Oligospermia according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Oligospermia factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
Symptoms: Infertility Late period Painful period and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Wen Jing Tang
Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus
Symptoms: Cold limbs Late period Infertility and eleven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Wen Jing Tang
In Chinese Medicine, oligospermia can be associated with two so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here oligospermia can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's oligospermia might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from oligospermia alone. For instance when oligospermia is caused by the pattern Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels, patients also experience symptoms such as painful period, cold in the lower abdomen, infertility and late period. Similarly, patients with Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a bluish-purple, pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with oligospermia so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Wen Jing Tang, a formula that can help treat the patterns Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels and Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with oligospermia
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple, Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Jing Tang
Symptoms: Infertility Late period Painful period Cold in the lower abdomen Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal pain after childbirth
Oligospermia might be due to Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as painful period, cold in the lower abdomen, infertility and late period. Similarly, patients with Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a bluish-purple, pale tongue.
Read more about Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels here
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus
Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Jing Tang
Symptoms: Cold limbs Late period Infertility Purple lips Painful period Feeling of cold Lochia retention Irregular menstruation Cold feeling in vagina Brown vaginal discharge White vaginal discharge Cold in the lower abdomen Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal pain after childbirth
Oligospermia might be due to Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as late period, painful period, dark clots in menstrual blood and brown vaginal discharge. Similarly, patients with Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
Wen Jing Tang, a herbal formula that might help with oligospermia
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with oligospermia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels and Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus which are sometimes associated with oligospermia. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
