Overview of Male Infertility Case Report
Men and women can be affected by infertility. However, 25 – 30% of infertility cases are due to male factors. Acupuncture as a treatment for male infertility can help couples increase their ability to conceive, correct the imbalances in the body and increase sperm motility. This male infertility case report presents a 37-year-old male patient diagnosed with asthenozoospermia, an infertility condition in which a person has reduced sperm motility (the ability of the sperm to move). Reduced sperm motility decreases the chances of the sperm fertilizing the egg in the female reproductive tract.
The patient received eight acupuncture treatments over four months without additional therapy or medication. Acupuncture improved sperm motility, normalized morphology, increased the total number of sperm, and normalized pH values in the seminal fluids. Based on this outcome, investigators conclude that acupuncture is beneficial in the pregnancy process and is an effective treatment for improving and supporting male fertility. Specifically, treatments help eliminate blockage and stagnation from the meridians in the body. The results of this male infertility case report support the conclusion that acupuncture benefits male patients struggling with infertility due to poor sperm motility.
Introduction to Male Infertility
Factors contributing to male infertility include stress, injuries, sexual diseases, poor diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, endocrine disorders, and exhaustion. The primary index for fertility is the sperm motility level, as only the motile sperm can reach through the female reproductive tract and fertilize the egg cells. Asthenozoospermia is characterized by reduced sperm motility of 40% or less and represents a common cause of male infertility.
Oligospermia often accompanies low sperm motility. Oligospermia is a term that means you have a low sperm count. One medical definition is that you have fewer than 15 million sperm in 1 milliliter of semen. A typical sperm count is more than 15 million sperm per 1 milliliter of semen. The medical treatment options are fairly limited for these two conditions. Some drugs increase sperm motility, but when the drugs cease, sperm motility decreases too.
Acupuncture Treatment for Male Infertility
Acupuncture as a treatment for male infertility can help couples improve their ability to conceive, boost male fertility, correct semen abnormalities in concentration, increase sperm motility and sperm concentration, and significantly increase the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. In addition, acupuncture can be combined with Chinese herbs and give excellent results in patients diagnosed with infertility.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture points are chosen individually for each patient, based on the diagnosis according to symptoms, syndromes, or signs. Besides using acupuncture and Chinese herbs as part of TCM to treat male infertility issues, some fundamental lifestyle changes can also help improve sperm quality. Those changes include minimizing stress, maintaining a normal weight, and reducing scrotal temperature.
Male Infertility Case Report
Researchers presented the case of a 37-year-old male patient diagnosed with poor sperm motility. The patient received acupuncture treatment with no additional treatments or medications. Acupuncturists performed eight treatments, two times monthly, over four months. The treatments lasted 35-40 minutes each. The patient received treatment in the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture clinic in Skopje, Macedonia, by an MD, Ph.D., and TCM specialist.
Acupuncture points used in the treatment included DU1 (ChangQiang), ST26 (WaiLing), DU20 (BaiHui), RN12 (ZhongWan), ST25 (TianShu), RN6 (QiHai), RN1 (HuiYin), RN4 (GuanYuan), BL32 (CiLiao), BL28 (PangGuangShu), LI4 (HeGu), PC6 (NeiGuan), ST36 (ZuSanLi), KI3 (TaiXi), SP9 (YinLingQuan), GB34 (YangLingQuan), SP6 (SanYinJiao), LR3 (TaiChong) and KI1 (YongQuan).
The Treatments achieved positive changes in semen quality and quantity over four months with only eight acupuncture treatments. It typically takes 90 days for new sperm to develop. In addition, acupuncture increased sperm motility, normalized morphology, reduced the number of sperm with irregular morphology, increased the total number of sperm, and normalized the pH value.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture, as part of TCM, is used to improve the smooth Qi flow and to achieve a balanced state of yin and yang in all organs. Balancing the yin and yang energy in the organs enhances the individual’s body constitution, leading to better-quality sperm production. In addition, Qi is the vital energy circulating through the whole body through meridians. A healthy body should have proper Qi circulation; if there are any blockages or disruptions in the Qi flow, it will cause diseases.
According to the theories of TCM, the most common causes of male infertility are deficiency in Qi and blood, blood stasis, liver qi stagnation, kidney weakness, and blockages of the meridians due to phlegm and dampness. Common symptoms of deficiency syndromes include fatigue, frequent urination, impotence, and back and leg ache. Treatments aim to nourish the kidney yin and build strong qi and blood in the body.
Additional Infertility Pattern Imbalances
Stagnancy syndromes result from blood stasis or liver qi stagnation, the result of high levels of stress. Digestive disorders, abdominal bloating, pain, and tense muscles characterize stagnancy syndrome. Furthermore, blockage syndrome includes blockage of meridians due to blood stasis, phlegm, or dampness produced by a deficiency in the spleen. Therefore, the treatment aims to strengthen the spleen to remove phlegm and dampness.
Blockage due to blood stasis often occurs following surgery, injury, or severe infection. TCM provides a natural and non-invasive way to enhance semen parameters, giving hope for male fertility. In addition, treatments improve the delivery of nutrients to develop sperm and promote optimal sperm vitality.
Male Infertility Case Conclusions
The results of this male infertility case report support the significance of acupuncture treatment in male patients struggling with infertility due to poor sperm motility. Therefore, in the pregnancy process, acupuncture is a beneficial and effective treatment in improving and supporting male fertility by increasing qi and blood while eliminating blockage and stagnation from the meridians in the body.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have been successfully helping men overcome poor sperm motility, as well as low sperm counts and poor morphology. In our experience, a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs typically delivers excellent results. Try acupuncture if you are struggling with male infertility.
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Reference
CASE REPORT – ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT IN MALE INFERTILITY DUE TO ASTHENOZOOSPERMIA Jihe Zhu* 1, Blagica Arsovska1,2 and Kristina Kozovska1,3 1 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delchev, Shtip, Republic of Macedonia. 2 Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. 3 Medicine Faculty, St. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. ISSN 2349-8870 Volume: 8 Issue: 12 18-20 Year: 2021
Focus Keyphrase: Male Infertility Case Report
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