Don't Forget to Pump Up the Blood!

Written By:

Beth Heller

Co-Founder of Pulling Down the Moon, MS, Reg. Yoga Teacher

Reviewed for Accuracy By:

Meredith Nathan

Director of Massage

Oh Blood Flow, Oh Blood Flow, Wherefore Art Thou Blood flow?  And Why Do We Care?

It’s February and Valentine’s Day is on the horizon.  Is our mind filled with romance and love? 

Nope.  We’re thinking about blood flow.  Why blood flow?  Well, because improving blood flow to the pelvic area is one of the most important things women can do to improve their fertility, especially if they are over 37 years old. 

For some time, research has pointed to ovarian blood flow as a predictor of IVF success.  One reason for this is the important role that blood plays in the delivery of gonadotropin hormones, nutrients and oxygen to the ovaries.  Interestingly, ovarian blood flow declines with age. 

Techniques like acupuncture, massage and yoga have all been shown to increase blood flow.  In multiple studies, including this groundbreaking work by Sterner-Victorin, acupuncture has been shown to reduce blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries. Massage, too, seems to have an impact on uterine pulsatility index.   While there are no studies as of yet looking at yoga and uterine blood flow, we do know that yoga impacts blood flow in several ways.  The first is mechanically - by putting the body in positions that promote blood pooling in the abdominal area and by gently stretching muscles and connective tissue that may constrict blood flow.  The second is through the activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (a.k.a. Relaxation Response) which shifts blood away from our large skeletal muscles towards our internal organs, most notably the organs of digestion and reproduction. 

At Pulling Down the Moon, we offer a range of ways to get your blood flowing.  If you're interested in yoga, you can try a fertility-friendly yoga community class at our Highland Park and Chicago locations and get a first-hand experience of the amazing impact yoga can have on your body and mind and get a taste of what it feels like for your body to learn how to heal itself through the power of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Relaxation Response). 

Click here to register for our free webinar "Be Your Own Valentine and Love Yourself: Self-Care for the Fertility Journey with Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron and PDtM Co-Founder Beth Heller, M.S." on February 10th AND our LIVE online Galentine's Yoga Class on February 15!

Meet Meredith Nathan

View Profile: Director of Massage

Meredith Nathan, L.M.T., a distinguished graduate of Northwestern University and the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, holds certifications in various therapeutic techniques. In 2008, she created the Fertility Enhancing Massage (FEM) Protocol™, becoming an approved provider of Continuing Education in Fertility Massage in 2017. Meredith is committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve radiant health through a blend of holistic modalities grounded in modern science, reflecting her dedication to setting new standards of excellence in holistic fertility.