Chinese Medicine for Infertility

Acupuncture acupressure

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, the infertility rate has tremendously increased since 1990. The rise in numbers of infertility rates has seen many seek medical assistance to help them to conceive.

Infertility is categorised into primary and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is where no conception has occurred, contraception has not been used and the male partner has normal reproductive functions. Secondary infertility means the woman is already a mother; contraception has not been used and she has been unable to conceive within one year.

Causes of Infertility

Both men and women experience infertility with different factors being attributed to it.  Among the females, distinguishable factors include 

  • Pelvic adhesions
  • Ovulatory disorders
  • Endometriosis
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • Tubal blockage and other tubal abnormalities.  

Contributory factors among the males include 

  • Testicular pathologies
  • Genetic defects 
  • Physiological factors
  • Endocrine failure 
  • Environmental disruptors

How Traditional Chinese Medicine is used to treat Infertility

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for many ailments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices have been used for thousands of years to treat both male and female infertility. Traditional Chinese Medicine is viewed as a natural way of treating both male and female infertility either by opting for natural therapies or combining them with assisted reproduction technologies. 

Ideally, the TCM combines several theories and approaches including the use of single herbs in the treatment of a disease. Therapies recommended in TCM are as follows: 

  • Acupuncture is one of the techniques of TCM used over the years to treat infertility. It takes into account both the physical and emotional state of health of a person contrary to Western medicine. It involves the insertion of small needles in pressure points in the body. 
  • Moxibustion, which entails the local application of heat. 
  • Pharmacopoeia that uses phytotherapy and nutrition.

Understanding the cause of infertility is crucial to the treatment. TCM is aimed at balancing the body’s natural energy flow hence increasing the overall sense of well-being. Incorporation of Chinese herbals and therapies results in enhancing blood flow to the uterus, improving endorphin production and secretion to inhibit the central nervous system and induce calm—all which increase chances of successful conception.

Here is an exerpt from Centre of Balance Fertility Ebook: 

One of the main theories that traditional Chinese medicine practitioners guide their treatment through is the theory of the Five Zhang Organs which states that all organs are connected together in an intricate cycle. Each of these organs govern over certain areas of health, wellbeing and elements of our universe. For example, the heart is related to blood circulation and the kidneys control the reproductive system. This is why an acupuncturist will usually pay special attention to the acupuncture points that relate directly to the heart and kidneys, but is all depends on your own specific needs.

 Read through our blog or our fertility eBook for more on how Chinese medicine helps treat infertility. Practitioners at Centre of Balance in Hamilton use different techniques that are supported by anecdotal and scientific evidence to help couples with fertility issues. 

Call us today at 07-846 7956 to learn more about how Traditional Chinese Medicine applies to your specific reproductive health problems. 

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.