May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities across the United States. It’s also an opportunity to highlight health disparities and advocate for more inclusive, equitable care—especially in sensitive areas like fertility.
🧬 Fertility Journeys Can Look Different Across Cultures
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Asian” includes individuals with origins from countries such as China, India, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and many others across the Far East, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
But when it comes to fertility, shared ancestry doesn’t always mean shared outcomes.
Research has shown that Asian American individuals undergoing IVF or donor egg IVF may experience different clinical outcomes than their white counterparts. These
Differences may include:
• Lower implantation and live birth rates
• Higher miscarriage rates
• A reduced number of eggs retrieved, even with higher medication doses
Why the disparities? The reasons are complex, but some possibilities include:
• Variations in ovarian reserve and stimulation response
• Delayed access to fertility care due to cultural stigma or systemic barriers
• Increased prevalence of conditions like endometriosis or PCOS in certain subgroups
• Genetic differences, including hormone receptor variations that affect egg development
🙊 Breaking the Silence: Fertility and Cultural Stigma
In many Asian cultures, fertility is considered deeply personal—and sometimes taboo. Studies show that Asian women are less likely to discuss infertility, even with friends and family. The result? Fewer informal referrals to fertility specialists and delayed treatment seeking behavior.
Multigenerational family expectations can add pressure. When fertility struggles are viewed through a lens of shame or "failure," it’s no surprise that many individuals suffer in silence—often grappling with anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.
Let’s be clear: struggling to conceive is not a failure, and nobody should have to go through it alone.
🧪 Fewer Asian Egg Donors, More Difficult Decisions
For Asian Americans exploring donor egg IVF, another hurdle is the shortage of Asian egg donors in the U.S. Donor databases often lack diversity, making it harder for prospective parents to find a match that aligns with their cultural or ethnic background.
This can lead to:
• Longer wait times
• Higher costs
• Difficult decisions around whether to proceed with a non-Asian donor
These are not just logistical concerns—they carry deep emotional and identity-related weight.
🌿 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – A Holistic Ally in Fertility Care
Amid the clinical challenges, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique and complementary approach to fertility care—one that honors the body-mind connection.
🌟 How TCM Can Boost IVF Success
Used alongside conventional fertility treatments, TCM can:
• Improve ovarian function and egg quality
• Support a receptive endometrial lining
• Ease side effects from IVF medications
• Balance hormone levels
• Promote pelvic blood flow
• Relieve stress and emotional strain
Common TCM Imbalance Patterns Linked to Infertility:
• Kidney Qi Deficiency: Fatigue, weak lower back, low vitality
• Kidney Yang Deficiency: Cold intolerance, irregular cycles
• Kidney Yin Deficiency: Night sweats, dryness, hormonal imbalance
• Liver Qi Stagnation: Emotional tension, irregular menstruation
• Phlegm-Damp Accumulation: Heaviness, sluggishness, metabolic slowdowns
• Blood Stasis: Painful periods, blood clots, poor circulation
🗓 Timing Is Everything: TCM Through the IVF Timeline
To optimize IVF outcomes, TCM follows a five-phase support structure:
1. Pre-Treatment (3–6 Months Prior): Regulate cycles, nourish the kidneys and liver, promote blood flow (1–2 sessions/week)
2. Ovarian Stimulation Phase: Improve egg quality and endometrial thickness (1–2 sessions/week)
3. Egg Retrieval to Embryo Transfer: Ease discomfort and boost uterine receptivity (1–2 sessions)
4. Post-Transfer (2-Week Wait): Enhance implantation and corpus luteum function (2 sessions/week)
5. First Trimester Support: Stabilize pregnancy and reduce miscarriage risk (weekly sessions for 3+ months)
Herbal Solutions from Kamwo to support fertility:
Kamwo's trusted formulas help address both root causes and symptoms:
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Indication: Supplements essence and yin energy for optimal fertility
Ingredients: shu di huang (rehmannia root tuber prepared), shan yao (chinese yam rhizome), gou qi zi (goji berries), yin yang huo (epimedium aerial parts), shan zhu yu (asiatic dogwood fruit without seed), fu ling (poria sclerotium), tu si zi (chinese dodder seed), dong chong xia cao (cordyceps), he shou wu (fo-ti dried root tuber)
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Indication: Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menses due to cold in the uterus, yang deficiency, blood stasis and blood deficiency.
Ingredients: Shu Di Huang, Xiang Fu, Chuan Xiong, Xu Duan, Huang Qin, Du Zhong, Ai Ye, Dang Gui, Bai Shao
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Indication: Enhance male libido and fertility
Ingredients: yin yang huo (epimedium aerial parts), nu zhen zi (ligustrum fruit), du zhong (eucommia stem bark), suo yang (cynomorium stem), tu si zi (chinese dodder seed), ci wu jia (siberian ginseng)
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Indication: General weakness, impotence, infertility, premature ejaculation
Ingredients: Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi, Che Qian Zi, Wu Wei Zi
Acupuncture for Infertility Treatment
Acupuncture can support reproductive health by stimulating specific meridians and acupoints to promote blood circulation and regulate the endocrine system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the following acupoints are commonly used to treat infertility (Lin et al., 2022):
Head Points: Baihui (Du20)
Abdominal Points: Zhongwan (RN12), Qihai (RN6), Guanyuan (RN4), Zhongji (RN3), Zigong (ZGX), Guilai (ST29)
Upper Limb Points: Neiguan (PC6), Lieque (LU7)
Lower Limb Points: Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LV3), Gongsun (SP4), Rangu (KD2), Zhaohai (KD6), Taixi (KD3)
Back Points: Geshu (UB17), Shenshu (UB23), Ciliao (UB32), Mingmen (DU4)
Master Tung’s Points: Gynecological Points
Auricular Points (Ear Acupuncture): Endocrine, Ovary, Adrenal Gland, Sanjiao (Triple Burner), Shenmen
Acupuncture can be applied before and after egg retrieval to enhance pelvic blood flow and reduce side effects associated with ovarian stimulation. Additionally, acupuncture before and after embryo transfer can help alleviate anxiety, improve endometrial blood flow, and increase the chances of successful implantation.
💬 Final Thoughts
Fertility care should never be one-size-fits-all. At the intersection of medicine, culture, and emotion, AAPI individuals and couples deserve care that is respectful, informed, and empowering.
This AAPI Heritage Month, let’s raise awareness—not just about disparities, but also about the solutions. Whether it's creating more inclusive donor databases, breaking cultural taboos, or integrating traditional healing systems like TCM, we move closer to a future where every fertility journey is met with compassion and customized care.
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Lin, J., Ma, H., Li, H., Han, J., Guo, T., Qin, Z., Jia, L., & Zhang, Y. (2022). The treatment of complementary and alternative medicine on female infertility caused by endometrial factors. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4624311
Maher, J. Y., Pal, L., Illuzzi, J. L., Achong, N., & Lundsberg, L. S. (2022). Racial and ethnic differences in reproductive knowledge and awareness among women in the United States. F&S Reports, 3(2), 46–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfre.2022.03.006
Missmer, S. A., Seifer, D. B., & Jain, T. (2011). Cultural factors contributing to health care disparities among patients with infertility in Midwestern United States. Fertility and Sterility, 95(6), 1943–1949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.02.039
US Census Bureau. (2024, December 20). About the topic of race. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/topics/population/race/about.html
Vu, M. H., Nguyen, A. A., & Alur-Gupta, S. (2021). Asian Americans and infertility: genetic susceptibilities, sociocultural stigma, and access to care. F&S Reports, 3(2), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfre.2021.12.004
What Asian Americans should know about infertility and IVF. (n.d.).
https://www.cofertility.com/family-learn/what-asian-americans-should-knowabout-infertility-and-ivf
Why Choose Kamwo?
At Grand Meridian Clinic, we honor both tradition and individuality—blending the time-tested wisdom of TCM with modern fertility care. Whether you're just beginning your journey or navigating IVF, our customized herbal formulas, acupuncture protocols, and compassionate support are here to meet you where you are. With deep cultural sensitivity and clinical insight, Kamwo is proud to walk alongside you toward a more empowered, whole-hearted path to parenthood.
Dr. Olivia Choi
L.Ac, DACM, MPH, MSBB, BPharm
Grand Meridian Clinic