Same-Sex/Queer
The medical system, medications and IVF procedures can be stressful to navigate and being in a queer or same-sex relationship can present additional challenges. All our practitioners at What’s Good are supportive of LGBTIQ2+ rights and needs.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used for centuries to treat infertility, and research has shown that they can significantly improve fertility and reproductive health. These therapies work by promoting overall health, reducing stress and inflammation in the body, balancing hormones, and improving blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Studies have found that acupuncture can increase clinical pregnancy rates and improve sperm quality in men, while Chinese herbal medicine has been associated with increased pregnancy rates in women with infertility.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials involving over 4000 couples undergoing fertility treatment found that acupuncture was associated with a significant increase in clinical pregnancy rates compared to control groups.
Another study that reviewed 57 randomized controlled trials involving over 8000 women with infertility found that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with a significant increase in pregnancy rates compared to control groups.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials involving over 1500 men with infertility found that acupuncture was associated with a significant improvement in sperm quality, including motility and morphology.
Transgender Health & Wellness
At What’s Good, we welcome transgender and gender-fluid patients, embracing their identities and providing unwavering support. We recognize that trans individuals seeking sexual and reproductive health care encounter numerous challenges.
Cultural competency is the capacity to provide healthcare for patients that’s appropriate for their social and cultural background and honours the intersectional nature of their identities.
Cultural humility involves self-reflection, deconstruction of our social conditioning and coming to terms with our own biases.
In Chinese medical philosophy, the concept of gender is understood as a dynamic interplay between Yin and Yang energies, forming a unique balance within each individual. We refer to this interplay as a dance, as it involves a multifaceted spectrum with ever-changing rhythms, continuously evolving and adapting.
How can we help?
Acupuncture and integrative medicine can help to support you in all stages of your identity journey, whether you are pursuing medical transition or not. Our treatments can support:
- Emotional balance and wellness in any stage of your journey
- Reducing the side effects of hormonal therapy; like emotional imbalance, mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes, weight changes, headaches or migraines
- Recovery after gender-affirmation surgery
- Pre-surgical preparation and care; improve circulation to support optimal recover, reduce stress & anxiety
Post-surgical recovery; reduce pain, reduce dependency on pain medication, reduce scarring, decrease recovery time, balance hormones, strengthen pelvic floor muscles after surgery.
Our integrative medicine services can help you start a family, no matter your gender identity
For Trans MEN
- Support emotional balance and reduce side effects from hormone medication
- Promote ovulation, regulate and optimize menstrual cycles
- IVF/IUI support: balance any uncomfortable side effect of fertility drugs
For Trans WOMEN
- Fertility preservation; improving sperm quality whether it’s for insemination in IVF/IUI or sperm freezing before gender affirming transition process begins as hormonal therapy and surgery can have a permanent impact on fertility
Explore your options and develop a personalized treatment plan
At What’s Good, we understand the unique challenges that same-sex and queer couples may face on their journey to parenthood, and we are here to offer support and guidance every step of the way. By scheduling an initial consultation with our qualified practitioners, you can explore your options and develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your needs and goals. So why not take the first step towards building the family you desire and schedule an initial consultation with us today?
1. Manheimer E, van der Windt D, Cheng K, Stafford K, Liu J, Tierney J, Lao L. Acupuncture for infertility: Is it an effective therapy? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:657167. doi:10.1155/2013/657167.
2. Zheng CH, Zhang MM, Huang GY, Wang W. Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2012;97(3):599-611. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.12.007.
3. Ried K, Stuart K, O'Kennedy N. Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2019;42:166-175. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.002.
4. Qian Y, Xia XR, Cao Y, Liang XY. The impact of acupuncture on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrologia. 2019;51(8):e13313. doi:10.1111/and.13313.
