In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), infertility can be the result of several types of syndromes. It can be caused by a deficiency in the Kidney and Liver energetic organs, which disrupts the endocrine system; this creates an imbalance of hormones in the body, making sexual reproduction not possible. Infertility can also be the result of stagnant qi (energy) and blood; this lack of circulation stymies sexual reproduction even though hormone levels are normal. Blood stagnation is commonly found in women’s bodies as endometriosis, which can also be treated through the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Finally, a damp-heat syndrome can cause infertility that makes internal systems function improperly; in this case the sperm production is not at an optimal level to result in pregnancy. The presence of a damp-heat syndrome is much like inflammation and it causes blockage that must be relieved for sexual reproduction to be possible. With all of these types of infertility diagnoses, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a variety of treatment options.
Acupuncture for Infertility
Certain acupuncture points are used to alleviate specific infertility syndromes. For weakness of the kidney and liver, the points Tai Xi (Kidney 3), Guan Yuan (Ren4), San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6) will be stimulated in certain combinations to restore function. For qi and blood stagnation, Tai Chong (Liver 3), Da Ji (Spleen 8), Xue Hai (Spleen 10), San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6) will be treated to resume flow of both qi and blood to normal levels. For inflammation, stimulation of San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6) and Feng Long (Stomach 40) helps calm and soothe in order to dissipate any blockages.
Stimulating local points such as Infant’s Palace (Zi Gong) that is located in the lower portion of the abdomen also combats infertility. The exact acupuncture prescription will be based upon your specific symptoms, focusing on relieving any imbalances in your body.
Studies indicate that acupuncture in combination with assisted reproduction therapies (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) reduces infertility significantly.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Infertility
Deficiency caused by weakness of the kidney and liver are addressed with tonics that restore qi, blood, and yin and yang. Specific herbs used in these tonics include ginseng, codnonopsis, astragalus, tang-kuei, peony, gelatin, ho-shou-wu, lyceum fruit, lgustrum, eclipta, ophiopogon, epimedium, cistanche, cuscuta, and eucommia. To restore the circulation of qi and blood through the meridians, herbs such as bupleurum, cyperus, lindera, citrus, salvia, red peony, persica, and carthamus are used. To combat inflammation causing organs to function improperly, gardenia, phellodendron, patrinia, and lonicera are prescribed.
Studies focused on the treatment of various male infertility problems have demonstrated the efficacy of several herbal medicines (Guizhi-fuling-wan, Bushen Shengjing Pill, Hochuekkitto) on improving sperm concentration and motility. Some herbs, like Cornus officinalis, stimulate hormone production and regulation, which directly affects sperm. At least one formula (Tai-bao) has shown effectiveness against an anti-sperm antibody produced by the immune system. Lycium barbarum (matrimony vine, wolfberry, goji berry) is a traditional treatment for infertility. Studies of the polysaccharides (important functional element in L. barbarum) demonstrated protective effects against testicular damage due to heat stress, increased hormone levels and improved sperm quality and quantity in animal studies. Astragalus membranaceus (Huang-Qi) and Acanthopanacis senticosi (Siberian ginseng) have shown improved sperm viability and motility following treatment.
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