The inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse may lead to a diagnosis of infertility. This condition can be frustrating for couples and individuals. It has contributed to anxiety, depression, and divorce. Although treatments are available, education and research has been limited.

Oftentimes, women endure the hardship of attempting treatments, failing to conceive, and just giving up. Instead, mindset around treatment should be focused on facing this challenge with hope and grace for you and your body. OBGYNs and fertility specialists treat symptoms to achieve conception by using Western medicine therapies.

In comparison, Chinese medicine doctors, Ayurvedic practitioners, and acupuncturists use Eastern medicine practices to prevent and treat infertility. I hope to educate you on each type of medicine, and encourage using both–combining the two can do wonders for fertility.

Western Medicine Fertility Treatments

Infertility looks different for each woman, which means the treatment does too. Western medicine has made some significant advances over the years, specifically involving fertility treatments. Women are presented with many options when visiting their OBGYN/fertility specialist. The options vary depending on the problem and invasiveness.

Fertility drugs

Fertility drugs and shots are used by individuals and couples to aid in conceiving.

Medications to treat infertility are minimally invasive depending on their delivery method. Some women are prescribed oral medications, and others injections. They’re typically given at the start of In vitro fertilization (IVF).  They can also be given alone to treat ovulation issues, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These drugs increase the chances of conceiving multiples because they can cause several eggs to be released at a time.

Clomid and Femara are some of the most common oral fertility medications. They stimulate the ovaries and help regulate ovulation. They suppress estrogen production, one of the necessary hormones for ovulation. Femara is also the first-line of treatment for PCOS-related infertility.

Some women are prescribed injectable fertility medications to be used simultaneously with IVF and egg/embryo freezing. They stimulate hormone production or kickstart ovulation. Multiple shots are usually given over days to weeks. With either oral or injectable medications, it will take time for them to work and is not considered a “quick fix.” Duration of treatment varies depending on the medication, but across the board, it may take as long as several menstrual cycles, several months, or longer.

Side Effects and Risks of Fertility Drugs

With any medication comes side effects and risks. Women taking any of these oral or injectable fertility drugs may experience:

Average Fertility Drug Costs

Insurance usually covers oral fertility pills making them a cheaper method of treatment. Clomid and Femara are typically under $100 without insurance coverage. The injectable medications tend to be more expensive. A one-month cycle usually includes three different injectable medications and costs between $1,500-$3,000 (can be as high as $4,000 without insurance).

Artificial Insemination 

Artificial insemination is a procedure used to reach pregnancy by means other than sexual intercourse. OBGYNs and fertility specialists widely use intrauterine insemination (IUI) by inserting semen into the womb using a catheter.

Intrauterine Insemination

The process of Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Sperm is collected (from a partner or sperm donor) and sent to a sperm bank where it is tested for any transmittable diseases. They will also “wash” the sperm of any contaminants that may interfere. After the sperm is prepared, insemination can begin. The doctor will insert the sperm directly into the uterus to support ovulation. IUI should be performed very soon after ovulation for best results.

Risks of Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination does have some risks that women should be aware of before proceeding with treatment. There is an increased risk of conceiving twins/triplets which can lead to premature birth or miscarriage. Women may also experience spotting or infection.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

The process of In Vitro fertilization (IVF)

IVF treatment is made of several complex procedures where doctors remove mature eggs from the ovaries so they can be artificially fertilized in a lab. The doctor will place the fertilized eggs back into the woman’s uterus for implantation. A full cycle of IVF is about 2 to 3 weeks. Specific conditions can lead to IVF like:

  • Fallopian tube damage or blockage
  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Male infertility

Eastern Medicine Fertility Treatments

The many therapies that fall under this umbrella take a holistic and preventative approach to fertility treatment. Though insurance does not cover these alternative methods, everyone can benefit greatly from Eastern medicine because it is an investment in your long-term health.

Ayurvedic Fertility Treatments 

Ayurvedic doctors believe that a woman’s fertility depends on the state of her mind, body, and soul. They promote specific diet and lifestyle choices that have proven to support fertility wellness for centuries. This medicine is 5,000 years old and has solved so many infertility issues through the years. Women seeking this holistic approach can expect their Ayurvedic practitioner to encourage rest (especially during menstruation), management of anxiety and/or depression, and good sleep. They also educate women wanting to achieve pregnancy to wear loose clothes, avoid excess heat, and use cooling techniques like foot baths or showers to lower the body temperature. Ayurvedic medicine is very safe with no risks.

Therapies and Natural Remedies:

Costs of Visiting an Ayurvedic Doctor 

The cost of a single visit to an Ayurvedic doctor ranges from $90 to $400 depending on the location of the practice and experience level of the doctor. Conveniently, most doctors offer 3-month packages that range from $350 to $4,000.

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture for fertility is done in the abdomen to target reproductive organs.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors and acupuncturists use acupuncture  to treat infertility. It is more invasive than Ayurvedic medicine because it involves inserting needles into the skin at different “accupoints.” There are several accupoints in the abdomen where doctors will target the reproductive organs. The needles help move energy in the body to promote balance.

The benefits of acupuncture include regulating the menstrual cycle, improving sperm count and motility, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, and decreasing stress and anxiety. Women and men can start seeing an acupuncturist a few months prior to when

they want to conceive, or at any point within their reproductive years. When visiting these specialists, they will assess your body and menstrual cycle so that you can come up with a plan together. It is very important to speak with a healthcare provider before pursuing acupuncture to make sure it is safe.

Risks of Acupuncture

The risks of Acupuncture include bleeding, bruising and tenderness at the needle insertion sites. Patients may experience dizziness, fainting, convulsions, dermatitis, nerve damage or increased pain.

Cost of Acupuncture

Because insurance does not cover acupuncture, a session costs between $75 and $125. Patients should receive acupuncture twice a week for best results.

Treating infertility will look a little different for everyone. Going in the direction you feel most comfortable with should be priority when seeking proper assessment and treatment. While Eastern and Western medicine have different methods to offer, both are extremely valuable. People should consider intertwining the two, or step out of their comfort zone if one is not working for them, in order to heal their bodies and reach fertility wellness! Keep in mind, treatment plans are based on what the body needs.

Written by Ellie Bergeron, BSN, RN for the Hopeful Mama Foundation. We are incredibly grateful to all of our writers, who open up their heart and share their journey with this community. If you would like to connect with one of our writers, please let us know by submitting an email on our website’s contact page.

“My name is Ellie and I am a Registered Nurse and freelance writer. When I am not writing, I am working as a PACU nurse, recovering patients from surgery. A large part of my job is educating people on their bodies, and the necessary steps to promote healing. For as long as I can remember, I have had a strong passion for women’s health and have always asked questions around this topic. A big goal of mine was to help educate as many women as possible about their bodies, and that is when I stumbled across Hopeful Mama Foundation. The mission and goals of this foundation aligned perfectly with mine, allowing me the opportunity to help so many women with their fertility journey. I truly believe knowledge is power, and I hope my blogs will reflect that!”

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Hopeful Mama Foundation. Our authors provide content that reflects their opinions and does not intend to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.