Male Infertility and Subfertility
How does Chinese medicine help with male infertility?
In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kidneys are considered to contain the root energy of the body, controlling growth and maturation, sexual desire and reproduction. Treatment for infertility in men focuses on tonifying the Kidney energy to improve the sperm making machinery. This is usually done with Chinese herbal medicine, though acupuncture also has an important role to play. Herbal formulas are modified to fit the patient, addressing any underlying symptoms that reflect less than optimal health.
What should I expect?
It takes 70-90 days for sperm to mature, so men need to commit to at least 3 months of treatment, with 6 months being ideal. In many cases it is sufficient to use only Chinese herbs, with a monthly appointment to check in and make modifications to the formula. Adding weekly acupuncture, following some of the research protocols described below, can be of great benefit if you or your partner are able to make the time commitment.
Promising Research
Western research on traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of male infertility is still in its early stages. So far, studies have been small. Still, results are very promising and will hopefully lead to larger clinical trials. Listed below are a few noteworthy studies.
Addressing antisperm antibodies
Antisperm antibodies (ASAB) are the immune system’s response to semen and can be present in both men and women. In men, this most often happens when the testicles are injured, after surgeries or after a prostate gland infection. ASAB affects 9-36% of men with infertility, and is as high as 70% for men who have had reproductive tract surgery. ASAB is not an issue for couples choosing IVF, but it can pose a very real problem for other couples. One study looked at the effect of taking Chinese herbs in preparation for an IUI. The researchers found that for men taking Chinese herbs the ASAB conversion was 77% versus 9% for men not taking herbs, and the pregnancy rate for this group was 41%, versus 11% for the control group.
Improving Sperm Count and Morphology
In a randomized, controlled and blinded study, men who received 10 acupuncture treatments over the course of 5 weeks saw significant improvements in the number of motile sperm, sperm with intact tails and percentage of viable sperm. Another controlled study examining the impact of acupuncture on sperm morphology found a significant change in the percentage of normal forms after 10 acupuncture treatments.
Addressing Very Low Sperm Count
There is hope for men with very low sperm count. In a controlled study, researchers found that men with either no sperm or no functional sperm had significant improvement in sperm count after receiving only 10 acupuncture treatments. Although the counts were still very low, they were high enough that these men and their partners could qualify for IVF.
Whatever your fertility challenge, there is hope! Both acupuncture and Chinese herbs have much to offer both men and women. Learn more about how traditional Chinese medicine has helped thousands of couples conceive, and how it can help you and your partner.
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