Poor semen quality is one of the primary causes of male infertility. Raleigh Acupuncture has been successfully treating male infertility for years. This research focuses attention on how Chinese herbs improve poor semen quality to enhance male fertility.
The study was performed at the Tainan Municipal Hospital in Taiwan. It sought greater understanding of the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine on male infertility patients. It retrospectively evaluated patients with male infertility and poor semen quality between 2013 and 2016.
A total of 126 male infertility patients with poor semen quality were included in the study. 50 patients received Chinese herbs while 13 patients received western medication or supplements. Chinese herbal medicine users account for 92.5% of the total semen improvement subjects. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that Chinese herbs have a beneficial role in improving sperm quality for infertility patients.
Background on Male Infertility
Infertility is an important global reproductive health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the clinical definition of infertility is “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse”. The WHO estimates that 48.5 million couples (8–12% of couples) worldwide have infertility.
The main causes of male infertility include genetic factors, hormone disorders, physical problems (such as damaged sperm ducts), lifestyle problems (smoking, alcohol, or drug abuse), previous infections, environmental causes (such as radiation), and unexplained male infertility.
Other factors contributing to the rise in male infertility include getting married later in life, increased stress levels in modern society and environmental pollution. The result is that the quality of human sperm has significantly declined. Poor semen quality is a major factor of male infertility.
Numerous drugs and supplements have been marketed claiming to improve poor semen quality in men with infertility. However, their effectiveness is questionable. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and L-carnitine, have some positive effects on semen quality. However, drugs such as androgens, hCG and hMG, are not effective in treating poor semen quality.
Animal studies were the first to show that Chinese herbal medicine significantly improved male infertility. A number of human studies have since identified Chinese herbs that improve blood circulation in the reproductive organs and that control testosterone secretion. These herbs also play an important role in the production of healthy sperm, including sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology.
Poor Semen Quality Research Study
The main purpose of this poor semen quality research study was to assess whether Chinese herbs improve sperm quality. The study retrospectively analyzed medical records of male subjects between January 2013 and December 2016 at Tainan Municipal Hospital in southern Taiwan.
During the study period, 50 eligible men with infertility received Chinese herbs, while13 infertile men did not receive herbs. The non-herb group did receive Western medicine or supplements to improve their semen quality. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics.
Study Results
The researchers found that the Chinese herb users accounted for 92.5% of the total semen improvement subjects, while only 7.5% was attained by the non-herb patients. ”Semen improvement” was defined as increased sperm concentration, motility or morphology in compliance with WHO guidelines in two sperm analyses, collected three months apart.
The Chinese herb users had 10 times better semen improvement than nonusers. The data were in agreement with previous studies that clearly demonstrated that Chinese herbs had a positive effect on all sperm parameters.
Male Infertility and Chinese Herbs
Numerous studies have reported that Chinese herbs, including Ginseng and ginger, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase sperm motility, resulting in increased conception rates. A number of studies have shown that sperm cells are particularly susceptible to the damage caused by excessive ROS generation, which decreases the sperm function and results in male infertility.
Twenty-five to forty percent of infertile men reported having high levels of ROS in their semen. Antioxidant protection is a critical factor in maintaining sperm membrane integrity, which can lead to sperm dysfunction and cell death. Therefore, antioxidants may protect against ROS-induced male infertility and improve conception rates.
Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and CoQ10 are well known antioxidants that improve semen health in infertile men. In addition, recent studies conclude that the Chinese herbs Tu Si Zi and Guo Qi Zi act as antioxidants in maintaining sperm quality. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, a Chinese herbal formula which contains Tu Si Zi and Guo Qi Zi, has a protective effect against oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in older men.
The decrease of sperm counts and testosterone levels in men in recent decades is an indication that a low sperm count may reduce fertility. Testosterone reduction results in lower energy levels, weaker erections, lower libido, and reduced sperm count. Testosterone supplements suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which results in a decrease in overall testosterone levels and sperm production in the testes.
Chinese Herbs Boost Testosterone Naturally
Chinese herbal medicine, on the other hand, increases sperm count. Instead of replacing testosterone, TCM promotes the body to increase natural testosterone production. The results of the present study indicated that Ginseng and other Chinese herbs may increase the production of testosterone and the spermatid populations by suppressing ROS production.
In addition, ginsenosides, the active components of ginseng, were shown to increase sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability and reduce erectile dysfunction in men. Ba Ji Tian, another Chinese herb, increased the production of testosterone, reduced the concentration of cortisol, improved the quality of the sperm, and protected the DNA of human sperm.
Semen Values Improved With Chinese Herbs
This poor semen quality research study concluded that all semen parameters were significantly improved after three months of treatment with Chinese herbs. It recommended that further research be conducted to identify the most effective Chinese herbal formulas to improve sperm quality.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture we have been successfully treating male infertility for years. Many times women come to our clinic unable to get pregnant. When appropriate, we encourage their husbands to be tested. Many times the husbands have poor semen quality.
We have developed a specific protocol consisting of acupuncture and Chinese herbs to improve male infertility and reverse poor semen quality. Our treatment improves sperm count, motility and morphology. It also reduces stress, improves sleep and increases blood circulation to the reproductive system. Treatments are safe and natural. There are no negative side effects. And the results are impressive.
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Resources
J Clin Med. 2018 Sep; 7(9): 239. Published online 2018 Aug 24. doi: 10.3390/jcm7090239 PMCID: PMC6162825 PMID: 30149532 The Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Poor Semen Quality in Infertile Males. Shu-Chiu Wang, Shu-Chen Wang, Chia-Jung Li, Ching-Heng Lin, Hsiao-Lin Huang, Liang-Miin Tsai,and Chiung-Hung Chang.