This male infertility report documents acupuncture’s positive effects in resolving infertility by improving sperm quality.
Not Just A Woman’s Problem
Infertility is not just a woman’s problem. One out of every three cases of infertility involves men’s issues. Specifically, problems causing male infertility include semen concentration/formation and semen quality/quantity. The patient in this male infertility report was a 32-year-old male diagnosed with infertility due to highly viscous semen and sperm agglutination.
He received seven treatments once a week in a clinic for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. Sessions lasted 35-40 minutes. Afterward, the semen analysis showed that all analyzed parameters had normal reference values, with no sperm agglutination. Specifically, the treatment aimed to correct the Yin deficiency. For that purpose, the acupuncturist targeted the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Du Mai, and Ren Mai meridians.
Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for male infertility, as it stimulates healthy semen production and significantly improves the semen quality and quantity. As a result, positive results are inevitable with correct diagnosis and eradication of the root cause.
Understanding Male Infertility
Surprisingly, every third case of infertility appears to be due to men’s issues. Problems with semen concentration, formation, quality, or quantity can cause male infertility. Furthermore, the most common reasons are abnormal sperm shape and structure, low sperm count, and reduced sperm motility. In addition, for 30% of male infertility cases, the cause is unknown.
Other underlying causes that can contribute to male infertility include diabetes, cancer, cardiac problems, excessive exercise, environmental toxins, alcohol, smoking, and stress. Tests to identify male infertility include semen analysis, sperm DNA analysis, genetic testing, and hormone testing. Sperm agglutination is another cause of male infertility. Specifically, sperm should not stick together. Instead, it should be free moving and swimming straight with a healthy shape.
Viscous Semen and Agglutination
Our patient in this male infertility report had viscous semen and agglutination. Viscous semen refers to the consistency or thickness of the seminal fluid. Low or moderate viscosity is considered normal and flows easily. However, if the consistency is too thick, the semen has a more challenging time leaving the reproductive tract. Agglutination of sperm occurs when the head or tail of one sperm sticks to another sperm restricting the motility of the sperm. Unfortunately, severe agglutination can affect the assessment of sperm motility and concentration. In addition, professional, physical, and mental stress significantly impact this condition.
Chinese Medicine and Infertility
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has existed for more than 5000 years. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are viable treatment options for male infertility. Specifically, in terms of TCM, male infertility results from Kidney or Liver deficiency, Qi and blood stagnation, or heat and dampness accumulation in the lower body part.
Acupuncture treatment can effectively increase the number and percentage of sperm, dissolve the blockages, improve the quality of the sperm and sperm production, restore the balance to the entire body, reduce inflammation, enhance the local microcirculation, and correct the Qi and blood flow.
Male Infertility Report
As mentioned above, the patient in this male infertility report was diagnosed with infertility due to highly viscous semen and sperm agglutination. Doctors had detected the condition four years earlier when he and his wife were trying to conceive a child. In particular, the patient was under a lot of stress, and had persistent bladder inflammation, a normal appetite, good sleep, and normal blood pressure and blood sugar.
Before coming to the clinic, he had done a semen analysis test showing the presence of agglutination, semen hyperviscosity, immature germ cells, and some cellular debris. Following the course of treatment, the patient made another semen analysis which showed all analyzed parameters within normal reference values. Happily, there was no presence of sperm agglutination, immature germ cells, or cellular debris.
As previously mentioned, the treatment in this male infertility report aimed to correct the patient’s Yin deficiency. His acupuncture sessions focused on the meridians of the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Du Mai, and Ren Mai. As a result, acupuncture succeeded by enhancing the reproductive system’s function, eradicating the root problem and all blockages, and allowing the energy and Blood to flow free.
Male Infertility Discussion
Highly viscous semen can impact sperm concentration and motility and impair normal sperm movement, leading to infertility. Therefore, living a healthy life is an essential factor for producing healthy sperm. Specifically, stress can lead to disruption of the production of healthy sperm. The acupuncture treatment cannot help to remove the stress from everyday life, but it can enable the body to manage and respond better in stressful situations.
Therefore, acupuncture can help the patient relax, feel restored and calm, and have better sleep quality and less stress. The treatment focuses on the whole body, not just the reproductive system. By stimulating the entire body to function better, the sperm is stimulated too. A healthier body produces healthier sperm.
Infertility and Chinese Medicine
According to TCM, the leading cause of male infertility is Kidney deficiency. It does not directly refer to the kidney organ but to the Kidney meridian and energy system. The kidney system consists of both Yin and Yang energy. In addition, yin energy is the basic substance of reproduction, birth, and growth, while Yang energy is the elemental motivational force for all physiological processes.
If Yang energy is deficient in the Kidney, spermatogenic failure manifests as poor sperm quality, testosterone deficiency, and reproductive problems. During the examination, the practitioner will notice a weak/thready pulse and a pale tongue with a white coat. Inserting needles into Kidney Yang points activates and warms the male energy and stimulates the motility and production of healthy sperm.
Likewise, inserting needles into Kidney Yin points stimulates anti-inflammatory, strengthening, and nourishing effects. Practitioners select specific points to enhance and tonify the Qi energy of the Kidney. This way, treatment can improve sperm quality, sperm motility, sperm count, and fertilization rates. One to two treatments a week for five weeks will improve sperm quality and address other imbalances related to infertility.
Conclusion
The results of this male infertility report indicate that acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for infertility, stimulating the production of healthy semen and significantly improving the semen quality and quantity. In most cases, positive results are inevitable with correct diagnosis and eradication of the root cause.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have been successfully treating male infertility for years. Our experience mirrors this male infertility report – most of our patients observe improved sperm quality, quantity, and motility within five or six sessions. Try acupuncture if you are struggling with these issues.
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Additional Resources
Learn More About Our Male Infertility Treatment (VIDEO).
Male Infertility Acupuncture Research Study.
Male Infertility Acupuncture Case Study.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
Reference
Male Infertility Report, Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-11, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
Authors: Jihe Zhu1 , Blagica Arsovska2 , Kristina Kozovska3 1, 2, 3 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delcev – Shtip, Republic of Macedonia; 2 Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics – Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Focus Keyphrase: Male Infertility Report
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