Understanding Fertile Cervical Mucas at Midcycle

Many of my patients do not understand the significance of mid cycle cervical mucus which is the reason I am posting this blog in order to shed some light on the matter Fertile mucus starts getting produced about 6 days before ovulation as a result of a rise in the hormone estrogen. There are different types of mucus that are produced by the glands in the cervix. Many women are confused by which mucus is fertile and which isn't  so I will try and make this easy to understand..
There is a type of discharge called G-Type mucus which is pasty and thick. This type is unable to be penetrated by sperm so it is not a fertile type of mucus. This is produced early in the cycle soon after the period. Then there is another type of mucus produced as estrogen levels rise more called L- Type mucus.It is a more liquid in texture. When ovulation is getting close the S-Type mucus is produced which has a more slippery and stretchy consistency and is also called egg-white mucus. The next type of mucus called P-Type mucus is the most fertile and is called P Type as it is rich in potassium. This mucus is not as stretchy but it gives a very slippery sensation to the vulva. The most fertile day in your cycle is the last day of this mucus being produced. This is the day before or the day of the egg being released out of the ovary or ovulation.
If this is still daunting do not worry -  my recommendation is to have sex every second day as soon as you feel the slipperiness on wiping. I have personally found that women who have followed this rule have had the most success in falling pregnant.

Relieving Morning Sickness with Acupuncture

I had a lady who came to get acupuncture due to morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy.  Like other pregnant women suffering from this condition she had been vomiting every day.  She was also suffering migraines and vision disturbances.

She had disturbed sleep and suffered from bowel problems.

With two treatments a week she said that she has been feeling better.  She has not been vomiting since and her nausea is very mild.  The migraines have vanished and her sleeping is not as distrubed.

She really appreciated being able to sleep undisturbed for a reasonable period and felt much more refreshed.

Acupuncture for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

If you have problems with regularity of your menstrual cycle, acne, excessive hair growth, excess weight and infertility, you could possibly have something known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is where the ovaries have many cysts or follicles that often don’t grow to produce viable eggs. It is due to this that ovulation does not always occur once a month like it should, resulting in  irregular menstrual cycles where menstruation occurs less frequently of longer than 28 days. Some women have amenorrhoea or no periods for months or even years! Anxiety and depression are other possible symptoms of PCOS as well as obesity.  PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility.

The cause of PCOS is high levels of insulin and/or high levels of male hormones called androgens.

PCOS can be easily diagnosed by ultrasound and blood tests for hormonal levels.

Doctors will often prescribe the Oral Contraceptive Pill to women with PCOS but all this does is mask the problem and when these women come off the pill to have a baby they find that they are still exhibiting the symptoms of PCOS and their cycle doesn’t come back regularly.

It is imperative that women with PCOS manage their lifestyle by exercising regularly and having a low GI diet which is effective for weight loss and hence increasing rate of ovulation.  Another reason being that PCOS sufferers are at increased risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Although treatment can include a healthy lifestyle, hormone therapy and other medications such as Chlomid, acupuncture and Chinese Herbs give very high rate of success in bringing the menstrual cycle back to 28 -30days hence increasing chances of ovulation, conception and pregnancy. Acupuncture focuses on re –establishing the function of the ovaries so that the eggs can ripen and be released from the ovary to be fertilized. In order to induce ovulation a selection of specific acupuncture points are used and been proven in studies to be effective in increasing ovulation rates.  Acupuncture is also known to stimulate the secretion of Endorphins or feel good hormones as well as Melatonin and Serotonin making you feel more relaxed in general.

 I have had many patients come to my clinic with PCOS and I have had good results getting cycle back to a more regular 28 -30 day cycle by using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. It is definitely worth a try!

To view a recent research paper on the effectiveness of acupuncture on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4116535/

A little bit about me...how I became interested in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

When I was 15 years old I got glandular fever. I had been healthy, happy and energetic before that. For many years  due to the glandular fever I was plagued with fatigue, headaches, feeling stress, inability to concentrate in school, and a constant feeling of my head being in a fog.  This all had a negative affect on my energy and ability to enjoy life. It wasn’t until  was 19 that I found out about acupuncture and was given a phone number to a clinic. When I called the receptionist explained that fine needles were inserted into different points of the body and that it would improve my energy levels and reduce stress. She said that there was a point in the top of the head that when acupuncture was done on that point that concentration was greatly improved, and that if the needle was angled in a different direction that it would make you very relaxed and help with insomnia or poor sleep. Initially I couldn’t believe that sticking needles in a person would make them more relaxed  and more energisedso I thought I have to try this! When I went into the treatment room the acupuncturist asked me a variety of questions about my medical history, appetite, digestion, sleep, and menstrual cycle amongst other things. Then he looked at my tongue and took my pulse and wrote down some notes and then started to do the acupuncture on me. I will never forget the first needle going in! It was a point on my foot between the big toe and the second toe. I felt this whooooosh ...of energy run up my body from my foot to my head and this movement of energy was exhilarating! The other needles were put in hands legs and abdomen and left in for about half an hour while I rested and listened to peaceful music. When I walked out of the clinic I felt like I had fallen in love and so energised. You know the way you feel when you worried about something like the result of an exam and then you receive the best possible news like you passed with honours! That’s how I felt after acupuncture! And I felt that way for some days afterwards. I had an acupuncture treatment every 2 weeks and it really helped me get through uni without having to suffer from stress and exhaustion. I finished a chemistry degree and worked in a couple of labs for a few years but I was always intrigued at how acupuncture worked and the philosophy behind it all. This is why I eventually left the work in the lab and enrolled in the 3 year full time acupuncture course. I did some further training working in the hospitals in Guang Xi province of China. Its now 16 years on and I am still practicing acupuncture at my clinic in Bulimba, specialising in pain relief, chronic fatigue, fertility and IVF support and I have not even turned back. I now feel none of the exhaustion and constant tiredness that I felt as a teenager.

 

Welcome...

Welcome to Qi for Life Acupuncture's very first blog post.
Qi for Life Acupuncture is a natural therapies clinic bordering Bulimba and Hawthorne just 15 metres off Oxford Street and only 7 km from Brisbane's CBD.
I offer pain relief with my signature massage and acupuncture combination treatments. I also like to use cupping and moxibustion.
I also specialise in fertility issues for both men and women and IVF support using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs. As well as anything from low back to sciatica, upper back and migraines.
There is ample street parking and the Bulimba City Cat close by.