Female Infertility
Overview
Female infertility is the failure to conceive after one year of regular unprotected intercourse (six months if age 35 or older). Causes include ovulatory disorders, tubal factors, the uterine lining, age, and male factors. Chinese medicine recognizes patterns of kidney deficiency, liver qi constraint, phlegm-damp obstruction, and stasis in the uterus. TCM may improve cycles and general health, but a standard infertility workup should come first, and the male partner should be evaluated simultaneously.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Long-standing infertility with delayed/scant pale menses, weak sore low back and legs, dizziness, tinnitus, low libido, pale tongue thin coating, deep fine pulse.
Tonify the kidney and supplement essence; nourish blood and regulate the cycle.
Liver Qi Constraint
Infertility with irregular cycles, premenstrual breast/rib distension and pain, low or irritable mood, darkish red tongue thin coating, wiry pulse.
Soothe the liver and resolve constraint; nourish blood and regulate menstruation.
Phlegm-Damp Obstruction
Obesity with copious discharge, delayed menses or amenorrhea, chest oppression, greasy mouth, fatigue, pale enlarged tongue white greasy coating, rolling pulse.
Dry dampness and resolve phlegm; regulate qi and menstruation.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
Track basal body temperature or use ovulation tests; keep regular sleep and a healthy weight (both excess and low weight affect ovulation), stop smoking, limit alcohol and caffeine, and take folic acid before conception. The male partner should also stop smoking and avoid heat exposure. Massage Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zigong, and Zusanli (ST36). Both partners should have a reproductive-medicine workup before choosing timed intercourse, ovulation monitoring, or assisted reproduction.
When to seek medical care
Severe abdominal pain, fainting, or heavy vaginal bleeding is an emergency (consider ectopic pregnancy); long amenorrhea, galactorrhea, marked hirsutism/acne, or prior pelvic infection/surgery warrants early evaluation; seek fertility care after six months of trying if ≥35, or one year if younger.