Overcome Infertility - Treating Blood Deficiency in The Menstruation Phase of Menstrual Cycle

Phrase IV- menstruation phase occurs (about 3-5 days), if there is no conception taken place, the yang energy drops, causing the shedding of the uterus lining, the liver transforms yang energy back to yin at the beginning of the phase. The menstrual discharge is bright red and profuse and only lasts between 3 - 5 days (spotting does not count).
I. Definition
Deficiency of blood is defined as a condition of liver's inability to perform its function of blood formation leading to qi stagnation in the body, as a result of liver damage or the inability of spleen in food essence and qi distribution, leading to abnormal function of the liver organs.

II. Symptoms of blood deficiency
1. Abdominal pain after menstruation
2. Period is thin and volume is small
3. Tiredness
4. Loose stools
5. Pale complexion
6. Etc

III. Causes
1. Poor diet
According to TCM, poor diet may affect the function of liver function in blood formation, if it fails to be properly nourished by the qi from the energy source of spleen. Diet with little or no iron also contributes to the blood deficiency.

2. Abnormal liver function
Abnormal function of liver can be caused by raw foods diet as its affects the spleen function in assisting the digestive system function in absorbing vital energy from foods that reduces the liver function in blood storing and formation.

3. Liver imbalance
Liver imbalance caused by excess of any pathogen or/and toxins accumulated can also reduce the normal function of blood storing and formation of the liver.

4. Alcohol drinking
Long terms alcohol drinking damages the liver function in blood formation and regulating the spleen function in energy distribution, leading to not enough blood for the circulatory system to supply nutrients and oxygen to the reproductive organs, resulting in symptoms of dysmenorrhrea such as cramps and pain before, during or after menstruation.

5. Anemia
Anemia is a chronic ill, it is caused by either easily broken off red blood cells or abnormal function of liver in blood formation.

6. Etc.
IV. Treatments
A. With Herbs
1. He shou wu (fleeceflower root)
He shou wu is a liver tonic herb. It promotes liver function in blood formation and increases the kidney qi in assisting the liver in transporting blood to the heart for circulation, thereby reducing the blood stagnation causes of deficiency. It also improves the kidney in urinary secretion, thus decreasing the risk of blood stagnation caused by fluid retention.
2. Shu Di Huang (Chinese foxglove root)
Shu di huang is a blood tonic herb. Besides improving the liver in blood formation, it also increases the liver's qi by boosting the circulatory system in transporting oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells thus reducing the risks of symptoms of dizziness, pallid complexion, palpitations, and scanty menstruation.
3. E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Glue)
E jiao is an important herb for improving the liver in blood formation and liver qi in regulating the blood circulation in the body thereby reducing the symptoms of dizziness, shallow complexion, and palpitations caused by blood deficiency.
4. Dang gui (Chinese angelica root)
Dang gui is best known for improving the liver's function in blood formation and regulating the function of the reproductive organs. It also harmonizes the production of hormones during the menstrual cycle, leading to reduced cramps and pain caused by blood deficiency and stagnation.
5. Bai shao (white peony root)
Bai shao plays an important role in nourishing the blood and regulating menstrual problems caused by blood deficiency. It also harmonizes the liver and spleen to prevent the rising of blood heat causes of headache and dizziness.
6. Etc.
B. With acupuncture
Suggested points of acupuncture
1. ST36 (Zu san li)
2.SP6 (San yin jiao)
3. LV3 (Tai chong)
4. UB11 (Da zhu )
5. UB17( Geshu)
6. Etc.

C. With foods
1. Cabbage
2. Celery
3. dandelion
4. Almonds
5. Black sesame
6. Apple
7. Avocado
8. Chicken egg
9. Molasses
10. Soy milk
11. Etc.