In my clinical experience, infertility generally stems from two main categories of causes: mechanical and functional.
1. Mechanical Causes
Mechanical causes are conditions that can be diagnosed by the current Western medical system, such as:
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Fallopian tube blockage
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Poor egg quality
- Low ovarian reserve
While these issues may seem difficult to overcome, many can be improved with Chinese medicine — including acupuncture, customized herbal prescriptions, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications. Once these mechanical issues are addressed or resolved, patients often have a much higher chance of conceiving.
2. Functional Causes
Functional causes are more subtle. These are the cases where a doctor says, “Everything looks normal, just keep trying,” yet the patient still cannot conceive. Often, these patients do have underlying health imbalances — they simply fall into the “normal” lab range and are therefore not treated.
Examples include:
Sluggish thyroid: The “normal” TSH range is 0.4–4.5. A TSH of 0.8 may technically be normal, but symptoms like cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, and slow metabolism point to low thyroid function. Pregnancy requires rapid tissue growth, and a sluggish thyroid can slow this process, reducing fertility.
Low Vitamin D: The normal range is 30–100. A reading of 40 is technically normal but still on the low side. Low Vitamin D can impact thyroid health and reproductive function.
Cold Uterus in TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, many of these functional issues are described as Cold Uterus.
Signs include:
- Cold hands and feet
- Feeling chilly in general
- Menstrual cramps with clots
- Dark-colored menstrual flow
A Cold Uterus is like planting seeds in winter — the environment is not favorable for growth. Cold constricts blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which can reduce egg quality, hinder proper nourishment of the uterine lining, and increase the risk of miscarriage.
What causes a Cold Uterus?
- Consuming too many raw, cold-temperature, or “cold-energy” foods (in TCM, foods have warming or cooling properties). This is especially common in long-term vegans and vegetarians.
- Spending most of the time indoors without sun exposure.
- Wearing clothing that exposes the neck, belly, or feet in cold weather.
- Sitting under a fan or air vent allows cold to enter the body.
What helps?
- Eating more warming foods such as beef and lamb. (If these cause indigestion or constipation, it may be due to insufficient digestive capacity — not because your body doesn’t need them. Digestive enzymes, bile salts, or betaine HCl may help.)
- Adding warm, pungent herbs and spices to the diet.
- Getting regular, gentle sun exposure.
Stress and Fertility
Another major functional cause is stress and anxiety. In TCM, this is viewed as Qi and Blood stagnation.
Modern life often keeps us in a constant state of overwork, worry, and caregiving, with little time to rest. Over time, this stagnation disrupts the body’s natural rhythms and reproductive function.
Treatment approaches include:
- Reducing stress through acupuncture and herbal therapy to smooth Liver Qi and improve circulation.
- Practicing stress-management techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, grounding, and gentle stretching.
The TCM Approach to Conception
In summary, helping patients conceive requires addressing both mechanical and functional causes. Whether the issue is diagnosed or more subtle, Chinese medicine offers tools to restore balance, improve overall health, and create an environment where new life can flourish.