ACUPUNCTURE TO INCREASE MALE FERTILITY

Acupuncture in Flatiron, NYC for Male Infertility

Acupuncture is part of a medical system that has been around for over 2500 years. It has a vast track record for treating many conditions, including those related to the male reproductive system. 

Infertility has become more prevalent in our society over the last few decades. This comes to no surprise when considering all the challenges in our agricultural, environmental, social, ecological, economic, and overall well-being. Current statistics show that 1 in 6 couples trying to conceive are actually facing fertility issues. And while most people consider infertility to be a female issue, nearly half of all fertility issues are contributed to the male. Almost 10 percent of all men in the United States trying to conceive are actually suffering from infertility.

Male infertility can be caused by a man’s inability to produce sperm, a medical term is known as Azoospermia, or simply decreased the number of living sperm Oligozoospermia. Male infertility can also be due to the production of poor quality sperm, Asthenozoospermia, that may be malformed or do not live long enough to make it to the egg for fertilization. We must also take into account genetic factors that can contribute to male infertility.

That’s a lot, right? Well, good news! Most cases of male infertility can be treated. 

Conventional medicine has come a long way in treating these issues, but the downside can be the costly treatments that often render unsuccessful. This is where acupuncture in the flatiron district in NYC can be very beneficial and may help without adverse side effects. One study from the Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Graduate School, set out to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for male infertility. This study concluded that YES regular acupuncture treatments can “significantly improve sperm motility and sperm concentration”.

1. Qi movement. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the force whose properties carry life and nourishment throughout the body. Qi regulates the mental and physical body. Every person and living organism has Qi moving throughout the body, and ideally without obstruction. When Qi is disrupted or blocked due to poor health or other circumstances, diseases may occur. Regular acupuncture treatments help to keep the normal flow of Qi moving and unblocked. A healthy flow of Qi increases a couple’s chances of conceiving.


2. Blood Flow Stimulation: The insertion of acupuncture needles is proven to stimulate blood flow, improving male fertility. And specifically, regular acupuncture treatments can increase blood flow to the testicular arteries. The testicles need blood to provide nutrients, remove waste products and keep the area cool. Excess waste products can damage sperm while they mature in the testicles. Stagnation of blood in the scrotum can increase testicular temperatures, which can be detrimental to forming sperm. When increasing blood flow to and from this area, nutrients are received, and waste is removed, contributing to healthier sperm. 

3. Hormone Regulation: Another way acupuncture can help with male infertility is in the area of hormone regulation. Like with females, hormones play a significant role in whether or not a baby can be conceived and produced. In males, the balance of hormones between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive glands is essential for healthy sperm and fertility. Many of the commonly used fertility drugs are not as effective on male hormones—acupuncture and herbs balance hormones, which ultimately increase the egg’s probability of healthy sperm and fertilization.

     

4.Stress Reduction: Regular acupuncture treatments are also beneficial for reducing stress levels. When the body is stressed, cortisol hormone levels increase, disrupting the balance of other hormones. As mentioned above, when hormones are out of balance, the chances are higher that male infertility may be a factor. Thus, getting consistent acupuncture treatments can decrease stress and allow the body to function correctly.

If you are experiencing fertility problems, acupuncture may hold the key to help you conceive. Contact Marc Gian, Acupuncture in Flatiron, NYC and Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Sources:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119438519.ch76

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30632194/

Marc Gian