Traditional Chinese MEdicine (TCM) and Fertility
In Chinese Medicine the road to health is a triad of body, mind and spirit (Shen). When these are in balance the natural state is fertility.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a "pattern" (or "pattern diagnosis") is a specific way of understanding the root cause of a person’s health issue based on an overall picture of signs and symptoms—not just a single symptom or disease.
Rather than focusing on just one part of the body or a Western diagnosis like "infertility" or "headache," TCM looks at how the body is functioning as a whole. A pattern is the result of analysing a person’s physical, emotional, and energetic state via the meridians or channels using tools like:
- Tongue observation
- Pulse diagnosis
- Specific Chinese Medicine questions - about digestion, sleep, emotions, menstrual cycle (in women), etc.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu) is a common pattern of disharmony that is associated with fertility. It refers to an insufficient amount or quality of blood to properly nourish the body, especially the organs, skin, hair, uterus and interestingly the mind (Shen or TCM Heart).
Unlike in Western medicine, where "blood deficiency" might refer strictly to anaemia (low red blood cell count), TCM’s concept is broader and more functional. It includes both physical and energetic aspects of blood and how well it nourishes the body’s tissues and spirit (Shen).
Another facet of fertility and Chinese medicine is related to the relationship between the heart and the uterus.
A classical concept in TCM is that “The Heart governs the Uterus through the Bao Mai (Uterus Vessel).”
This means that the Heart has a direct energetic and physiological pathway to the uterus via the Bao Mai—an invisible meridian or channel that connects the Heart and Uterus. This channel is vital for communication between emotions (Heart) and reproductive function (Uterus).
When the Heart is not calm or balanced, Qi and Blood may not flow freely through the Bao Mai, blocking the uterus’s ability to function properly.
There are many other patterns that may emerge in fertility, that lead to imbalances in yin and yang energies.
We can evaluate fertility using both Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine approaches. The Western Medicine approach uses blood tests, ultrasounds, and possibly surgery or IVF on the fertility journey. In relation to Chinese Medicine we may use acupuncture and herbs as well as BBT (Basal Body Temperature) charting.
The main questions we need to answer for fertility are in relation to the quality of the sperm and the eggs.
In the example given of blood deficiency we would ask, is there enough blood to nourish the ovaries and to have a good uterine lining so the embryo has a good environment to grow in.
Another critical aspect of tracking fertility is Basal Body Temperature or BBT charting. This tracks ovulation so that the timing of conception is accurate. It also tells us what is happening in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, the follicular phase, with oestrogen and what is happening in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the luteal phase., with progesterone.
Lifestyle factors are also important in fertility and people may be required to make minor lifestyle changes and for others they may need to make bigger changes.
These changes need to be made in order to develop good quality sperm and eggs in fertility. The following are some of the things to consider:
No drinking – alcohol affects fertility
Smoking – no smoking
3 months preconception care – the sperm takes 3 months to make and the egg takes 3 months to develop
Alcohol and smoking effects the quality of sperm and egg
Over exercise or under exercise – the exercise balance needs to be just right
Over eating undereating
Drinking enough water
Working too much and stressed to much burns up qi and blood and nothing left to create a baby.
If you would like a consultation please contact the clinic on (03) 9486 8382 or info@fairfieldwellness.com.au.