Men’s Fertility
Men's contribution to optimal fertility is often the last thing anybody pays attention to when fertility problems arise. Luckily, there are acupuncture treatment protocols, for everything from erectile dysfunction to poor sperm quality.
Optimal Treatment Schedule/Course of Therapy: twice a week for five weeks
Male factor infertility is an often neglected, yet improvable diagnosis that is treatable with acupuncture and supplementation.
Since 40% of infertility is due to male factor, it only makes sense that all men participate in taking at minimum a basic supplement regimen for fertility optimization.
A Krueger strict morphology spermanalysis will give basic specific information about sperm morphology, which is vital to natural conception. However, it's not as important when doing IVF. DNA fragmentation test, and other tests such as the anti-sperm antibodies test, may also be indicated, especially if there is any history of trauma, including vasectomy reversal, or sports injuries.
A lack of awareness of sperm issues can certainly derail fertility efforts. There are basically two underlying sperm vulnerabilities, poor lifestyle choices (smoking, poor diet, stressful life), and physical abnormalities, such as varicocele, (inflamed veins in the scotal area that damages sperm development. Men may inspire improvements through diet and lifestyle, but some men may need varicocele surgery. For couples headed towards IVF, my supervising physician at CCRM does not recommend varicocele surgery, but if natural conception is the goal, you will likely see significant improvements with this outpatient surgery.
CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine) offers comprehensive testing beyond the standard sperm analysis, including tests for DNA fragmentation, ANA, and genetic factors.
I'll suggest acupuncture, and at very least a supplement list for men diagnosed with a fertility factor, whether due to sperm morphology abnormalities, count, or any of the other parameters.
