Yin Yang Balance & Fertility
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often feels like a mysterious language. Concepts like "Yin and Yang" or "Qi stagnation" can sound abstract, but they are actually powerful tools for understanding how our bodies function—especially when it comes to women's health and fertility.
In our latest conversation, we sat down with Physician Yi Ting, Chief Physician and founder of Yi TCM, to demystify these ancient concepts and explain how modern lifestyles might be throwing our bodies off balance.
Here is your guide to understanding the "TCM Trinity" and how to nurture it for better fertility and overall wellness.
1. The Basics: Yin, Yang, and the "Battery" of Life
To understand your health, you first have to understand the balance between Yin and Yang.
Yang represents activity, warmth, and energy. It is the driving force behind your body's movement and metabolism.
Yin represents rest, stillness, and substance—specifically your body fluids and blood.
Physician Yi Ting uses a great analogy: Think of Yang energy as the battery in a remote control. Every time you work late, stress out, or over-exercise, you are using up that battery. If you don't recharge through rest and proper food, you become "depleted," leading to fatigue and coldness.
2. The Fertility Connection
How does this apply to trying to conceive? It turns out, both energies play distinct roles in the reproductive system:
Yang and Ovulation: You need sufficient Yang energy (warmth and activity) to help follicles grow and to provide the "burst" of energy needed for the egg to release during ovulation.
Yin and the Lining: Yin energy governs blood and fluids. You need adequate Yin to build a thick, nourishing uterine lining for the egg to implant.
If you are Yang deficient, you might have a "cold uterus" or lack the energy to ovulate effectively. If you are Yin deficient (often seen as dryness or hot flashes), your body may struggle to nourish the uterus properly.
3. The Modern Lifestyle Trap: Stress and "Qi Stagnation"
Modern life is filled with high stress, late nights, and intense workloads, all of which disrupt the flow of Qi (energy).
Physician Yi Ting highlights the Liver as a key player here. In TCM, the Liver is responsible for regulating emotions and ensuring Qi flows smoothly. When we are stressed or anxious, the Liver Qi gets "stagnant" (stuck).
Signs of Stagnant Qi:
Mood swings and irritability.
PMS symptoms like breast tenderness and bloating.
Digestive issues like acid reflux or indigestion.
4. Gut Health: The Foundation of Fertility
Surprisingly, your digestion is deeply linked to your fertility. Physician Yi Ting explains that the Spleen and Stomach are responsible for converting food into blood and Qi.
If you have poor digestion (indigestion, bloating, acid reflux), your body cannot produce enough nutrient-rich blood to send to the uterus and ovaries.
The "Cold Food" Mistake: One of the biggest culprits? Cold food. Physician Yi Ting advises avoiding cold water, salads, sashimi, and ice cream—especially if you are trying to conceive or have period pain. Cold foods lower the temperature of the stomach, impairing blood circulation and making it harder for your body to digest nutrients.
5. Physician Yi Ting’s Top Tips for Balance
Ready to restore your balance? Here are actionable takeaways from the episode:
Eat for Your Lining: To build up blood and improve uterine lining, incorporate iron-rich foods like red beans, beef, pork liver, and spinach.
Power Herbs: Research shows Red Dates can help improve red blood cell count, and Donkey Hide Glue (a gelatinous TCM herb) is excellent for thickening the lining.
Keep it Warm: Stick to warm, cooked foods to support your digestive fire. If you have a "heaty" constitution, you can have cooling drinks like chrysanthemum tea or coconut water, but only in moderation.
Move Your Qi: If you feel stressed or bloated, light exercise can help get your Qi flowing again.
Find Moderation: Whether it's diet, work, or exercise, the key to health is avoiding extremes. As Physician Yi Ting says, "Whatever you are doing, do it in moderation".
Want to learn more? TCM takes a holistic approach, looking at everything from your sleep to your stress levels to find the root of the issue, not just the symptoms. If you are experiencing fatigue, painful periods, or digestive issues, it might be time to check in on your Yin and Yang balance.
Physician Yi Ting is Chief Physician of Yi TCM (https://yitcm.com.sg/).
