TCM and Reproductive Medicine
How the fundamental organs play an important part in fertility
The kidneys store the ‘essence’ and govern growth, development and reproduction. The essential Qi stored in the kidneys is derived from the reproductive essence of the parents, which is the primitive substance needed for the development of the embryo. From childhood, the essence in the kidneys gradually develops and reaches its fullness in puberty; men are able to produce sperm and women are able to ovulate. Thus the reproductive function reaches maturity. The kidneys play a major role over the urinary and reproductive systems, as well as in parts of the endocrine and nervous systems, more specifically egg and sperm production.
If the essence-storing function of the kidneys is disturbed, the growth, development and reproductive ability will be affected, possibly leading to infertility. The kidney’s Yin and Yang should be mutually conditioned and interdependent in order to keep the dynamic balance inside the human body. If this balance is disturbed, certain symptoms can develop such as night sweats, cold limbs, breathlessness, exhaustion, frequent urination, impotence and premature ejaculation in men and infertility in women.
The liver governs the free, uninterrupted flow of vital energy within the human body. This key organ is considered to have the same functions and roles as those in Western medicine. The liver also maintains and stores blood, which is regarded as ‘reproductive essence’. It regulates the amount of blood which the various parts of the body need, and therefore has a great influence over the menstrual cycles in women. The liver-blood together with the kidney’s essence and Qi energy, are the body fluid metabolism. The liver is also responsible for promoting a well-balanced circulation of the Qi energy in the body. It’s this harmonious balance between the liver and the kidneys, which is believed to play a very important part in assisting successful ovulation and consequent conception.
Generally speaking, the liver Yin should control the liver Yang to prevent it from being hyperactive. If the liver Yin becomes insufficient and fails to restrain the liver Yang, the liver Yang’s hyperactivity then most commonly causes premenstrual tension, short temper and headaches. On the other hand, when the liver Qi is depressed, symptoms such as depression, sadness, sore breasts and diarrhoea will develop.
The spleen is where blood and Qi energy originate from, and is the foundation for life after birth. The spleen governs transportation and transformation and provides the necessary nourishment for healthy growth and also the main material foundation to transform Qi and blood. The spleen functions include digestion, absorption and distribution. Therefore, when there are problems with the functioning of the spleen, there will be damp and phlegm due to fluid retention. This can sometimes lead to obstructions within the abdominal environment and problems such as abdominal distension, diarrhoea and nutritional disturbance. This can further result in poor blood flow within the reproductive system, tubal obstructions and endometriosis. Consequently, the healthy development of the egg or sperm will be hindered.
The causes of infertility
The six climatic changes
In the natural world, wind, cold, summer heat, damp, dryness and fire are termed as the six types of environmental Qi. The normal six types of environmental Qi don’t easily cause diseases. It’s only when the climate changes abnormally and abruptly, or when the body resistance decreases that these six types of environmental Qi become the factor which attacks the human body and cause disease.
The seven emotions
The seven emotions refer to the human mental and emotional activity. In TCM they are classified into seven categories: joy, anger, anxiety, preoccupation, sorrow, fear and fright. Under normal circumstances, they belong to the scope of physiological activities and it is not possible for them to cause problems. But if a persistent emotional state or sudden and intense traumatic mental injury occurs, it may cause dysfunctions in the Yin, Yang, Qi, blood and internal organs, so causing diseases. It is understood in TCM that extreme emotional changes can bring about different influences upon the internal organs. “Anger injures the liver, joy injures the heart, preoccupation injures the spleen, sorrow injures the lungs, fear and fright injure the kidneys.”
Commonly encountered emotionally caused symptoms include: insomnia or disturbed sleep, palpitations, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, a sensation of obstruction in the throat, and menstrual irregularities.
Other factors
Eating irregularly, or eating the wrong amount of food affects the body’s digestive ability and could also cause damage to the spleen and stomach. If the food can’t be decomposed and transported and transformed, Spleen Qi deficiency can result.
Normal physical exercise is beneficial to the smooth, healthy running of the human body, increasing physical strength and preventing illness. However over-activity can overwork and weaken the body’s constitution and indirectly cause kidney deficiency.
TCM diagnostics matters
Inspection: to observe the patient’s general and local physical condition. This includes observing their spirit, facial complexion, body, movement and coating of the tongue.
Inquiry: asking about the patient’s previous medical history, details of any complaints, their habits, diet, bowel movement, urination and menstruation.
Palpation: The pulse diagnosis is the most important part in palpation, because the meridians of the human body are the pathways for the circulation of Qi and Blood. The house of Qi and Blood are dominated by the heart; as such it’s possible to quantify the state of Qi and Blood and the progression and retrogression of the human body.