AboutR. Scott Malone L.Ac. Expertise I can answer questions on Acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
I specialize in women's issues, mental-emotional issues and headache.
Experience I have been in practice for 10 years.
Organizations I am certified and state liscensed.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the T'ai Institute of Oriental Medicine with certificates in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Question QUESTION: Hello. I have been trying to conceive for about a year and a half. I am 33 years old and there is nothing wrong with me or my husband. I have been going for acupuncture for a little over a year, once a week. I have been told I am a bit spleen deficient, but I think we probably have that under control now.
I did 2 non medicated IUI's with herbs since I ovulate normally. That did not work so we took a break for a few months and now we are starting the IUI's back again but with Clomid for two months and then injectables for two months if that does not work. I know I don't need the meds, but I tried the natural route for a year and a half.
Can you please tell me when you think the best time is to have acupuncture when having an IUI. Is it the day before the IUI and then the day after? I know for IVF it is recommeded right before transfer and then right after, but you don't hear anything about protocol for IUI. The two people at my acupuncture center seem to disagree on when I should go in.
I want to make sure I am maximizing my acupuncture treatments with when I am going for my IUI's.
Also, I have been taking Xiao Yao San for the past month for stress, any stagnations, etc. What is your take on these herbal pills as it realtes to infertility? I will probably stop taking them when I go on Clomid, but curious to see what you think about their benefits as it relates to infertility.
Thank you so much for your response!
ANSWER: Hi Jenny,
I can't speak to any particular protocol with IUI's so what you have is simply my opinion. I would go in for acupuncture the day before to prime the system, and then leave the body alone after the insemination to do what it is going to do without shaking things up again.
Often times a spleen and liver imbalance is the main culprit in infertility cases. The spleen is in charge of holding, and if the spleen is deficient, or being oppresed by the liver, the body will not allow itself to get pregnant because it can't hold and carry a baby to term.
I think Xiao Yao San is a great formula for this.
I would make sure the liver, spleen, ren, dai and chong channels were being treated as well to cover all the bases.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I'm looking forward to hearing about your success.
R. Scott Malone L.Ac.
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QUESTION: Thank you for your response! I have a couple of other quick questions. I am starting Clomid later this week for this first time. Do you think it is safe to still take the Xiao Yao San (8 pills 3x a day). I am also starting Royal Jelly this week and a blood nourishing herbal formula per my acupuncturist's instructions. She said it was fine to take all of this with the Clomid, but I wanted to get a second opinion. I have also been taking DHEA for the past three weeks and I usually take evening primrose oil for the first half of my cycle. Please let me know if it is safe to take ALL of this with Clomid? I don't want to counteract anything it is trying to do. Thank you for your response!
Answer Hey Jenny,
I am not versed in pharmacology, so I can not say for sure.
What I recommend for my patients is that if they are on meds, to take the herbal medicine at least an hour before.
I practice Chinese herbal medicine, so the use of DHEA and royal jelly is not something that is cogent to my particular practice.
I have never had a drug/herb interaction issue show up with a patient. I would make sure not to take them at the same time.
