Frank’s Story

I was first married in 1957 to a woman who was one of 5 kids.  I was one of 6 kids, so we looked forward to producing a large family.  After two years of non-pregnancy, our family doctor told us my wife’s physical anatomy and condition were normal for child bearing.  Then we found that my sperm count was good, but motility was extremely limited, and the possibility of my fathering a child was nil.  I was devistated!  I felt like I was not a complete man! 

We decided to adopt since raising a family was why we got married.  My wife’s older sister was already adopting so we had great guidance into this procedure   It took two years before we “earned” our first son.  Later we opted for another boy so our first would have a playmate.  Then we balanced our little family with two priceless girls.  All four came into our home while they were new babies, the youngest being 3 weeks old, and the oldest 3 months.

Life was good to us until my wife underwent radical mastectomy for breast cancer at age 36.  Now she was more devastated than I.  Her ailment was visible each time she saw herself in a mirror.  She didn’t even want me to look at her.  After the operation, her body suffered the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  She was in much pain and required many pain-killing drugs  To avoid addiction or other side effects, we got her oncologist doctor to approve our investigating accupuncture for pain relief, even though he said it was border-line “voodooism”. 

When we investigated the possibility of acupuncture, among the listed benefits, we found treatment for hay fever. I was horribly afflicted with allergies since I was a teenager, and I received no relief from allergy shots.  I depended heavily on antihistamine drugs.  I accompanied my wife to her acupuncturist for my own treatments.  After 5 or 6 treatments I no longer had to ingest hay fever pills.   Joy, oh blessed JOY! ! !  Our acupuncturist was Dr. Tao from China.  In addition to his practice, he taught at CU school of medicine.

My wife was more comfortable with the acupuncture, but died at age 41. Her old cancer spread to her pancreas and then to all major organs.  By then our kids’ ages were 8 thru 16.  Now you may be wondering why my story covers so much of my wife’s cancer and not so much of my infertility.  I was nearing my second marriage a couple years after my first wife died.  I decided to check my fertility so we wouldn’t get any surprises later.  The doctor told me I was as virile as a horse, and asked me if I wanted to do something about it.  Obviously, he didn’t know the motivation for my re-testing.

I read somewhere that antihistimines could possibly contribute towards infertility.  It had been over 7 years since I quit using them, thanks to accupuncture.  I was then living proof that those pills were causing my sperm problems.  I was at last a MAN again!

And that, dear friends, is the complete story.  You won’t have to wait for the rest of it.  I have had two great marriages, and four wonderful & loving children who have given me 12 grand kids and one great-grand son.

With a Little Help From My Friends

Everyone needs a tribe. I just returned from my yearly Fertile Soul CEFP practitioner retreat in Austin. It was amazing to connect with friends, old and new, and gather in a circle to share, learn and connect. My tribe. I come back from these gatherings feeling filled up and renewed. This group is the well I draw from so that I can continue to give in my work and life. I am continually touched and inspired by the vulnerability shared with these wonderful souls. When we gather together around our shared experience of working with fertility and heart-centered healing, we can all let our guards down, reveal our fears, grief, sadness and joy. Over the years, we have shared our own journeys with each other: our fertility struggles, our relationship issues, our work challenges, our battles with illness, our inspiration, our births, deaths and our re-birthing.

Randine is like the hub of the wheel that connects us all and holds space for our staying in the realm of the spirit. And we have become like the spokes on the wheel that give structure to her work and carry forth her message in the world. We are continually reminded of the Tao in her presence and challenged to stay rooted in spirit as we work with patients and live our lives. What a gift she has given us.

I am so inspired by my Fertile Soul sisters and brothers.  At the moment I am particularly in awe of Alex Berks, who faced the terrifying reality of cancer last year and is still facing it. Despite the suffering he went through and the possibility of more medical intervention and great uncertainty, he remains a rock of strength and a bright light of love.  He is one of the kindest, most authentic, most open people I have ever known.  Ever since we met at the first CEFP gathering, drinking wine and joking about “plus-one” he has been one of my favorite people on the planet.  Even more that that, I am testifying to the fact that he is a BIG SHOT: a brilliant healer and scholar of Chinese medicine, a wonderful husband (like John Wayne for Denise), an amazing father, a sincere friend, and a prince of a man. I am so proud to know him and to share in his wisdom and light. You shine, Alex. Gratitude to you, friend. And gratitude to all my Fertile Soul companions in this life. I am so happy to be part of our tribe.

Impact of electroacupuncture and exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhoea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Jedel E, Labrie F, Odén A, Holm G, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Lind AK, Ohlsson C, Stener-Victorin E.
1Karolinska Institutet.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/amenorrhea, and polycystic ovaries. We aimed to determine whether low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) decreases hyperandrogenism and improves oligo/amenorrhea more effectively than physical exercise or no intervention. Methods: We randomized 84 women with PCOS, aged 18-37 years, to 16 weeks of low-frequency EA, physical exercise, or no intervention. The primary outcome measure-changes in the concentration of total testosterone (T) at week 16 determined by gas and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-was analyzed by intention-to treat. Secondary outcome measures were changes in menstrual frequency; concentrations of androgens, estrogens, androgen precursors, glucuronidated androgen metabolites; and acne and hirsutism. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 16 weeks of intervention, and after a 16-week follow-up. Results: After 16 weeks of intervention, circulating T decreased by -25%, androsterone glucuronide by -30%, and androstane-3α, 17β-diol-3glucuronide by -28% in the EA group (P=0.038, 0.030, and 0.047, respectively vs. exercise); menstrual frequency increased to 0.69/month from 0.28 at baseline in the EA group (P=0.018 vs. exercise). After the 16-week follow-up, the acne score decreased by -32% in the EA group (P=0.006 vs. exercise). Both EA and exercise improved menstrual frequency and decreased the levels of several sex steroids at week 16 and at the 16-week follow-up, compared to no intervention. Conclusion/Significance: Low-frequency EA and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Low-frequency EA was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.

Jane Gregorie is attending ASRM!

Jane Gregorie, M.S., L.Ac., and owner of Acupuncture Denver, is attending the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Annual Meeting, which takes place in Denver this year from October 23rd -27th.  According to the ASRM’s website, the 2010 meeting theme is “Taking Reproductive Medicine to New Heights,” and is designed to meet the educational needs of both practitioners and scientists within the fields of reproductive medicine and biology.  The five-day program brings together the finest reproductive endocrinologists, scientists and clinicians in the reproductive health field and offers “postgraduate courses, lectures, symposia, roundtables, debates, abstracts, posters and videos that focus attention on the latest scientific developments in the field of reproductive medicine and their translation to clinical medicine.”

Everyone at Acupuncture Denver is thrilled that Jane is attending this year’s ASRM Meeting. We know that our practice and our patients will benefit from this cutting-edge conference that attracts some of the most knowledgable fertility specialists from around the country!

Acupuncture to Conceive

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been supporting fertility for thousands of years through Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations. Whether you are trying to conceive on your own or with the assistance of modern technology, Traditional Chinese medicine can help.

Medical studies have indicated that acupuncture and certain herbs can increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, stimulate ovulation in women and can help increase sperm motility in men.

Have you tried acupuncture to conceive? Share your story!