Kidney Yang and Implantation

What is Kidney Yang deficiency and how does it relate to progesterone in the luteal phase?

As a fertility specialist in acupuncture, Creative Acupuncture helps women struggling with fertility caused by a range of medical issues.

Whether you’re seeking support during IVF or trying to conceive naturally, our clinic in Wolverhampton welcomes patients from across the local area.

Our natural treatments are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including fertility acupuncture for Kidney Yang deficiency.

In Chinese Medicine, Yang is the masculine energy of the body. Yin is the feminine energy. We need both to be in balance to create life and for optimum health.

Each organ has a balance of Yin and Yang. However when the organ is deficient, the Yin or Yang energy can also become deficient.

Kidney Yang deficiency is the most common diagnosis in fertility acupuncture and the Kidney energy is fundamental to female fertility. The Kidney supports the Uterus.

In biomedicine Yang equates to progesterone and rises in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, if Kidney Yang is deficient, progesterone may be low, the luteal phase may be short, the Uterus wouldn’t be sufficiently warmed and this would affect embryo implantation.

Fertility issues associated with Kidney Yang deficiency include:

-          Low progesterone (lower than 40 at implantation or day of embryo transfer)

-          Luteal phase defect

-          BBT chart – slow to rise after ovulation

-          Miscarriage

-          Implantation failure

In Chinese Medicine, the qualities of Yang energy are warming and strengthening.

The Kidney channel starts on the feet and is associated with the emotion of fear and the thyroid. The Kidney is related to bones, and the element ‘water’. In fact, the Chinese term for the menstrual blood which the Kidney oversees, is Heavenly Water.

How does this manifest in symptoms?

1. Fatigue

As Yang should provide energy and strength, when Kidney Yang is deficient, you might experience tiredness, lethargy and a decreased libido.

2. Loose stools and backache on your period

Although stabbing back pain can be a symptom of a different diagnosis, a dull low back ache in the area of the kidneys can signify a deficiency in the kidney energy.

You may also experience aching knees, as the kidney is related to the bones. The Yang of the Kidney and digestive system are closely related, so during your period, you can experience diarrhoea or loose stools if the kidney is not strong enough to support the other organs.

3. Cold

The most common symptom of Kidney Yang deficiency is a feeling of being cold. In particular, cold feet, as the kidney channel starts on the feet. The abdomen may also be cold if the kidney has not sufficiently warmed the uterus.

Similar to animals in nature, a human baby also needs a warm environment to grow and thrive. Recurrent IVF failure and/or frequent miscarriages can occur if the uterus is cold.

4. Underactive Thyroid

It is important to get a blood test for both the thyroid (TSH on any day of your cycle) and progesterone (7 days after ovulation). Hypothyroidism is associated with Kidney Yang deficiency. However, it is common to have a milder version of Kidney Yang deficiency as a fertility diagnosis without thyroid issues.

5. Fear or Anxiety

In Chinese medicine, the kidney energy is associated with the emotion, ‘fear’. Therefore with weak energy in these organs, you may suffer from anxiety.

6. Tongue – wet and swollen

In Chinese Medicine, a diagnosis of the tongue forms a part of the consultation process. A Yang deficient tongue would be wet and swollen, which indicates deficiency. The wetness of the tongue shows that the Kidney is not supporting the water passages, as its element is water.

7. Fertility Issues

Low progesterone, short luteal phase, short cycle of 26 days or less, watery blood, BBT chart that is slow to rise after ovulation, high TSH, implantation failure, IVF failure and miscarriage are all indications that the Kidney Yang requires support in Chinese Medicine.

How to support the Kidney Yang:

-          Through the power of acupuncture

Acupuncture to strengthen Kidney Yang focuses on the Kidney channel on the leg and abdomen. You are likely to have a heat lamp on the abdomen to warm the Uterus. It is important to be aware that Kidney Yang deficiency is rarely if ever, diagnosed in isolation and there will be other organs to support as well.

This is a treatment we can offer at our clinic in Wolverhampton.

-          Rest and Meditation

The kidney naturally declines with age, as does fertility. To keep this organ healthy, we should avoid a hectic lifestyle and make time for meditation and rest.

-          Healing Waters

The energy of the kidney is associated with the element of WATER and cold weather. Water is healing, but this should be warm or hot water, such as in a bath, or spa. Don’t spend time in the rain and make sure you dry your hair afterwards. 

-          Keep Warm

You can keep your kidney energy and uterus warm by:

-          Wearing socks and slippers on cold floors and in the house.

-          Wearing a vest or haramaki, which is a Japanese abdomen warmer, used in fertility practices.

-          Eating and drinking warm food and beverages. Ie. Cooked meals and hot drinks.

-          Eat energetically warming foods. These are called Yang foods and include but are not limited to: chilli, garlic, spices.

-          Use moxa on the abdomen and kidney channel on the leg. Moxa is a herb that has warming qualities when burned. It warms the uterus and feet which is especially important in the cold weather. You can purchase a pack of ten for £12 at Creation Acupuncture. Ask in clinic.

Have a great week!

Natalia

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