Homeopathy
The word homeopathy comes from the Greek words homos (meaning ‘same’) and pathos (meaning ‘suffering’). In homeopathy different people suffering from the same problem can be given different remedies because each person is treated according to their individual constitution. Pulsatilla is often given for women with no periods or irregular periods.148 General remedies recommended for male infertility could include lycopodium, argentum nitricum and selenium metallicum. Because infertility is multifactorial, it is better to consult a qualified homeopath so that the treatment is individualized. Specific help could be given for endometriosis, fibroids, cysts and other complaints.
Acupuncture can also be used alongside the other recommendations to help increase fertility. It is an ancient system of Chinese medicine that dates back some 2,000 years and is based on the concept of Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) which is the body’s energy. The acupuncturist aims to balance this flow of Qi along pathways called meridians. Acupuncture has proved particularly successful in boosting the fertility of older women who want to get pregnant. Chinese herbs may also be given with acupuncture, and an interesting study on infertile women at Qian Fo Shan Hospital in Jinan, China, showed a pregnancy rate within two years of 70 per cent for those given acupuncture, 52.7 per cent with herbs and 46.7 per cent with conventional drugs. Acupuncture can be especially useful for correcting hormonal imbalances and problems such as fibroids and endometriosis.
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