Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist
Asheville's Comprehensive Acupuncture Care & Specialist in Fertility, Women's Health and Rejuvenation

Fertility & Acupuncture

Stress is One of the Most Under Diagnosed Contributing Factors to Unexplained Infertility

This is often a key factor in the fertility of both men and women. When people are under stress, the hormone cortisol is released in the brain. This alters the brain's neurochemical balance, thus changing hormone levels and disrupting the pituitary balance that is key to the reproductive cycle.

There is a delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary and reproductive glands.  Stress disrupts this balance and can prevent a woman from ovulating. Stress can also cause spasms in the fallopian tubes and the uterus, and alter sperm counts, motility, and cause impotence.

• Chronic stress produces toxic chemicals.

• Often individuals are unaware of being under stress, yet when tested their cortisol levels are elevated 200-300%. 

  Long term exposure to cortosol: compromises immune response, changes body
  composition, causes depression and sleep impairment, increases risk of heath attack
  and other health problems, causes reproductive dysfunction and altered eating
  patterns.

• Historically, chronic, low-grade stress was seen during famine.

• Our hormonal response to stress is actually antagonistic to our fertility.

  Adrenaline is released by the adrenal glands during conditions of stress.  This inhibits
  our ability to utilize progesterone.

  In times of stress the pituitary gland emits higher levels of prolactin.  Prolactin also
  inhibits a woman’s fertility.

  When we’re under stress, the sympathetic nervous system can become
  hyperstimulated.  A hyperstimulated nervous system sends less blood to the uterus
  and ovaries, thereby impairing their optimal functioning.

Acupuncture counters the effects of stress and cortisol by releasing endorphins in the brain, which exert a calming effect. Chinese Medicine also offers many other methods for relieving stress, such as, Qi gong exercises, meditation practices, deep breathing techniques, and massage.

Your path to radiant health...
from motherhood to menopause.

Lorraine H. Harris, Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist Specialist in fertility, women's health and rejuvenation, and the only acupuncturist in Western North Carolina (WNC) and Asheville offering Mei Zen™ Cosmetic Acupuncture.

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