Singapore’s birth rate is declining every year, with the number of births standing at 0.97 per 1000 females in 2023, a drop from 2022, which had 1.04 births per 1000 females1. This comes as no surprise as our cost of living continues to rise.
With more women choosing to focus on their careers and get married later, motherhood plans will only remain in the backseat. However, as a woman’s peak reproductive years fall between their late teens and late 20s, many are experiencing difficulties conceiving as they step into the big 3s.
Are you planning to start a family but find it challenging to conceive? Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers holistic fertility treatment approaches that can aid you in your journey to becoming a mother. We share more about these TCM fertility treatments below.
Factors Contributing to Poor Fertility
Poor fertility in females and males is affected by very different factors. While poor lifestyle choices are one of them, women can also face difficulties conceiving when the body isn’t in good health. Namely, conditions such as irregular menstrual cycles, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine conditions, and hormonal imbalances can lower one’s chances of conception. With age, the quality and quantity of eggs will also decrease.
On average, 30% of infertility cases can be attributed solely to the female, while another 30% are caused by the male. The remaining 30% of cases may stem from a combination of issues from both partners, and in 10% of cases, the cause is unknown2. A decrease in sperm quality and quantity, age, medical conditions like sexually transmitted illnesses, diabetes, obesity, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to environmental toxins, are all contributors to poor fertility.
Learn More: Tips for Improving Male Fertility from a TCM Perspective
Also, TCM views the Kidney as a vital organ system crucial for fertility health in both men and women. They are believed to store the body’s essential essence, of Jing, which is closely associated with reproductive health and longevity. The balance and health of the Kidneys can greatly affect one’s fertility.
TCM’s Role in Boosting Female Fertility
TCM has been the go-to option for centuries to address various health concerns. In the case of female fertility, it works to balance the body’s Qi, improve Blood flow and harmonise Yin and Yang to promote overall health and improve fertility. In fact, research has shown that TCM offered a higher probability of pregnancy3 compared to Western medical treatment alone.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, known for its numerous benefits, is also an effective TCM fertility treatment that females can rely on to increase their chances of conception. It is believed to be able to promote the relaxation of blood vessel walls to enhance blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which is crucial for reproductive health as it delivers an optimal supply of nutrients and oxygen to the organs for improved egg quality. High-quality eggs increase one’s chances of embryonic development and implantation, resulting in successful pregnancies.
The inner layer of the uterus, or the endometrial lining, also thickens as a result of acupuncture, promoting a more favourable environment for embryo implantation.
But that’s not all, acupuncture also has the ability to balance hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle, optimising the body to make it more conducive to pregnancy. This also aids in egg development, which refers to the maturation and growth of eggs, and is beneficial for women planning to go through egg freezing as it is when the eggs are released from the ovaries; the egg freezing process must happen during this phase to ensure successful egg retrieval.
Herbal Remedies
TCM herbs are known for balancing Qi and Blood, they are also believed to help with promoting overall vitality and ensuring that the reproductive system receives sufficient nourishment.
Here are some TCM herbs for fertility you can consider adding to your soup recipes:
Ginseng Root (人参)
Ginseng is known for being expensive and invigorating, but did you know that apart from strengthening Qi, they’re great adaptogenic herbs that can help with fighting stress, anxiety, and fatigue? While Ginseng combats weakness in your body, it also works to improve your well-being by facilitating ample nourishment to your reproductive organs.
Angelica Root (当归)
Angelica root is a key TCM herb used for boosting women’s health as it stimulates blood circulation, which is crucial for fertility. By enhancing Blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, angelica root supports the development of a healthy uterine lining. Additionally, it helps with regulating hormones, ensuring balance to establish a more optimal menstrual cycle.
Astragalus Root (黄芪)
Astragalus root is another important herb in TCM often used to tonify Qi. By strengthening the body’s vital energy, it supports overall health and helps fortify the immune system, which is essential in creating a more conducive environment for conception.
Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (川芎)
The Szechuan Lovage Rhizome is a fragrant and versatile herb that invigorates the blood. It is widely used to relieve menstrual pain caused by blood stasis.
Improving IVF Success Rates with TCM
In recent years, the integration of TCM with Western medical practices has shown promising results in improving the success rates of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). How this works is TCM supports the health and well-being of women by addressing various physical and emotional issues to restore the body and prepare it for fertilisation. Acupuncture, for example, has been found to regulate menstrual cycles and balance hormonal levels to optimise bodily conditions for successful IVF implantation. A study supports this by suggesting that acupuncture, compared to control treatment, improved live birth rates, biochemical pregnancy rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and implant rates in infertile patients4.
Journey to Motherhood with TCM Fertility Solutions at Thomson Chinese Medicine
Thomson Chinese Medicine leverages TCM wisdom to restore balance to your body and support you in conceiving. In tailoring our TCM treatments to your needs, we aim to empower you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
As an increasing number of women choose to start a family at a later age, TCM offers a holistic approach to improving your chances of conceiving.
Are you looking to improve egg quality or regulate your hormones with TCM? Whether you’re planning to go through egg freezing or attempting to conceive, Thomson Chinese Medicine, a registered TCM fertility clinic in Singapore, can support you on your journey. Schedule an appointment with our TCM clinic today.
¹Births and fertility – latest data. (n.d.). Base. https://www.singstat.gov.sg/find-data/search-by-theme/population/births-and-fertility/latest-data
²How common is infertility? (2018, February 8). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/common
³Ried, K. (2015). Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: An updated meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23(1), 116–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.12.004
⁴Quan, K., Yu, C., Wen, X., Lin, Q., Wang, N., & Ma, H. (2022). Acupuncture as Treatment for Female Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3595033