Chinese herbs are an integral part of Chinese medicine and have been used throughout the centuries to help in the treatment of infertility. So the question is when does someone use Chinese herbs in the fertility process?

Below are five scenarios where herbs could be a potential benefit for your fertility. I have outlined several cases where you’d use herbs, so you can gain a better understanding about your choices in treating fertility issues.

1. Poor ovulation: If you are having poor ovulation or your ovulation is occurring late, such as taking five to eight days during the menstrual cycle to occur, then Chinese herbs can be used to help treat ovulation. Herbs can be used to help support the ovulation so it becomes strong and consistent. This is particularly important in cases of PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is a condition where there is no ovulation occurring, or in conditions where there is unexplained infertility.
2. Low luteal phase: One useful method in ascertaining what is happening or not happening in a woman’s cycle is to temperature chart. I tell my patients to use temperature charting to help them see a detailed occurrence of what is happening in their menstrual cycle on a day-to-day basis. Temperatures should be elevated from day 14 onward due to the release of progesterone in the body. If your temperatures are not staying up after ovulation, around 98.5 degrees, it can point to a condition of low progesterone causing what is called a low luteal phase. The luteal phase runs from day 14 until day 28. Specific herbs can be formulated and can be timed to be taken at the second half of the cycle, using mainly specific tonic herbs to help boost the body and raise the temperatures in the second half of the cycle, and elevating the temperatures of the cycle. You uncover this by doing a temperature chart to see what the fluctuations are in the process and start to treat so that the cycle doesn’t “run out of steam.”
3. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is the condition where tissue of the uterus grows outside the uterus causing tremendous pelvic pain and bleeding throughout the cycle. Because endometriosis does affect fertility, using Chinese herbs is recommended to control bleeding and smooth out the menstrual cycle so there is less blocked area causing pain and the lining of the uterus has healthy tissue, not old endometrial lining. Herbs known as blood movers encourage circulation to specific areas of the body and in this case to the uterus to reduce pain and smooth out the uterine lining and can be very effective in not only treating the pain associated with this condition but enhancing the lining, which is critical for the fertilized egg to get implanted.
4. Age-related infertility: As a woman ages her menstrual cycle can be off. Waning estrogen or progesterone levels can affect the cycle and cause lack of ovulation, and the balanced hormones needed to create viable menstrual cycles need to be tweaked. Egg quality gets poorer as women age.
5. Unmatured eggs: Herbal formulas are also helpful in that they regulate the cycle and boost hormones, making the chance of pregnancy much greater. Eggs that get more of a boost from the tonic herbs tend to live longer and become available for fertilization.

By Joshua Goldstein

 Joshua Goldstein is a licensed acupuncturist who studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, earning his Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine. He has studied with master practitioners in California and New York, has been a past secretary of the New Jersey Acupuncture Society and has taught in the Swedish School of Acupuncture and Eastern Acupuncture School programs. He works in Ridgewood, New Jersey and can be reached at 201-444-7150 or contacted via email at [email protected].