How TCM Can Improve Your Fertility

Heard all the talk about falling birth rates in Singapore, with our total fertility rate reaching a record low of 0.97 in 2023? 

Well, for some couples, all that talk can be heartbreaking and frustrating, because it’s not that they don’t want to have children. 

According to SingHealth, one in seven couples in Singapore have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. 

In response to this, public hospitals in Singapore are increasing the capacity of their assisted reproductive technology (ART) facilities by 20% over the next few years, to offer more cycles of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to couples who require help in conceiving a baby.

How traditional Chinese medicine can help improve fertility

You may also have heard of friends who are turning to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments, to complement their quest for conceiving a baby, also known in mum circles as their TTC, or trying-to-conceive journey.

It’s not an area that’s widely studied yet, but preliminary research in other countries has shown that TCM seems to result in a higher likelihood of pregnancy among infertile women.

Not surprising, considering how TCM takes a holistic perspective towards treating fertility, looking at a woman’s overall health and not solely at her reproductive organs.

In case you didn’t realise it, common aspects of our modern life – including the hurried pace, irregular meals, poor sleeping habits, and frequent consumption of cold foods (hi frappes and bubble tea) are not great for us at all, affecting our overall health and throwing our bodies into imbalance.

“All these daily habits can actually cause qi and blood stagnation, spleen and stomach disharmony, and weaken our kidneys,” explains Physician Tay Jia Yin from Raffles Chinese Medicine at Raffles Hospital.

“This is where TCM can help in rebalancing the body to improve fertility, by first targeting the woman’s overall health and wellbeing.”

Ultimately, every woman has her own journey to walk when she’s TTC. For some, it can be a long, lonely and bitter road. But you’re really not alone.

What to expect with TCM treatments?

When you hear TCM, you may think of acupuncture, herbal tinctures, cupping, gua sha, and massage.

Well, you’re absolutely right. TCM for women hoping to improve their fertility often involves herbal formulas, acupuncture and massages. Some practitioners will also recommend moxibustion, while others may even use technology-assisted methods like infrared therapy or electro-lymphatic drainage therapy.

At the end of the day, every woman’s body is different and faces different stressors or imbalances. “Treatment plans are highly individualised and personalised, tailored to the specific needs and conditions of each patient,” says Physician Tay. 

The common goal of all the different modalities of TCM treatment is to improve blood circulation in the body, and bring balance back to the body.

The sooner you begin with TCM treatments when you’re planning to conceive, the better.

Says Ms Wendy Liu, founder of Highlander Fertility Wellness Centre with more than 20 years of experience as a TCM practitioner: “Women should consider starting with TCM treatments as soon as they begin trying to conceive. Early intervention can really help regulate menstrual cycles, improve egg quality, and prepare the body for a healthy pregnancy.”

The common expectation is that TCM treatments require time to yield results, which may be a downside for those in their late 30s and 40s who are trying to conceive. However, Ms Liu says this is not always true.

“While it does take some time to restore balance, incorporating treatments like fertility massage and acupuncture for instance, can really speed up the body’s response. These treatments enhance blood flow, reduce stress levels, and stimulate the reproductive organs.”

How TCM treatments complement Western assisted reproductive technology

As one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world with a 2,000-year history, TCM is practised by many communities, and continues to gain recognition globally.

In a nutshell, TCM is built on the idea of balancing the opposing forces of yin (cold, static and dull) and yang (warm, dynamic and bright) in the body, bringing the five main organs – the liver, heart, spleen, lung and kidneys – and their corresponding elements into harmony.

What this means is that TCM can help improve your overall health by first diagnosing the imbalances in your body, then treating the patterns of imbalance. 

“Reducing stress and anxiety, regulating menstrual cycles, enhancing ovarian function, improving uterine lining, supporting hormonal balance, and strengthening the immunity are all objectives of TCM treatments,” says Physician Tay. “This perspective is especially useful for cases of unexplained fertility, where Western medicine may not be able to identify a clear-cut cause.”

Ms Liu concurs. “TCM complements Western medicine by providing a holistic approach to health and fertility,” she says. “While Western medicine often focuses on treating specific fertility conditions with medications and surgical interventions, TCM aims to restore overall balance and support the body’s natural functions.”

Acupuncture, for instance, helps with fertility by improving the circulation and flow of blood, by stimulating nerve endings below the skin. This encourages the ovaries to produce healthier eggs, and also ensures a rich endometrial lining in the uterus to prepare for implantation.

Similarly, TCM fertility massages are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of Western ART, such as IVF.

Ms Liu explains: “Fertility massage improves blood flow to the reproductive organs, making the body more receptive to treatments like IVF. It can also help reduce stress, which is critical for improving fertility outcomes.”

Looking to conceive? 5 TCM tips to start with

If you’re on your TTC journey, here are five things you can put into practice starting tomorrow.

1. Eat a balanced diet

If you’re trying to conceive, eating foods that will increase blood flow and energy is really important. Growing a new life is hard work after all, so treat yourself to better nourishment during this period. (And lay off the cold drinks, even though they’re mega tempting in our hot weather!)

Shares Physician Tay: “Focus on warm, nutrient-rich foods such as soups or stews. Eat plenty of vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid cold and raw food that can impair digestive and reproductive function.”

This is especially important after your menstruation, to help you replenish the blood and energy you’ve lost.

2. Stay warm

Keeping warm is one of Ms Liu’s top tips for improving fertility – particularly the lower body, to prevent a common contributor of infertility known to TCM practitioners as “cold womb”.

“In TCM, maintaining warmth in the abdomen is crucial for fertility. Use a hot water bottle or warm compress on your lower abdomen to improve blood flow and support your reproductive organs,” says Ms Liu.

“Cold feet can also negatively affect your womb, so you should wear socks to bed to keep your feet warm, and regularly soak your feet in warm water and ginger.”

3. Follow a regular sleeping schedule

This may be difficult for us who are trying to do two days’ worth of things in 24 hours, but a healthy sleep schedule is crucial for improving your fertility.

Physician Tay advises: “Get adequate and quality sleep, and ideally go to bed before 11pm. That’s because the hours from 11pm to 3am are crucial for liver and gallbladder function, which help to clear toxins from the body and regulate hormone levels.”

4. Support your kidneys

Our kidneys do the very important work of eliminating waste products from our bodies, including excess water, salt, and other impurities, to maintain overall balance and harmony. The kidneys are therefore said to be the foundation of reproductive health.

“Consume foods that nourish your kidneys, such as black beans, walnuts and goji berries. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol that can deplete kidney energy,” says Physician Tay.

5. Spend time outdoors

Getting out of your home/office and spending time outdoors is not only good for your mental health, it’s also essential for your reproductive health.

Ms Liu explains: “Sunlight invigorates the body and replenishes its yang energy – which is commonly associated with warmth, vitality and activity – and is necessary for conception. The boost in vitamin D from sunlight will also help regulate your hormones and improve your body’s overall reproductive function.”