Reproductive+Function+Disorders+(Yin+Qi+Bu+Yong)

This refers to disorders inhibiting the reproductive functions of both males and females. Conditions such as impotence, low libido, low sperm count and motility, and ovulation dysfunctions are all considered reproductive dysfunctions. Relevant Western Diseases: Psychiatric problems, psychosexual dysfunction, psychological problems, erectile dysfunction (impotence), premature or delaying ejaculation and vaginismus

Diagnosis: A. Unsuccessful at becoming pregnant after at least 3 years of continual attempts B. Impotence, low sperm count and motility, intercourse problem or low libido C. Clear evidence of physical abnormalities seen in physical examinations D. Clear signs of abnormal relationship between Shen and sexual activities E. Clear evidence of medication side effects relevant to the dysfunction F. Clear evidence of injury relevant to the dysfunction Should have A or B, and then refer others to confirm the diagnosis Prognosis: Prognosis will vary depending on the treatment plan provided and the individual pathological situation. Some cases will require a long course of treatment before producing results, and some cases will be resolved very quickly. There are a variety of situations which can create complications to treatment such as Shen disharmony or psychological dysfunctions. We must use care when making the diagnosis, especially with severe injury types and those with unclear symptom patterns.

TCM Etiology and Pathogenesis: The human body follows natural principles, so when people age the liver and kidney essence becomes deficient and they lose their reproductive functions. Therefore, when people start sexual activity too early or have excessive sexual habits, the kidney essence will become exhausted early. The spleen provides the nutrition and energy source which maintains and supports reproductive functions; this means that weakness of the spleen can also cause infertility. Weather conditions can also cause reproductive dysfunction such as damp-heat, cold damp stagnation and fire heat injury. Cold attacking the liver channel causes constriction along the the channel and severe pain; the external genitals shrink into the lower abdomen in both males and females. Chong and Ren channel disharmony is also a common cause of infertility, this disharmony can be the resut of injury, stagnation, deficiency, cold or heat invading in females, miscarriages and frequent pregnancies will lead to injury and extreme weakness of Chong and Ren channels. Shen disharmony due to high stress levels or severe frightening can cause liver Qi stagnation and kidney Qi injury; this leads to loss of communication between the heart and kidney. The treatment principles for this disharmony must include the Shen treatment. Among the primary meridians, the liver channel is the main channel connected with the genital region; therefore the liver and its channel disharmonies are commonly used for the evaluation and treatment of reproductive disorders. The Ling Shu tells us that Foot Yangming, Foot Taiyin, Foot Shaoyin and Foot Jueyin, the four tendon type meridians, are all connected with and gathered in the genital region; therefore, disharmony within these four meridians can cause sexual dysfunction. In TCM, being overweight is seen as dampness and phlegm accumulation; this condition can also cause infertility and sexual dysfunction, because the damp phlegm obstructs the Chong and Ren. In addition, prolonged disease in Zang Fu disharmony, overworking, body weakness, or low energy can lead to deficiency of Qi, blood, fluids, and essence and then cause the reproductive dysfunction.

TCM Pattern Differentiation: Kidney Yang and Essence Deficiency 2 Impotence, low sexual desire, low sperm count and motility, cold feet and hands, especially cold lower back and extremities, body is weak and tired, low appetite and weak digestion, diarrhea with undigested food, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
 * Tongue:** Pale or purplish tongue, swollen body with teeth marks and cracks
 * Pulse:** deep, weak, slow
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** KI-3, KI-7, KI-10, CV-4, CV-6, ST-36, LI-10, GV-4, BL-23, BL-52
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Shu Di Huang, Bai Ji Tian, Yin Yang Huo, Suo Yang, Rou Cong Rong, Lu Rong, Jiu Zi, Yi Zhi Ren, Jin Ying Zi]

Kidney Yin and Essence Deficiency, Deficient Fire Blazing Within 2 Nocturnal spermatorrhea, excess or diminished sexual activities, low sperm count and volume, feeling of weakness, emaciation, lower back sore, weak and painful, dry vagina and skin, pain during intercourse, thirsty and drinks a little, hot flashes, night sweats, scanty dark colore urine, scanty menstruation, dizziness, tinnitus
 * Tongue:** red tongue, thin or no coat
 * Pulse:** thready, rapid
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** KI-3, KI-6, SP-6, CV-4, CV-6, GB-39, ST-36, BL-15, BL-23, BL-52
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Sheng Di Huang, Shu Di Huang, Gui Ban Bie Jia, Zhi Mu, Dan Shen, Huang Bai, Gou Qi Zi, Huai Niu Xi, Tu Si Zi, He Huan Pi, Zhi Zi]

Liver Qi Stagnation and Shen Irritability, Chong and Ren Disharmony 2 Little or no libido, low sexual activity, impotence, genital constriction, twitching and pain, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, painful and difficult urination, depressed, moody, symptoms vary with emotional state
 * Tongue:** pink tongue, white coat
 * Pulse:** wiry
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** LR-3, LR-6, LI-12, LR-14, TW-6, HT-7, SP-6, CV-3, CV-6, BL-18, Yintang
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Chai Hu, Qing Pi, Zhi Ke, Xiang Fu, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Chi Shao, Su Gen, Huang Qin, Fu Ling, Long Gu, Mu Li]

Spleen Qi and Heart Blood Deficiency, Chong and Ren Exhaustion 2 Low libido, poor energy, frequently feels weak and exhausted, has insomnia, wakes up at night, not feeling rested in the morning, reduced memory and concentration, amenorrhea, pale complexion, low appetite, overthinking, stressed, loose bowel movement, miscarriage or painless bleeding syndromes
 * Tongue:** pale tongue, thin coat
 * Pulse:** weak, deep
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** SP-3, SP-6, HT-7, HT-5, ST-36, CV-6, CV-11, BL-15, BL-20, BL-44, BL-49
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Huang Qi, Dang Gui, Dang Shen, Ren Shen, Fu Shen, Yuan Zhi, Suan Zao Ren, Mu Xiang, Long Yuan Rou, Da Zao, Zhen Zhu Mu]

Heart and Kidney Not Communicating, Chong and Ren Disharmony 2 Diminished or excess libido, sexual dreams at night, premature ejaculation, impotence or constant erection, nocturnal spermatorrhea, emaciation, insomnia, frequently dreams at night, palpitations, prone to being startled, lower back soreness and weakness, sore legs and knees, 5-palm heat, night sweats, dry mout, thirst, scanty or irregular menstruation
 * Tongue:** reddish tongue, thin coat
 * Pulse:** thready, rapid
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** HT-3, HT-6, HT-7, HT-9, CV-14, CV-3, KI-1, KI-3, KI-6, KI-9, KI-11, Yintang
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Dan Shen, Mu Dan Pi, He Huan Pi, Zhen Zhu Mu, Chuan Xiong, Fu Shen, Ye Jiao Teng, Zhi Zi, Huang Bai, Shen Shu Di Huang]

Lower Burner Damp Heat Accumulation, Chong and Ren Obstructing 2 Impotence, genital itching, burning, rashes or pain, vaginal discharge, lower body heavy and sore, obese body, low libido, preferring greasy and junk food, drink alcohol and smoke, foul breath, re face, irregular menstruation, dry mouth, constipation, dark colored urination
 * Tongue:** red tongue, sticky thick yellow coat
 * Pulse:** rapid, slippery
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** CV-3, SP-6, SP-9, ST-28, SP-13, KI-5, GB-34, LR-2, LI-6, LI-11
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Huang Bai, Huang Qin, Zhi Mu, Zhi Zi, Long Dan Cao, Chai Hu, Sheng Di Huang, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Ga Cao Shao, Mu Dan Pi]

Coldness Invading the Liver Channel, Chong and Ren Disharmony 2 Cold pain in genital region w/ constriction and twitching sensations, genital withdrawal into the lower abdomen, lower abdominal pain and cold, cold feet and hands, eadache especially vertex, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, low libido, irregular menstruation, leg pain especially on the inside of the legs, difficult urination, pale or purplish lips and face
 * Tongue:** purplish tongue
 * Pulse:** wiry, tension
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** LR-3, LR-5, LR-6, LR-14, CV-2, CV-3, SP-11, SP-13, ST-30, CV-4, GB-34
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Rou Gui, Wu Zhu Yu, Wu Yao, Xiao Hui Xiang, Mu Xiang, Chen Xiang, Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Gan Jiang, Xi Xin, Gan Cao]

Genital Meridians Injury and Stagnation, Chong and Ren Obstruction 2 Absolutely no erection, genital region painful, local stiffness, tenderness and numbness, cyanosis on the injured region, feels painful when moving the body or during intercourse, clear history of injury, all symptoms worse w/ pressure, locally swollen possibly w/ lesions, dysmenorrhea, painful ejaculation, blood in th sperm and vaginal bleeding between periods
 * Tongue:** purplish tongue
 * Pulse:** wiry, choppy
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** ST-30, LI-4, LR-3, LR-5, LR-10, LR-11, LR-12, CV-1, CV-2, SP-6, SP-10
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Huang Qi, Dan Shen, Bai Shao, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong, Chuan Niu Xi, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Dang Gui, Si Gua Luo]

Frightening Emotional Injury, Chong and Ren Disharmony 2 Impotence, genital and vaginal constriction and twitcing, depressed and moody, fearful, sadness, anger and frustration, low libido, palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, prone to being startled especially during intercourse, afraid of being sexually active, frequent urination and incontinence, lower back ache and soreness, vaginal discharge, amenorrhea
 * Tongue:** pale tongue, white coat
 * Pulse:** deep, wiry, thready
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** KI-3, KI-9, KI-27, CV-6, HT-6, PC-7, Yintang, Upper Yintang, GV-20, An Mian
 * Herbal Treatment:** [Hu Po, Ci Shi, Yuan Zhi, Shi Chang Pu, He Huan Pi, Fu Shen, Dang Shen, Shan Yu Rou, Rou Gui, Rou Cong Rong, Suan Zao Ren]