Am I Fertile? Go from Infertile to Fertile with Chinese Medicine
Fertility, or the ability to conceive, is a challenge that about 10% of both women and men may face in their lifetime. For women, it is defined as an inability to conceive after one year or more of having unprotected sex. Women are most fertile during ovulation which happens about two weeks prior to the start of a period. Thankfully, there is hope for women and men who are struggling to conceive. To learn more about going from infertile to fertile with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), read on.
The Basic theory of Fertility in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Practitioners of TCM have been helping men and women in fertility issues for centuries. Over the years, specialties in women’s health began to arise. So, to answer the question ‘why am I struggling to conceive?’ Let’s take a deeper look into the Chinese Medicine theory.
For thousands of years, the concept of yin and yang has applied to conception. It is the blending of yin and yang as the Qi of both partners responds to one another.
In cases of infertility in women, TCM aims to regulate and nourish the blood to improve circulation. It also aims to strengthen the kidneys and uterus which, along with blood, are considered the foundations of reproductive health.
Infertility in men is often associated with kidney essence. The kidneys contain each individual’s essence and oversees development, growth, and reproduction. Given their important role in creating life, infertility in men may be a symptom of kidney deficiency. To improve fertility in men, TCM practitioners often work to strengthen the kidneys.
Am i infertile? How do i know if i am infertile?
It goes without saying that the signs of infertility differ greatly in men and women. In men, common indications of infertility include:
- Testicular pain or swelling
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sexual desire changes
- Unable to ejaculate
- Firm or small testicles
In women, signs of possible infertility may include:
- Heavy or painful periods
- Absent periods
- Hormone fluctuations
- Irregular menstruation
- Painful intercourse
How Chinese Medicine Can Help you go From Infertile to Fertile : Chinese Medicine For Fertility
To improve fertility in men and women, TCM practitioners focus on a number of areas:
- Blood, Qi, and balancing yin and yang: Before confirming any fertility issuers, A TCM practitioner will first confirm that women are experiencing regular periods and ovulation. Chinese medicinal herbs may be used to help improve blood flow to the uterus, and acupuncture may be considered to correct imbalances.
- Strengthen kidney Qi: Since the kidneys are the root of life, TCM will also address strengthening kidney Qi. The goal is to nourish and tonify the kidneys to achieve a successful pregnancy. A study out of the Integrative Medicine Research Centre of Reproduction and Heredity at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan reported on the use of Chinese medicinal herbs to restore kidney Qi. It demonstrated that use of Erzhi Tiangui granule to tonify the kidneys while providing nourishment to the blood mean that those undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) required fewer hormone supplements to achieve conception.
- Removing Blockages: To restore fertility, it is important to unblock the body’s energy flow. Stress is a known factor in those who struggle to become pregnant as it can have an effect on the menstrual cycle. Stress management techniques and treatment with acupuncture may be recommended.
Acupuncture for Fertility
The ancient practice of acupuncture has the ability to reduce anxiety and depression through the regulation of the autonomic nervous system by inhibiting sympathetic tone while stimulating vagal tone. Acupuncture may also help to calm the body’s stress response through the release of endogenous opioids. Studies have found that women undergoing IVF produced fewer stress hormones when they used acupuncture along with IVF treatment.
Read more:
Acupuncture and Fertility: How Effective is Acupuncture For Fertility?
When Is the Best Time to Have Acupuncture For Fertility Treatment?
Herbs That Improve Fertility
Herbs can impact fertility in many different ways.
Decoctions of jiawei wuziyanzong can increase the levels of fructose in seminal fluids to provide more of an energy source for sperm. For those who struggle with poor motility and kidney yin deficiency, liuwei dihuang pills have been successful in improving sperm motility.
For those who may be infertile due to infection, treatment with zhibai dihuang may help to reduce pathogens and treat infection.
Common supplements such as zinc and selenium play a role in sperm creation and are commonly used to treat infertility in men.
In women, matricaria chamomilla, known commonly as chamomile, may help to improve hormone levels. Adding Dong Quai may help to improve a woman’s estrogen production while increasing the amount of estrogen receptor cells. The improvement in hormone secretion may provide a boost to ovulation rates.
Read more: Top 6 Herbs For Fertility
Zhi Bai Di Huang Tang
Zhi Bai Di Huang Tang by GinSen are multi purpose herbal supplements, primarily used to regulate hormones and manage skin conditions that come about due to Yin deficiency. These herbal supplements are perfect to add to your daily routine and work by eliminating toxic heat from the body, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and nourishing Yin.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai or Angelica sinensis has been used for centuries in Chinese Medicine. It is rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects, and the dong quai pills can be added to your daily routine for its many health benefits. Often coined as “women’s fertility herb” or “female ginseng” this powerful herb is used to balance female hormones and menstrual cycle. It is also a great herb for male infertility, Dong Quai also has mild sedative properties for calming and relaxing the mind and body.
Conclusion
Struggling with infertility affects both men and women. To go from infertile to fertile, it is important to first be examined to confirm that your reproductive system is properly functioning. Depending on the cause of infertility, a TCM practitioner may recommend treatment to strength kidney Qi and blood while balancing yin and yang. This may involve treatment with Chinese medicinal herbs to improve sperm count or treatment with acupuncture to reduces stress. If you have been unable to get pregnant after one year of trying, considering speaking to a TCM practitioner about the drug-free, noninvasive treatment options that will help you go from infertile to fertile.
For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help you go from infertile to fertile, book your free consultation with our Chinese Medicine experts today
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
