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Fertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Our Specialty is Fertility & Reproductive Medicine
Catherine’s passion for fertility began quite a few years back but not until she went through her own fertility journey did her compassion and desire to help others move to an entirely new level. Catherine believes her journey was an opportunity for unique healing which both personally and professionally has changed her life forever. She openly shares her experience with her patients if doing so will benefit them.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used to treat infertility and gynecological issues in China for thousands of years. There is extensive evidence, both scientific and  anecdotal, that correcting your body's imbalances using the natural principles of Eastern medicine can increase your fertility. An increasingly extensive collection of studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals evaluate the impact of acupuncture and Chinese herbs on natural fertility and procedures using assisted reproductive technologies.
Catherine Aquino has advanced training in reproductive medicine and is also a charter member of The Fertile SoulTM Clinical Excellence Professionals program. She has gained invaluable experience from working and observing the mind-body-spirit approach to fertility.
Stress and Fertility
The effect stress has on the reproductive system cannot be overemphasized. Stress puts our body in a “fight or flight" mode. The body’s reaction is to increase our levels of adrenaline, which inhibits our ability to use progesterone, one of the key hormones in reproduction and stress increases levels of cortisol, which inhibits implantation of the fertilized egg. It also increases levels of prolactin, which inhibits fertility by decreasing or halting ovulation. Additionally, the very nature of the fight or flight mode, or an over-stimulated nervous system, is to divert blood away from the uterus and ovaries, lessening the overall function of our reproductive system.
TCM is an effective way to reduce stress and rebalance the systems that stress affects. Acupuncture releases endorphins and serotonin, which have a calming-feel good effect on the entire body. These brain chemicals decrease the physical symptoms of stress by reducing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and relaxing the muscles, thereby helping sleep patterns, helping elevate our mood and state of mind and often giving us improved energy. Acupuncture also improves blood circulation throughout the body, which oxygenates tissues and cycles out cortisol and other damaging chemicals. Most importantly, acupuncture has been shown to rebalance the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system, thereby regulating the reproductive hormones that stress negatively affects.
Treatment
Whenever possible, preconception treatment should start about 3 months before trying to conceive naturally or before undergoing assisted reproductive technology. One reason for this is that several studies show that it takes about 90 days to influence changes in a woman's menstrual cycle, such as improving ovulation and uterine lining, regulating hormones, regulating any problems with the actual cycle, and addressing situations such as PCOS or endometriosis. Another reason is because it takes 90 days or more for an egg to grow from a follicle in its resting state into a full-blown egg ready to be released, in other words the egg you ovulate this cycle has been in process for 3 or more months! Another compelling reason to allow for 3 months of treatment is to prepare your mind and body for a conscious healthy conception, pregnancy and delivery. This preparation time can be so important and can give your body the opportunity to be in the most healthy state and ready to happily accept the upcoming needs a pregnancy brings.
Many of our patients conceive naturally after years of trying and/or being given a diagnosis of various degrees including advanced maternal age, PCOS, POF, fibroids, luteal phase defect, poor egg quality, poor or low sperm quality or quantity, or undiagnosed infertility.
We are honored to work with patients to help them conceive naturally or support them while undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) including IUI and/or IVFs. We have relationships with many local Reproductive Endocrinologists and coordinate care with them for the benefit of our patients. Recent studies show Traditional Chinese Medicine dramatically improved success rates for patients undergoing ART.
Acupuncture is a cumulative process, whereby treatments work in combination with each other. In other words it is usually essential to treat multiple times in order to achieve the desired effect within the body. Patients are commonly treated once to twice weekly for three to four months in preparation for an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor-egg transfer or while trying to conceive naturally. Having said all of that, we realize this is not always a possible or practical scenario. Many individual’s don’t find out about the benefit of TCM for fertility until they have already started trying to conceive or have started western fertility treatments. Often we don’t have the opportunity to see a patient until the day of their transfer in an IVF cycle. Clinically we have seen many successes in these patients as well. Overall it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible and it’s never too late to start using TCM to improve your fertility. Catherine believes it’s imperative that each patient’s treatment plan be designed to account for all factors that present in a patient’s life, such as work schedules, time constraints, financial limitations, etc. so they are comfortable and treatment doesn’t cause additional stress.
Male Fertility
Male factors account for almost 50% of all fertility problems and Chinese Medicine is able to address male fertility well. In a 2005 a study published in Fertility and Sterility, acupuncture was shown to significantly improve several aspects of male fertility including sperm count and quality. Previous studies support these findings, reporting improvements in motility, morphology and overall higher rates of successful pregnancies.
Many studies have also shown that herbal medicine and supplementation with vitamins and nutrients can improve sperm count and quality on many parameters. Although herbs are prescribed orally, some unusual studies showed striking effects on sperm incubated in herbal formulas in the lab. After brief incubation, sperm were protected from the effects of anti-sperm antibodies (which were added to the test tube), and the sperm were able to swim faster and for longer periods of time. The evidence has lead to the acceptance of Chinese Medicine by the science-centered western medical establishment and as a result even the World Health Organization identifies acupuncture as beneficial  for the treatment of male sexual disorders.
Herbs and Supplements
We prescribe herbs and supplements on the individualized basis. Many herbal prescriptions and supplements have been shown to help male and female fertility but they can also be harmful if not prescribed with knowledge and care.
The Continuing Excellence in Fertility Professionals Program (“CEFP”)
Dr. Randine Lewis, author of The Fertility Cure and The Way of the Fertile Soul and founder of The Fertile Soul, invited 30 of the world’s Chinese Medicine fertility specialists to join her to form a circle of experts. These members constitute the CEFP and each of us are dedicated to giving our patients the best possible care by sharing and obtaining knowledge in the areas of Eastern and Western science as well as spiritual growth and practice, and nutritional and lifestyle choices. Most importantly we strive to support a person’s whole being in the best possible ways. To learn more about the CEFP go to 
Every week these specialists come together online and via telephone to share complex cases. We also meet for retreat twice a year to share in-depth and exchange information. Please know when you come to our clinic you engage the minds, experiences and resources of these specialists so you have the expertise of these practitioners supporting you. To learn more about Randine Lewis and Fertile Soul Retreats go to 
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 “Catherine Aquino began working with me through The Fertile Soul retreat process many years ago, and is a charter member of The Fertile Soul's Continuing Excellence in Fertility Professionals Program. Her commitment and dedication to reproductive health is unsurpassed. Catherine embodies compassion and a true depth of healing that is a rare find today. But that just scratches the surface. She is a soulful woman who has done her own healing work, and lets the light of her own healing touch those who are fortunate enough to come in contact with her. I'm honored to have Catherine as a colleague and a friend.”
Randine Lewis, L.Ac., Ph.D.,
Author of The Infertility Cure and The Way of the Fertile Soul
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