Chinese medicine is a natural and holistic therapy that aims to view the patient as a whole, in order to understand the energetic imbalance that triggers their condition and to determine the best way to treat this imbalance. Each patient is seen as unique, and the treatment plan is individualized to meet their specific needs. It includes various treatment tools such as Acupuncture, Laser Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Tui Na, Herbal Medicine, Cupping, Moxibustion, Chinese Dietary Therapy, among others. Although it is often sought as a complement to conventional medicine, it should be considered a supplementary treatment, as it also serves a preventive role.
This therapy has proven effects on the gynecological and obstetric systems, benefiting conditions like premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irregular menstruation, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, adenomyosis, menopause, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, hormonal disorders, urinary infections, among others.
In Chinese Medicine, infertility is defined as the inability of a woman to conceive after 2 years of attempts, with a normal sexual life and good reproductive function on the part of her partner. In fertility consultations, a preferred approach is to address the couple as a whole, as the energetic imbalance may lie with either partner or both. The couple’s medical exams and clinical analyses are reviewed during the consultation.
In my clinical practice, I have increasingly observed cases where the imbalance affects both partners. What might cause this difficulty in conceiving from the perspective of Chinese Medicine? Often, despite medical tests and bloodwork showing no apparent cause, various factors can hinder a couple’s ability to conceive, such as poor sleep hygiene, a diet lacking in essential nutrients, high work or family stress, excess weight, menstrual cycle irregularities, pollutants in the couple’s daily routine, an imbalance between work and rest hours, overuse of medications, smoking, among others. In many of these cases, simply making a few lifestyle adjustments and addressing these factors can lead to successful conception.
There are also couples who come to the clinic with blood test abnormalities (such as AMH, progesterone, folic acid, ferritin, TSH, T3, T4 levels), sperm issues (such as low motility or poor morphology), or gynecological conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, blocked tubes, fibroids, adenomyosis, and more. Chinese Medicine also provides effective treatment for these cases.
This natural approach is a strong ally in medically assisted reproduction treatments as well as in supporting a healthy pregnancy. It enhances the quality of male and female gametes, increases uterine blood flow and receptivity, and, in women, balances and stimulates the pituitary gland in the secretion of FSH and LH, along with progesterone and estradiol.
After conception, Chinese Medicine remains a key ally in preventing miscarriage, alleviating common pregnancy symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, back pain, sciatica, fatigue, reflux, etc.), encouraging fetal head-down positioning from 37 weeks, and from 38/39 weeks onwards, promoting contractions and easing labor.
In the postpartum period, Chinese Medicine can assist with low milk production, acute mastitis, nipple thrush, joint pain, constipation, postpartum depression, and overall rebalancing of the body. For newborns, it helps alleviate colic, boosts the immune system, improves sleep quality, and aids in clearing phlegm, among other benefits.
When should couples seek this support? Ideally, at least three months before beginning active pre-conception to balance hormonal levels and harmonize body and mind for this new life stage, thus maximizing results. Of course, this depends on the clinical case, as a couple with a diagnosed infertility issue might require a longer treatment period. Couples come to the clinic at all stages—whether in pre-conception, medically assisted reproduction, during pregnancy, or postpartum—as each protocol is tailored to the specific clinical case and each patient
