Male infertility refers to a sexually mature male’s inability to impregnate a fehumans it accounts for 40–50% of infertility. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm.
Chinese medicine approaches to Male Infertility
In China, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been employed to treat Male Infertility for more than 2000 years, which has influenced the opinions of people in surrounding areas and has made it increasingly appealing to people with infertility. The goal of Chinese Medicine is to maintain reproductive energy while treating the symptoms related to the infertility. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Formulations, Diet and Lifestyle all play a major role in promoting fertility and reversing infertility.
From a TCM perspective, three meridians are largely responsible for one’s fertility – the Kidney meridian, Liver meridian and Spleen meridian. The Kidney meridian stores the Reproductive Essence, the Spleen meridian transforms Nutritive Essence into Energy and Blood, and the Liver meridian regulates the movement of Energy in the body. Infertility could result when one or more of these meridians are not functioning optimally.
Causes that may affect the Kidney meridian, Spleen meridian or Liver meridian include an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive toxins in the body, environmental factors, emotional imbalance and one’s genetic disposition.
Studies demonstrated that TCM significantly improved sperm quality
One meta-analysis suggested that TCM could improve sperm concentration, sperm motility, and the pregnancy rate more effectively than Western medicine*. However, another meta-analysis indicated that TCM and Chinese-Western combined therapy significantly enhanced the pregnancy rate*.
In China, traditional herbal prescriptions, the basic form of clinical application of TCM for thousands of years, have been proven by clinical practice to play a positive role in human fertility. Wuzi Yanzong (五子衍宗) is the most common Chinese herbal formulas prescription for the treatment of male infertility*. This prescription is known as the “The first prescription of ancient and modern infertility treatment ”, was first documented in the “ She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang ” edited by Shi-che Zhang in the Ming Dynasty. WuZi Yanzong is consists of Fructus Lycii, Semen Cuscutae, Fructus Rubi, Schisandra Chinensis, and Semen Plantaginis.
There have been several research studies which suggest that acupuncture improves sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and sperm motility. Clinical trials suggest that acupuncture improves sperm motility, increases sperm count, improves sperm quality and has a beneficial effect on psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Researches show, the acupuncture group that received acupuncture had significantly improved semen analysis. Infertile men had improves sperm quality, increases a low sperm count, increase testosterone levels, increase blood flow to the testicles and treat unexplained male infertility*.
If you want to have a consultation with us regarding your fertility related problems, please feel free to contact us.
Reference:
Wuzi Yanzong Pill for the treatment of male infertility;
A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial on the effect of traditional Chinese medicine formula Wuzi Yanzong pill on improving semen qualities in men with suboptimal parameters
Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Remedy for Male Infertility: A Review
The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Eastern Medicine Approaches to Male Infertility