Acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine are part of a medical system that has been around for over 2500 years. So it has a vast track record for treating a lot of conditions, including those related to male infertility.
Infertility has become more prevalent in our society over the last few decades. This comes to no surprise, when you consider all the challenges in our agricultural, environmental, social, ecological, economic and therefore overall well-being. Current statistics show that 1 in 6 couples trying to conceive are actually facing fertility issues. And while most people consider infertility to be a female issue, nearly half of all fertility issues are contributed to the male.
Nearly 10 percent of all men in the United States trying to conceive are actually suffering from infertility.
What Is Male Infertility?
Male infertility can be caused by a man’s inability to produce sperm, a medical term known as Azoospermia, or simply decreased number of living sperm Oligozoospermia. Male infertility can also be due to the production of poor quality sperm, Asthenozoospermia, that may be malformed or do not live long enough to make it to the egg for fertilization. We must also take into account genetic factors that can contribute to male infertility.
That’s a lot right? Well, good news! Most cases of male infertility can be treated.
Conventional medicine has come a long way in treating these issues. But the downside can be the costly treatments that often render unsuccessful. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine, and specifically acupuncture, can be very beneficial and may help without side effects. One study from the Kyung Hee University, set out to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for male infertility. The study was able to conclude that YES regular acupuncture treatments can “significantly improve sperm motility and sperm concentration”.
What Is An Acupuncture Treatment for Male Infertility Like?
At our office, the first visit acupuncture treatment will take a full hour. We ask patients to arrive early to complete an intake form, or download them here, asking about your health history. The Acupuncturist will spend time during your first visit to ask questions about the entire health history. Health questions that may not seem related to fertility, like digestion, sleep and emotions may be asked.
Acupuncturists may use traditional diagnostic tools of looking at the tongue and feeling the pulses to diagnosis according to traditional Chinese medicine. An individualized treatment plan will be created to help with infertility. It may include cupping, moxibustion, nutritional advice. Acupuncturists will review your condition with you and continue your treatment plan at each visit.
Where Do The Acupuncture Needles Go For Male Infertility?
Placement of acupuncture needles is determined not only by the condition a patient is seeking help for. They are also determined by the patient’s unique diagnosis and constitution. Most commonly, male infertility may be casued by:
Kidney Qi Deficiency
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Jing Deficiency
Dampness Due to Spleen Qi Deficiency
Needles are often place in the insides of lower legs, on the lower abdomen, in the hands and arms, or the top of the head.
More information about What To Expect
If you are experiencing fertility problems, acupuncture may hold the key to help you conceive.
Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119438519.ch76
