Dresden Holden L.Ac. - Santa Barbara's center for fertility acupuncture
FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE:
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Dresden Holden L.Ac. provides holistic care for all wanting to optimize health and fertility. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or through assisted interventions, like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), we are here to help.
Through the combination of eastern medicine with western science, fertility acupuncture has been shown to help balance hormones, reduce stress, increase circulation to the reproductive organs, support implantation, and balance the immune system.
Having the support of a fertility acupuncturist and advocate can help you navigate various reproductive challenges we may face and maneuver the wide range of factors that go into a fertility journey:
- Menstrual disorders (PMS, irregular cycles, painful periods)
- Fertility enhancement (male and female)
- Endometriosis
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- GI disorders
- Hormone imbalance
- Thyroid health
- Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts
- Autoimmune or inflammation
- Lab tests and results
- Ovarian reserve and egg quality
- Miscarriage
- Headaches / migraines
- Stress / anxiety
WHEN TO START:
Support as soon as possible is recommended when it comes to fertility. It takes three months for an egg to mature in the ovary to then be ovulated. The work we do with consistent acupuncture, infrared heat, herbal medicine, red LED, moxibustion, and supplements will build on itself and go toward supporting the quality of those maturing eggs.
Within that three month time weekly acupuncture is highly recommended (12 sessions).
Even when supporting ART (assisted reproductive technologies i.e. IUI, IVF) the earlier we can support your body, by balancing the immune system, supporting the uterine lining and soothing stress, the better. Acupuncture can also be helpful to mitigate some of the uncomfortable side effects associated with reproductive medications as well as assist with implantation on transfer day.
We work closely with each patient to support them through their journey by offering guidance with cycle and ovulation tracking. We will discuss nutrition and movement to optimize fertility. Our bodies are constantly giving us clues into our existing hormone balance and wellbeing and we can absolutely learn to read the signs to optimize fertility.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Sessions and discussions are individualized for each patient and where they are in their cycle or ART cycles. While we will be addressing fertility specifically, this care will also address and support your overall wellbeing. Fertility acupuncture is a very relaxing medicine which can be quite soothing to a fertility journey.
appointment info
Initial acupuncture appointment:
- ~75 minutes | includes a review of your health history, recent lab/bloodwork/imaging and includes your first treatment | $225
- ~50 minutes | $165
- includes check-in and acupuncture treatment, plus infrared therapy
Additional details about treatments and pricing can be found here.
Licenses / Credentials:
Dresden Holden L.Ac., MAOM
Dresden has personally benefitted from eastern medicine for women's health in regards to having a history of irregular periods, menstrual pain, hormone imbalance, a diagnosis as a teen of PCOS, cystic acne, PMS and body pain. She has been studying the menstrual cycle and the natural family planning method/basal body temperature tracking for eight years.
She graduated from the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine and is licensed by the state of California Acupuncture Board.
Dresden is studying to sit for the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) exam. ABORM is an international organization pioneering best practices to bridge Eastern and Western fertility medicine. This requires fluency in western medical diagnoses, treatments, and collaboration with healthcare teams.