So make an appointment to get treated with acupuncture and herbs! In meantime, try out some of these dietary suggestions:

Cut back on your sugar intake. Take a break from coffee, chocolate, colas (tough for a lot of people, but think about feeling better!) Eat more tryptophan-rich foods such as turkey, bananas, figs, whole grain crackers, figs, and dates. Eat more foods rich in phyto-estrogens and progesterones: soy flours and beans, red clover sprouts, yams, and linseed. Eat more foods with high indoles: for example, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

Acupuncture can also optimize condition of Penetrating Vessel. The two main acupoints of chong channel (Sp4, P6) are great fertility acupuncture points.

4. Yin and Jing (Essence): Yin, mentioned with blood in #2, is a fundamental aspect of body. It includes blood, is cool, and is closely related with jing. Jing is fundamental potential of body and mind. We are given a limited amount at conception, and we protect it by eating and digesting properly. A lack of jing or yin can impair menstruation, gynecological function, conception and fertility, and make for a miserable menopause later in life. There are herbs that specifically boost yin and/or jing.

Acupuncture can boost yin and jing somewhat, but herbs are even better. Many acupuncturists believe that herbs are better at supplementing deficiencies than acupuncture is. One exception to this is moxibustion, heating of acupoints. In fertility acupuncture, we can moxa acupoints that nourish yin and jing.

Putting it all together As European Chinese medicine scholar Philippe Sionneau summarizes, "The penetrating vessel originates in uterus. It is sea of blood. It moves qi and blood in twelve channels and is connected to liver. The conception vessel also originates in uterus. It moves qi and blood in all yin channels. Woman’s fertility is directly linked with it, 'The conception vessel governs uterus and fetus.' It is connected to kidneys. Furthermore, spleen is root of later heaven, origin of qi and blood production and transformation. Thus, if kidneys qi is flourishing, liver qi is harmonious, spleen qi is productive, and then pentrating vessel and conception vessel are abundant and flow freely, disposed to favor birth (fertility)."

Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4. Maciocia G. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. Wiseman N, Ellis A. The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine. Sionnea, P. Xin Fang: Modern Chinese Herbal Formulas (In Process).