MALE FERTILITY

What is male factor infertility?
When the cause of infertility exists within the male partner, it is referred to as male factor infertility. Today, male factor accounts for approximately 30% of problems in conception. Causes include structural abnormalities, sperm production disorders, ejaculatory disturbances and immunologic disorders. Several risk factors are also linked to male infertility including alcohol and tobacco use, and overheating of the testicles.

How may acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine influence male fertility?
There have been several studies which suggest acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may effectively support male infertility by improving sperm morphology, motility, and count. There have been some studies which show that acupuncture and Chinese herbs may also have a beneficial effect on erectile dysfunction. More specifically, acupuncture and Chinese herbs may help improve sperm quality by:

• lowering scrotal temperature 

• enhancing local microcirculation 

• reducing inflammation 

• improving sperm maturation in the epididymis 

• increasing testosterone levels 

• reducing lipid peroxidation of sperm 

What to expect from a typical treatment programme

A typical treatment programme with traditional Chinese medicine uses a combination of acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Treatment is individualy customized and takes into account multiple factors including specific symptoms of the male reproductive system, overall health and wellbeing, as well as biomedical test findings and diagnoses.

The frequency and length of treatment is typically determined by the nature of infertility, although as with female infertility a minimal course of three months is generally recommended.  

 

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