How to achieve emotional balance for fertility in TCM

Condition analysis:
Infertility is a common condition impacting millions of couples. Western medicine has made great strides in infertility therapy, particularly through the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a holistic view of infertility that complements the Western approach.

While Western medicine focuses on measuring and using hormones to achieve pregnancy, TCM looks at the health of the whole body. Infertility is a sign of underlying imbalance. TCM teaches that the Liver is the organ system responsible for the menstrual cycle. Signs of a Liver function disorder include heavy menstrual bleeding and clotting, headaches during the menstrual cycle, PMS, tendon problems, hair problems, and nail problems. A Liver function disorder can exist even when all lab tests, including hormones, are normal.

TCM acknowledges the impact of hormonal contraception on fertility. Birth control suppresses Liver function, so the longer a woman has been on birth control, the harder it will be to become pregnant. Clearly, the process of trying to conceive is stressful and taxing-both physically and emotionally. Ironically, the Liver is the organ system that balances emotions and stress. Too much stress can further lead to Liver dysfunction.

Instructions:
TCM Health Tip: Achieve Emotional Balance for Fertility: TCM has addressed fertility and infertility for thousands of years. Producing a healthy, intelligent baby, requires a healthy, intelligent mother (and father, too!). A woman needs the healthiest body possible so new life can take root and grow. Having a body in balance is the best way to prevent miscarriages. The first thing a TCM practitioner does is determine if a woman’s body is out of balance and where those imbalances occur.

Generally speaking, infertility is related to the dysfunction of the Liver and the Kidney. Since it also involves the whole body’s health, other organs can be involved. One of the first priorities is to help a woman rebalance her Kidney and Liver functions and then help other organs function better.
Emotions are energetic vibrations or frequencies created by the mind. Many women underestimate the role emotions play in fertility! In TCM, the Liver is reactive to stress as well as to anger and frustration. While struggling with infertility, some women become so nervous or anxious about getting pregnant, that their bodies refuse to cooperate. Fear can also significantly impact fertility. Fear is the emotion related to the Kidney. Excessive or continual fear has a negative impact on Kidney function and fertility.