According to TCM philosophy, the human body is an integral whole in that its constituent parts are inseparable in structure, connected with and conditioned by one another in physiology, and interact on one another in pathology. The reproductive and gynaecological health is closely related to the kidney, spleen and liver organs. These internal organs are interconnected function units; if any of the organs are dysfunctional, the fertility problems will appear.

Kidney, the ‘origin of congenital constitution’, stores the essence which is considered as the origin of yin-yang of the organs and the source of life of the human body. Kidney essence is the major material foundation for our body’s growth, development and reproduction. So dysfunction of the kidney in storing the essence may lead to delayed periods, non-ovulation or scanty menstruation, or even amenorrhea or infertility. Nourishing kidney yin (essence) can regulate periods, restore normal levels of FSH, support oestrogen production to thicken the uterine lining, and develop healthy follicles and eggs, and healthy sperm production for men, whilst strengthening kidney yang will support progesterone level, and promote fertilization and implantation.

Spleen, the ‘material basis of acquired constitution’, is the foundation of life after birth, and is known as ‘the source of Qi and blood’. It governs most energetic processes in the body, transports and transforms the food we eat into Qi, blood, nutrients and other types of usable energy, and keeps the blood flowing in the vessels. It must therefore be functioning optimally for a healthy menstrual cycle. The spleen is also responsible for producing thyroid hormone and progesterone; it is also responsible for the circulatory and immunological systems, and dominates the luteal phase. If the spleen becomes dysfunctional, the Qi and blood will be insufficient and the action of spleen Qi will be reduced, thereby producing problems such as earlier and heavy periods (short luteal phase), prolonged periods or even flooding, and eventually poor blood supply to the reproductive system, causing infertility.

Liver, governs the normal flow of Qi and emotions, stores the blood and regulates the volume of circulating blood, which is believed to play a major role in assisting ovulation. The liver shifts the blood from other body parts to the uterus, therefore it has a great influence over the menstrual cycle.
If the liver system is not functioning smoothly, neither is the hormonal system. Dysfunction of liver Qi may bring about distending pain of the chest, breasts or lower abdomen, irregular periods and mental depression, or flushed face, irritability, restlessness, PMT and menopause syndrome. If repeated and persistent, emotional abnormality will, in turn, impair the function of the liver, resulting in stagnation of liver Qi or hyperactivity of liver yang, which leads to heavy periods, or short menstrual cycle. A certain amount of blood in the liver can restrain the liver yang from going up excessively. If the liver blood is unable to replenish the “house of blood”, which is called the womb, scanty menstruation, or amenorrhea may occur in women.

The liver Qi stagnation causes oestrogen to build up in the body, which can cause the uterus itself to become a toxic environment, hostile to implantation, and as a result infertility occurs. Oestrogen dominance is implicated in conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and polycystic ovarian syndrome.