Where do Eggs come from? Part 3

We'll start with cycle day 14. This is the textbook perfect day of ovulation. The day of ovulation that varies and determines when the period will start. So if a woman has cycles that change in number of days, it is the number of days between menstruation and ovulation that varies. The number of days between ovulation and menstruation does not usually change. The ovaries have been working, from day 1 to mature follicles into eggs. They have been stimulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland in the brain.

There are usually several follicles being primed for ovulation each month. By day 14, the body has chosen one (sometimes more) dominant follicle to release. It's much bigger that the other follicles that are maturing, and the rest give up the race. The follicle is triggered to release the egg by a spike in Luteinizing Hormone (LH surge) from the pituitary gland. An ovulation test kit measures the urine for this usually high amount of LH. The follicle bursts and releases the egg, which causes some women to feel some pain or a little bit of bleeding. The egg that is released goes into the fallopian tube and journeys towards the uterus.

So how can a woman tell when she is fertile? You may know of someone who has been trying to get pregnant that takes their temperature every morning. Around ovulation time, the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) of a woman should go up as well. Cervical mucous will also change, becoming more stretchy. This is to help the sperm with their journey towards the eggs.

In most cases, the egg does not fertilize and the corpus luteum degenerates. If the egg does fertilize, the embryo secretes a hormone that keeps the corpus luteum around and secreting progesterone, which keeps the endometrium thick to support the embryo.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used to improve the quality of eggs (which generally goes down as a woman ages), and to create a thicker endometrium (required for implantaion of the embryo). It's also being used to address a number of other factors that may come up when dealing with fertility. Infertility treatment is a very exciting specialty in the field of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine because there is currently a lot of research in the area, and efficacy rates are very good, especially when compared to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info on Acupuncture & IVF.

Where do Eggs come from? Part 2

Let's get started with the nitty-gritty. Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is the first day of bleeding. Healthy cycles do not start with light spotting, but with moderate bleeding. Heavier bleeding at the beginning of the cycle means that hormones are functioning correctly.

Day 1 is the beginning of the luteal phase, named after the corpus luteum. The corpus lutem is what we call the leftovers in the ovary after the egg has been released. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which helps to keep a fertilized egg in the uterus.

Menstrual flow is what happens when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks down and is shed. The actual amount lost is typically an ounce and a quarter - slightly more than a shotglass-full. Excessive bleeding can lead to low energy and anemia, while light bleeding means the endometrium may not be thick enough to support a fertilized egg. An "ideal" period from a Chinese medicine point of view would have no PMS pain, and start with about 3 days of flow, and end with 2-3 days of spotting. It's start day would be predictable, with cycles happening each 26-30 days. Cycles should be the same number of days, and should not require regulation via birth control pills.

As an aside note, please know that most gynecological complaints are not cured by the birth control pill. Usually the birth control pills mask the symptoms of a disorder, and/or delay the symptoms from worsening. The underlying condition remains. Birth control pills are prescribed by gynecologists for a range of complaints, from fibroids and heavy bleeding to lack of periods and painful cramping. Use of traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, is directed at balancing the hormones and re-establishing a properly functioning reproductive system.

More information on Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and Fertility is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Where do Eggs come from? Part 1

Inspired by various images of dyed eggs, it occurs to me that most of the women that I encounter in my acupuncture clinic do not know how their physiology works.  Where do eggs come from?  How are they made?  What exactly happens every month?  Most women don't research this until they are interested in getting pregnant, or until they are having difficulty getting pregnant.  I'd like to provide a simple overview of what happens during a woman's monthly cycle, I remember when I learned this that it was really interesting to me.  

A textbook perfect normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days.  (There is a normal variation of +/- three days on either end, but each cycle should be the same number of days.)  Day 1 is the first day of menstrual bleeding.   This blog post is about anatomy: what parts are involved, how big are these things, and where are they?  Knowing the anatomy makes understanding how things work easier.  

In a typical female reproductive system, the focus is usually on the uterus, located about three or four inches below the belly button, inside the abdomen.  It's usually around the size and shape of an average chicken egg.  It's attached to two ovaries, each about the size & shape of an almond.  An ovary is composed of many finger-like follicles, like a sea anemone.  Each ovary connects to the ovary via a fallopian tube.  Each of those are about 3-5 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter, similar but shorter than a licorice stick candy.  

I hope you forgive me for my reference points, but they are the best way to clearly picture what the anatomy looks like.   Knowing normal anatomy and physiology is a required in order to understand when something goes wrong, like infertility, ovarian cysts, or ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.  These are all conditions that I  treat in my acupuncture clinic.  If you'd like more information about any of those conditions and acupuncture care, please visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com. 

Toxins in your Home?

In my office, my clients often ask me what kinds of things may be adding to the toxic load that their bodies are subject to. This is because, in addition to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, I also offer what is called an Ionic Detoxification Foot Spa. When people can ***see*** those toxins coming out of them, they want to know how those toxins are getting into them!

Have you heard that the air inside of the average home is more polluted than the air outside? This is usually attributed to the fact that many households use toxic chemicals for cleaning purposes. These chemicals leave residues and fumes in the air that we can absorb through our lungs and skin.

So consider this: What products are you using to clean that may be toxic? There are many natural ingredients that are better for your well being and will still maintain your home well. Mother Earth would also appreciate it if you choose products that are biodegradable. Natural cleansers are much more likely to be earth friendly than chemical cleaners. Using them also creates a healthier environment for your children and pets.

If you'd like more info about the Ionic Detoxificatoin Foot Spa, you can visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and look under "Services", "Ionic Detoxification"

What's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

I get many cases of patients that come in complaining of carpal tunnel syndrome. It's such a commonly used phrase that most people are aware of the term, but often do not know what it means. Here's a simplified explanation...

The carpal tunnel is part of the wrist that nerves pass through. I like to explain the carpal tunnel as similar to a rubber band that hold together a bunch of asparagus. The asparagus represents a bundle of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically happens when there is wrist overuse (usually at a computer), and the nerves in the carpal tunnel get annoyed and act up with symptoms like pain and swelling. With so many people using the computer at their job all day, the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is definitely going up. For more details on carpal tunnel syndrome, check out http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm

I am getting more and more cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you are concerned about this, have the ergonomics at your workstation re-evaluated. It's very important to be taking care that the body position that you are in for most of the day is a healthy one.

For more info on acupuncture, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com, where Dorothy Pang, licensed acupuncturist, treats carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions.

Gray Hairs Begone!

Most people think of acupuncture as something for stopping pain. While this is true, that's not all that acupuncture can be used to help with! I find that most people I encounter suffer from sub-par digestion. What does this mean? Well, first of all it means that their bowel movements may not be regular or well-formed. Why is that a problem?

When bowel movements are not great, that indicates that digestion is not great. Most people don't consider that a big deal. But, there are often big changes when digestion is restored to greatness! For example, I have had multiple clients tell me that once their bowels regulated, that their hair dressers will comment on their gray hairs... disappearing!

How does one explain that? Well, I like to say to my patients that bad bowel movements indicate bad digestion. If your body can't pull all of the nutrients out of the food that you are eating, that can reflect itself in your body as premature aging. Since your body can't process food properly, it's in effect, malnourished, no matter what you are eating. That can lead to things like gray hairs showing up. I have seen this happen in my office often enough to want to spread the message - you may be able to look better if you poop better! And Chinese medicine can be used help to promote proper pooping. That's why one of my specialties as an acupuncturist is digestive disorders such as IBS, colitis, chronic loose stool, and constipation. For more info, visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com and see "Conditions" Menu.

Acupuncture as a First Line of Defense

When is the right time to seek care? In an ideal world, potential clients would come to see me for acupuncture care at the proper stage of disease. Being an optimist, I used to believe that they could come in at any time and with enough patience, acupuncture care and maybe herbal medicine as well would be enough to get anyone better.

However, sometimes it's too late. And I find that it's such a tragedy. If only these people had come in sooner, I could have used acupuncture to naturally stop their pain and suffering. I like to think of acupuncture as a first line of defense. My clients that are properly educated in the workings of acupuncture share this line of thinking.

Clients that are properly educated in acupuncture and Chinese medicine know that it is a very powerful medicine. It can be used to treat a myriad of symptoms, such as stopping pain, reducing inflammation, restoring range of motion, ending diarrhea, controlling acid reflux, and enhancing fertility, just to name a few. My patients know that by the time their body lets them know something is wrong through exhibiting a symptom - that is already deep into the pathology process.

Since I can tell how a body is doing inside by taking the pulse and looking at the tongue, I can often tell if health is going downhill before a client can. Some of this is may be due to the fact that Americans are not taught to pay attention to their bodies. We are unaware of what normal function should be, and so don't really think of anything as 'wrong' until something like a recurrent pain sign occurs.

Studies show that acupuncture is great for relieving pain and inflammation. I must add, it seems to work best when applied sooner to a problem. This is not to say that those with a stubborn problem should not seek acupuncture care. I have been able to completely eliminate pain that was present for over 10 years. I write as an encouragement to seek care sooner in the process rather than later. Why suffer needlessly for weeks, months or years? Most of my clients tell me that they were scared that acupuncture would hurt. But, after they thought about it enough, they decided that the pain that they were already experiencing was probably worse. After they try a session, they realize that my style of acupuncture is very gentle, and just about painless, and they are really glad they decided to try it out. Their fears were for nothing. So I hope that fear is not the great un-motivator that I am hearing that it may be out there.

I cannot speak for all acupuncturists, as I have worked hard to develop an extremely gentle insertion techinique. I have heard some stories of other acupuncturists who do not use a light touch. But I do know that in my office, about 95% of the time, the patient feels nothing but a light tap or pinch. They look forward to their soothing and relaxing sessions.

I have managed to win over a lot of people. Even I am surprised sometimes with their passion and dedication to the medicine. It is only another tribute to the strength and range that this medicine is capable of. And, most effectively experienced when applied as a first line of defense. More information on my acupuncture clinic is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com, for those that may be interested.

Free Blog Counter