Male Disorders Male infertility accounts for about 35% of couples experiencing difficulty in conceiving. It would appear that infertility is actually increasing. This is most likely due to lifestyle and environmental causes such as pollutants that will for example, mimic the actions of female hormones such as oestrogen. When it comes to males, there are several factors that contribute to infertility. The main ones include semen volume, concentration, motility, abnormal sperm shape and size. These are most commonly affected by numerous factors such as diet, infection, genetic abnormalities, external pollutants and extreme heat. Once a full case history has been taken, the acupuncturist will identify any direct causes and provide relevant advice as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Acupuncture is preferably administered twice a week for 10 weeks, where significant results can be achieved. Typical acupuncture points would be on the lower back and abdomen to invigorate qi and blood to the area, and to clear any stagnation often due to local coldness or excessive heat. It is true to say that the majority of acupuncture research has been focused on female infertility. However, one of the most recent studies published in Health Journal “fertility and sterility” illustrated that acupuncture significantly improved male sperm motility, volume and concentration including sperm structure and quality in idiopathic infertile men. Acupuncture is most effective in cases where there are no signs of infection or structural abnormalities.
How acupuncturists can help the male infertility?