By Richard Blitstein L.Ac., MSTOM, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. CH
For over 3000 years Chinese medicine has successfully treated male reproductive
problems. Through the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines male
fertility issues have been resolved for millions of patients. Since the introduction
of Chinese medicine to the western world in the 1970's, these techniques have
spread and gained wide usage both in the United States and Europe. Over the
least few years a great deal of effort has gone into proving the effectiveness
of these techniques using western style clinical trials. In this article I
will highlight some of these studies as well as give a short explanation of
what to expect from a visit to an acupuncturist.
One of the first studies done outside of China was carried out in Germany
and published in the Archive of Andrology. In this study 28 men with subnormal
sperm characteristics had their sperm concentration, volume and motility measured
before and after a regimen of acupuncture treatment. After the acupuncture
treat ments there was a significant increase in both sperm concentration and
motility.
In another study published in the same journal in 1997, 16 subfertile patients
were shown to have significant improvements in total functional sperm fraction,
percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity
of the axonema following acupuncture treatment. In this study there was a
control group which did not undergo any treatment and did not have similar
improve ments.
A study published in Andrologia in 2000 looked at the effect of acupuncture
on patients with different levels of sperm production. Three severely oligoteratoasthenozoospermic
(OTA), two pseudoazoospermic and 15 azoospermic patients. All patients had
marked increases in sperm production with 10 of the 15 azoospermic men who
started at 0 sperm detectable reaching an average level of 15 million sperm
per ejaculate. Those patients with genital tract inflammation exhibited the
most remarkable improvement in sperm density with an average increase from
3,000,000 spermatozoa per ejaculate to 33 million.
Other studies have shown similar results with marked increases in sperm
production following a series of acupuncture treatments. In my own clinic,
I have seen patients obtain similar or even superior results with a series
of weekly acupuncture sessions over a 2-4 month period. In these sessions,
the acupuncture is performed with extremely thin sterilized disposable needles
which are inserted superficially-that is, not too deeply into the skin-at specific
points on the abdomen, arms, and legs and left in place for for 20 to 30
minutes. Typically, patients experience little or no discomfort and most people
report that they find the treatment very relaxing and grounding.
A number of studies in China have also shown a significant increase in
sperm production with the use of Chinese herbal medicines. In my clinical
practice I often use a combination of both herbs and acupuncture in order
to achieve the best results as quickly as possible. Chinese herbs are given
in a formula which may contain from 6 to 15 herbs. The herbs come in powdered
granules which are mixed with water and taken two times per day. In this way
treatment continues between acupuncture sessions, enhancing treatment effects.
Chinese medicine is also especially effective at treating low libido or impotency.
Male virility has been a central concern of Chinese medicine since imperial times
and there is a long tradition of both acupuncture and herbal medicines being
successfully used to enhance the male sex drive. This can be done without the
side-effects of modern pharmaceutical medicines prescribed for impotence.
In the next issue of Hope I will present information on how acupuncture
can help couples deal with the stress of fertility problems.
Additional Research Published By the NIH:
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