Fertilization is one of those remarkable miracles of life that involves the immensely delicate likelihood of a sperm surviving the difficult journey from a male to a female to an egg and then fertilizing it. This beautiful dance can be compromised by any of a countless number of things. Sperm motility and lower counts of sperm can reduce the odds of that one cell surviving the journey. Subtle changes in the cervical fluid can create a hostile environment for those sperm trying to make the journey. Problems with follicular development may not prepare the egg adequately or begin ovulation at all, leaving no egg to be fertilized. Obstructions in the fallopian tubes might impede the flow of an egg from the ovaries to the uterus.

    Each of these events in the reproductive cycle is built upon subtle transformations and many of these subtleties can be harmonized with intelligent Chinese medical therapy. The sperm quantity and quality can be enhanced with herbs for the kidney yin and kidney yang as well as with treatment designed to enhance these male factors. Therapy can also be aimed assuring ovulation and creating the most receptive cervical fluid necessary for fertilization to occur. Smoothing the liver qi facilitates the changing of the hormones. Increasing levels of kidney yin early in the cycle will ripen the follicles for ovulation. At the right time, shifting the yin to a state of more yang creates the welcoming cervical fluid needed for passage of the sperm. Treatment is also helpful if there are minor obstructions in the fallopian tubes although serious obstructions would be best handled through in-vitro fertilization procedures. It is in cases such as this that the value of assisted reproductive therapies is most apparent. The gift of being able to directly put sperm and egg together in a lab cannot be overvalued as it has brought immense joy to numerous families through new life. For families wishing to conceive naturally, balancing the time of fertilization lies at the heart of treatment however and acupuncture along with herbal therapy can make the difference.