TCM- The Uterus (Test 5)

Uterus

Functions:

• Uterus regulates menstruation
• Uterus houses the fetus during pregnancy

The Uterus Relationships with Internal Organs in Relation to Menstruation:

• Kidneys: the origin of menstrual blood
• Liver: store Blood, which fills the Uterus
• Heart: governs blood; Heart Yang meets the Kidney Essence to for Tian Gui; Heart Qi descends to promote discharge of menstrual blood and eggs; Heart Qi descends to trigger transformation of Yang to Yin and vice versa in menstrual cycle
• Spleen: makes Blood, which supplements Tian Gui
• Stomach: related to the Uterus via the Penetrating Vessel

4 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle:

1. Bleeding Phase: During this phase Blood is moving. For bleeding to start at the right time and with the right amount, it is essential for Liver Qi and Liver Blood to move smoothly and for Heart Qi and Heart Blood to descend towards the Uterus.
2. Postmenstrual Phase: During this phase, Blood and Yin are relatively empty (eg. not empty in absolute but only in relation to the other phases) and Yin is beginning to grow. This represents the beginning of the follicular phase leading to ovulation.
3. Intermenstrual Phase: During this phase, Yin reaches its maximum with ovulation and therefor starts to decrease after that, conversely, Yang starts to grow and this produces the heat necessary for ovulation.
4. Premenstrual Phase: During this phase, Yang grows and reaches its maximum and Qi moves.

Men:
Although the Uterus is one of the Six Extraordinary Yang Organs, there is a corresponding structure in men. It is said in Chinese medicine that: ' the Uterus is related to the Kidneys, in males it is called the Red Field (Dan Tian) or also Room of Essence, in females it is called Uterus'.
The Room of Essence in men stores and produces sperm, and is closely related to the Kidneys and the Governing Vessel. If the Kidneys and the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) are empty, the production and storage of sperm by the Room of Essence will be affected, and thsi may cause impotence, premature ejaculation, clear and watery sperm, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea, etc.