Shedding Light on Male Infertility- Awareness, Solutions, and Supportive Care
Shedding Light on Male Infertility- Awareness, Solutions, and Supportive Care For many couples, the journey to parenthood is filled with excitement and anticipation, yet for some, this journey can be unexpectedly challenging due to infertility. While conversations around infertility often focus on female factors, male infertility is a prevalent and often under-discussed issue. It’s estimated that male factors contribute to roughly 35% of infertility cases, So it’s important to know the signs of male infertility and get help early if things aren’t working out. Understanding Male Infertility Symptoms – When to Seek Help Male infertility doesn’t always have obvious signs. It’s essential to pay attention to your body for any changes. Here are some common symptoms of infertility in men: Problems with sexual function like erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, low sex drive, or trouble ejaculating. Swollen or painful testicles or lumps in the testicular area. Hormonal imbalances like low testosterone levels. Issues with sperm production, such as having too few, not moving well, or being oddly shaped. Medical conditions like diabetes, infections, or genetic disorders can also play a role. Factors Contributing To Male Infertility Many factors contribute to male infertility becoming a complex issue. These include physical conditions : Undescended testicles Retrograde ejaculation Low testosterone levels Genetic abnormalities Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or using drugs Being overweight Being around toxins, pesticides, or pollution Ways to Deal with Infertility and Keep Hope Alive The advancement in medical science provides various methods to deal with infertility in men. If you notice any signs of it, see a doctor early. Getting help soon increases your chances of successful conception. Here are some ways to improve male fertility: Adopting a healthy lifestyle, like eating well, exercising, sleeping, and managing stress, can help male fertility. Limit alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and avoid drugs to keep your reproductive system healthy. Medical treatments like hormone therapy, surgery, or ART may be recommended based on the cause of infertility. Certain supplements containing antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals aim to support male reproductive function and improve fertility. Male Fertility And Acupuncture In recent years, acupuncture has emerged as a highly effective method to increase fertility in men. This ancient Chinese treatment involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to help energy flow and make you feel better. Extensive research has demonstrated the numerous benefits that acupuncture can offer for male reproductive health: Acupuncture significantly enhances sperm quality by improving motility and increasing sperm count. It plays a crucial role in reducing stress levels, which has detrimental effects on fertility. By balancing hormone levels, acupuncture stimulates sperm function and production. Additionally, acupuncture promotes better blood circulation to the reproductive organs, thereby positively influencing fertility. Acupuncture is a powerful tool for male infertility improvement, offering a holistic approach to enhancing reproductive health and increasing the chances of successful conception. Supportive Care for Fertility Concerns Male infertility can be emotionally challenging for couples, but supportive care and treatments can offer hope. People can work towards having a family by being aware of the symptoms, seeking timely help, and finding possible remedies. The aim of treating male infertility is to restore fertility and improve overall health. This can involve making lifestyle changes, having medical help, or incorporating treatments like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Men, Low Sperm Count and Acupuncture… (Berkeley Acupuncture)
Men, Low Sperm Count and Acupuncture… (Berkeley Acupuncture) An excerpt from a London lifestyle magazine. London – Ciaran Hannington and his wife Jennifer had been trying for a baby for a year without success, so decided to go to their GP for help. They were expecting to be told the problem was due to Jennifer having polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition associated with abnormal hormone levels that can affect fertility. However, just to be on the safe side, the GP said they would also carry out tests on Ciaran. ‘I remember being told there wouldn’t be any problems,’ says Ciaran, a 27-year-old trainee teacher who lives with Jennifer, a health visitor Acupuncture Center 27, near Milton Keynes, Bucks. In fact, Ciaran’s sperm count was so low he was told he was subfertile. ‘I don’t think it really sank in at that point,’ says Ciaran. ‘I just said: “Right then, OK.” It was only later that I sat down and thought about it and realised the severity of the situation. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve cried over it. And I have wondered if I will ever be a dad. It’s difficult because there are things that can be done for Jennifer’s condition, but nothing that can be done for me.’ Since learning about his fertility problems last year, Ciaran has undergone a series of checks, including gene tests to discover why his sperm count is so low. ‘They couldn’t find a reason and have said it’s just one of those things,’ says Ciaran. ‘It does seem strange because I come from a big family – I’m from a family of four, and my mum and dad come from reasonably big families, too. London – Ciaran Hannington and his wife Jennifer had been trying for a baby for a year without success, so decided to go to their GP for help. They were expecting to be told the problem was due to Jennifer having polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition associated with abnormal hormone levels that can affect fertility. However, just to be on the safe side, the GP said they would also carry out tests on Ciaran. ‘I remember being told there wouldn’t be any problems,’ says Ciaran, a 27-year-old trainee teacher who lives with Jennifer, a health visitor who is also 27, near Milton Keynes, Bucks. In fact, Ciaran’s sperm count was so low he was told he was subfertile. ‘I don’t think it really sank in at that point,’ says Ciaran. ‘I just said: “Right then, OK.” It was only later that I sat down and thought about it and realised the severity of the situation. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve cried over it. And I have wondered if I will ever be a dad. It’s difficult because there are things that can be done for Jennifer’s condition, but nothing that can be done for me.’ Since learning about his fertility problems last year, Ciaran has undergone a series of checks, including gene tests to discover why his sperm count is so low. ‘They couldn’t find a reason and have said it’s just one of those things,’ says Ciaran. ‘It does seem strange because I come from a big family – I’m from a family of four, and my mum and dad come from reasonably big families, too. A lot of times, men in Ciaran’s position try to figure out what contributed to their low sperm counts… food, wine, recreational drugs, mountain biking? The truth is… it doesn’t matter. We can do a full Chinese medicine intake at Tao to Wellness and start treating the problem NOW! With Chinese medicine, we can use different points and herbs to affect sperm count, motility and morphology depending on what the problem is. We also have different lifestyle, diet and supplement recommendations. True, it takes time… much like women, a man’s sperm takes about 88 days to mature in the epidydemis so the sooner we get started the better. Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.Ac., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM. Christina Martin is the founder of Tao to Wellness. She is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Teacher and has been in practice for over fifteen years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is California state licensed and a nationally certified Diplomat of Acupuncture. She is also a Fellow of the American Board of Reproductive Oriental Medicine.
