Fertility and TCM theory
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands fertility in different way to Western scientific medicine. Whilst science is part of the picture, it is also good to keep in mind women’s connectedness to the Earth. You may be embarking on IVF as a tool to improve the chance of conception, but keeping in mind a healthy internal environment for the embryo to survive is essential.
TCM understands the womb as a place sacred for procreation. A space which needs all of the things needed for growth. Like a plant. Plants need good soil, which we see as the endometrial lining. The soil grows and sheds each month. During the growth of the soil each month, it is important it is lush and not only thick enough, but of good quality.
Sometimes the lining (soil) can be hostile to the fertilised seed (egg). The seed does not implant. Sometimes we think of the soil as being too wet or too dry, like soil which has had too much rain or too much sun. Sometimes due to growths within the soil such as polyps, endometriosis, fibroids, scar tissue, implantation of the seed is hindered like a plant being implanted into rough instead of tilled soil. sometimes the soil is too thin, sometimes because women are trying to conceive at the end of our fertile selves, age 35 plus. Soil can become depleted as we get older.
TCM has answers to such problems, much like regenerative farmers. By looking at your internal environment and the scientific lab tests, we can often work out how to put you back into optimal health to grow seeds within the womb. Of course it’s not just about the endometrial lining.
The first step is to establish a menstrual cycle and ovulation consistently each month, free of pain, heavy periods etc. The monthly rhythm of the body for a woman is important. For those on hormonal contraception for years, this may be the first step. Some women have been on the pill for many years since teenagers and never have the experience of a natural cycle. TCM can myth bust the notion that periods are painful and difficult rhythms out of our control.
We will talk about nourishment as a treatment strategy. We will also talk about strengthening qi (chi) and moving blood. Nourishing the blood to enhance the quality of the soil. Strengthening the guts absorption of nutrients to provide the environment needed for fertility health. Moving obstacles which hinder the free flow of energy around the body. Smoothing the Liver to enable, along with the kidney, the optimisation of hormonal balance and harmony.
Next we talk about those women who experience miscarriages. The seed implants and then a few weeks later all is lost. There seems no reason. TCM might be able to explain why the pregnancy does not ‘hold’. Holding on to the embryo needs all of the strength of the Spleen. The spleen is the cornerstone of health. Spleen is damaged by too much worry and poor eating habits. By strengthening the spleen before the conception takes place, the better chance of ‘holding’ on to the seed.
It might sound a strange notion to Westerners, but for half the world, it is a normal every day truth. Spleen/stomach/digestion are the cornerstone of heath. Stress, long work hours (not enough rest) and poor eating habits cause the body to lose the yang energy it needs to balance yin. Transformation of oestrogen to progesterone in making a baby is vital. The strength of progesterone for conception and pregnancy is key. In order for the body to make transformative changes at pace, at the correct time are essential. No more so than after conception. Preparation for implantation by strengthening the holding power of the spleen is worth a few months of nourishment.