Infertility - What Can You Do, According to TCM?
Infertility, A Personal Guide According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
by Jun (Jimmy) Wang
Adapted from Jimmy Wang’s written contributions first published in Yin Yang You.
A woman is experiencing infertility if she cannot get pregnant (conceive) after more than a year of unprotected sex and her partner has a normal reproductive function. If the woman has never conceived, it is primary infertility. If she has conceived previously, it is secondary infertility.
According to TCM, the female reproductive process primarily depends on the Kidney and Liver. Infertility may be attributed to two common syndromes with these symptoms:
Kidney Yang deficiency—a person with Kidney Yang deficiency typically frequently feels cold, with her feet being especially cold at night, she wakes up to urinate at least once or twice each night, has delayed menstruation with decreased and pale menses, occasional spotting about a week before her period is due, her BBT (Basal Body Temperature) stays low between the first day of her period and ovulation.
Liver Qi stagnation—a person with Liver Qi stagnation frequently also has long-term depression, stress, and feelings of dissatisfaction.
In recent years, TCM medicines and acupuncture have been used to treat various causes of infertility such as ovulation dysfunction, immune dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis. Researchers have studied combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine techniques to promote follicle maturation and ovulation. Available data has shown TCM can significantly increase the chance of pregnancy while using assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Self-Care – What you can do at home to help address fertility issues
Groin Massage: The purpose is to increase blood flow to pelvic organs, nourishing the uterus and ovaries.
Steps:
Put your fingertips on the large artery just beneath the crease in your groin between your thigh and lower abdomen (see figure).
Hold the pressure for 30-45 seconds.
Release the pressure and let the blood flow normally
Repeat on the opposite side.
Perform three times in a row, twice a day up to ovulation or the day before embryo transfer, not beyond.
Note: Do not perform this exercise if you are or might be pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, circulatory problem, history of strokes, or detached retinas. Always consult your health care professional before starting this or any new health routine.
Herbal & Food Remedies
In TCM, different foods are used to treat infertility. Your dietary choices can help increase Kidney Yang. Eat foods that tonify the Kidney system such as black beans, legumes, kelp, parsley, tofu, raspberries, walnuts, wild rice, spirulina, and wheat germ.
Wheatgrass and barley grass nourishes the Qi, Blood, and Essence while it enhances immunity and restores hormonal functioning. Coenzyme CoQ10 assists mitochondrial function—the powerplant of each cell— which may improve egg quality. Try to incorporate these foods into your daily cooking as these foods can be powerful and fertility-boosting.
Reduce Stimulant Consumption: Cut down on caffeine and other stimulant use and reduce or eliminate alcohol and cigarette use. Nicotine is a serious killer—it ages the ovaries and makes the eggs resistant to fertilization. Second-hand smoke impairs fertility almost as much as smoking cigarettes yourself. Alcohol is even more damaging if you fall into the damp or Liver Qi categories of disharmony.
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Total Wellness Staff