Karen Reynolds Acupuncture

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Processing of Sperm Samples: What You Need to Know (Part 1)

November 6, 2015 By Karen Reynolds

What you need to know about the processing of sperm samples. This is part one in a 3-part blog series about semen analysis, or “sperm counts”.

Did you know that semen analysis is not just used to count sperm? It also evaluates:

  • Sperm production (quantity)
  • Assesses how sperm are moving (quality)
  • Examines secretions of the genital tract

about infertility testingA man’s fertility is never determined by a semen analysis alone. Additional factors must be reviewed and considered. From the standpoint of processing of semen samples: not all labs are the same. That is why in my fertility acupuncture practice, I have stopped sending my patients to larger, unspecialized laboratories, such as those in community hospitals or large corporate labs.

Semen samples are best processed in an “andrology” lab. These specialty labs are typically associated with Urology or Reproductive Endocrinology offices. This is important since semen analysis is a time-sensitive procedure that requires technical expertise to perform accurately.

Processing by an andrologist is better for multiple reasons. Firstly, an andrologist has advanced training and skills in assessing samples and extensive experience in proper handling. Secondly, dedicated andrology labs typically have state of the art equipment with more accurate counting chambers and more formal lab methods. In unspecialized lab settings, semen specimens frequently are assigned to the “lowest man on the totem pole”, or to the technician available at that moment. So your specimen may be processed by far less experienced individuals.

A study published in The Journal of Human Reproduction in 2000 showed marked variability in the same semen samples analyzed at different facilities.

Results for the same semen specimens ranged from a count of 3 million sperm/ml to 492 million sperm/ml. That is a huge problem.

Risks of inaccurate results can be:

  • Significant emotional distress
  • Costly changes in medical care or treatment
  • Wastes of money and time

In other words: your semen analysis results from an unspecialized lab might tell you that Elvis is in the building but it won’t go into detail about how many cheeseburgers he’s eaten or how well his hips are swiveling. Campy analogy aside: I’m sure you understand my point. If you are going to the trouble of spending time and money on a sample, you want it to be accurate.

I strongly encourage men to schedule a complete medical history and examination by a urologist, along with an analysis.

Beyond the natural drive to father a child, each man needs to be evaluated for a disease processes that may cause an abnormal semen analysis and for mechanical issues or genetic pre-disposition, which might affect not only semen quality but even his health in the future.

Infertile men also can have statistically higher rates of testis and prostate cancer after the diagnosis of infertility is made. Unfortunately, the male infertility evaluation is often lacking in current conventional practice because the focus is on women. Granted: women do have more complex reproductive systems; but it is still wise to thoroughly evaluate guys as well.

Also important to know, a semen analysis alone is not sufficient to determine if male infertility is:

  • Curable
  • Caused by an important health condition
  • A risk factor for disease development later in life.

Parts II and III of this series, address things you can do like acupuncture, nutritional supplements and daily habits to help improve sperm production, and will be released on my blog and on Linked-In during the next 2 weeks. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Fertility, Women's Health Tagged With: andrologist, infertility testing, semen analysis, sperm sample processing

Acupuncture Can Help Stress

October 7, 2015 By Karen Reynolds

Yes, work and family life can be stressful, but acupuncture can help!

how to relive stress

What is your favorite way to destress? Please share it with us here, or on facebook.

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Women's Health Tagged With: acupuncture and health, acupuncture for stress, benefits of acupuncture, manage stress, stress relief

How Genetic Testing Can Help You with Your Overall Health

September 24, 2015 By Karen Reynolds

Things like the temperament of being a plate-spinner are intimately connected to our genes. Just as we all have varying approaches to undertaking anything in life, we all have unique physical responses and capabilities, many of which are genetically determined, and can impact your overall health.

I see this all too often with tolerances, for example to medications and herbs. It is not one dose fits all, not one medication cures all, nor is one approach successful for all.

Years ago I had a new patient walk in my doors. She had a history of elevated blood pressure and she was on an antihypertensive medication. She was having such severe joint pain and lack of energy as side effects to this particular medication that she grew into a pattern of doing her best to accomplish what she could before noonbecause she had to lay down for the rest of the day.

genetic testing and your healthWhat kind of life is that? How could her prescribing doctor think that was OK for the patient?

For my part as an RN and an Acupuncturist, I will never take a patient off of a medication nor will I encourage patients to discontinue or alter prescribed medications.

However, I did encourage her to seek out a new cardiologist, to report her side effects, the impact of those side effects to her life, and to inquire if a different medication could be prescribed. (The patient did find a new doctor and started on a different antihypertensive. Eventually, with her new MD supervising, she actually transitioned off the medication because her blood pressure so radically improved with regular acupuncture.)

I’ve lost track of the times that patients complain of suffering from profound side effects from medications but being told that the side effects are in their head. Unfortunately. it is fairly common for side effect complaints to be ignored by medical practitioners who should have a professional set of skills to consider another agent, a different dose or an alternate therapy.

The ability to metabolize medication is linked to your genes.

Though it is not yet standard medical practice to do genomic screenings to figure out your tolerances or intolerances to medications, did you know you can do this yourself? Yes! It is relatively easy and not terribly expensive. The unique and scientific information you discover can give you amazing insight into your healthcare decision-making. Not only can you share it with your doctors, but having the knowledge can help you head off suffering and wasted time and money.

The company that I used to explore my own genome is called 23andMe. 23andMe is one of many companies offering direct-to-consumer genetics testing. It is based in Mountain View, California. For $99, 23andMe offers a saliva-based test from which is generated a “Health Overview.” The overview provides personal genomic information broken down into the following sections: health risks, inherited conditions, drug response, and inherited traits. Additional online options for companies who offer genetic testing include: Ancestry, Family Tree DNA, and Complete Genomics. It’s definitely worth checking them out.

23andMe reports are broken into four broad and valuable categories:

  • Health Risk: Your risk for things such as type 2 diabetes, cancers, or heart diseases.
  • Inherited Conditions (also known as Carrier Status): For genetically passed diseases such as sickle cell anemia, Tay Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis.
  • Drug Response: How your system uniquely processes medication.
  • Inherited Traits: Eye and hair color, male pattern baldness, lactose intolerance, and cholesterol levels.

So next time you hear someone you love say, “This medication is causing X, Y or Z symptom,” it might be worth a second opinion medically, as well as some exploration into their genetic blueprint.

I wish you good health, much love and all that your heart holds dear!

Filed Under: Genetic Testing, Women's Health Tagged With: genes and health, genetic influence on health, genetics and health, health and genetics

Baby Blueprints Book Launches to Overwhelming Response!

September 9, 2015 By Karen Reynolds

I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support with my Baby Blueprints book launch. If you did not get your copy of the book, you can still take advantage of the free Kindle version on Amazon.

books about pre-pregnancy genetic testingThe response has been overwhelming and the book reached #1 on Amazon for books on Genetics and # 5 for Books on Pregnancy!

Your support and interest in learning more about genetic testing to have healthy babies, helped me reach this goal. Please accept my humble thanks.

We had an amazing time at the Launch party at the Brick and Bottle on Thursday. So many people came by to say hello, buy a book, and meet some of my professional colleagues to learn even more about genetic testing, acupuncture, how these can help with fertility and women’s issues, as well having healthy babies! It was a fabulous evening I will not soon forget!

I’d like to say a special thank you to Dr. Christo Zouves, Amy Vance and Gail Sexton Anderson. It was a true pleasure having all three of you at the Launch Party.  For those who do not know them… Dr. Zouves is a Reproductive Endocrinologist with the Zouves Fertility Center; Amy Vance is a Genetics Counselor with Bay Area Genetic Counseling and Gail Sexton Anderson is the owner of an ovum donation business called Donor Concierge. Having support from other professional colleagues like these three is truly an honor.

Dr Zouves with Karen    Gail and Amy

Below are a few more pictures of the event….Enjoy!

If you did not get your copy of the book, simply click here to order your copy. I truly believe it is a must read for anyone looking to have a family and needs to be read prior to getting pregnant. There are many tests that can be done BEFORE getting pregnant and Baby Blueprints guides you on your quest for a healthy baby and shares information on using modern genetic testing and acupuncture.

blueprints launch  launch party

karen and husband Jim  mark and karen

Thank you again for the tremendous support and stay tuned for more tips and information on acupuncture and how it can improve your health!

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Baby Blueprints Book, Women's Health Tagged With: Baby Blueprints Book, baby genetics testing, genetic testing before pregnancy, pre pregnancy genetics tests

Genetic Testing During Pregnancy

August 25, 2015 By Karen Reynolds

Many people know that they would never choose to terminate a pregnancy under any conditions and they opt simply to forgo the typical generic testing offered during the first trimester of pregnancy.

the benefits of generic testing during pregnancyWhile this is always a right that patients can exercise, there are some aspects to consider which still maintain personal decisions yet afford valuable information.

If you are not inclined toward genetic testing prior or during pregnancy, please consider the following: Prior knowledge of the possibility of having a special needs child can help you prepare for that possible occurrence. A dear friend of mine is deeply religious. During their first pregnancy, she and her husband opted not to have any genetic testing for their son. Their child was born with the most severe grade of spina bifida. Their family adapted and their son is thriving, however, the stress they experienced amid the shock of learning of his disease, paired with the immense requirements for his healthcare immediately after birth, were enormous.

I have seen great anguish, shock, and heartache after births in which simple carrier testing would have afforded the prospective parents an easier transition. Special needs children usually require modified home settings and training in their physical care. For example, it can be invaluable to meet and speak with parents of special needs children and to learn how to develop skills as well as a support system for yourself and your family. With this preparation, you can then welcome your new baby into a community and family with open arms and a good foundation of knowledge.

My book further discusses types of testing, what to check and how to create a healthcare team to support you and your family. Stay tuned for more information on the advances in genetic testing and I wish you health and wellness!

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: decision on tests during pregnancy, generic testing during pregnancy, testing during pregnancy, tests during pregnancy, types of tests during pregnancy

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Karen Reynolds Acupuncture offers acupuncture sessions, that help with women's health and fertility, healing after surgery and performance in sports.
KRA also offers Microneedling for wrinkles, anti-aging, acne, scarring and hair loss.

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karen@kreynoldsacupuncture.com · 660 Las Gallinas Avenue · San Rafael, CA 94903