Male Fertility Acupuncture for Men's Health

Written by The Blue Heron Clinic

Male factor infertility is responsible for at least one third of infertility causes amongst couples trying to get pregnant. Taking steps to enhance a man's natural fertile energies is important during the pre-conception process, acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine have been playing a positive role in this hugely important area for centuries.

Chinese Medicine & Male Fertility Health

Chi (QI) - Pronounced as Chee i is what Chinese Medicine refers to as our vital energy or life force. The concept of Chi is to be found in many of the advanced ancient cultures especially amongst great thinkers and the martial arts. A man with decreased Chi or "stagnant" (stuck) Chi can experience several fertility related issues such as:

• Depression
• Decreased Libido
• Decreased Sperm Motility
• Decrreased sperm morphology
• Low energy and low motivation, lethargy

Cultivating one's Chi (energy) can be done daily with proper nutrition, exercises, stress management (meditation) and positive lifestyle actions such as regular moderate exercises and healthy sleep patterns.

Blood (Xue) - One of the body's "fundamental textures" along with body fluids, and Kidney Jing. According to TCM Blood is more closely related to Yin and Jing than to Yang - but on the other hand, Blood requires the force of Kidney Yang Chi to promote circulation throughout the body.

Kidney Yang - Also referred to as primordial yang, true yang or true fire, is the foundation of the yang chi of the whole body; it warms and promotes the functions of the organs and tissues and governs desire, libido and sperm motility. Kidney Yang closely relates to Chi (Qi)

Kidney Yin - Also called primordial yin, true yin or true water, is the foundation of the yin fluid of the body; Yin moistens and nourishes the organs and tissues and relates to male fertility in that it contributes to healthy sperm formation, morphology, DNA quality, sex determination, egg quality and embryo development. Kidney Yin is closely related to Jing (essence)

Kidney Jing (Essence, DNA) - DNA quality, sex determination, foundation of embryo development. The function of jing is to promote growth, development and reproduction, to provide the basis for Kidney qi, to produce marrow, and to provide the basis for all of the body's jing, qi and shen (mind).

Pre-Conception - Scheduling your Acupuncture to coincide with your partners menstrual / ovulation cycle and timed intercourse can be of great benefit to male fertility health in several ways including invigorating sperm movement and enhancing libido while reducing stress which is important for couples who have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more as anxiety tends to increase with each unsuccessful menstrual cycle.

Pre ovulaton - Acupuncture and Moxabustion (warming herbal treatment) treatment for men (and women) on acupuncture points and channels associated with erectile function sperm motility during the 3 days prior to his partner's ovulation phase may help improve libido and sperm motility, both of which are critical components of a successfull fertiity treatment and valid conception attempt.

Pre IVF - According to TCM theory - men receiving acupuncture & Moxabustion prior to IVF sperm harvesting may see improved sperm motility which may help with successful egg fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy health after success-full IVF implantation. A rather inexpensive treatment when compared to the cost of IVF, acupuncture tends to synergize the mind and body which may increase your IVF success.

Acupuncture Effect on Sperm Health

Can regular acupuncture treatment affect a man's sperm health? Research into acupuncture and abnormality of sperm has been limited to several studies and more investigation is required. One reason for this may be that when it comes to fertility related issues the focus is mainly on women's health issues rather than men's fertility health - this needs to change.

Male fertility factors such as sperm motility, sperm morphology and semen volume are of paramount importance for couples trying to get pregnant naturally or through assisted reproduction techniques such as IVF, IUI or ICSI. The stress relieving, blood flow increasing, synergistic health benefits of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine should not be overlooked when it come to the natural support of male fertility or treatment of male infertility factors.

For more information on how acupuncture can improve Male Fertility and sperm health contact The Blue Heron Galway Fertility Clinic at 087 2022010