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Japan ft. TCM
Dr. Yu Chuan Chen
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Taiwanese traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) collaborated with Japanese reproductive medicine to help Xiao Qian, who had married and moved to Japan, successfully regulate her body and find a natural cycle implantation method that suited her, leading to a successful pregnancy!
Irregular Menstruation and Failed Attempts with Ovulation Drugs and IUI
Last April, Xiao Qian, who had moved to Japan after getting married, came into NUWA TCM with a worried expression. She had irregular menstrual cycles and had been unable to conceive after three years of marriage. Her husband, as an only child, was becoming anxious as well. They had tried ovulation induction drugs and intrauterine insemination (IUI) but had no success. Eventually, they turned to IVF, only to discover poor egg quality. Hoping to find a better outcome, they sought help from TCM.
Xiao Qian would return to Taiwan about once every quarter, and during the time in between, we communicated through messages whenever she had questions. She intermittently measured her basal body temperature. After about six months, we finally found a regular menstrual cycle! Eager to proceed with treatment, she underwent egg retrieval, and both the quantity and quality of the eggs improved. However, she got her period again after the embryo transfer, which took place before the Lunar New Year.
A New Door Opens with Integrated Medicine from Taiwan and Japan
Due to her hormone levels, hormone-supported implantation may not have been ideal. We suggested she discuss with her Japanese doctor whether she could try a modified natural cycle implantation. The TCM medication was also selected based on her menstrual cycle and hormone fluctuations. Recently, she excitedly contacted us to say that she had tested positive for pregnancy! She mentioned that at day 21, her hormone levels indicated readiness for ovulation. Her doctor administered an ovulation trigger shot and gave her progesterone. The embryo transfer took place on day 27, and this was the first time her β-hCG levels had risen!
TCM Perspective: Exploring the Advantages of Natural Cycle Implantation
Reproductive technology has advanced significantly, especially in fertilization techniques (such as ICSI), embryo culture, and cryopreservation. However, even with the implantation of thawed embryos into the uterus, whether the embryo can successfully implant remains a contentious issue. Even with the transfer of high-quality euploid embryos, the success rate for implantation is only about 50%. As a result, immune-related infertility has become a focal point of research. However, even with all the immune medications available, many mothers still face failures.
Recently, the reproductive community has found that implanting embryos in a state closest to the "natural" cycle seems to improve the body's acceptance of the embryo and reduce risks after pregnancy. The use of natural cycle implantation is increasing. From the perspective of TCM, natural cycle implantation is preferred because the consultation and pulse diagnosis are similar to those during a normal menstrual cycle, without the interference of hormones. Future mothers also experience fewer emotional fluctuations, and the restrictions on the use of Chinese herbal medicine are also less stringent.