Men suffer from infertility issues just as frequently as women. According to statistics from the National Infertility Association, almost 40 percent of infertility problems among couples are actually caused by male conditions. Several factors including low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape and size, and reduced motility may be responsible for male infertility. Lifestyle, genetics, and physiological changes can also effect male fertility. A clinical trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective acupuncture can be in the treatment male infertility leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects.
In the study, 28 men who were diagnosed with idiopathic infertility received acupuncture twice a week over a period of 5 weeks. Specific acupuncture points were chosen by protocol. Needles were manipulated for 10 minutes, then left in place for another 25 minutes.
Semen samples were collected from each of the men after a 3-day period of sexual abstinence. Two samples were collected from each patient: one obtained the day before treatment began and the other after the last acupuncture treatment. Samples from the treatment group were then randomized with semen samples from 12 untreated control patients and analyzed.
Compared to the control group, motility levels increased significantly from 44.5% to 50% in acupuncture group comparing with increased from 32% to 37% in the control group. The quantity and percentage of healthy sperm also increased from 0.06% to 0.26% the sperm considered “healthy” and number of healthy sperm increased from 40,000 to 200,000. The sperm structure and quality were also significant changed from 22.5% to 38.5% with normal shape sperm in acupuncture group. Axoneme level, which is a microstructure to promote sperm motility, increased from 46.1% to 52% in acupuncture group and decreased from 52% to 38.2% in control group. Authors indicated a further research was needed in next step, but conjunction with IVF or even for reaching natural fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple, noninvasive method that can improve sperm quality.