Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine | Male Infertility

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine for Male Infertility

One of the biggest fertility mistakes couples make is solely focusing on the female and neglecting to address the male side. Research suggests that Male Factor Infertility and Sub-Infertility accounts for 40% of all fertility problems. It is important to note that in many Men Infertility has no symptoms, and in many cases the man appears fit and healthy.

 

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Treatment takes a holistic approach, working with Nutritional supplements, Dietary changes, Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in order to aid in improving sperm numbers and quality.

 

Unlike the numbers often quoted by a medical practitioner we take in mind that for many couples higher rates are actually needed to conceive naturally. Once study suggested that in order to conceive naturally a man would need above the following parameters;

 

  • Motility – Greater than 63%
  • Normal forms – Greater than 12% (1)

 

This is compared with the following acceptable rates for assisted fertility published in the 6th edition of the WHO manual;

 

  • Volume – Normal 2-6mls, Borderline 1.5-1.9ml, Pathological <1.5ml
  • Concentration – Normal 20-250 million/ml, Borderline 10-20 million/ml, Pathological <10 million/ml
  • Progressive motility – Normal > 50%, Borderline 35-49%, Pathological < 35%
  • Normal forms – Normal > 14%, Borderline 4-13%, Pathological 4%

Poor sperm health contributes to all stages of fertility, and pregancy. Research on IVF suggests that poor speerm contribute to the following;

 

  • Poor embryo development
  • Failure to fertilise
  • Failure of embryo to reach day 5
  • Failure to implant
  • Post-inplantation pregnancy loss
  • Increase miscarriage rates
  • Poorer childhood health (2)

Acupuncture for Sperm Health

 

Acupuncture can be used for men with abnormal sperm test findings, but can also be used generally to improve sperm health. It not essential to have a sperm test before starting acupuncture to improve sperm health and we recommend that couples who are experiencing delayed conception should both consider treatment.

 

Research has shown that Acupuncture has had a posiitve effect on sperm count, motility (3) and concentration (4). Acupuncture can also improve sperm parameters post varicocele (5), and potentially reduce scrotal sperm temperatures (6) thus effecting the total sperm output.

 

Acupuncture can be used while couples are underoing IVF to improve sperm health and results (7); with improved fertilisation rates, high quality emboys.

 

Where is the acupuncture points located?

 

The most common acupuncture points for fertility are located in the lower back, lower abdomen, legs and hands. Example include BL 32, Bl; 35, Ren 4, St 30 and Sp 6. Do not fear we do not place any needles directly into or surrounding the penis or scrotum.

Supplements that you should also be having to improve sperm health

 

  • Male fertility focused multi-vitamin; Containing at least 50mg of Zinc, 500mg of Vitamin C, 200mg of Vitamin E, 100mcg of Selenium
  • CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) 300mg per day
  • Acetyl-l-carnitine 500-1,000 mg/day, (if using L-carnitine increase dosage to 2,000-3,000 mg/day)
  • N-acetyl-cystine 600-1000mg per day (2)

 

At Balanced Life Health Care we take each partner’s nutritional needs into account and recommend specific focused supplements. We also have Herbal Tinctures that focus on the main herbs to support sperm production and health.

Foods that you should be eating

 

  • Foods that are high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, liver, walnuts, oysters, yogurt, turkey, peas, and shrimp. 10 -12 oysters a week can give you a fantastic zinc boost, so next date night is seafood.
  • Foods that are high in selenium include Brazil nuts, liver, snapper, cod, halibut, tuna, salmon, sardines, shrimp, and turkey.
  • Foods that are high in vitamin C, which is abundant in plants and fruits including red peppers, broccoli, cranberries, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and citrus fruit (3)
  • Eat plenty of fish and omega 3
  • Reduce coffee, alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drug use

Other things to consider

 

  • Check with your doctor that any prescribed medications are not affecting your sperm health
  • Avoid situations that you overheat such as sauna, steam rooms and hot tubs.
  • For men who overheat consider cooling underwear such as “Snowballs”
  • Consider a sperm friendly lubricant such as “Preseed”
  • Be mindful of oestrogen and xenoestrogen exposure
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Avoid recreatinal drug use
  • Exercise when possible to reduce stress or other stress busting activities. Men who spent more than an hour and a half each week engaging in physical activity outdoors had a 42% higher sperm concentration than those who spent no time outdoors (8). However, overdoing it can also be harmful for sperm health.
  • Sex with a greater connection yields better sperm, so quality not quantity is the key where possible!

References

  1. Matthew Tomlinson, Sheena Lewis and David Morroll (2013); Sperm quality and its relationship to natural and assisted conception: British Fertility Society Guidelines for practice; Human Fertility, 2013; Early Online: 1–19
  2. Pojer, Olivia (2023); Integrative treatments of Male Infertility with Chinese Medicine, Singing dragon press
  3. Yu, Y., Sha, S. -B., Zhang, B., Huan, Q, et al (2019); “Effects and mechanisms of action of transcutanous electrical acupuncture point stimulation in patients with abnormal semen parameters”. Acupuncture in Medicine 37, 1, 25-32
  4. Dieterle, S., Li, C., Greb, R., Bartzche, F., Hatsmann, W. and Huang, D. (2009); “A prospective radomised placebo controlled study of the effect of acupuncture in infertile patients with severe oligoasthenozoospermia”. Fertility and Sterility 92, 4, 1340-1343
  5. Kucuk, E.V., bindayi, A., Boylu, U., Onol, F.F. and Gumus, E. (2016); “Randomised clinical trial of comparing effects of acupuncture and vacicocelectomy on sperm parameters in infertile varicocele patients”, Anddrologia 48, 10, 1080-1085
  6. Siterman, S., Eltes, F., Schechter, L., Maimon, Y., Lederman, H., and Baroov, B (2009); “Success of acupuncture treatment in patients wiht initially low sperm output is associated with a decreased in scrotal skin temperature”. Asian Journal of Andrology 11, 2, 200-208
  7. Zhang, M., Huang, G., Lu, F., Paulus, W.E. and Sterzik, K. (2002) “Influence of acupuncture on ideopathic male infertility associated with assisted reproductive technology”. Journal of Huazhong University
  8. Dennis Thompson (2013); Exercise Might Boost Men’s Sperm Counts, Study Finds; http://www.everydayhealth.com/mens-health/1015/exercise-might-boost-mens-sperm-counts-study-finds.aspx
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