The Truth About Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Manhattan
Chinese herbal medicine has been used for more than 3,000 years to treat various types of pathological presentations including infertility. The main difference between acupuncture and herbal medicine is that acupuncture helps move energy and improve blood flow throughout the body to specific areas. For example, if one is trying to improve ovarian health and improve egg-quality, acupuncture can be used to stimulate blood to the ovaries, improving their function and making them healthy and vibrant, thereby providing you with enhanced egg quality.
Using Herbal Medicine to Increase Function & Fertility
Herbal medicine actually changes organ function. Herbs help to stimulate and nourish what is deficient (for example: estrogen) and to eradicate what is in excess (for example: elevated androgen levels). We incorporate herbal medicine and acupuncture into our practice at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness to significantly improve your chances of having a baby.
Understanding the Myths of Herbal Medicine
The main reason that your doctor does not want you to take herbal medicine is because she or he is trying to protect you against what they perceive to be a health hazard which they think may occur as a result of the herbs. When prescribed by a board certified herbalist at our Manhattan fertility clinic, these herbs are completely safe. Health hazards do not occur as a result of taking herbs any more than health hazards occur as a result of taking Lupron or Gonal-F.
- Many reproductive endocrinologists do not want their patients to take herbs because of the following reasons:
- "Herbs lower FSH falsely because they contain phytoestrogens." This misinformation would only be accurate if the herbs lowered FSH, and the patient's estrogen levels rose above 65pg/ml. The fact remains that many of our patients have their FSH levels regulated with herbal medicine in the context of an estradiol level which remains between 25pg/ml to 65pg/ml.
- "Herbs can interfere with reproductive medicine." This is absolutely not the case. Herbs actually work synergistically with reproductive medicine. For example, many patients are poor responders to gonadotropins but, when gonadotropins are used in conjunction with herbs the response is frequently improved.
- Contact our office today at (212) 685-0985 to meet with a board certified herbalist for a consultation.