn down. Avoid screens for at least an hour by taking a bath, meditating, reading a real book, etc…
Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help to improve your overall health and reduce stress levels. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine increases cortisol and can have an effect on estrogen, therefore disrupting hormones. Alcohol, among many negative effects, disrupts sleep and is taxing on your liver. If you are struggling with infertility, it is best to avoid these substances.
Spend time with loved ones. Surrounding yourself with people whom you love and who are supportive of you can help to reduce stress and improve your mood. Make time for activities that you enjoy with your family and friends.
Hang out with plants or get into nature. Indoor plants, outdoor gardens, and public parks are all great for improving mood and reducing stress. Try taking off your shoes at the park and feeling the grounding effect of connecting to the earth. There is actual scientific research on the benefits.
Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to restore balance within the body, mind, and environment. Garden Acupuncture uses Whole-Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) to restore balance and health not only within individuals but within our greater Brooklyn, New York community. Through acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle support, we empower our clients to understand, improve, and maintain holistic health.