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Any disease related to conception lies in the essence (Jing) for men and in the blood for women, both resulting from deficiency. In men, deficiencies manifest as seminal emission (slippage), thin semen, or cold semen; failure of erection during intercourse, or discharge without ejaculation; frequent nocturnal emissions, or turbid urine with dribbling and dysuria; excessive sexual desire leading to Yin deficiency, causing soreness and fatigue in the lower back and kidneys; preference for male homosexuality leading to extreme Yang, causing hyperactivity and depletion of Yin; excessive retention of semen, causing disharmony between victory and defeat (physiological balance); or chronic Yin hernia, causing disconnection between the Liver and Kidney. Additionally, some suffer from Yang deficiency, characterized by excess cold; others from Yin deficiency, characterized by excess heat. These are all diseases of men and cannot be entirely blamed on women. If the cause is known, treatment should be applied accordingly: treating what needs treatment and reversing what needs reversal. One must first rectify oneself before addressing the woman, ensuring success in all endeavors.

For women, the focus is on blood; when blood combines with sperm, conception occurs. To diagnose their ailments, one observes the menstrual cycle; to treat them, one regulates the Yin aspect. Menstrual blood is blood, and blood belongs to Yin. Yin corresponds to the moon, hence menstruation arrives regularly each month, which is the norm. When pathology arises, variations include early or late onset; twice a month; once every two months; amenorrhea due to exhaustion; frequent and unceasing bleeding; pain preceding flow; flow preceding pain; pale, black, or purple coloration; clotted blood forming strips or flakes; insufficient essence and blood transforming into leukorrhea or turbid discharge; uterine deficiency-cold preventing Yang from generating blood; latent heat in the blood preventing Yin from condensing; blood stasis and Qi stagnation causing uterine laxity and amenorrhea. All these constitute disorders of True Yin. Once True Yin is diseased, insufficient Yin-blood cannot nourish the fetus, and insufficient Yin-Qi cannot secure the fetus. The power of securing and nurturing lies entirely in the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Since Mingmen is the Sea of Blood for the Chong and Ren meridians, and the fetus relies primarily on blood—which does not generate itself but depends on Qi—this is referred to as True Yin. Therefore, tonifying Mingmen, whether by boosting Qi or Blood, is considered tonifying Yin. The method of tonifying Yin is essentially the way of cultivating roots and consolidating the foundation. This is indispensable from youth to old age, especially since it is the basis of both Pre-heaven and Post-heaven constitutions; what else could one seek if not this? Thus, methods for regulating menstruation and facilitating conception mainly involve filling the Mingmen and preserving Yang Qi. However, while the hub of essence and blood is the Mingmen, its source lies between the Heart and Spleen (both considered Yang organs). The Heart governs blood; nourishing the Heart generates blood. The Spleen and Stomach manage digestion; strengthening them ensures Qi distribution. When both harmonize, Qi flows freely and blood circulates. Adjustments in emotions and diet must be planned prior to meridian regulation, serving ultimately as sources to replenish Yin-blood. Without understanding the root and branch, priority and sequence, blind treatment renders one incapable of discussing methods for regulating menstruation and conception. (End of *Yilin Ce*)