According to traditional Chinese medicine your reproductive health is the result of your body being in proper balance. Stress, poor lifestyle, inadequate diet and other factors can disturb your natural balance. This results in poor health including impaired semen quality and quantity.

It takes approx 74 days for your body to create and mature sperm. An individualized acupuncture program may include herbal formulas or supplements (vitamins), dietary advice and lifestyle counselling. The treatment should be commenced for a minimum of three months prior to IVF on a weekly basis.

There is some research evidence that Chinese medicine treatment may assist in supporting fertility treatments, especially during an IVF cycle, and there is a broad agreement by Chinese medicine practitioners and other health practitioners about acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for IVF, ICSI, ART and IUI.

What causes male infertility?

For about one in five infertile couples the problem lies solely in the male partner. In most cases, there are no obvious signs of an infertility problem. Intercourse, erections and ejaculation will usually happen without difficulty. The quantity and appearance of the ejaculated semen generally appears normal to the naked eye. Unfortunately, medical scientists do not yet understand all the details of sperm production and the fertilisation process. As a result, for many men with a sperm production problem, the cause cannot be identified. However some known causes include:

Basically male fertility depends on high-quality production of sperm and unobstructed sperm transport with the ideal temperature of the testes being 35°C to ensure healthy sperm.

Recently there has been a decline in sperm density, motility and normality, implying that environmental and lifestyle factors are major contributors to the problem. Some causes include;

• Infections and Sexually transmitted diseases
• Injuries and surgery
• Over heating caused from tight underwear, laptop use on the legs, bicycle riding
• Diet, smoking, drug use, alcohol.

So what is normal sperm?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published the following measurements to help work out if semen analysis results are normal.

Things you can do to improve sperm quality

Whilst being treated, simple lifestyle changes can be implemented. Not all cases of male infertility can be prevented, but you may be able to reduce your risk by changing some of your behaviors.

• Avoid using tobacco, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and “recreational” drugs.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol.
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and heavy metals.
• Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
• Avoid prolonged use of drugs with adverse effect on fertility.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise moderately, but not excessively.
• Avoid testicular injury in sporting events.
• Wear looser fitting shorts and pants.
• If you bicycle, try using a softer saddle.

Avoid Using Tobacco, Marijuana, Anabolic Steroids, and Recreational Drugs

Cigarette smoking reduces sperm count and motility and increases the number of abnormal sperm. Smoking also adversely affects hormone levels and may affect the cells in the testes that produce testosterone. Like cigarette smoking, use of marijuana also can adversely affect sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. It can also reduce plasma testosterone levels. Anabolic steroids influence production of reproductive hormones and can reduce fertility. Use of cocaine also negatively affects sperm parameters as well as the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus. Opiates (heroin, morphine) may reduce fertility in men by altering hormone production.

Avoid Excessive Use of Alcohol

Although moderate alcohol consumption does not affect male fertility, excessive alcohol intake alters hormone levels and reduces sperm count and sperm quality.

Avoid Exposure to Harmful Chemicals and Heavy Metals

Numerous chemicals used in industry or found in the environment as contaminants have been linked to male infertility. These include organochlorine pesticides, dioxins (used to bleach paper products), and vinclozolin (a fungicide used on food). These chemicals are thought to reduce fertility by disrupting hormone function. Avoid exposure to these chemicals whenever possible.

Protect Yourself From Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Unprotected sexual intercourse (intercourse without a condom) increases your risk of developing a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Several STDs, including Gonorrhea and Chlamydia , often produce no symptoms, especially in men, so you may not know you are infected. Untreated STDs can cause scarring in the sperm-carrying tubes, which reduces the number of sperm in semen and increases the risk of fertility problems. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your chance of contracting an STD. Using condoms and minimizing the number of sexual partners will reduce your risk of getting an STD.

Avoid Prolonged Use of Drugs With Adverse Effect on Fertility

There are many medications which could either cause subfertility or infertility. These include the following categories:

• Antibiotics: erythromycin, tetracycline, sulfasalazine, nitrofurantoin
• Antihypertensives: alpha blocker, calcium channel blockers, spirorolactone
• Chemotherapy
• Others: cimetidine, colchicines, allopurinol, minoxidil

Maintain a Healthful Weight

High body fat can alter hormone metabolism. If you are overweight, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to find out what weight is healthy for you and to get help in attaining it.

Exercise Moderately, but Not Excessively

Moderate exercise increases sperm production and may have beneficial effects on fertility. However, excessive exercise, such as that performed by long-distance runners, reduces sperm production.

Avoid Testicular Injury in Sporting Events

The testicles are easily damaged during vigorous sporting events or fights. These injuries can cause inflammation that reduces the blood supply to the testicles, which can permanently damage sperm-producing cells.

Wear Loose-Fitting Shorts and Pants

Underwear and clothing that is tight and constricting may reduce blood flow in the groin and adversely affect sperm production.

If You Bicycle, Try Using a Softer Saddle

Certain bicycle seats may cause circulatory and neurologic damage in the groin that can affect erectile function.

“In conjunction with ART or even for reaching natural fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple, non-invasive method that can improve sperm quality.” (Dr. Jian Pei, Fertility and Sterility 2005: 84:141-147)

References

http://www.thirdage.com/hc/c/male-infertility-prevention
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221051.php
http://www.andrologyaustralia.org
Male Sexual Dysfunction, By Will Maclean http://www.juliesenko.com/article5.html
Pictures;
http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/yang-tonifying-herbs-action/deck/2969278
Abstracted & translated by Bob Flaws (2003) Blue poppy press recent research report #382; Varicocele & Male sterility, www.blue poppy.com
Patricia Karnowski (2012) Effects of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan on male infertility with varicocele,
http://www.fertilityformulas.com/MaleFactor.html