It seems to me that the moment I successfully treat a case of female infertility, another few cases arrive at my clinic. In recent times, I feel that more and more people are suffering from pregnancy problems. As a TCM practitioner, my role is not only treating the problem, but teaching people to prevent this problem. This article discusses how to prevent infertility.

Ensure proper function of liver, spleen and kidney

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), female infertility problems are greatly affected by the function of the liver, spleen and kidney. I will use one of my successful cases to illustrate this principle. A patient of mine, a lady her mid thirties, came with pregnancy problems.  At her first visit in 2008, she had delayed periods.  She had one period every two to six months, during which she had dark, heavy bleeding and blood clots. Throughout this period, she would have severe pain in her lower back and abdomen. She was overweight, had a lack of energy, experienced ankle pain, her kidney pulse was very weak and she had a puffy and bruised tongue. Her early morning temperature was always lower than normal, indicating that she was not ovulating.  I diagnosed her as having a kidney deficiency and a lack of circulation in the lower part of her body. After a few months of acupuncture and herbal tablet treatment her periods became more regular, she lost weight and she finally got pregnant.

Kidney

The case I have described above indicates the important reproductive function of the kidney.   If women’s kidney function (Qi) is deficient, this affects the quality and development of her eggs and uterus. In some cases, a weak Qi can cause delayed periods, cessation of menstruation or it can even lead to infertility.

Weak kidney essence can even effect IVF treatment.  If kidney essence is weaker, the amount and quality of eggs harvested during IVF can be reduced.  Acupuncture treatments aimed at strengthening kidneys can improve the amount and quality of eggs harvested by improving kidney function.  This can make IVF treatment more successful.  If you have kidney disorder (or kidney Qi deficiency) you might experience a lack of energy, lower back pain, lower libido or sex drive, pain in knee or ankle area and frequent urination, especially at night when sleeping.  You may also find you have irregular periods or hot flushes. If you experience any of these symptoms, I suggest you to:

1. See your family doctor to get checked,  or a TCM practitioner to balance your kidneys
2. Protect your lower back, by avoiding lower back exercises at this time, especially during your period and a few days after, as your back is not in its usual condition
3. Eat more foods which benefits the kidneys (please check diet therapy articles)

Liver

Pregnancy is also affected by liver function.  The symptoms which are associated with liver disorder are stress, moodiness, depression, migraine headaches, a stiff neck and shoulders, pain in the lower ribs, insomnia, difficulty falling asleep and nightmares. During menstruation, women may experience period pain, especially in the lower abdomen area, full, tender or painful breasts, and an intensification of the symptoms I have just listed.  Traditional Chinese Medicine considers the liver dominates emotions and circulation especially around the sides of the abdomen area, where the ovaries are located.  If liver function fails, it will cause stagnation around ovary area, affecting ovary function, causing infertility.

If you experience any of these symptoms, I would suggest you to:

1. Visit your TCM practitioner to balance your liver
2. Organise the amount you work so you don’t stress too much around ovulation and menstruation.
3. Keep a balanced mind. Do not focus on negative thoughts, spend time listening to gentle, relaxing music.
4. Do some outdoor exercise every week. Ride a bike, go for a walk or swim. This is especially important in the springtime.  According to the five elements, spring is the best time to strengthen your liver.

Healthy Circulation

Chinese medicine considers that healthy circulation is very important in preventing infertility.  It is especially important for women because of their cool, yin character.  Women’s bodies are cooler and feel cold more than those of men, which is why they need even more warm things to balance their bodies yin and improve blood flow. Maintaining good circulation (especially around the lower back and lower abdomen area) may prevent occurence of endometriosis, period pain, dark bleeding, blood clots, lower back pain, polycystic ovaries or a  blocked fallopian tube.

Circulation can be improved by:

1. Keeping the lower back warm
2. Avoiding frozen and cold foods, such as ice cream and ice blocks, and not eating foods such as milk, yoghurt or fruit straight from the fridge.  This should be avoided especially during menstruation as it affects blood discharge.
3. Not sitting on hard, cold floors.  The body will absorb the coldness and affect uterus circulation, especially in the winter.
4. Not using cold water to wash hands or to clean, especially during winter and menstruation
5. Using a hot water bottle to warm the abdomen and lower back if experiencing lower abdomen cold or period pain,
6. Treating lower abdomen and back injuries promptly, as they can be associated with uterus or ovary damage.
7. Eating food which benefits circulation (please check Diet Therapy articles).

One successful infertility treatment I have performed was with a lady in her early 40’s who had suffered pregnancy problems for a few years. She visited me with symptoms such as period pain, dark blood clots during her period, headaches, cold-feeling arms and legs, a tight pulse and a bruised tongue. She had suffered from deep vein thrombosis in her legs for many years. I diagnosed her as having and poor circulation and blood clots in her lower abdomen area. After a few months of treatment, all symptoms vanished, and she is now successfully pregnant.

Avoid Blood Deficiencies

Chinese Medicine theory says that the quality and amount of blood is an important consideration for women, as it strongly affects the health, size and lining of uterus and the health of the ovaries and eggs. Healthy blood increases the health of the lining of the uterus, making the egg easy to implant.

How to keep blood healthy and abundant:
Our blood (or nutrition) comes from food absorbed by the digestive system.  The spleen dominates transportation, digestion and absorption of food, and hence the function of the digestive system. Maintaining healthy spleen function is essential for healthy blood. This can be achieved by

1. Not overeating at meals.
2. Avoiding drinking large amounts of water, especially cold water, when eating.
3. Not eating too much cold food.
4. Avoiding excessive mental or physical work. Overworking damages spleen function

If you are trying to fall pregnant, eat foods which benefit the blood (please read Diet Therapy articles).
If you experience tiredness, an under active thyroid, bloating, especially after eating, puffy face arms or legs, heavy and cold hands and feet, pale face or lips, sluggish or loose bowel movements, scanty periods with pale red blood, this indicates that your spleen health is suffering.  I advise you to seek a TCM practitioner.  I also invite you to write to me.

Case Study

In 2009, a lady in her late thirties visited me.  She had suffered from infertility for three and a half years.  She and her husband had been thoroughly examined by western medicine practitioners.  She wanted acupuncture treatment.   She felt tired, had trouble falling asleep, and was bloated after eating.  Her periods were scanty and the blood was pink and pale.  She had sluggish bowel movements and loose stools before and during her period. Her tongue was pale and her pulse was weak and thready. I diagnosed her with a lack of blood and weak spleen function. I gave her acupuncture and herbal tablets. After two treatments, all symptoms ceased. I told her that her body was ready to fall pregnant.  Two months from her first visit, she conceived.