Additionally, high scrotal temperatures associated with varicoceles, or varicose veins in the testicles, wearing tight underwear, and regular use of hot tubs or saunas are a major cause of infertility in men. There are other causes of male infertility, and these include stress, genetic defects, autoimmune disorders.
Unfortunately, Western medicine has very little means to improve sperm quality and quantity, and treatment of male infertility is in most cases unsatisfactory. Only in cases of mechanical obstruction, in which surgery is the only viable solution, is Western medicine largely successful.
The benefits of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments for infertile men can be found in early Chinese medical literature dating back to 2000 years TCM can offer a large percentage of men a significant improvement in sperm count, morphology, motility and liquefaction. Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture promotes significant improvement for male infertility.
TCM treatment improves hormone levels and testicular blood flow, thus promoting the production of healthy sperm. It also increases sperm motility, concentration and survival rate. Acupuncture has been shown to improve both sperm quality and quantity when carried out regularly over several weeks. One study also suggested that acupuncture carried out at time of their partner’s ovulation greatly enhance the sperm’s activity.
Men tend to be less complicated to treat with Chinese Medicine than women because they don’t have complex hormonal cycles. Typically a combination of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine is used initially, but can often be subsequently managed with herbal medicine alone. This generally means fewer clinic visits are necessary. Utilizing TCM therapies, most men can have their infertility successfully reversed.