In Canada, roughly 1 in 6 couples deal with infertility issues. If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby, we may be able to help.

What is fertility/infertility in TCM Perspective?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees the body as a whole and there are four organs that are responsible for fertility: Heart, Spleen, Liver and Kidney.

1. Heart and Liver controls the individual’s mental state and circulation of energy and blood. When individuals undergo lots of stress, it often creates stagnation. This can impair the blood flow to the ovaries and uterus thereby affecting fertility function.
2. Spleen helps to turn the food we eat into energy and blood. Having an abundance of energy and blood is essential for a regular menstrual cycle and conception.
3. Lastly, the kidney is the major player that controls our reproductive systems. With the kidney being deficient, individuals may experience low libido, menstruation issues, or even problems in sexual function.

Each organ plays an important role and the balance between them are essential for conception.

How does TCM treat infertility?

You can think of TCM treatment approaches as regulating the seed, the soil, and the climate in the uterus:

1. The Seed:
   Oocytes (premature egg cell) are like seeds waiting to get enough nourishment and transform into a new lifeform. The number of mature eggs and the quality of the eggs are 2 key characteristic fertility clinics often check for females. By strengthening the kidney, it can help to regulate ovaries function thereby increasing the quality and number of mature eggs.
2. The Soil:
   The soil provides the necessary nutrients for the seed to grow, and in fertility is equivalent to the endometrial lining. The lining thickness has a positive correlation to the successful rate of egg attachment. The thicker the lining is, the higher chances of egg attachment. The thickness is also an indicator of how much blood supply is going through it. Just like how soil needs water to nourish it, endometrial lining requires sufficient blood flow to provide nourishment to the egg.
3. The Climate/ Environment:
   The climate is a unique concept within TCM that looks at the temperature of the uterus. If the uterus is too hot, the blood and nourishment can be dried up providing an unsuitable environment for the egg to develop. When temperature in the uterus is too low, the cold will constrict blood vessels and cause decreasing blood supply for the egg. Both extreme temperatures are detrimental to the egg growth and fertility rate and it is important to have the right balance.

What can you do in the meantime?

1. Keep a record of your Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
   Measured immediately after waking up and before any physical activity has been done, your basal body temperature gives the most accurate resting body temperature. It has various applications but in the case of fertility, it can be used to monitor hormonal fluctuation in females. This can provide a clear picture of how long the follicular and luteal phase is and it can also be used to determine when the ovulation period is occurring to give a better idea for optimal conception.
2. Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly
   The basics of good health is to eat well and to exercise. You should provide your body with well-rounded nutrients to nourish your entire body, and exercise to improve general circulation of the body. Not sure which foods are best for your constitution? Consult a TCM practitioner or TCM-trained nutritionist. You can also book an appointment with our personal trainer or physiotherapist to develop an exercise plan.
3. Book an appointment with the TCM practitioner
   Ready to get started? Book your first initial assessment appointment with one of our TCM practitioners to develop a personalized treatment plan for your unique needs.

Our treatments have helped many couples struggling with infertility to conceive over the years. You can contact us at 416-901-2873 or info@mycompletebalance.com for more details or to book an appointment.

Want to learn more? Book your appointment by emailing us at info@mycompletebalance.com or calling us at 416-901-2873.