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Infertility

How Chinese medicine differentiates difficulty conceiving, the six patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Infertility usually needs medical investigation and management alongside acupuncture, which is a complementary, not a replacement, approach. Blood-moving points below should be used with caution or avoided if pregnancy is possible.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for infertility — 15 key points, used across most of the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
Du-4Tonifies Kidney-Yang, warms the Gate of Life. Benefits Essence.
Ren-4Strengthens the Kidneys, benefits Original Qi, nourishes Blood and Yin.
KI-3Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthens Essence.
BL-23Tonifies the Kidneys, nourishes Kidney-Essence, strengthens the lower back.
KI-6Nourishes Kidney-Yin, clears Empty-Heat, regulates the uterus and menstruation.
SP-6Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, regulates the uterus and menstruation.
LR-3Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
G.B.-34Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. Removes obstruction from the channel.
P-6Opens the chest, moves Qi and Blood, calms the Mind, moves Liver-Qi.
L.I.-4Expels exterior Wind, stops pain, removes obstructions from the channel.
SP-10Cools Blood, invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis.
Zigong (EX-CA-1)Local point directly over the uterus; promotes local Blood circulation. No dedicated location page on this site.
ST-40Resolves Phlegm and Dampness, opens the chest, subdues rebellious Qi.
SP-9Regulates the Spleen, resolves Dampness, opens the Water passages.
ST-36Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
The Six Patterns

reinforcing   reducing   even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source.

1. Kidney-Yang Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A persistent, deep-seated cold feeling in the lower back and abdomen; low libido; clear, watery vaginal discharge; pale menstrual blood; periods that are delayed, scanty, or absent; frequent urination, especially overnight; brought on by chronic cold exposure, ageing, overwork, or excessive sexual activity depleting Yang; eased by warmth, rest, and warming foods.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, wet white coating. Pulse: Deep, Slow, Weak.
Treatment principle: Tonify Kidney-Yang, warm the Gate of Life (Ming Men) fire, strengthen Essence and marrow to support conception.
Note: moxa applicable.

2. Kidney-Essence Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; premature greying or hair loss; poor memory and concentration; low libido; dizziness and tinnitus; scanty or absent periods; brought on by ageing, chronic illness, or long-term overwork depleting the body's reserves; eased by rest and nourishing food.
Tongue: Pale, thin, little or no coating, possible fine cracks. Pulse: Deep, Fine, especially weak at the Chi positions.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Essence, fill the marrow, strengthen the Chong and Ren vessels to restore fertility.
Note: moxa applicable.

3. Kidney-Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Scanty or absent periods with a thin uterine lining; night sweats and a hot sensation in the palms, soles, and chest; early menopause or declining ovarian reserve; a dry mouth and throat, worse at night; dizziness and tinnitus; brought on by chronic overwork, ageing, or a long illness consuming Yin; eased by rest, cooling foods, and a calm environment.
Tongue: Red, thin, little or no coating, dry surface, possible cracks. Pulse: Fine, Rapid, weak at the left Chi position.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin, clear Empty-Heat, create a moist and nourishing environment for the uterus.
Note: no moxa.

4. Liver-Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Irregular or painful periods with premenstrual breast tenderness; mood swings, irritability, or a low mood that worsens with stress; distension of the abdomen or flanks; frequent sighing; brought on by ongoing stress, frustration, or suppressed emotion; eased by gentle exercise, emotional release, or a calmer routine.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark, with red or purplish sides, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, like a taut guitar string.
Treatment principle: Course the Liver, resolve constraint, move Qi and Blood to restore a regular cycle.
Note: no moxa.

5. Blood Stagnation in the Chong and Ren Vessels View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain in the lower abdomen; dark, clotted menstrual blood; periods that feel better once clots pass; a palpable mass or lump in the lower abdomen; irregular menstruation; brought on by long-standing untreated stagnation or Cold congealing the Blood; eased by warmth and gentle movement.
Tongue: Dusky or purple, possible stasis spots, engorged sublingual veins. Pulse: Choppy, often Wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, warm the channels and disperse Cold to free the uterus for conception.
Note: moxa applicable (warms the channels and disperses Cold). Blood-moving points should be used with caution or avoided if pregnancy is possible.

6. Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus

Clinical manifestations: Being overweight; profuse, thick white vaginal discharge; a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the lower abdomen; fatigue and drowsiness; poor appetite and loose stools; delayed or absent periods; brought on by a diet heavy in greasy or sweet food, a sedentary lifestyle, or chronic Spleen weakness feeding Phlegm production; eased by warm, plainly-cooked food and staying active.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, white greasy coating thicker at the root. Pulse: Slippery, often Deep.
Treatment principle: Dry Dampness, transform Phlegm, move Qi, strengthen the Spleen to clear obstruction from the uterus.
Transform Phlegm-Dampness
Support Spleen
Note: moxa applicable on the Transform-Phlegm points. The closest candidate on this site, "Cold-Dampness invading the Spleen," describes an acute external Cold-Damp invasion rather than this pattern's chronic Phlegm accumulation from obesity, so it isn't a close enough match to link here.
Related conditions

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