What the statistics tell us

Statistics show that infertility is affecting more and more couples. Previously, the causes were mainly found on the part of the woman. However, this has changed significantly in recent years. Today, it is reported that 40% of fertility problems are on the woman's side, 40% on the man's side and 20% are the fault of both partners. What is alarming is that this situation is getting worse.

Factors such as delaying pregnancy to a later age, environmental factors, and increased exposure to chemicals that can negatively affect reproductive health are most often cited as causes of infertility. In addition, poor quality diet, poor eating habits, overwork, excessive stress, etc.

Mental state can very significantly affect fertility. Stress, anxiety and depressive states can interfere with hormonal cycles and affect the chances of getting pregnant. Mental health support, including therapy and relaxation techniques, is key to increasing the chances of successful conception.

Insufficiency of Kidneys

The kidneys are the main organ responsible for our ability to conceive. We write it with a capital L because we mean Kidneys according to Chinese medicine, which includes something different than Kidneys according to Western medicine. It is the entire Kidney system, which includes the bladder or the emotion of fear. The kidneys are an important reproductive organ for both men and women. They form the material energy base of our body. They are the source of Qi, Yang, Yin and Jing essence energy.

The so-called quality of the essence stored in the Kidneys is essential for functional reproduction. It is also sometimes called reproductive essence.

Essence is what we get from our ancestors. It determines whether we will be healthy or sick, how we will behave in certain situations, or how old we will live.

Essence is also the source of Tian Gui, which is a special substance that is involved in the formation of semen, the formation of eggs, and also participates in the formation of menstrual blood. Tian Gui is also called "heavenly water". The quality and strength of the kidney essence is therefore essential to the ability to conceive.

Furthermore, the kidneys are the source of the Yin and Yang of the entire body. The Yin stored in the Kidneys forms the material base of our organism (the essence is part of it). It helps to nourish and moisturize our organism. The Kidney Yang are such pebbles of our organism. They warm it up and are the activator of most physiological functions. They create a spark that is important for conception.

Blockages in the reproductive tract

But blockages in the reproductive system are also a major problem, limiting the mechanism of Qi energy flow and thus the ability to conceive. They can arise from various causes: cold in the uterus, slowing down the flow of Qi in the reproductive tract, as stasis after various gynaecological procedures. Often they manifest as so-called blood stasis in the form of fibroids, cysts, polycystic ovaries or endometriosis.

Also important for fertility are the so-called extraordinary pathways. You probably know that each organ has its own pathway in which Qi energy flows and on which acupuncture points are located. So we have 12 regular pathways and in addition to that we have extraordinary pathways which have different functions. They often serve as so-called reservoirs of Qi energy. Here we should mention 3 extraordinary pathways that are essential for the ability to procreate and also for the menstrual cycle:

• Ren Mai - the pathway of conception, which runs along the midline of the anterior torso and which controls yin energy
• Du Mai - the control pathway, which runs along the mid-back and which controls the yang energy
• Chong Mai - the central pathway, runs up the middle of the body from the uterus and controls the blood, and is very crucial for the menstrual cycle

Fertility reflects our lifestyle

Perhaps we are all aware by now that many health problems are self-inflicted, caused by our lifestyle, which is not always entirely healthy. And this is no different for fertility problems.

However, due to the fact that the quality of the kidney essence has a big influence on fertility, then how our parents and our ancestors lived will also have a big influence here. Which, unfortunately, we have no control over.

But at the same time we "destroy" the essence by our lifestyle. Too much work, too much stress and excessive energy expenditure often results in our organism reaching into its reserves, and these reserves are made up of the essence.

Men deplete their essence, for example, by frequent sex, women by menstruation and childbirth. However, the most important thing is the quality of the essence of both parents. Therefore, if a man and a woman want to have a healthy offspring, they should get into the best possible condition before they conceive. In ancient China, a man and a woman spent at least one year intensively preparing to conceive a child.

You should know that it is not only the overall physical and mental condition before conception, but the time of conception also plays a role. According to Chinese medicine, it greatly influences the condition of the conceived child. Therefore, it was not recommended to conceive a child during a storm or other extreme weather fluctuations, or at a time when one was under great stress. And certainly not if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you have any health imbalances, you should definitely work on correcting them first and then consider conceiving.

Balanced movement, rest and sleep

Another important factor for successful conception is a sufficient amount of quality sleep. Ideally, sleep 7-8 hours and go to bed as early as possible before midnight. This is because it is at night that cleansing and regeneration of the body takes place. In addition, in sleep the Yin energy is replenished, and therefore the blood is also replenished.

Choose a physical activity that does not exhaust you and is pleasant for you. Intense sport "eats" the blood and weakens the Kidneys. The body needs to move, then the Qi energy and blood move, and blockages do not occur so easily.

So for the ability to procreate, it is not enough to just have enough essence and blood in the body, it needs to move as well.

What effect on conception has the frequency of sex

For women, the frequency of sex does not play a major role. The amount of sexual intercourse does not affect the level of essence. On the contrary, frequent sex helps mental and physical relaxation. Furthermore, women should have an orgasm during intercourse if they want to conceive. Orgasm in this case increases the chances of quality conception.

In men, on the other hand, frequency is very important, especially the frequency of ejaculation. Modern approaches say that a man should ejaculate as often as possible so that the semen is constantly renewed and of good quality. On the other hand, Chinese medicine advises not to waste too much semen, i.e. not to ejaculate too often, because semen is formed from Tian Gui fluid and the latter from essence, so by ejaculating frequently we lower our level of kidney essence.

Here again we recall the basic rule of Chinese medicine: everything in proportion. Not ejaculating often enough can lead to Liver stagnation and frustration.

With age, the frequency should decrease in order to maintain health and to try to live to a long age.

We must not forget the vital mushrooms

• Cordyceps - supplements Yang and essence of Ledvin. It is suitable for most patients with fertility problems. In both men and women. It is not suitable for people who are too hot blooded or have significant hypertension.

• In addition, the Coriolus mushroom is suitable for women. It can regenerate the uterine lining.