Many people believe that infertility is only a problem for women, but many men also suffer from infertility. Infertility is the main reason why men struggle to become fathers. So how does traditional Chinese medicine view the causes of male infertility?
1. Weak Qi
Weak Qi refers to weak organ function or insufficient nutrient-rich substances in the body. Specifically, it refers to insufficient kidney Qi, which leads to inadequate internal energy production and affects fertility.
2. Excess Phlegm
Excess phlegm is related to the spleen and lungs in traditional Chinese medicine. The spleen is considered the source of phlegm production, and the lungs are the organ that stores phlegm. If phlegm dampness accumulates in the spleen and stomach, it will lead to insufficient true Qi and depleted essence, which also affects fertility.
3. Excessive Fire
Excessive fire refers to the depletion of kidney Yin and the excessive presence of empty fire, also known as excessive Mingmen fire. Due to Yin deficiency and excessive fire, there may be pathological changes that lead to excessive ejaculation, loss of sexual desire, premature ejaculation, and other factors that affect male fertility. The kidneys are Yin organs and contain water and fire (such as kidney Yin and kidney Yang). Physiologically, water and fire must maintain a relative balance. If kidney water is insufficient, kidney fire will become excessive, leading to sexual desire disorders, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, and other issues that affect male fertility.
4. Insufficient Essence
Insufficient essence, also known as "deficient essence and sperm," refers to the ejaculation of a small amount of semen during sexual intercourse, sometimes even just one or two drops, which affects fertility. It is caused by congenital deficiency, irregular sexual activities, and excessive mental exertion, resulting in the depletion of essence and energy.
5. Qi Stagnation
Qi stagnation is one of the stagnation patterns caused by emotions and stress, which leads to liver Qi stagnation and affects male fertility by causing blood stasis, resulting in impotence, and ejaculation disorders.
6. Cold Essence
Cold essence refers to lower Jiao deficiency cold, weakened Mingmen fire, and low temperature of ejaculated semen, often described as "cold as iron," which makes it difficult for the female partner to conceive.
【Dietary Therapy for Treating Male Infertility】
1. Turtle Kidney Soup
Ingredients: 1 turtle (about 1000 grams), 30 grams of wolfberries, 30 grams of Chinese yam, 15 grams of prepared rhizome of rehmannia, 15 grams of ligustrum lucidum, appropriate amount of MSG and salt.
Instructions: Soak the turtle in warm water to allow it to urinate. Remove the head and internal organs and wash them. Wash the wolfberries, Chinese yam, prepared rhizome of rehmannia, and ligustrum lucidum. Put the herbs in a cloth bag and tie it tightly. Put the bag and the turtle in a clay pot and add an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then simmer over low heat until the turtle is tender. Remove the bag of herbs, add MSG and salt to taste, and it's ready to serve.
2. Shrimp with Chinese Chives
Ingredients: 30 grams of shrimp, 250 grams of Chinese chives, 1 egg, peanut oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, wet cornstarch, and salt.
Instructions: Soak the shrimp in warm water for about 20 minutes, then remove. Wash the Chinese chives and cut them into sections. Beat the egg in a bowl, add cornstarch and sesame oil, and mix well to form a batter. Add the shrimp to the batter and mix well. Heat the wok, add peanut oil, and stir-fry the shrimp until the batter solidifies. Add the Chinese chives and continue stir-frying until cooked. Season with salt and soy sauce, and it's ready to serve.
3. Turtle Meat and Tremella Soup
Ingredients: 1 turtle, 15 grams of tremella, salt, and ginger.
Instructions: Clean and cut the turtle into pieces. Soak the tremella in water until it softens. Put the turtle meat, tremella, and ginger in a pot and stew until cooked. Add salt to taste. Eat the turtle meat, tremella, and drink the soup. Take one dose daily for 5-7 consecutive days. This soup nourishes Yin and reduces fire. It is suitable for infertility caused by non-liquefaction of semen.
4. Deer Penis and Morinda officinalis Soup
Ingredients: 1 pair of deer penis, 15 grams of Morinda officinalis, 15 grams of Epimedium.
Instructions: Cook the above ingredients together until the deer penis is tender. Cut it into small pieces. Eat the deer penis and drink the soup. Take one dose daily for several days. This soup nourishes kidney Qi and invigorates the spleen and stomach. It is suitable for infertility caused by poor sperm motility.
