Infertility

First, and most importantly before diagnosing Infertility we must consider if the patient is pregnant. If they are not pregnantt, infertility is usually related to a Kidney deficiency or Liver Qi stagnation (too anxious to get pregnant).

Phlegm-Damp, or Blood Stasis sometimes also play a role. Whatever the problem, the manifestation is a disruption of the Ren and Chong Mai resulting in infertility.

Diagnosis of Infertility:

When have had normal sexual activity for 2-3 years, there is nothing wrong with the male sperm, yet still can’t achieve pregnancy. They may have irregular menses, leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, ...

Instruct the woman to go and see gynecologist to have full examination. Educate patient on fertility charting and other methods to check if ovulation is happening (mucous, temperature, saliva, new checking devices). Also ask what types of birth control has been used in the past.

Etiology (causes) of Infertility:

1. Kidney - Kidney dysharmony  of any type can inhibit conception, Ming Men - cold uterus, Yin - lack of Essence can create Heat and dryness.

2. LR Qi stagnation – Liver blood - try so hard to get pregnant that it stresses the emotions, disharmony between Ren and Chong Mai.

3. Phlegm-Damp – tubal blockage, overweight, cold invades during menses.

4. Blood Stasis – any reason that causes stagnation in Jing Luo, Chong and Ren Mai are not clear and open.

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment of Infertility: 

Kidney Yang deficiency low abdomen feels cold, low libido, frequent copious urination, thin watery vaginal discharge, T- swollen pale, P- deep thin.

Principle of Treatment: warm Kidney Yang to expel cold and warm uterus, strength and nourish Ren and Chong

Acupuncture points – Moxa, Ren, Du, *Ren 4, *Du 4, *BL 23, Ren 7 (Ren and Chong meeting point), Zigong - frequent nocturesis- Spleen 6

Herbal Medicine Formula: Yu Ling Zhu

Kidney Yin deficiency early scanty or delayed scanty menses, red in colour Plus – Kidney Yin symptoms (see Appendix 1)

Principle of Treatment: – nourish Kidney Yin/blood to regulate Ren and Chong Mai

Acupuncture points – Tonify or sedate, no Moxa, Ren, foot Shaoyin, Ren 4, Kidney 3, Kidney 13, Spleen 6, Bladder 23, Stomach 36

Herbal Medicine Formula: Yang Jing Zhong Yu Tang (after menses)

Phlegm-Damp generally overweight, vaginal discharge is thick, menses are scanty pale, nausea, chest fullness, slow cloudy thinker, (polycystitis), overweight, male characteristics, pubic hair thinning, may skip periods but have heavy flow when arrive, or delayed scanty, amenorrhea, heavy thick leukorrhea

Principle of Treatment: strengthen Spleen, eliminate Phlegm, dry Damp

Acupuncture points – Moxa, neutral, Ren, foot Yangming, Stomach 36, Stomach 40, Kidney 4, Stomach 30, Ren 3 - delayed menses- Spleen 8 - large amounts of leukorrhea- Bladder 32

Herbal Medicine Formula: Qi Gong Wan (open uterus pill)

Liver Qi Stagnation patient displays more menstrual problems (PMS, breast distension, irritability, mood swings), internalized emotions such as self pressure, tough on oneself, worried about getting pregnant

Principle of Treatment: soothe Liver, strengthen Spleen, regulate Chong and Ren

Acupuncture points – mild Moxa, foot Jueyin, Bladder 18, Ren 6, Kidney 13, Spleen 6, Liver 3 - hypochondriac pain- Gall bladder 34 - abdominal distension- Stomach 25

Herbal Medicine Formula: Kai Yu Zhong Yu Tang (open stagnation plant egg soup) - omit Tian Hua Fen

Blood Stasis fibroids, cysts, has had abortions, long term dysmonorrhea, endometriosis, big clots with dark purple color, may have pain other than at menstruation, clotted purple dark menses that are delayed with dysmenorrhea, low back/abdominal pain, PID, endometriosis

Principle of Treatment: promote circulation, remove Stasis, regulate Ren and Chong Mai

Acupuncture points– Ren, foot Taiyin, Bladder 17 and Spleen 10, Spleen 8, Ren 3 - low abdominal pain- Bladder 32

Herbal Medicine Formula: Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (remove stasis then try to get pregnant after)