The TCM Perspective of Infertility
From TCM’s Perspective, if the mother and/or father-to-be are generally healthy, are in balance and have normal functioning reproductive organs, both mother and father should be fertile. If the couple experiences infertility, TCM theorizes that there are energy imbalances in their bodies.
Infertility: an inability to conceive after 1 year or more of regular sexual activity without using birth control.
These energy imbalances could be a result of:
unhealthy lifestyle
poor diet / improper eating habits
lack of exercise
stress, environmental factors
emotional / physiological issues
toxins / hereditary influences
TCM Physiology: For a normal conception to occur, the three criteria as follows:
1. Abundant Kidney Qi
2. Non-obstructed meridians around the uterus
3. A favorable environment inside the uterus
The kidney, spleen and liver are the three most relevant internal organs affecting the functions of female reproductive system.
Kidney essence (Kidney Jing)
According to TCM, the variation of kidney Jing supply produces significant physiological changes in a woman’s life every seven years. At 7, a girl starts to mature into a young woman; at 14, she has her first menstruation and is able to conceive; at 21 and 28, she reaches her most fertile years; at 35, her fertility starts to diminish; at 42, her fertility is mostly lost and at 49, a woman’s kidney Jing is depleted, and therefore, she has her menopause.
The kidney essence can be transformed into blood and kidney Qi, which becomes the source of human growth, development and reproduction.
Common treatment methods (Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine) revolve around:
For women:
-Regulating the menstrual cycle
-Relieving hormonal disturbances
-Releasing stress-related dysfunction
For men:
-Increasing sperm count and motility
-Improving ejaculatory and erectile conditions
NobleCare TCM Fertility Program for Women & Men:
-Start preparing both your bodies for parenthood 3 to 6 months before
-During the period of trying to conceive, a combination of herbal medicine and/or acupuncture and/or moxibustion treatment methods are given according to menstrual cycle (for women) and according to your state of health (for men).
-Recommended for couples to come together to seek consultation and treatment, in this way, it enhances joy and appreciation for both parties. Most importantly, both can treat this as a learning journey together and not as a stressful chore.
-When you get pregnant, continual treatment (herbal medicine /acupuncture) can help you support pregnancy and to address the issues (stiff neck, water retention etc) faced during each trimester
Article by Poh Yu Min (Joy)
Place of Practice: NobleCare TCM Wellness Pte Ltd
Graduated from NTU Double Degree in Biomedical Sciences and TCM, Joy has gained experiences in both hospital and private practices. She went on to further her studies in Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and graduated with a Masters in TCM (Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Joy is currently the Consultant TCM Physician at NobleCare TCM Wellness Pte Ltd and her area of focus lies in Women’s Health and Fertility care, Slimming and Obesity management, Sub-Health management and Children Wellness Development.
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