Alternative medicine is a very broad field. There are treatments that have stood the test of time and have been proven safe for hundreds or thousands of years. There are other treatments that have been proven safe and effective in studies funded by prestigious institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Unfortunately there are also dangerous treatments and providers who are unsafe.

The nutrition industry alone is estimated to be worth $25.7 billion dollars a year. Clearly there is big money to be made from even poorly studied herbs and supplements—and even from substances we know have no effect or are even dangerous. In some cases (particularly in weight loss and body building) very dubious substances are marketed as health building. Not only are some of these substances unlikely to help you, some of them can kill you. Never take a supplement until you know what its history is.

When choosing a practitioner of any kind there are several things to keep in mind. The same rules apply to choosing a medical doctor, a naturopath, a massage therapist, or an acupuncturist.

*Do you feel comfortable with this person? If you get bad vibes, find someone else.

*What are their credentials? You want someone who has been properly educated and knows the risks of treatment as well as the potential benefits.

*How long have they been practicing? If they are new, is there an experienced practitioner keeping tabs on them? One of the best doctors I have had looked like he had just finished Junior High School. He knew his stuff, talked to me like I was a real person, and listened to my concerns. The fact that he was new meant that he was up-to-date on recent research and willing to try new things.

*Can you ask them anything and get a complete answer?

*Do they understand your health needs? You are unique and PCOS is complicated. If they don’t know at least as much as you do, are they willing to learn?

*Do they practice good cleanliness rules for patient interaction? Whether a doctor or an acupuncturist, you need to know that they are washing their hands, wearing gloves, and using clean needles!

*Do they offer references? Find out if they are for real or if they just talk a good talk.

In the end, the person you choose as your guide in the infertility journey as key to your success as well as your emotional health throughout the process. Studies show that your trust in the practitioner is sometimes even more important to successful treatment than the actual treatment.