by Subbuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, OR
· Chinese herbs have a long history of use in aiding fertility
Records of herbal treatment of infertility and miscarriage date back to 200 A.D., in the famous medical text Shang Han Za Bing Lun. In the section of this book that was later separated and called Jin Gu Yao Lue, there is mention of formulas that are still used for those purposes today. The first book devoted solely to gynecology and obstetrics, The Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions for Diseases of Women, was published in 1237 A.D. In modern China, herbs are used to treat infertility in both men and women: the results of large scale clinical trials are reported in Chinese medical journals; these results have been abstracted in English by a research group in Hong Kong since 1986. The Institute for Traditional Medicine has acquired dozens of these abstracts as well as translations of whole articles that are obtained by request from several translators. The information contained in these reports has been analyzed and forwarded to practitioners of Chinese medicine in the U.S. to assist them in selecting the appropriate herbs for different infertility cases and to explain the dosage, duration of treatment, and prognosis.
· The herbs used to aid fertility
No individual herb is considered especially useful for promoting fertility. Rather, more than 150 different herbs-usually given in complex formulas comprised of 15 or more ingredients-are used in the treatment of infertility with the purpose of correcting a functional or organic problem. The design of the formulas has varied somewhat over the centuries, based on prevailing theories and available resources, and individual practitioners have a preference for particular herbs, thus accounting for some of the variations among formulas that are recommended. However, physiological differences among individuals being treated account for the greatest variation in the selection of herbs and formulas to be used. There are some "exotic" materials that are frequently found in fertility formulas, such as deer antler and sea horse, but the prominent materials are derived from roots, barks, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Formulas for men and for women tend to be different, but there is considerable overlap in the ingredients used.
. How the herbs are acquired and consumed
In China, a number of fertility formulas can be purchased off the shelf
in public pharmacies; for uncomplicated cases this is often adequate. However,
men and women in the Orient are treated for persistent infertility by obtaining
prescriptions from a doctor who is expert in Chinese herbs. In the U.S.,
it is uncommon to find fertility-promoting formulas in stores or other
outlets. Instead, they are prescribed by acupuncturists, naturopathic physicians,
or medical doctors who are familiar with Chinese herbs.
Depending on the circumstances, one may be asked to ingest herbs in
the form of pills, tablets, granules, or decoctions (teas). Some of the
treatment plans involve using one herb combination regularly, while others
suggest that women use two, or even three, different formulas at different
times of the menstrual cycle. All of these means can be effective, so long
as the correct formula and correct dosage are used for an adequate period
of time.
· The success rate for Chinese herb treatments
Although the outcome for any given individual can not be predicted, the clinical studies conducted in China indicate that about 70% of all cases of infertility (male and female) treated by Chinese herbs resulted in pregnancy or restored fertility. Depending on the particular study and the types of infertility treated, success rates ranged from about 50 % up to more than 90%. Included in these statistics are cases of infertility involving obstruction of the fallopian tubes, amenorrhea, absent ovulation, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, low sperm count, nonliquification of semen, immune response to semen, and other causes. In China, due to the greater experience with using herbs, the ability to directly integrate traditional and modern methods of therapy, and the willingness of individuals to consume relatively large doses of herbs, the success rates are probably somewhat higher than can be achieved in the U.S. at the present time. Nonetheless, U.S. practitioners have had many experiences of success in treating infertility.
· Duration of treatment to attain fertility
In the Chinese clinical studies, daily or periodic use of herbs usually
resulted in restored fertility within three to six months. Based on the
reports, it appears to be a common understanding that if pregnancy is not
achieved within about eight to nine months, then it is unlikely that the
treatment will be successful with continued attempts. In Japan, where doctors
give lower dosages of herbs and are restricted to using a smaller range
of herbs, treatment time is usually longer: from six to fifteen months.
In the U.S., nearly the
full range of Chinese herb materials are accessible, but the dosage
to be used is usually lower than in China; as a result, it is estimated
that pregnancy can be achieved within six to twelve months. It must be
remembered, however, that approximately one-third of infertility cases
may fail to respond to all reasonable attempts. One advantage of the Chinese
herbal approach is that even if pregnancy does not occur, benefits to health
can be attained because the herbs address imbalances that affect other
aspects of health besides infertility.
· Safety of the herbs
Chinese herbs are used in the U.S. as traditional foods and not as drugs. As such, there has been no formal testing of either the safety or efficacy of any of the individual herbs or formulas. The Chinese have had long experience using these herbs; from all informal reports and clinical studies, the Chinese claim that the herbs are not only safe to use, but that healthy children are usually born without any problems during delivery. However, it is important to recognize that the use of Chinese herbs is relatively new in the U.S. and that Americans today may have more stringent safety standards than the Chinese have had in the past. Therefore, one should pay attention to perceived adverse responses to the herbs. The Chinese herbs that are used in the U.S. are not overtly toxic, but there are a few possible adverse reactions which are rare and can usually be avoided by slight adjustment in formulation or method of administration. These reactions may include dizziness or headache, dry mouth, nausea, flatulence, or change in bowel conditions. If such reactions are not resolved naturally within about three days or if they are severe, the prescribing physician can make an appropriate adjustment. In any case, by discontinuing use of the herbs, any of these reactions will disappear promptly. Allergic reactions to herbs are rare; among those who suffer from "environmental allergy syndrome," then the herbs can cause the same reactions as other materials encountered in the environment.
· Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of the herbs is not known precisely, and undoubtedly varies according to the type of infertility problem being treated and the herb formula that is used. The traditional Chinese views are that infertility tends to arise from one or more of three prominent causes:
a) A "deficiency" syndrome prevents the hormonal system from properly influencing the sexual and reproductive functions. This is said to be a weakness of the "kidney and liver" which may influence various body functions producing symptoms such as frequent urination, weakness and aching of the back and legs, impotence, irregular menstruation, and difficulties with regulation of body temperature. Deficiency syndromes are treated with tonic herbs that are said to nourish qi (e.g. ginseng, codonopsis, atractylodes, astragalus), blood (e.g. tang-kuei, peony, ho-shou-wu, gelatin), yin (e.g. lycium fruit, ligustrum, eclipta, ophiopogon), or yang (e.g. epimedium, cistanche, cuscuta, eucommia), and are selected according to the overall evaluation of symptoms.
b) A "stagnancy" syndrome prevents the sexual and reproductive organs from functioning despite normal hormone levels and normal ability to respond to hormones. This is said to involve a stagnancy of "qi and blood," which has the impact of restricting circulation to the tissues involved. Qi stagnation is often noted by tense muscles, restrained anger, and digestive disorders; herbs for resolving the stagnancy include bupleurum, cyperus, lindera, and various citrus products. Other symptoms that might arise include abdominal pain or bloating, chronic inflammation, and formation of lumps (including cysts and tumors). Blood stagnation often occurs following childbirth, surgery, injury, or severe infection and is typically noted when there is severe pain (such as dysmenorrhea), or hard swellings and obstructions; abnormal cell growth, including dysplasia and cancer, are thought to involve blood stagnation. Herbs such as salvia, red peony, persica, and carthamus may be used.
c) A "heat" syndrome, which causes the affected organs to function abnormally. Heat syndromes may be associated with an infection or inflammatory process. This type of syndrome can produce abnormal semen quality leading to male infertility, while gynecological infections can maintain female infertility by blocking the passages, altering the mucous membrane conditions, or influencing the local temperature. Herbs that inhibit infections and reduce inflammation are used, including gardenia, phellodendron, patrinia, and lonicera.
In each case, the purpose of the Chinese herbs is to rectify the underlying imbalance to restore normal functions. Western medicine can diagnose tubal blockage (which usually corresponds to blood stagnancy in Chinese medicine) and infection (which corresponds to heat syndromes of Chinese medicine) and, in many cases, can successfully treat these causes of infertility. However, Western medicine often fails to diagnose deficiency syndromes and most of the stagnancy syndromes. Therefore, the majority of Chinese herb formulas to be applied in the U.S. are those, called tonics, that counteract the deficiency and those, called vitalizers or regulators, that resolve the stagnancy. A description of Chinese herb formulas used for infertility is presented in the appendix to Chinese Herbology, a training manual produced by the Institute for Traditional Medicine. The hormonal effects of Chinese herbs used to treat impotence and infertility and to prevent miscarriage have been demonstrated in laboratory experiments. For example, the laboratory evaluation of Huan Jing Tang (composed of tonic herbs, including rehmannia, ho-shou-wu, ligustrum, mows fruit, achyranthes, dipsacus, cynomorium, astragalus seed, and cuscuta) was administered to senile mice for four months, following a schedule of two weeks treatment followed by one week break and then repeating. Estradiol and dihydrotestosterone receptors in the nucleus of thymic cells were decreased to levels found in young mice; cytosol estradiol receptors increased. Also, the formula influenced the immune system: it increased thymus weight, thymic index, and prevented atrophic changes in the ultrastructures of thymic lymphocytes and epithelial reticular cells.
· Combining Chinese herbs and Western therapies
In China, the combined use of modern drugs or other Western medical techniques along with Chinese herbs is common; some doctors are trained in both methods, and Western and traditional doctors often work together in Chinese clinics and hospitals. When the modern methods are applied, the herb therapies do not usually need to be altered compared to cases where the herbs are used alone. Most of the cases of infertility successfully treated in China do not rely on techniques such as in vitro fertilization, which are quite expensive and have only a modest rate of success even in the U.S. where these fertilization methods are most highly developed.
· Infertility problems that are not overcome by using Chinese herbs
It is not advisable to suggest that something simply can not be accomplished in the field of health care (because there are almost always exceptions), but there are some areas where chances of success are considered quite low. Some women suffer from amenorrhea that is associated with a very low body fat content. This is apparently exacerbated by strenuous exercise (e.g. distance running). Changes in diet and exercise may be necessary before Chinese herbs or other therapeutic methods can be effective. People who are under very high levels of stress or who have multiple health problems may need to have these influences on fertility addressed-partly with use of Chinese herbs-before a reasonable chance of success can be expected in the specific treatment of infertility. Aging often reduces fertility of women markedly; even if fertility is improved somewhat, the chances of pregnancy past age 42 might be quite low.
· Use of herbs when pregnancy occurs
The herbs for inducing fertility are usually discontinued once pregnancy is suspected (e.g. by missed menstrual bleeding) or confirmed. In most cases, it is not necessary to use herbs during pregnancy. Women with a history of miscarriage or who are deemed at high risk for miscarriage (somewhat more common among women who have experienced prolonged infertility) may wish to take herbs that are traditionally used in such cases by Chinese women. Certain herbs can be used during pregnancy to enhance the health of the mother and to counteract symptoms of morning sickness, though it is generally recommended that herbs not be used unless deemed essential. It is reported that labor can be made easier by proper application of herbs and acupuncture. Books on the subject of herbal health care for pregnancy and nursing can be traced back to such important works as A Precious Medical Book on Obstetrics for Home Use, published in 1184 A.D.
· Threatened miscarriage
Threatened miscarriage, if due to an imbalance in the mother's system (but not if due to genetic problems with the fetus), can often be overcome with application of herbs and possible adjunct therapy with moxa or acupuncture. The method to be used and the procedures to follow should be discussed early in the pregnancy so that appropriate steps can be taken should bleeding, fetal agitation, or early contractions occur. It is important to note that most cases of early miscarriage (sometimes called spontaneous abortion) are not related to an imbalance in the mother's system but are rather a natural and fairly common event, possibly due to a developmental problem of the embryo. Later in the pregnancy, weaknesses in the mother's system or excessive fetal movement become prominent factors that can be alleviated. There is a particular herb formula, called Tang-kuei and Peony Formula (Dang Gui Shao Yao San), which forms the basis of most treatments aimed at avoiding miscarriage-but the formula is intended to be used mainly as a daily preventive therapy rather than an emergency treatment. Extensive testing in the Orient indicates that this formula is safe to use and it appears highly effective; modified versions of this formula, such as Tang-kuei Formula (Dang Gui San), are used to address specific concerns and are probably of equal safety and efficacy. Other formulas, such as AM Tai Yin ("peaceful fetus formula") and Shou Tai waM ("fetus longevity pill"), are popular remedies in China for use during the latter part of pregnancy.
· Role of Acupuncture
Chinese clinicians appear confident that most fertility problems can be overcome solely or primarily with the use of herbs; most medical books describing Chinese methods of treating infertility do not mention acupuncture. However, acupuncture therapy may address particular symptoms of concern, and might be influential in speeding up the development of normal fertility. In the event that infertility is mainly due to functional disorders, it is possible that acupuncture alone could resolve the problem.
FEMALE INFERTILITY John Scott, O. M. D, L.Ac
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines fertility as the inability or diminished ability to produce offspring; unproductivity condition may be present in either or both sexual partners and is not necessarily irreversible. Diagnosis includes many tests and thorough investigation. Some factors responsible for infertility are immature or abnormal reproductive systems, anomalies of other organs in that vicinity, endocrine dysfunction, immunological antagonisms, general nutrition and emotional problems." Many women, years after a sexual history of avoiding conception are having difficulty getting pregnant. In my own clinical practice, I have found many women who, even after many expensive and sometimes invasive tests, are still no closer to having children. Traditional Oriental Medicine with its emphasis more on the functional aspects of health, proves to be very effective treatment for infertility, often without specifically focusing on infertility itself. Treatment and diagnosis for infertility are usually neither expensive, invasive nor lengthy using herbal and/or acupuncture treatments. We know that normal conception and pregnancy are dependent upon the physical and emotional well-being of the woman. The Channels of greatest importance are the Ren Channel and the Chong Channel for bringing Chi and Blood into the pelvic region. Also, the condition of the three Yin Channels of the leg (Spleen, Liver and Kidney Channels) is essential. The Spleen is responsible for the function of the ovaries and ovulation. The Liver is responsible for the fallopian tubes and menstrual regularity. The Kidney is responsible for the uterus and the reproductive power itself. The Kidneys are the source for the Ren Channel and Chong Channel, making them even more important. Here are some of the main Infertility Patterns of Disharmony and how particular Golden Flower Chinese Herb Formulas relate to them:
KIDNEY DEFICIENCY
Nourlsh Essence Formula This formula is very good for Deficiency of the Yin and Yang and Essence of the Kidney. This person would have symptoms like chronic sinusitis, asthma, low back weakness, habitual miscarriage, frequent urination, clear leukorrhea and or chronic fatigue with weak pulse in the Kidney or Qi position.
True Yin Formula This formula is good when there is a Deficiency of the Yin of the Kidney. Symptoms include: thirst with a desire to drink, night sweats, low back soreness, dry mouth and throat, blurred vision, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep, peeled and shiny tongue with a ranid and thin oulse. -
Sea of Qi Formula This formula is good when there is Deficiency of Yang of the Kidney and the Spleen. This person would have these symptoms: low back ache, feeling cold or chilled, loose stool or dia rrhea, water retention or edema, hypothyroidism a nd fatig ue, pale or moist tongue with a slow weak pulse.
Tang Kuei and Peony Formula This formula is good when there is an accumulation of Dampness especially in the lower body with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation. This is usually due to hypo-function of the Spleen and Kidney. Indications would include brown spots on the face, edema, menstrual difficulties, primary dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, internal scar tissue perhaps from an intrauterine device, weakness and numbness in the lower back and legs, chronic nephritis and a thin and tight pulse.
Women's Preclous Formula This formula is ideal for patterns of Deficiency and Stagnation of Blood and Qi. This formula is especially suited for nourishing the Ren Channel and the Chong Channel. Indications for this formula are: weakness and tiredness, pale or sallow complexion, diziness, weak extremities, palpitations, pre-menstrual syndrome due to deficiency, weak pulse, scanty menstruation or other Blood Deficiency symptoms.
Tang Kuel and Salvia Formula This formula is ideal for tonifying the Blood and regulating and nourishing the Liver. Ample Liver Blood is essential for a normal menstrual cycle. The indications for this formula are: anemia, fatigue, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, dizziness, occipital headache, and pain in the lower abdomen or around the umbilicus with a pale tongue and thin, wiry and/or choppy pulse.
He Shou Wu Tablets Thistablet isideal for nourishing the Blood especiallywhenthere is Deficiencyof the Kidney, Liver and Essence. It is not to be used when there is phlegm, diarrhea or Spleen weakness. The indications for this tablet include: blurred vision, constipation with Deficient Blood, skin rash with Deficient Blood, prematurely gray hair, dizziness and other Blood Deficiency symptoms, with a thin weak pulse.
Ginseng and Astragalus Formula This formula is ideal for Deficiency of Qi of the Middle Burner and of Yang Depletion in general. This formula should not be used when there is Yin insufficiency. The indications for this formula are: fatigue, spontaneous sweating, tired arms and legs, functional uterine bleeding, chronic diarrhea, lack of appetite, loose and or watery stools, pale complexion and aversion to cold with a slow weak pulse especially in the middle position.
Free and Easy Wanderer Plus This formula is ideal for Liver Disharmonies
where there is Heat and
Stag nation of Blood a nd Qi. This formula should not be used when
there no Heat signs. The indicationsforthis formula include: irregular
menstruation, breast pain and distention, fibrocystic breast lumps, premenstrual
disorders, irritability, depression, angry outbursts, cystitis and a wiry,
rapid pulse.
Bupleurum and Tang Kuel Formula This formula is ideal for Liver Disharmonies without Heat signs. This formula tonifies Liver Blood and Yin, moves stuc k liver Qi, supports the Spleen, good for "Wood-Earth" imbalances. The indications for this formula include: hypoglycemia, menstrual and pre-menstrual disorders, breast distention, depression, irritability, abdominal bloating and fullness, fatigue and a wiry, deficient pulse.
First, there is essence, the intertwining of yin and yang that makes up all things. It has--this time--manifested as a human, the ultimate meeting of heaven (yang) and earth (yin). The essence, as a manifestation from earlier existence through the continuing cycle of death and rebirth, gains its new chamber, the kidney, which retains it and allows it to slowly emerge in form. From this precious chamber sprouts the skeleton, and within the spine, the spinal cord and brain and from the brain the retina and hearing mechanism. Within the bones is the marrow which generates blood. Also from the kidney emerges the reproductive organs, so as to help assure another part of the linkage between earlier existence and later existence. The kidney has the nature of and is the source of water. From the kidney rises the water vapors that fill the sky and cover it with clouds. From the clouds come the falling rains. From the kidney emerges the bladder which contains the returning water and then drains it. The hearing mechanism responds to the universal sounds, which reverberate through the water, and from this vibration of the water there develops the liver, which is the nature of wood.
The liver stores the blood generated by the marrow, and sprouts the tendons and ligaments from the edges of the bones. It produces the eyes that attach to the retina. The liver is the source of wind. The wind disperses the water vapors and clouds and lets spaces develop, through which the great yang, the sun, can shine and the wood can grow. The penetrating and reflecting light enters through the eyes and the images then restrain or agitate the wind. The blood is dried by the wind and the dried blood is drained into the gallbladder. The sight mechanism responds to universal signs, which provide the initial spark that is whipped by the wind to generate the heart, which is of the nature of fire.
The heart circulates the blood and opens to the mind so that the wind may generate its own signs. From the heart sprouts the blood vessels through which the blood circulates, and there develops the tongue which will allow the human to communicate the images of the mind. The fire generates heat, which is carried by the water and wind and dispersed through the three heated spaces, the upper body, the middle body, and the lower body. The heart is in the upper body, the liver is in the middle body, and the kidney is in the lower body. From the tongue there develops the ability to taste and the desire to take in food: from that desire emerges the spleen, which is of the nature of earth.
The spleen takes from the food the clear essence (qi) which is used to replenish the blood that has dried, and to produce the flesh and muscles that attach to the tendons, and to circulate the moisture that has been warmed by the heart and the kidney. From the spleen develops the mouth to take in the food and the stomach in which the food is briefly stored and then prepared for the body. The spleen has the nature of earth which is moist and heavy; the earth forms ponds and streams and rivers and oceans. The wetness is cold, but the fire of the sun is warm, and so there is balance. But it is a dynamic balance--with movement. The movement is made possible by the muscles empowered by the spleen and the extracted essence of food. The food, like the earth, is heavy; the yin and yang of the body desires balance, so from the spleen which is the nature of earth, arises the lungs.
The lungs take in the air, which is light, and which invigorates the heavy qi with light qi. The lungs generate the nose to help bring in the air and the fragrances it carries. The lungs have the nature of metal. Metal, which is the condensation of materials within the earth, helps the water vapors to return to the kidney, to assure that the entire organism is maintained through recycling of the essences. The lungs sit on the top of the organs and protect them from the outside forces. They produce the defensive qi that keeps out unfavorable external influences penetrating from the surface (yang) to the interior (yin) and from the upper body (yang) to the lower body (yin). They expand and contract and help to bring in the favorable influences and to expel the unfavorable. In this, the metal helps the spleen, especially as it needs assistance in expelling the waste from food through the intestine. From the beautiful and pungent fragrances, especially, but also from the sight, sound, taste, feel, and speech, the human body is attracted to another human body and the kidney essence of the male is merged with the kidney essence of the female to produce the new human body.
The new human body, which has the nature of substance, attracts the floating spirit which has no substance but which needs a place to rest. The spirit entices the blending of the particular human bodies to meet its direction in the new life, still dependent on the actions of the earlier life. In the blending of spiritual direction and human material essence, the process continues.
1. Why use Chinese herbs?
Since ancient times, Chinese herbs have been used to enhance fertility. Records indicating treatment of infertility and miscarriage date back to 200 A.D. In modern China, herbs are used for the purposes of treating infertility in both men and women. Western medical methods tor treating infertility in the U.S. tend to be expensive and recent reports indicate a relatively low success rate, making alternative methods seem more attractive, especially those that have a long history of application. Another advantage of using Chinese herbs under the care of a practitioner is that even it pregnancy is not achieved, one will very likely have improved health atter the treatment, this is not the case with modern Western medical therapies.
2. Which herbs are used?
More than 150 different herbs, usually given in complex formulas with 15 or more ingredients are used in the treatment of infertility. The design of the formulas has varied somewhat over the centu;ies, and individual practitioners have a preference for particular herbs, accounting for some of the differences. However, differences in the people being treated accounts for the greatest variation in the selection of herbs and formulas. There is no single remedy for infertility. There are some ~exotic. materials that are frequently found in the formulas, such as deer antler and seahorse, but the prominent materials are derived from roots, barks, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to ingest herbs in the form of pills, tablets, granules, or decoctions (teas).
3. What are the chances of success?
Aithough the outcome for any given individual can not be predicted, fhe clinical studies conducted in China indicate that about 70% of all cases of infertility (male and female) treated by Chinese herbs resulted in pregnancy or restored fertility. Depending on the particular study and the types of infertility treated (when the cause was known), success rates ranged from about 50% up to more than 90%. In China, due to the greater experience with using herbs, the ability to directly integrate traditional and modern methods of therapy, and the willingness of individuals to consume relatively large doses of herbs, the success rates are probably somewhat higher than can be achieved in the U.S. Nonetheless, U.S. practitioners have had many experiences of success in treating infertility.
4. How long does the treatment take?
In the Chinese studies, daily or periodic use of herbs usually resulted in restored fertility within three to six months. Many Chinese doctors feel that if pregnancy is not achieved within about eight to nine months, then it is unlikely that the treatment will be successful. In Japan, where doctors give lower dosages of herbs and are restricted to using a smaller range of herbs (than is available in China), treatment time is usually longer, and may be from six to fifteen months. In the U.S., nearly the full range of Chinese herb materials are accessable, but the dosage to be used is usually lower (more like that ol the Japanese system); as a result, it is estimated that pregnancy can be achieved within six to twelve months.
5. Are the herbs safe to use?
Chinese herbs are used in the U.S. as traditional foods and not as drugs. As such, there has been limited formal testing of the safety and efficacy of any of the individual herbs or formulas. The Chinese have had long experience using these herbs and from all informal reports, they are safe to use. In clinical studies, the Chinese claim that the herbs are not only safe to use, but that healthy children are usually born without any problems during delivery. However, it is important to recognize that the use of Chinese herbs is relatively new in the U.S. and that Americans today may have more stringent safety standards than the Chinese have had in the past.
6. Are thero any side-effects from the herbs?
The herbs 1hal are used ars not toxic, but there are a few possible adverse reactions, which are rare and can usually be avoided by slight adjustment in formula or method ot administration. These reactions may include dizziness or headache, dry mouth, nausea, flatulence, or change in bowel conditions. If such conditions are not resolved naturally within about three days or if they are severe, your practitioner can make an appropriate adjustment. In any case, by discontinuing use of the herbs, any of these reactions will disappear promptly.
7. How do the herbe work to overcome Infertillty?
The mechanism of action is not known precisely and undoubtably varies
according to the type of infertility problem being treated and the herb
formula that is used. The traditional Chinese views are that infertility
tends to arise from one or more of three prominent causes:
a) A "deficiency" syndrome prevents the hormonal system from properly
influencing the sexual and reproductive functions. This is said to be a
weakness ot the ~Kidney and Liver~ which may atso have other influences
on the body functions producing symptoms such as frequent urination, weakness
and aching of the back and legs, impotence, irregular menstruation, and
difficulties with regulation of body temperature. Deficiency syndromes
are treated with tonic herbs that are said to nourish Qi, Blood, Yin, or
Yang, and are selected according to the overall evaluation of symptoms.
b) A stagnancy syndrome prevents the sexual and reproductive organs
from functioning despite normal hormone levels and normal ability to respond
to hormones. This is said to involve a stagnancy ot "Qi and Blood, which
has the impact of restricting circulation to the tissues involved. Other
symptoms that might arise include abdominal pain or bloating, chronic inflammation,
and formation of lumps (including cysts and tumors). Blood stagnation often
occurs following childbirth, surgery, or severe infection.
c) A "heat" syndrome, which causes the affected organs to function
abnormally, or which is associated with an infection or inflammatory process.
Heat syndromes can produce abnormal semen quality leading to male infertility,
while gynecologic infections can maintain female infertility by blocking
the passages, altering the mucous membrane conditions, or influencing the
local temperature.
In each case, the purpose of the Chinese herbs is to rectify the underlying
syndrome. Western medicine can diagnose tubal blockage (which usually corresponds
to Blood stagnancy in Chinese medicine) and infections (which corresponds
to heat syndromes of Chinese medicine), but often fails to diagnose deficiency
syndromes and other stagnancy syndromes. Therefore, the majority of Chinese
herb formulas to be applied in the U.S. are those that counteract the deficiency
(called tonics) and those that resolve the stagnancy (called regulators).
8. After becoming pregnant does the woman need to continue taking herbe?
The herbs tor inducing fertility are usually discontinued when pregnancy is suspected or confirmed, but one may wish to utilize other herbs to help prevent miscarriage, which is somewhat more common among women who have experienced prolonged infertility. Selected herbs can be used throughout pregnancy to enhance the health of the mother and the fetus and to counteract symptoms of morning sickness. In addition, it is reported that labor can be made easier by proper application of herbs and acupuncture. Threatened miscarriage, if due to an imbalance in the mother's system (but not if due to genetic problems with the fetus), can often be overcome with application of herbs and possible adjunct therapy with moxa or acupuncture.
| Male Infertility and A Discussion of Spermophlebectasia, or Varicosity of the Spermatic Cord Vein by J. Min Fan, L.Ac. |
Spermophlebectasia can cause male infertility for two reasons. First, increased blood in the vein of the spermatic cord can increase testicle temperature, making the testicle a less hospitable environment for sperm production and decreasing or eliminating live sperm count and activity. Second, prolonged presence of the varicosity can result in poor blood circulation to the area and eventual shrinkage and dysfunction of the testicle, thus making it unable to produce healthy sperm.
Spermophlebectasia can be either a secondary or primary condition. A secondary type, such as one that might occur in a patient with a tumor in the abdomen, generally requires treatment of the major problem. In this article, we will focus on primary spermophlebectasia.
Spermophlebectasia most frequently occurs in the left testicle. In Western medicine, the cause of primary spermophlebectasia is unclear, but there are four main explanations which fall into two theoretical categories: anatomy and hemodynamics.
Other symptoms include insomnia, emotional disorder, irritability, anxiety, decreased libido, impotence, premature ejaculation, etc.
By palpation, the vein feels tangled and spongy. If you press into the vein, it temporarily shrinks or disappears. In a supine position the vein will appear smaller and straighter.
In Western medicine, treatment in mild cases is considered unnecessary. If the scrotum feels heavy, tight underwear may be recommended to provide support. But if pain is severe or the condition is causing infertility, then the condition must be treated by surgery.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the condition is first diagnosed as belonging to a particular syndrome, such as liver/kidney deficiency, sinking central qi, stagnation of qi and blood, and dampness and heat accumulation in the lower burner. A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is highly effective in treating spermophlebectasia.