On Fertile Ground: Holistic and Traditional Approaches to Infertility

A breakfast panel discussion which looks deeper at some possible causes - lifestyle factors, nutritional imbalances, even emotional elements and offers ways in which couples may be able to overcome their fertility challenges by taking responsibility for themselves, rather than handing it all over to the doctors.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
7:30am – 10:00am
Continental Manor,
112 Main St, Norwalk, CT

Our panel represents Western, Eastern and Integrated approaches
to fertility - offering a strong potential for success in promoting fertility.

Moderated By: Kelley Connors, MPH
Real Women on Health!

Tickets are $35 before Oct. 16/$45 after Oct. 16
To purchase tickets and learn more, visit
www.tlctimeforme.com or call (203) 853-4TLC

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to RESOLVE The National Infertility Association

Fertility Challenges Seminar PDF

Our Fertility Centers in New York & Connecticut offer support for patients as a whole person, not just as a clinical diagnosis.  Whether relieveing stress with yoga, counseling or acupuncture - Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT provides complementary fertility treatment programs to help you on your path to fertility.

Learn more about any of these programs by contacting one of our offices near you.  

1. Carolyn Gundell, MS, is available, by appointment, to discuss healthy eating strategies, nutrition and their impact on fertility. Carolyn has her M.S. in Nutrition from Columbia University and has over twenty years of experience, with a specialty working with patients with insulin resistance, Diabetes Type1/Type 2, and metabolic disorders including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

2. LisaTuttle, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, will be leading groups that provide a forum for participants to learn about and discuss the emotional aspects of infertility; provide an opportunity to share their experience and benefit from the support and experience of others, and to develop constructive ways of coping with the emotional challenges of infertility.

3. Support Groups are incredibly helpful because they give you an opportunity to meet with others who are facing fertility challenges, and to learn coping skills that will help you through the process. In Danbury, we have Jane Elisofon, LCSW leading our groups.

4. Acupuncture- What is acupuncture and how does it work? Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, sterile needles at specific points (acupuncture points) along the surface of the body to regulate the flow of qi or life force energy. The ancient Chinese postulated that there were meridians of qi that flowed throughout the body linking all the internal organs and body structures. If the flow of qi became disordered or blocked various symptoms and pathologies would arise. Acupuncture was used to redirect the flow of qi thereby restoring balance and health. Make an apppointment with either Amy Matton or Jing Zhang.

5. Ladies Night In- Peer Support Groups- A different version, not professionally led, all of us who have faced the infertility challenges. Peer led by RMACT staff with experience with infertility and running peer support groups.

6. Fertile Yoga will continue at 20 Glover Avenue in Norwalk from 9:30-11am on Saturdays. The first half hour is just to chat, from 10-11, we practice gentle, restorative style yoga. Fertile Yoga meets in Brookfield CT (very close to the Danbury office) at YogaSpace, from 4:15-5:30 pm, also on Saturdays.

Is there a program that you are interested in but we do not offer? Post here, tell us about it, let's see if we can make it happen.

Infertility Study Confirms Laser Acupuncture Improves IVF Pregnancy Rates

RMACT the only fertility clinic in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture treatments for IVF fertility treatments.

Norwalk, CT  May 28, 2009 -- Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) announced today the results of a recently conducted survey that showed the use of laser acupuncture performed both before and after embryo transfer during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, improves a women's chances of implantation by up to 15%. Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese method of using pin-point thin needles placed at strategic "energy points" around the body to improve functioning and promote natural healing. Growing medical evidence indicates that acupuncture may improve a woman's chance of conceiving when performed in conjunction with IVF fertility treatments. Today, acupuncture is frequently used by women with infertility issues to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce stress and improve blood flow to the pelvic area and uterine lining. The study, one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted on acupuncture, had 1,000 participants who were randomly assigned to one of five study groups. The first group received traditional acupuncture, the second group received laser acupuncture, while the third or "placebo group" thought (along with the acupuncturist and physician) that they also received laser acupuncture. The fourth, relaxation group lay in a dimly light room with soft music, and the last group received no treatment at all. All treatments were administered for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer.

"The results of this large prospective study are exciting in that they provide additional support in showing that acupuncture has a direct effect on improving fertility," said Amy Matton, a licensed acupuncturist at RMACT. "Like traditional acupuncture, laser acupuncture uses low level light to regulate qi and help balance the body. Laser acupuncture is a viable alternative form of fertility treatment for people who may have a fear of needles."     

"This exciting, first-of-its-kind study offers another tool to help couples achieve pregnancy, with only two painless treatments" said Dr. Mark Leondires, Medical Director at RMACT. "Our customized patient programs, personal attention, and leading research and technology, enable RMACT to provide each of our patients with the latest and most effective fertility treatment possible."

RMACT IVF Fertility Treatment Laser 

Currently, RMACT is the only fertility center in Connecticut to offer laser acupuncture. All of RMACT's licensed acupuncturists have been trained in the use of laser acupuncture. To make an appointment or to learn more, call (800) 865-5431, or contact us via our Fertility Clinic Contact Form

RMACT Fertility Clinic and Egg Donation offices specialize in the treatment of infertility. With fertility clinics in Norwalk, Danbury and Greenwich, CT, and an affiliate office in Rye, NY, our team of Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologists offer a wide range of infertility treatments from basic fertility services including ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to the most advanced assisted reproductive technologies including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Egg Donation and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The RMACT physician team includes, Dr. Mark P. Leondires, Dr. Spencer S. Richlin, Dr. Joshua M. Hurwitz, and Dr. Cynthia M. Murdock. All physicians are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Fairfield County and Connecticut Medical Societies. RMACT's IVF laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and CLIA; other accreditations include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). RMACT offers individualized treatment plans in a patient-focused and supportive environment. Fertility treatment support services, such as psychological counseling, acupuncture and yoga are also available. 

To view Abstract published in the November 2008 issue of Fertility and Sterility, The Official Journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine: , click here: IVF Fertility Treatment Laser Acupuncture Abstract