Male infertility & sub-fertility

According to Andrology Australia one in twenty men is infertile. This means that male infertility is implicated in one in five cases where a couple is having problems conceiving. In assisted reproductions the problem lies with the male 40% of the time. This data supports the need for a continued shift from the incorrect belief that infertility is solely a female problem. Male fertility depends upon healthy sperm. The quality, quantity and motility (swimming ability) of the sperm need to be within certain parameters for conception to take place. Chinese Medicine views male infertility as a weakness or blockage in the reproductive system coupled with lack of balance in other body systems.

The most common cause of male infertility is problems with sperm production, usually a low sperm count. One in 25 males suffers from a low sperm count, a number that could rise based on statistics that show a 45% drop in the average male sperm count over the last 50 years. Sometimes all three sperm factors are poor. Other causes of male infertility include hormonal imbalances, sperm antibodies, blockages that restrict transport of sperm and sexual/ejaculation problems. However, in 40% of cases the cause for male infertility is unknown.

Factors that are known to affect sperm production that should be addressed or avoided:

• Infection
• Heat
• Varicocele (swollen veins in scrotom)
• Drugs (recreational and prescribed) and chemicals
• Smoking
• Radiation
• Nutritional deficiencies

Until recently aging was considered a risk factor only for female fertility but research has now identified a relationship between aging and male infertility. Age reduces the sperm's ability to swim as effectively to the female egg. There is also a greater chance of genetic defects with age.

Often there is no obvious indications that a male is sub-fertile, so it is essential that the male partner undergoes a complete fertility workup when a couple is planning to conceive.

Eastwest fertility uses acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional therapies to promote male fertility and healthy conceptions, as well as improving general male health and wellbeing. Jenny offers a safe, relaxing and effective treatment approach and works in a considerate manner to identify and address each male's reproductive health needs as she understands that a diagnosis of infertility is a shock for many males.

Jenny treats a range of men's health disorders that cause infertility such as:

• low testosterone levels
• low sperm count
• poor sperm motility
• poor volume
• poor liquefaction
• abnormal morphology (shape)

Sperm usually takes about 90 days to mature, so regular acupuncture treatment is recommended for at least three months to promote the production of healthy sperm.

Studies by Pei et al in 2005, Siterman et al in 1997 & 2000, and Gerhard et al. in 1992 all demonstrated that acupuncture improves the quality and quantity of sperm. The authors of all studies observed that acupuncture is an effective method to improve sperm parameters. A 2002 study led by Zhang showed the positive effect of acupuncture on assisted reproduction and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

One of the authors of the 2005 study asserted:

‘In conjunction with ART or even for reaching natural fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple, non-invasive method that can improve sperm quality'.
(Dr Jian Pei, Fertility and Sterility, July 2005, Vol 84, Issue1, pp. 141-7)

References

Gerhard I, Jung I & Postneek F, 1992, ‘Effects of acupuncture on semen parameters/hormone profile in infertile men', Molecular Andrology, Vol 4, pp. 9-25.

Pei J, Strehler E, Noss U, Abt M, Piomboni P, Baccetti B & Sterzik K, 2005, ‘Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility', Fertility and Sterility, July 2005, Vol 84, Issue1, pp. 141-7.

Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Zabludovsky N & Bartoov B 1997, ‘Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality', Archives of Andrology; Vol 39, pp. 155-61.

Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Lederman H, Bartoov B 2000, ‘Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count,' Pilot study, Andrologia, Vol 32, No. 1, pp.31-9.

Zhang M, Huang G, Lu F, Paulus WE, Sterzik K, 2002, ‘Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology,' Journal of Huazhang University of Science and Technology Medical Science, 22 (3), pp.228-30.

Andrology Australia website: http://www.andrologyaustralia.org