Facebook, Apple, and Google are leading the way to a new era of family planning. With an uptick in progressive health insurance plans that cover elective egg freezing, an increasing number of millennials are now considering taking advantage of this new option.
Connecting with Patients
In step with this development is a boom in the number of fertility clinics in the U.S. that offer egg freezing. In fact, here in NYC, clinics have even started to host cocktail informational sessions at trendy Manhattan locations in an attempt to better connect with potential patients.
“Acupuncture sets up a healthy foundation by evening out any minor hormonal imbalances so that when it comes time to start medicated injections the body is prepared to respond.”
New technological developments have increased the success of thawing once-frozen eggs, and a shift of regulations has eased the way for more clinics to offer the procedure. Conversations about the pros and cons of egg freezing abound: it’s a hot topic in popular media and academic communities alike. These new trends in family planning can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of scientific novelty; however, here at Yinova, we’ve been working with patients through this process for nearly two decades.
The Perfect Blend
Together, acupuncture and Chinese medicine create the ideal conditions for healthy egg development by maintaining the delicate balance of hormones and increasing ovarian blood flow.¹ This makes it the perfect adjunct treatment for anyone preparing to embark on the journey of egg freezing. Acupuncture sets up a healthy foundation by evening out any minor hormonal imbalances so that when it comes time to start medicated injections the body is prepared to respond efficiently. And when the process is over, acupuncture gently brings the body back to baseline activity.
Before eggs can be frozen, they must be retrieved. As with IVF, preparation for egg freezing involves hormonal stimulation of the ovaries for elevated follicle production; triggered release of anywhere from 5-30 eggs into the space outside the fallopian tubes; and finally the surgical removal of the eggs.
Working in conjunction with what you’re already doing
The hormones and medications used in the process are the same as those used in IVF preparation. They are remarkably effective at playing their role, but there are some common side effects that can vary based on the formulations administered. Being at the forefront in fertility wellness has allowed our practitioners to become well acquainted with the most common effects of each of these drugs. This allows our acupuncturists to help mitigate the intensity of these side effects before they even happen. Guided by current research, our acupuncturists use tested techniques for best outcomes during egg retrieval.²
As practitioners of Chinese medicine, we are always focussed on the big picture. This means we see you for who you are, and we understand that you and your process of family planning can’t be boiled down to a single lab test. We are here to acknowledge that this is an emotional process as much as a physical one.
¹ Anderson, B. J., Haimovici, F., Ginsburg, E. S., Schust, D. J., & Wayne, P. M. (2007). In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 13(3), 38.
² Anderson, B. J., Haimovici, F., Ginsburg, E. S., Schust, D. J., & Wayne, P. M. (2007). In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 13(3), 38.
