Fertility

As a queer practitioner and someone who has been in out for almost two decades, I have a broad understanding of the issues that you may face if you are approaching your fertility journey and you identify as being part of the lgbtqia+ community.

If you are in a same-sex (female assigned at birth) relationship or if you are a single queer person, you may be requiring support with the processes of IUI, IVF or egg freezing.

Going through fertility treatments and understanding your new medical regimen and procedures can be a lot for anybody to navigate. Going through fertility treatments as a queer person can add an extra layer of challenges. 

There has been a lot of progress with more inclusive language and protocols being used for queer fertility patients. However, there can still be some inadvertent discrimination at times, for example, the clinic staff may presume the gender of your partner.

You may want some guidance in finding a queer-friendly clinic with a sperm donor program. Or perhaps you are a male (assigned at birth) looking to improve your sperm quality prior to collection. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and supplements may be able to assist you. 

Coming out

Coming out can present unique challenges and for some people it can bring up feelings of anxiety and depression. In addition to seeing a registered therapist, acupuncture may help to support the nervous system for any uncomfortable feelings that are arising.

Scar healing

Chinese medicine and acupuncture may assist with scar healing from gender-affirming surgery (such as top surgery).