Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Fertility Acupuncture, and More in the Los Angeles Area
The Southern California Reproductive Center provides many reproductive technology services in addition to the assisted reproductive technology (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and egg donation programs described elsewhere in this website. Our committed and compassionate fertility specialists can tell you in greater detail about the topic of sports/physical conditioning during pregnancy, our sperm retrieval program, polycystic ovary syndrome, and fertility acupuncture at our Los Angeles-area offices. Our years of experience and the breadth of our expertise allow us to offer essentially all of the proven reproductive services that are available today.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Female Health
Fertility Acupuncture Therapy
Sperm Retrieval Program
Physical Conditioning and Sports During Pregnancy
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Female Health
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in reproductive-aged women, diagnosed in approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of this population across ethnic and racial groups. It's the most common cause of ovulatory factor infertility. Polycystic ovary syndrome can also impact many aspects of a woman’s reproductive and long-term health. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the health and quality of life of a woman with PCOS, and significantly increase her chances of conceiving a child.
back to top
How is polycystic ovary syndrome identified?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is defined by a combination of symptoms and physical findings that include:
- Signs of androgen (male hormone) excess or elevated circulating androgen levels in the blood
- Infrequent or absent ovulation
- Polycystic appearance of the ovaries
Women with PCOS frequently present with irregular menstrual cycles and signs of androgen excess, including excessive hair growth (hirsutism), acne, and even male-pattern hair loss. Approximately 40 percent to 50 percent of polycystic ovary syndrome patients are overweight or obese. However, given the significant variation in the physical expression of PCOS, a large proportion of PCOS patients are neither obese nor hirsute.
The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome can be made by the combination of physical examination, blood testing for hormone levels, and pelvic ultrasound.
Because women with PCOS can also demonstrate problems with insulin and carbohydrate metabolism, additional tests for blood sugar and insulin levels may also be performed.
Contact the fertility specialists of the Southern California Reproductive Center to arrange a medical consultation if you feel that you may have polycystic ovary syndrome. Our Los Angeles-area offices in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura can help you.
back to top
How is polycystic ovary syndrome treated?
Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is tailored to the patient’s reproductive goals. Estrogen-progestin medications including oral contraceptives pills are often used to control irregular menstrual cycles, and to improve hirsutism and acne. A number of anti-androgen medications are also effective in reducing hair growth.
Medical Therapy for Ovulation Induction
Medical therapy for ovulation induction is the first line treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome patients who wish to conceive. The drug Clomid® (clomiphene citrate) is most often the first choice. Recent studies have demonstrated that insulin-sensitizing medications such as metformin may also be of benefit as a second line (or "adjuvant") to clomiphene and other ovulation-induction therapies. However, medical ovulation induction in the PCOS patient who fails to ovulate or conceive after taking Clomid® can be difficult. In addition, PCOS patients can exhibit extremes in their response to gonadotropins ( injectable hormonal medications); slow or absent development and excessive stimulation are both possible. A thorough examination of the medical history and presentation of a polycystic ovary syndrome patient can help identify the optimum treatment path. The Los Angeles-area offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills, Ventura, Valencia, and Santa Barbara all provide treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome.
back to top
Laparoscopic Ovary Drilling
Laparoscopic ovary drilling is a surgical alternative for women who fail to conceive after taking Clomid® and metformin, and for those who are unable or unwilling to proceed to gonadotropin treatment. In this procedure, electrical current or a laser is used to drill small holes on the surface of the ovary.
Ovary drilling can result in improved ovarian hormone production, and spontaneous ovulation and conception. Ovary drilling allows the PCOS patient to avoid the possible complications of multiple pregnancy and hyperstimulation associated with gonadotropins. However, ovary drilling has inherent surgical risks and unknown effects on long-term reproductive outcomes. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are counseled at the Los Angeles-based Southern California Reproductive Center regarding all of their fertility options, including risks and side effects.
back to top
Lifestyle and Dietary Modifications
Lifestyle and dietary modifications to achieve weight loss should be a primary goal for all overweight and obese patients. Loss of even 5 percent of the initial body weight can be associated with significant improvements in ovulation, androgen levels, and insulin sensitivity.
Having PCOS can make conceiving difficult for a woman, but the physicians of the Southern California Reproductive Center can advise you about this and other fertility issues. Don’t be defeated by polycystic ovary syndrome. Our Los Angeles-area centers in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Ventura stand ready to help.
back to top
Fertility Acupuncture Therapy
In keeping with Southern California Reproductive Center's leadership position in the field of infertility, we always seek to provide the very latest in support therapies to help you achieve your dream of creating a family. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become more accepted by Western physicians, and there is an expanding body of evidence offering compelling reasons to include acupuncture as part of your overall fertility treatment program. The Southern California Reproductive Center offers fertility acupuncture at its Los Angeles-area offices in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Valencia.
back to top
Fertility Acupuncture Studies and Results
Recent studies in the United States and Europe indicate improved, objective, therapeutic fertility when acupuncture is combined with Western fertility treatments. A fundamental therapy in Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been used for more than 3,500 years. By monitoring blood flow, researchers have shown that applying acupuncture to the points specified for female infertility does increase the blood supply to the uterus . This is important because the increased blood supply can increase the endometrial lining of the uterus. The endometrial lining is the part of the uterus that receives and nourishes the fertilized egg, the fundamental first step to establishing a pregnancy. Similar results were found when the endometrial lining was monitored by ultrasound. In fact, the studies show that acupuncture fertility therapy increases the endometrial lining to a similar degree as traditional estrogen therapy, the latter being the standard treatment for a thin endometrial lining in Western medicine.
In a large, very well-designed study in Germany, fertility acupuncture therapy was shown to nearly double the clinical pregnancy rates for the IVF fertility patients involved. In that study, the baseline pregnancy rate without acupuncture was below the baseline of the best U.S. IVF centers, while all other aspects of the German and U.S. treatments and procedures were similar. The dramatic increase in the pregnancy rate may indicate a powerful additive effect when acupuncture is used to complement IVF treatments. And, in fact, our own preliminary data regarding the use of fertility acupuncture at the Los Angeles-area offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center support similar conclusions.
There is no precise answer as to how acupuncture actually works; however, all respected studies of the treatment consistently show that acupuncture increases blood flow to targeted organs, and is a potent release agent for the body's endorphins, which play a critical role in homeostasis (the overall balance and well-being of the human body). All of these indications strongly suggest a positive benefit for fertility outcomes when fertility acupuncture treatments are included in your overall fertility treatment program.
There is additional scientific literature that suggests that acupuncture may also increase (but not normalize) low sperm counts, indicating that acupuncture may also play a positive role in the treatment of male infertility.
back to top
Fertility Acupuncture Therapy at the SCRC
Led by Dr. Martin Cousineau, fertility acupuncture at the Los Angeles-area Southern California Reproductive Center clinics offers a complete program of acupuncture support treatment for fertility, wellness, gynecological disorders, and pain. Dr. Cousineau has long been interested in combining effective Eastern and Western medical traditions, culminating in his creation of the acupuncture program at the Southern California Reproductive Center. In addition to being a certified acupuncturist, Dr. Cousineau is a diplomate of both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Anesthesiology, and has served as the Director of Anesthesia Services at the Roxbury Surgery Center since the inception of the Southern California Reproductive Center.
Fertility Acupuncture Therapy Could Be Right for You
For couples seeking to create a family, both the female and male partner can use acupuncture as a cost-effective adjunct to fertility treatments. Acupuncture has no or very minor side effects or down-sides. When you are considering whether acupuncture if right for you, it is important to note that acupuncture needles are very small and cause less discomfort than a simple blood draw or IV start.
The positive effects of acupuncture can vastly outweigh any concerns over the procedure. Even those who have a fear of needles should ask their Southern California Reproductive Center physician about whether acupuncture could be an effective addition to their fertility treatment program. If you suffer from infertility, the ancient treatment of acupuncture could be very beneficial to a positive fertility treatment outcome. Contact the Southern California Reproductive Center to find out more about fertility acupuncture at our Los Angeles-area offices.
back to top
Sperm Retrieval Program
One form of severe male infertility is caused when there is no obstruction to the seminal fluid, but when there is apparent total absence of sperm production in the testicle. This condition has been treated with testicular sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with very good success rates.
For men with a complete absence of sperm in their seminal fluid (azoospermia), sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles or epididymis. After these sperm are washed and further prepared, they are injected directly into the partner's eggs. Microsurgical procedures have been developed that support high rates of pregnancy and the least amount of discomfort during sperm retrieval.
For men with little or no sperm in the epididymis, or if there is no epididymis, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles with pregnancy success rates similar to those achieved with epididymal sperm. However, testicular sperm does not respond to cryopreservation as well as normally ejaculated or epididymal sperm. Performed under local anesthesia, the procedures take only a few minutes and the patient will experience very little post-operative pain or discomfort.
back to top
Physical Conditioning and Sports During Pregnancy
Being fit and in good physical condition through exercise and enjoyable physical activity has long proven to be beneficial for people of all ages. A woman who wants to become pregnant is no exception. Pregnancy can be very demanding on the energy resources of a woman's body, and being physically fit before, during, and after a pregnancy is one of the best support mechanisms you can give yourself and your developing baby.
The physiology of pre- and post-pregnancy fitness training has been studied in recent years and has produced some compelling reasons to include a structured physical conditioning and dietary program as part of your preparation to have a baby. Some studies have shown that women who exercise regularly during pregnancy experience the following positive results:
- Reduction in the length of labor
- Less need for labor induction medication such as pitocin
- Shorter recovery time
- Help with post-partum weight management
- Weight training is a great way to stay fit during and after pregnancy
The fertility specialists at the Southern California Reproductive Center can tell you more about physical conditioning during pregnancy. We're happy to help you get started on your journey to conception and parenthood, and we're there for you along the duration of your pregnancy, too.
Contact Us about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatment or Fertility Acupuncture
Whether your questions are about sports during pregnancy, sperm retrieval, microsurgical tubal reversal, fertility acupuncture, or polycystic ovary syndrome, the staff of the Los Angeles-area offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center look forward to talking with you. Schedule a consultation at your convenience, today.
back to top
