Infertility

Concept: Primary Infertility Secondary Infertility

Western Medicine correspopnding causes: Hormonal factors of ovulation (hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis disturbance -Fallopian tube abnormalities -Uterine factors (myomas) -Cervical factors -No apparent cause

TCM Etiology and Pathogenesis
Kidney Deficiency --Kidney ang deficiency --Kidney Yin deficiency Liver Qi Stagnation Phlegm and Damoness obstruction Blood stasis

Essential Diagnosis
Has a normal sexual life for two years (one year from western medical perspective) Has a conception history, two years after last delivery or abortion (miscarriage) The partner has normal reporductive function

Treatment Adjustment According to Menstrual Cycle
During Periods: regulate periods (invigorate blood if periods is scanty or stop the bleeding if heavy) After periods: Nourish blood and Kidney Yin Between Periods: Tonify Kidney and blood, and move blood to promote ovulation Before Periods: Tonify Kidney Yang and move Liver Qi
 * **Day 1-5** || **Day 6-12** || **Day 13-14** || **Day 15-28** ||
 * Menstrual Phase || Postmenstrual Phase || Follicular mature and ovulation phase || Premenstrual phase ||
 * Atrophy of corpus luteum phase || Follicular development phase || Follicular mature and ovulation phase || Luteal phase ||
 * Regulate periods || Tonify Kidney Yin & Blood || Nourish Essence and promote ovulation || Tonify Kidney Yang & move Liver Qi ||

Commmonly used Herbs for Infertility
Dang Shen Huang Qi Ren Shen Bai Zhu || Lu Rong Lu Jiao Lu Jiao Shuang Tu Si Zi Suo Yang Bu Gu Zhi Sha Yuan Ji Li Jiu Zi Du Zhong Zi Shi Ying || Zi He Che Shu Di Huang Bai Shao Ji Xue Teng E Jiao Dang Gui Gui Ban Jiao || Yi Zhi Ren Fu Pen Zi Shan Zhu You Jin Ying Zi Qian Shi Wu Wei Zi ||
 * **Tonify Qi** || **Tonify Yang** || **Tonify Yin & Blood** || **Astringent** ||
 * Huang Jing

Kidney Yang Deficiency
Normal sexual life without conception for more than two years, the periods could be either late or scanty, or once in several months or even amenorrhea, pale red color of menstrual flow Dark & lusterless complexion, soreness & weakness of loin/knees, unformed stool, profuse clear urine [Ren Shen (g.), Bai Zhu (g.), Fu Ling (g.), Zhi Gan Cao (g.), Dang Gui (g.), Shu Di Huang (g.), Bai Shao (g.), Chuan Xiong (g.), Tu Si Zi (g.), Du Zhong (g.), Lu Jiao Shuang (g.), Chuan Jiao (g.)]
 * Tongue:** pale tongue; thin white coat
 * Pulse:** deep, fine
 * Treatment Principles:** Warm Kidney, tonify Qi, nourish blood, regulate & supplement Chong & Ren
 * Acupuncture:** //BL-23, CV-4, GV-4, SP-6//, KI-3, KI-13, BL-52, KI-6, LU-7, CV-8, St-28, ST-36
 * Herbal Treatment:** Y//u Lin Zhu// (Fertility Pearl)

Kidney Yin Deficiency
Normal sexual life without conception for more than two years, early periods or late periods, scanty menstrual flow, red color without clots Thin body shape or weight loss, soreness of loins and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, 5-palm heat [Dang Gui (g.), Bai Shao (g.), Shu Di Huang (g.), Shan Zhu Yu (g.)]
 * Tongue:** red tongue; thin white coat
 * Pulse:** fine, rapid
 * Treatment Principles:** Nourish Yin and blood, regulate Chong and nourish essence
 * Acupuncture:** //BL-23, CV-4, SP-6, KI-3, CV-7//, LU-7, KI-6, KI-2, KI-13, BL-52
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Yang Jing Zhong Yu Tang// (Nourish Essence and Plant Jade Decoction)

Liver Qi Stagnation
Failure to concieve for more than two years, irregular periods, clots in menstrual flow, breast and lower abdominal distention before or during periods Depression, anger, easy to lose temper, restlessness, chest and hypochondriac distention [Dang Gui (g.), Bai Shao (g.), Bai Zhu (g.), Fu Ling (g.), Mu Dan Pi (g.), Xiang Fu (g.), Tian Hua Fen (g.)]
 * Tongue:** purplish or dark red tongue
 * Pulse:** wiry
 * Treatment Principles:** Soothe Liver, relieve stagnation, nourish blood and strengthen Spleen
 * Acupuncture:** //LR-3, BL-18, SP-6, CV-6,// GB-34, TW-6, PC-6, SP-4, KI-14
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Kai Yu Zhong Yu Tang// (Open Stagnation and Plant Jade Decoction)

Phlegm and Dampness
Failure to concieve for more than two years, late or no periods, scanty menstrual bleeding, excessive sticky vaginal discharge Pale complexion, obesity, dizziness, palpitation, nausea, chest fullness and oppression [Ban Xian (g.), Cang Zhu (g.), Chen Pi (g.), Fu Ling (g.), Shen Qu (g.), Xiang Fu (g.), Chuan Xiong (g.)]
 * Tongue:** white greasy tongue coat
 * Pulse:** slippery
 * Treatment Principles:** Dry dampness, dissolve phlegm, move Qi and regulate periods
 * Acupuncture:** //CV-3, ST-28, Sp-9, SP-6,// CV-9, Zi Gong, LU-7, KI-6, ST-30, KI-14, BL-32
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Qi Gong Wan// (Arouse the Uterus Pill)

Blood Stasis
Failure to conceive for more than two years, late periods, scanty, heavy or normal flow, purple or dark color of flow, lower abdominal pain before or during periods Lower abdominal pain is uncomfortable, lumbar and sacral area pain, dislikes pressure ** Tongue: ** purple tongue with ecchymosis ** Pulse: ** choppy ** Treatment Principles: ** Invigorate blood, eliminate blood stasis, regulate periods ** Acupuncture: ** // LR-3, SP-10, BL-17, SP-6, GB-34, CV-3 //, ST-29, ST-30, SP-4, PC-6, KI-14, TW-6, KI-6, LU-7 ** Herbal Treatment: ** // Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang //// (Drive Out Stasis in the Lower Abdomen Decoction) // // [Rou Gui (g.), Xiao Hui Xiang (g.), //// Gan Jiang //// (g.), Dang Gui (g.), Chuan Xiong (g.), Chi Shao (g.), Yan Hu Suo (g.), Pu Huang (g.), Wu Ling Zi (g.), Mo Yao (g.)] //

// **Infertility treatment to increase blood flow to the uterus:** 8 treatments over period of 4 weeks // // BL-23 to BL-28 bilaterally // // -Needle depth of 10-20mm. // // -stimulate needle until there is sensation // // -Attach electro - 100 constant, no pain or discomfort for 30 minutes //

// SP-6 to SP-6 // // -Needle depth of 10-20mm. // // -Stimulate needle until there is senstaion // // -Attach electro - 2 constant, no pain or discomfort for 30 minutes //

// BL-57 to BL-57 // // -Needle depth of 10-20mm. // // -Stimulate needle until there is senstaion // // -Attach electro - 2 constant, no pain or discomfort for 30 minutes //

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 * IBIS: [female]**

**Definition:**
Absence of conception after 1 year of regular intercourse while not using any contraceptives. (sterility: the inability to ovulate).

**Etiology:**
10-15% of couples experience the inability to conceive, and the percentage is growing. Men account for 40% of failures to conceive. Of the woman who are responsible, failure to ovulate accounts for 30% of infertility problems; pelvic factors (such as tubal disease and endometriosis) account for 50%; cervical pathology is responsible 10% of the time; and in 10-20% of the women no reason is found.

**Nutrition:**
therapeutic foods: • Decrease cholesterol and improve cardiovascular system • Decrease animal products that may contain DES residues. • Increase foods rich in organic sources of Sodium • Increase foods rich in Iron, Phosphorus and Vitamin C • Increase foods that nourish Xue (Blood) and tonify the Spleen and Stomach foods; bland foods • Increase foods that tonify the Kidney • Sesame seeds, tahini, pumpkin seeds, seed and nut butters, cod roe, lecithin, raw goat's milk, oatmeal, raw egg yolk, crab, lobster, dates, ocean fish, kelp, dulse, other seaweeds, elderberries, garlic, parsley, scallions, lamb, shrimp, black beans, kidney beans, yams, lycium fruit (Ni, 140.)

therapeutic foods: » Hot Uterus: • Cooling foods • Bananas, pears, watermelons, broccoli, turnips, grapefruit, gingko nuts (Butt and Bloomfield, 73.)

» Cold Uterus: • Stimulating foods, Kidney Yang Tonics • Lamb, beef, chicken, pork liver, dates, red beans (Butt and Bloomfield, 74.) • Kidneys, testes, ginger, liver, black pepper, shrimps, mussels, raspberries, yams, walnut, chive seed (Lu, 171-173.)

fresh juices: • Carrot (Walker, p. 154) • Carrot, beet, and cucumber (Walker, 154.) • Carrot and spinach (Walker, 154.) • Carrot, celery, spinach, and parsley (Walker, 154.)

specific remedies: • Lamb stew with daikon radish and black jujube (Ni, 140.) • Cake from black sweet rice, black sesame seeds, black fungus, lotus seeds walnuts and black beans. Eat with 1/2 glass red wine (Ni, 140.) • Tea from walnuts, lotus seeds, pearl barley, Chinese black dates, lycium fruit and drink three times daily (Ni, 140.) • Cook together scallions, shrimp and egg and eat with a shot of white liquor (Ni, 140.) • Prepare 2 lamb, pork or beef testes, 4 kidneys and 50 g black dates, stir them in rice wine until thoroughly soaked, then steam them. Then put in a bottle of wine and store for 3 months. Then drink. (Lu, 171-72.)

**Botanicals**
• Angelica sinensis: normalizes menstrual cycle, best used from ovulation to menses (Weed, p. 3) • Borago officinalis: high in gamma-linolenic acid: anti-inflammatory properties, considered to be hormonally active and an adrenal tonic (Heron) • Helonias dioica: uterine and pelvic organ tonic (Weed, p. 3; Mitchell, p. 78) • Rubus idaeus: uterine tonic; may be used in combination with Trifolium pratense and Urtica spp. (Parvati, p. 44; Weed, p. 3; Mowrey, p. 186) • Trifolium pratense: nutritive herb able to alkalinize body and vaginal mucus (Weed, p. 2; Parvati, p. 44) • Urtica dioica: nutritive (Weed, p. 2) • Vitex agnus castus: acts on diencephalo-hypophyseal system to increase LH and decrease FSH; promotes corpus luteum and progesterone (Weiss)

consider: (Mowrey, pp. 151-154) • Eleutherococcus senticosus • Glycyrrhiza glabra • Serenoa repens • Smilax sarsaparilla • Turnera aphrodisiaca

==**Chinese Formulae** == • Tang Kuei and Peony C. (Dang Gui Shao Yao San) plus fluoritum (for weaker individuals); Bupleurum and Peony C. (Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San) plus fluoritum (for stronger individuals): Liver Qi Stagnation (Tang Kuei: Hsu, 1980, p. 585; Yeung, p. 77; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 177; Bensky and Barolet, p. 251; Bupleurum: Hsu, 1980, p. 87; Yeung, p. 72; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 177; Bensky and Barolet, p. 148) • Zuo Gui Wan; Restorative Tablets (patent): Kidney Yin Xu (Deficiency): night sweats, tinnitus, low back soreness (Zuo Gui Wan: Yeung, p. 300; Bensky and Barolet, p. 267; Restorative: Dharmananda, 1990, p. 24) • You Gui Wan: Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency): exhaustion from long-term illness, aversion to cold, coolness of the extremities, infertility, loose stools, aching lower back and knees (Yeung, p. 276; Bensky and Barolet, p. 278) • Zan Yu Dan: Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) and Qi Xu (Deficiency): listlessness and dispiritedness, aching lower back, pale complexion, deep thin pulse (Bensky and Barolet, p. 281) • Tai Shan Pan Shi San: Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency): for women with history of miscarriage who wish to become pregnant: take once a week from the second to the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy; pale face, fatigue, loss of appetite, pale tongue (Yeung, p. 227; Bensky and Barolet, p. 261) • Tang Kuei and Evodia C. (Wen Jing Tang): Chong Mo and Ren Mo Xu (Deficiency): weak and cold patient, dry lips and mouth, irregular menses, mild persistent uterine bleeding, bleeding between periods, pain distention and cold in the lower abdomen (Hsu, 1980, p. 588; Yeung, p. 242; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 323; Bensky and Barolet, p. 324) • Cinnamon and Hoelen F. (Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan); Fu Ke Zhong Zi Wan (patent): Xue Yu (Blood Stasis): hard lumps in the lower abdomen, dysmenorrhea (Cinnamon: Hsu, 1980, p. 423; Yeung, p. 113; Bensky and Barolet, p. 322; Fu Ke: Zhu, p. 253) • Wuchi Pai Feng Wan (patent): Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) (Zhu, p. 247) • Women's Treasure (patent): Kidney Xu (Deficiency); plus Lindera 15 (patent) with Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); plus Tang Kuei 18 (patent) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) (Dharmananda, 1990: Women's Treasure, p. 28: Lindera, p. 49: Tang Kuei, p. 25) • Eleuthero 10+ (patent); Placenta Tablets (patent); Kwei Ling Chi (patent): Kidney Jing Xu (Essence Deficiency) (Eleuthero: Dharmananda, 1990, p. 14; Placenta: Fratkin, p. 182, Zhu, p. 265; Kwei Ling: Fratkin, p. 195)

**Acupuncture**
after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns: Qi Stagnation, esp. Liver Qi Stagnation; Xu (Deficiency) and Cold of the Lower Abdomen; Yin Xu (Deficiency) Fire; Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); Kidney and Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency); Kidney Jing Xu (Essence Deficiency); Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) and Qi Xu; Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency); Kidney and Spleen Yang Xu (Deficiency); Phlegm-Dampness; Xu (Deficiency) of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); Xu (Deficiency) of Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Xu (Deficiency) of Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)

» illustrative combinations: • CV-7 and Kd-18 for "non-conception" (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 258) • CV-4, CV-5 and CV-7 for infertility (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 349) • Lu-7 and Kd-6: open the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) which nourishes the Uterus and regulates menstruation • UB-23, Kd-13 and Kd-2 for infertility due to Kidney Xu (Deficiency) (Qiu and Su, p. 14) • CV-4, Kd-13, Sp-6, St-36, UB-20 and UB-18 for infertility due to Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) (Qiu and Su, p. 15) • CV-7, CV-2, CV-4, GV-4 and Kd-3 for infertility due to Cold in Uterus with Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency) (Qiu and Su, p. 16) • CV-3, St-30, Kd-13, Sp-6 and St-40 for infertility due to Phlegm Accumulation and Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) (Qiu and Su, p. 16) • CV-4, St-28, St-29, St-36, Sp-6 and Lv-3 for infertility involving tubal occlusion due to Stagnant Liver Qi causing Xue (Blood) and Qi Xu (Deficiency), with malnourishment of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) (Jirui and Wang, p. 263) • Sp-5 and CV-3 for sterility (Chamfrault as per Mann, p. 147) • Kd-3 and Lu-7; St-30 and Kd-4 (listed as "Kd-5") for sterility (Mann, p. 147) • CV-15, CV-16, CV-19, Kd-13, Sp-6, Kd-11, UB-47/52, GB-37, GB-5, UB-60 and CV-10: influence pituitary (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20; McWilliams, et al, Lesson 31, p. 258) • Kd-13, UB-67, Kd-7, GB-37, Sp-6, Kd-2, GV-4 and Lv-3: influence ovaries (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20; McWilliams, et al, Lesson 31, p. 258) • si hua: UB-17 and UB-19 (+): "four flowers"; build Xue (Blood) • UB-23, Kd-13 and Kd-2 (+ and D): regulate Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); tonify Kidney and reproductive function • zi gong (D) and Kd-13 (+): supplements the Kidney Qi; regulate the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); regulate and warm the uterus (Ross, 1985, p. 75) • St-36 and Sp-6 (+ and D): replenish and invigorate Xue (Blood) and Qi, regulate Spleen and Stomach; no moxa if Xu (Deficiency) Heat • St-28 and St-29 (=): regulate menstruation; disinhibit Lower Warmer; warm Lower Warmer Cold, esp. in Uterus • UB-38/43 and GV-14 (-): reduce fever if Xu (Deficiency) Heat • CV-3 and Sp-6: regulate the Qi function of the Lower Warmer and the function of the genital organs - Sp-6 sends Qi up; CV-3 sends it deep (Finkelstein, p. 84) • TW-4, GV-1 and GV-2; Lv-8 and SI-5; CV-5, CV-6, St-28 and St-45 for lack of (sexual) desire (Mann, p. 134) • Kd-7; CV-4 and CV-7; CV-1; St-29 and Sp-6 for frigidity (Mann, p. 134)

**Homeopathy**
• Agnus castus: absence of sexual desire and/or menses; leukorrhea staining yellow • Aletris farinosa: due to weakness of uterus; tones uterus • Aurum metallicum: due to depression • Aurum muriaticum natronatum: a specific; 3X potency; ulceration, induration, chronic metritis, ulcers of the os, swelling of the ovary • Baryta carbonicum: due to dwindling of ovaries and mammary glands, yet lymphatics become enlarged and infiltrated • Borax: sexual desire too weak; sterility • Ferrum metallicum: sexual desire lessened; anemia of ovaries; with amenorrhea and general anemia; insensible or pain during coition • Graphites: great aversion to coitus • Kali bromatum: from atrophy of ovaries • Natrum carbonicum: discharge of mucus after an embrace in the woman • Phosphorus: aversion to coition; vaginal anesthesia during coition; sterility from excessive voluptuousness or with late or profuse menses • Pituitrinum: regulates action of corpus luteum • Platina: sterility with excessive sexual desire • Sepia: a main remedy; irregular menses with discharge and constipation; intercourse is intolerable; tenderness of sexual parts to touch • Thuja occidentalis: leukorrhea, anemia; hair on face and legs with offensive perspiration about genitals

==**Subtle Support** == • notes: A, A#, B, C, C#, D, E, F, G, G#

• chords: A minor, C minor, D minor, D# minor, tonic (Gimbel, p. 116)

**Mind/Body**
• Women who have no obvious physiological or anatomical pathology may have decided to be infertile. (Harrison, p. 153) • Denial of the self; rejection of feminine principle. (Hay, 1984, p. 165) • Fear and resistance to the process of life, OR not needing to go through the parenting experience. (Hay, 1984, p. 184) • If a woman fails to have a child despite wanting one, either some unconscious resistance is present, or her desire is dishonestly motivated (for example, hoping to use the child to hang on to the partner, or to force existing problems or relationship issues into the background). In such case the body often reacts much more honestly and farsightedly. (Dethlefsen, p. 190) • Psychic or mental control: Based on the principle that we have control over bodily process rather than bodily processes controlling us, one can use thoughts and emotions to voluntarily control internal states such as conception. (Bliss, p. 271) • Traditionally, in psychoanalytic terms, the infertile patient has been thought to consciously and obsessively verbalize the wish for a child, but unconsciously to reject pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. This is probably one small subset of the emotions and beliefs which may relate to psychological infertility. Other issues that have emerged include (1) a firm conviction on the part of the woman (sometimes conditioned by a health care professional) that her body is incapable of bearing children, or (2) excessive conflict between the woman and her mate. (Mehl, p. 174)

• Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging, particularly the internal aspects of the reproductive organs; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; manifests through the reproductive function, and governs the process of passing on life to offspring; and displays the effects of aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress. » Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance. » Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch. » Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
 * Chinese psychophysiology:**

• Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); has an intimate relationship with the genitals and Lower Warmer; opens into the eyes; and reflects emotional harmony and movement. » Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement. » Liver Xu (Deficiency) signs include impotence; frigidity; pain in thighs, pelvic region, and throat; ready tendency to "the blahs" (Seem, p. 28); timidity; depression; irritability; vertigo; pruritus; dry eyes, skin, and/or tendons; asthma; aching at the waist; hernia; and difficulty raising head up and down. Liver Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) predisposes to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). » Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216) Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) often begins with Qi Stagnation.

• Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion and manifests in the muscle tissues; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); governs the Xue (Blood); resolves Dampness and Phlegm; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel centered and balanced. » Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence. » Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity. Unresolved Spleen Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to Spleen Shi (Excess), particularly accumulation of Dampness and Phlegm, as the Spleen's functioning declines. » Spleen Shi (Excess) signs include heaviness (excess "form"); large abdomen; great sighing; sadness; obsessions and nightmares (Seem, p. 28); abdominal pain; irregular appetite; stickiness in the mouth and on lips; red lips; chest congestion; fatigue; and constipation. Dampness and Phlegm Shi (Excess) usually derive from Spleen Yang and/or Qi Xu (Deficiency). » The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen. Environmentally, the Spleen is highly susceptible to attack from external Dampness and Cold.

==**Integrative Therapies** == Infertility is the inability to conceive a child after 1 year of regular sexual activity without the use of birth control. Use of the IUD, hormonal dysfunction, environmental pollutants, drug abuse, and a past history of sexually transmitted diseases are often associated with the development of infertility.

Common causes of female infertility include scar tissue from pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, abnormalities in the uterus or fallopian tubes, diseases of the cervix and the rest of the reproductive tract, and an allergic reaction to sperm. In about 15 to 20 percent of the cases, infertility has no observable physical cause.

If infertility is accompanied by other persistent physical problems, consult a physician. Curing infections may also clear up infertility. It is often helpful to seek sexuality and emotional counseling for issues related to infertility.

If you have been unable to conceive children for more than a year, both you and your partner should have complete physical examinations and evaluations for possible courses of treatment.

The following course of action can be used at any time during the attempt to become pregnant. This will more than likely not clash or interfere with other medical approaches to fertility and are safe. Unless otherwise stated, these are for use by both partners.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SUPPLEMENTS COMMONLY USED FOR THIS CONDITION: 1. Vitamin E – 500 to 1,500 Units per day in divided doses for several months. Vitamin E taken by the male partner may also be helpful in preventing birth defects. 2. Calcium – 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams per day, taken after meals. 3. Magnesium – 500 milligrams per day. 4. Zinc – 10 to 15 milligrams per day. This is important for proper development of the reproductive organs. 5. Beta-carotene – 50,000 Units per day for 2 weeks, starting from the day menses begins. Then 15,000 Units is taken until the period (or through pregnancy).

NOW, ABOUT THE HERBS USED FOR INFERTILITY: For women: • Angelica tincture, which is a liquid herbal extract, taken with Licorice Root tincture – 25 drops of each tincture per day may help regulate menstrual periods. Do not use during menstruation. • Steep 1/2 ounce of Red Clover blossoms, 1/2 ounce of Raspberry leaves, and 2 teaspoons of Peppermint leaves in a quart of boiling water for 20 minutes. Drink 1 or more cups per day for several months. • False Unicorn Root is used as a uterine tonic – 15 to 20 drops of the tincture per day. If there is a problem with repeated miscarriages, 3 drops of the tincture 5 times per day are taken during the entire first trimester. • Sometimes, infertility involves a history of repeated miscarriages. If there is persistent cramping or bleeding, indicating a threatened miscarriage, call your physician and take the following mixture. Simmer in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes: 1 ounce of Wild Yam Root, 1 ounce of Squaw Vine Leaf, and 1 ounce of Cramp Bark. Take 1/4 cup every 4 hours until symptoms cease.

REGARDING THE PROPER DIET: 1. Mantain an overall healthy diet – Use fresh foods as close to the natural state as possible, avoiding prepackaged and processed foods. Eat daily servings of leafy green vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice and rolled oats), fresh fruit, and proteins with a minimum of animal fat. Avoid sugars (such as in pastries and candy) and refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and white rice). Drink at least 8 cups of fluids daily. For more information, refer to the article on healthy diet. 2. Emphasis in cases of infertility should be put on avoiding artificial colorings and flavors commonly added to food. Read the labels to become acquainted with the product content. 3. Avoid caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, tea, sodas, and chocolate. 4. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and the use of recreations drugs.

REGARDING STRESS REDUCTION: Stress Reduction is essential – You may not be able to eliminate stressful situations in your life (such as a busy schedule or a stressful relationship), but you can learn to cope better with the stress by following these guidelines: • Regular physical exercises – at least 30 minutes 3 times per week. • Relaxation exercises – 20 minutes once a day. Tapes can be purchased at one of your local bookstores. Yoga, practiced on regular basis, can serve the same purpose. • Deep Breathing – most of us tend to hold our breath or breathe shallow breaths during stressful situations. This can cut down the amount of oxygen available to the body with every breath. Try to have a few 1 minute intervals of breathing and relaxation during the day. At these times, pay special attention to relaxing your shoulder muscles and breathing deeply.

HOMEOPATHY: Note: A wide range of homeopathic medicines can be helpful for individuals with infertility. Consultation with a health care professional trained in homeopathic prescribing will usually be the best way to select the correct medicine.

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Dietary Recommendations
Eat wheat germ; eat light foods and avoid stimulants, congestants and food which causes constipation.

Recommended Minerals
-Zinc (male)

Orthomolecular Treatment
-Arginine -Ornithine (male)