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Chinese Medicine Treatment For Male Fertility For In-Vitro Fertilization PDF
Chinese Medicine Treatment For Male Fertility For In-Vitro Fertilization PDF
www.sinimed.co.il
Ilanit (30) and Asaf (37) are married and have been trying to conceive for about a year.
Upon investigation, it was found that Asaf is missing both Vas Deferens due to a
mutation in Cystic fibrosis gene (CFTR). This condition prevents the transportation of the
sperm which is produced in the testicles to come out with the semen during ejaculation.
This absence of the sperm canal is known as congenital bilateral absence of the vas
deferens (CBAVD). In these cases, fertility difficulties can occur due to azoospermia-
the absence of sperm cells in semen analysis.
When this fact was discovered, Ilanit and Asaf were referred for in-vitro
fertilization. During this process, beyond ovarian stimulation and egg recruitment from
Ilanit, Asaf would need to undergo sperm aspiration directly from the testicle in a
procedure known as testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). This procedure is conducted in
men with azoospermia (a lack of sperm cells) as a result of a blocked vas deferens or due
to its non-existence. Following the TESA process, sperms undergo a preparatory
process, at the end of which they can be used to fertilize the egg in the lab through
micromanipulation (a process known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)).
Ilanit and Asaf came to see me after two failed IVF attempts. They planned to combine a
Chinese medicine approach with the Western protocol and hoped that this addition would
improve their chances of conception.
The frequency of acupuncture treatment was every other week, beginning one and a half
months before the western protocol. In addition, Asaf was requested to consume
Vitamin E and co-enzyme Q10 200 mg/ day. Care was taken to integrate fresh green
vegetables, reduce animal proteins, and drink green tea + nettle tea into the weekly diet.
Cv 4 Guan Yuan, is a major acupuncture point for strengthening kidney qi, yin and
yang. The location on the Dan Tian along with the original qi moving between the
kidneys allows it to treat a broad variety of fertility problems both in men and in
women. The absence of vas deferens is considered in Chinese medicine to constitute a
symptom of kidney essence weakness. In addition, Asaf’s was diagnosed as suffering
from kidney and stomach yin deficiency. Therefore, Cv 4 was selected since it has a
broad variety of functions in supporting kidney essence, yin, and qi. The acupuncture
technique is important and its goal is attaining De qi sensation which
descends downwards towards the genitalia.
Tw5 -Gb41 are intended to move qi, distribute heat, and treat problems in the lower
burner.
Ilanit was diagnosed with kidney -heart yin deficiency and liver qi stagnation.
The IVF protocol chosen was a long protocol with daily injections of Decapeptyl
(Triptorelin) beginning on Cycle Day 21. After her period began, Ilanit was asked to
begin injecting Gonal F 112.5 to encourage follicle development.
Ilanit’s treatments took place once a week and also began one and a half months prior to
the start of the IVF protocol.
During the protocol, after about two weeks of Decapeptyl injections and 5 days of Gonal
F 112.5, Ilanit mentioned that she was more tired than usual, was experiencing hot
flashes and headaches, her pulse was soft, her tongue was red, cracked, with a light
coating. Acupuncture points selected were: Kd 10, kd 3, Sp 6, Liv 3 (rt), Li 4 (Lf), Cv
4, Cv 6, St 28.
During this IVF treatment, 16 eggs were retrieved and 9 were fertilized. One day before
embryo transfer, acupuncture treatment was given, with the goal of moving qi and blood,
strengthening qi and calming the mind: Yin tang, Gv 23, St 36, Cv 6, Sp 6, Sp 10, Liv 2,
Kd 3.
Two good embryos were transferred, and a week later, supportive treatment was given
with the goal of regulating liver qi movement, calming the mind, strengthening kidney
and spleen qi: Liv 3 (Rt), Pc 6 (Lf), Kd 3,Kd 9, St 36, Yin Tang.
Beta testing was positive and later two heartbeats were observed! The couple gave birth
to two healthy children in Week 38 of pregnancy.