One of the most frustrating types of infertility is unexplained infertility. Many women will hear the words “we don’t why you’re not getting pregnant” from their doctor. Usually, by this state, she has undergone an extensive range of tests but none of these tests pinpoint her problem.
Unexplained infertility means that there is no clear medical reason why conception is not occurring. Fortunately, there are Chinese medicine diagnoses that can address fertility issues that western medicine struggles with. Many women with irregular menstrual cycles who are unable to conceive are given the diagnosis of unexplained infertility because their laboratory blood analysis show hormonal levels within the ‘normal’ range. There may be an underlying cause behind irregular periods which is not caught by bloodwork.
Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is particularly effective in treating women with unexplained infertility. TCM can target the root cause from a different perspective.
The first step is to diagnose the underlying cause. TCM takes all objective and subjective symptoms into account. The menstrual flow itself a vital symptom to pay attention to. It may be unusual in amount, colour or consistency. Then TCM uses the diagnostic tools of pulse reading, examination of the tongue along with other symptoms to unveil the imbalances in the body. When the imbalances are addressed, the reproductive system can begin to function better.
Blood Deficiency
Blood deficiency indicates not only poor blood quality but also low blood volume. After ovulation, the uterine lining needs to be filled with plenty of rich blood to support implantation. The period of a woman with blood deficiency will be scanty, watery and pink in colour. These symptoms may be accompanied by fatigue, obesity, pale complexion, pale tongue and weak pulse. Treatment involves tonifying the blood by strengthening the spleen qi.
Blood Stagnation
Blood stagnation is caused by blood statis accompanied by a cold uterus. Menstruation flow is dark, clotted, heavy or scanty and accompanied by sharp pain. If the uterine lining isn’t smooth enough there may be difficulty implanting. Treatment involves warming up the uterus and removing the blood statis.
Kidney Yang Deficiency
The blood flow may be light. The patient will often feel cold with cold hands/feet and experience fatigue, low libido, light-headedness, aching joints and frequent urination. Treatment involves tonifying the kidney and warming up the lower abdomen.
Cold Uterus
Excessive, prolonged cold contact, such as drinking ice water over many years can cause a woman to have a cold lower abdomen. The lower belly will be colder to the touch than the rest of the body and period are painful and have dark clotting. This pattern is often accompanied by Kidney Yang deficiency symptoms. Treatment requires warming up the uterus and strengthening kidney qi.
Liver Qi Stagnation (Stress)
Stress is a significant contributing factor to unexplained fertility. Stress affects the function of the pituitary glands which release follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin which are related to fertility. For instance, prolactin contributes to a woman’s milk production for nursing and inhibits a woman’s fertility. In times of stress, the pituitary gland released higher levels of prolactin, in other words, the body doesn’t let women get pregnant in times of stress.
According to TCM theory, liver qi stagnation is caused by high levels of stress. Liver Qi regulates mood and gets easily stagnated. Liver Qi stagnation is often indicated by an erratic BBT (basal body temperature), showing there isn’t enough hormonal regulation to normalise the cycle. Therefore, women with this pattern have very irregular menstruation cycles. Women who suffer from Liver Qi stagnation can also experience PMT, breast tenderness, stomach bloating, wiry pulse and loose bowels before or at menstrual time. Chinese formulars and acupuncture can both soften the liver and regulate the Qi.
I have collected many successful cases of treating ‘unexplained infertility’ over the last 30 years. I would like to emphasise that Chenese medicine for treating infertility should be used as a formula which contains a group of herbs working together, not a single herb. I often have people wanting to buy a single herb over the counter after reading some books or articles. One formula can be very effective for one person but not suitable for another. Therefore, pattern identification is a very crucial step treatment.