The first step in becoming more fertile is learning about your body and hormonal cycle. Conception is regarded as a process in the Asian medical view, not simply a single event. Rather than just pin pointing certain windows of potential egg fertilization, we look at signals from the body over the cycle that indicate hormonal balance and the health of the reproductive system as a whole.  

This is such a big and complex area. Where do we begin? We all learned about “the birds and the bees” as children. But, I feel comfortable assuming that the vast majority of us did not learn about women’s hormonal fluctuations and the state of their qi, blood, yin and yang through out the menstrual cycle. What are normal changes, what are optimal levels, and how the heck does all of this impact fertility?  Frequently asked questions by prospective parents that will be addressed in this blog series Fertility Awareness for Women are: 

How do I know which part of my cycle is the most fertile?

When is the best day(s) of my cycle to have intercourse?

If I have a period, does that mean I ovulated during that cycle?

What is an LH surge and what does that have to do with ovulation?

There are several fertility measurements out there, such as the Basil Body Temperature (BBT) Chart, OV-Watch and LH surge strips, how do they differ in terms of the information they provide and which one is right for me?

What are some general signals from my body that I am ovulating?

How can Asian medicine and specifically acupuncture and herbal medicinals, help me conceive?  

In each blog entry I answer at least one of these questions and will provide both Western and Eastern medical information. Every entery will include Asian medical theory regarding women’s health and reproduction in addition to research on acupuncture/herbs/diet/heat therapies etc.