Common Causes of Infertility in Men and Women

Cordyceps benefits offer you a boost in stamina and physical performanceThe demands of daily life could increase your stress levels and, in turn, affect your chances of conceiving.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners believe that infertility is associated with imbalances in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The spleen is responsible for the healthy production of blood and qi (vital force), while the liver supports a positive flow of both substances in the body. The kidneys, on the other hand, play a significant role in supporting conception and reproductive function.

Stress

Struggling to cope with the demands of modern life can cause an imbalance in a person’s body and, consequently, impair fertility. And stress can affect a man or woman differently.

For a man, unmanaged stress can reduce sperm count and quality. For a woman, stress could inhibit ovulation and the quality of her egg cells.

Age

Age can also impact fertility and the potential for pregnancy. Typically, a woman’s fertility peaks before the age of 25. Meanwhile, a man’s fertility will start to decline progressively around 50 years old.

Reproductive disorders

According to TCM, reproductive disorders in women such as endometrioses, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and premature ovarian failure (POF) are all directly linked to imbalances in the liver, spleen, and kidneys.

For instance, uterine blood stagnation could lead to endometriosis and fibroids. These are disorders characterized by abnormal tissue growth in a woman’s reproductive system. If left untreated, these growths can damage a woman’s uterus and prevent conception.

PCOS is a common reproductive disorder among women of child-bearing age. It can present in numerous ways, including excessive hair growth on various body parts, irregular menstruation, infertility, oily skin, and weight gain. POF, meanwhile, occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working before she turns 40 years old. Symptoms include symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Traditional Chinese Remedies for Treating Infertility

Acupuncture treatment promotes healthy blood flow to the uterus and improves the efficacy of in-vitro fertilization treatment.

Herbal prescriptions and treatments aim to nourish and restore balance to the reproductive system, liver, kidneys, and spleen. TCM, however, doesn’t stop there. Treatment is holistic and addresses everything from diet and adequate exercise to restful sleep and good stress management techniques.

“We also want to improve all systems of your body and mind. If you are sleeping well, are full of vitality, have proper digestion and a healthy sense of self, then all systems will work more efficiently, including your reproductive system,” says Zhong Xi Ming, a Senior TCM Physician at Eu Yan Sang Premier TCM Centre in Singapore. According to her, the overarching principle of TCM when it comes to fertility is to “cultivate the soil before planting the seed.”

“We treat holistically, taking into account your physical, emotional, and spiritual aspect,” she adds.

Acupuncture

Scientific research shows that acupuncture treatment can help improve a woman’s fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus. It also normalizes the hormones that regulate ovulation, regulating the ovulation cycle in women with PCOS and reducing stress. In addition, acupuncture could also help to enhance the efficacy of in-vitro fertilization.

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

A popular TCM herbal supplement known as Jia Wei Xiao Yao San helps to improve fertility. It does this by boosting blood and kidney qi (vital force). This supplement is a blend of several herbs. Ingredients include Atractylodes, gardenia fruit, ginger, Poria mushrooms, root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, white peonies, wild mint, and the roots of Bupleurum, Chinese licorice, and Chinese Angelica Root.

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San can also help qi stagnation in the liver during pre-menstruation, the day of ovulation until the first day of bleeding.

Zi Shen Yu Tai Wan

Commonly known in TCM as the Fertile Tonic, Zi Shen Yu Tai Wan can potentially work as effectively as progesterone. This hormone is naturally released by the ovaries, improving hormone levels, perimenopausal symptoms, and regulating menstruation.

Research shows that some women who use progesterone to improve fertility experienced side effects like nausea, vomiting, and swollen breasts. Yet, women who used Zi Shen Yu Tai Wan did not demonstrate any adverse side effects. Drinking an herbal tonic made with chicken essence could help to improve fertility by tonifying your blood and qi, while also enhancing concentration and increasing your energy levels.

Bak Foong Pills

Made from an age-old formula, the Bak Foong Pills may boost fertility by improving your womb health and maintaining vitality. It has been trusted by generations of Asian women —20, to be exact — to date. From a TCM point of view, unhealthy lifestyles and diets can cause blood and qi deficiency. The risk of gynecological diseases will also increase if you don’t change your daily habits.

These pills include ginseng, atractylodes, and astragalus in the ingredients that support energy and vitality. While cinnamon and eucommia bark help you regulate and restore balance in your body.

Learning how to boost fertility using traditional Chinese remedies may help you improve your ability to conceive. However, it’s also important to consider a holistic approach that includes a healthy diet, quality sleep, and regular exercise. TCM is a natural alternative if you don’t want to take fertility drugs or are not eligible for IVF. You can also use it effectively with conventional fertility treatments. Be sure to keep both your doctor and TCM practitioner updated about any medicines, herbs, and other treatments you are receiving.