Recurrent Miscarriageaccording to TCM

*redirected from Habitual miscarriage

Symptom family: Pregnancy Issues

Parent symptom: Miscarriage

What is Recurrent Miscarriage?

Recurrent miscarriage, known also by terms such as habitual abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss, is a condition marked by two or more consecutive losses of pregnancy before the 20th week. This distressing experience affects numerous individuals and couples, casting a shadow over the joy of prospective parenthood. The medical community's quest to understand and address this condition continues, with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offering alternative perspectives and solutions.

How does TCM View Recurrent Miscarriage?

Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches recurrent miscarriage from a holistic standpoint, viewing it as a symptom of underlying disharmony within the body. TCM emphasizes the importance of Qi (vital energy), Blood, and organ system balance in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

It suggests that disturbances in these areas can lead to pregnancy loss. This ancient system of medicine stresses identifying and treating the root cause of imbalance rather than just addressing the symptom of miscarriage, aiming for a harmonious state where the body can sustain a pregnancy.

Root Causes of Recurrent Miscarriage in TCM

In the context of TCM, recurrent miscarriage is often attributed to several key patterns of disharmony, notably Qi Deficiency, particularly when the Kidney Qi is not firm. This condition is believed to weaken the body's essential energy necessary for holding a pregnancy, manifesting symptoms such as lower back pain, fatigue, frequent urination, or nocturnal emissions. Understanding these patterns is crucial for TCM practitioners to provide tailored treatments aimed at reinforcing the body's Qi and improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Explore below more details about what might cause Recurrent miscarriage according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Qi Deficiency
  • Kidney
Detailed description of the cause

Qi Deficiency

Qi Deficiency in TCM is like running low on battery power. Qi is the vital energy that powers every function in your body. When there's a Qi Deficiency, it means your body doesn't have enough of this essential energy. This can make you feel tired all the time, weak, or even cause shortness of breath. It's similar to how you feel when you haven't had enough sleep or nutritious food. Your body just doesn't have the energy it needs to perform at its best. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on specific physical causes for fatigue and weakness, TCM views Qi Deficiency as an overall energy depletion that affects your entire well-being, and it seeks to replenish and balance this vital energy.... see more

Qi Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Recurrent Miscarriage

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney Qi not Firm Recurrent miscarriage, Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Cold extremities, White vaginal discharge, Bearing down sensation in abdomen... see more You Gui Wan | Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Fu Tu Dan | Qing E Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan
Detailed description of the cause

Kidney

In TCM the Kidneys are regarded as the body's most fundamental reservoir of Essence, known as Jing, which influences growth, reproduction, and aging. They are not just organs for filtering blood, but a holistic system governing vital life forces. When the Kidneys malfunction in TCM, it can manifest as a variety of health issues, such as chronic fatigue, reproductive problems, imbalances in fluid metabolism leading to edema or dryness, lower back pain, and a sense of fear or insecurity.... see more

Kidney Patterns That Can Lead to Recurrent Miscarriage

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney Qi not Firm Recurrent miscarriage, Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Cold extremities, White vaginal discharge, Bearing down sensation in abdomen... see more You Gui Wan | Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan | Fu Tu Dan | Qing E Wan | Tu Si Zi Wan

TCM Herbal Formulas for Recurrent Miscarriage

To combat the underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage, TCM recommends specific formulas that nourish and stabilize the body's Qi, Blood, and Essence. For instance, You Gui Wan is utilized to warm Yang and tonify Kidney Qi, addressing Deficiencies that might lead to miscarriage. Another formula, Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan, is geared towards securing Essence and stopping enuresis, further supporting the Kidney's role in reproduction. These herbal remedies, among others, showcase TCM's holistic approach to treating recurrent miscarriage, focusing on restoring balance and vitality to the body.

Through a detailed understanding and application of these principles, TCM offers a beacon of hope for those facing the challenges of recurrent miscarriage. By aligning the body's energies and addressing specific patterns of disharmony, it provides a path toward healing and the potential for a successful pregnancy, framed by a tradition of care that spans centuries.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address recurrent miscarriage, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Qi Deficiency
  • Formulas that warm yang and tonify
  • Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
  • Formulas that secure essence and stop enuresis
  • Formulas that tonify qi and blood

All Formulas Recommended for Recurrent Miscarriage Caused by Qi Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
You Gui Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Fu Tu Dan Kidney Qi not Firm
Qing E Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Tu Si Zi Wan Kidney Qi not Firm

All "formulas that warm yang and tonify" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
You Gui Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Qing E Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Tu Si Zi Wan Kidney Qi not Firm

All "formulas that secure essence and stop enuresis" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan Kidney Qi not Firm
Fu Tu Dan Kidney Qi not Firm

All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Dang Gui Shao Yao San Not applicable
Wen Jing Tang Not applicable

TCM Herbs for Recurrent Miscarriage

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address recurrent miscarriage, organized by herb category.

  • By Herb Category
  • Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
  • Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
  • Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
  • Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
  • Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior

"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) Wen Jing Tang
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) You Gui Wan
Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) You Gui Wan

"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Ginseng (Ren Shen) Ba Zhen Tang
Yam (Shan Yao) Tu Si Zi Wan

"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for recurrent miscarriage

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) Ba Zhen Tang
White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) Dang Gui Shao Yao San