Male Fertility and Acupuncture: A Shared Responsibility in Conception

Hey there,

I'm glad we're getting the chance to talk about something really important—male fertility and the proactive steps men can take in preparation for conception. It's often thought that fertility is mostly a woman's concern, but that's far from the whole story.

Some studies show that male infertility affects about 10% to 15% of males in the United States who are trying to conceive and up to 60% of infertile couples have difficulties conceiving due to abnormalities in the male’s sperm.

Both partners have crucial roles to play, and today, I want to focus on what men can do, especially with lifestyle choices and acupuncture.

💖 Understanding sperm health is crucial 💖

When we talk about enhancing fertility, especially for men, it's not just about how many sperm are in each sample, but also about the quality of those sperm. Let's break down what makes sperm quality so crucial:

• Motility: This is all about how well sperm can move. If you think of it like a race to the egg, sperm need to be strong swimmers to reach their destination. The World Health Organization suggests that a healthy semen sample should have at least 40% of sperm showing good motility. This means they can swim straight and fast enough to make the journey to fertilize an egg.

• Morphology: Now, morphology is about the shape of the sperm. You can imagine that for a sperm to be efficient in its journey, it needs the right shape—an oval head and a long tail. This design helps them swim straight and penetrate the egg successfully. A healthy sample should have at least 4% of sperm with this ideal shape. It might sound small, but even this small percentage is crucial for successful fertilization.

• Vitality: Vitality refers to how many sperm are alive in a sample. For a good chance at fertilization, you want as many active players as possible. A healthy sample should contain 58% or more live sperm. These are the ones that have the best chance of surviving long enough to reach and fertilize the egg.

💫 Now, What Can You Do To Improve Your Fertility? 💫

When it comes to boosting fertility, every little change can make a big impact. It’s not just about doing one thing right; it’s about combining several positive habits to optimize your overall reproductive health. Here’s a more detailed look at what you can do:

🌱 Diet

• Antioxidant-rich organic foods: Load up on fruits and veggies! Foods like berries, nuts, and green leafy vegetables are great! Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, folate, and zinc can protect sperm from cellular damage and keep them vigorous.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Incorporate fish like salmon and sardines, which are high in omega-3s. These fats are crucial for improving sperm count and motility.

• Whole grains and seeds: Foods like quinoa, brown rice, and flaxseeds are not only nutritious but also help in hormonal balance.

• Maca: significant increases in sperm count, motility, and semen volume. It benefits overall sperm health, encourages healthy spermatogenesis (sperm production) and increases libido. ❤️

🌱 Supplements

• Zinc: This mineral is vital for testosterone production and sperm formation. A zinc deficiency can significantly reduce sperm count.

• Vitamin D: Often overlooked, vitamin D is linked to higher testosterone levels and better sperm motility.

• Folic acid: Commonly recommended for women, folic acid is equally important for men, as it can boost sperm health.

• Selenium: A selenium supplement can improve sperm motility, making it easier for sperm to reach the egg.

• Pycnogenol & Vitamin C: improves sperm quality 

• CoQ10: Studies have found that supplements of CoQ10 can help improve sperm movement in infertile men. According to some research, the amount of CoQ10 in the seminal fluid of men has a correlation to their sperm count and sperm motility.

🌱 Exercise

• Moderate intensity: Regular exercise like jogging, swimming, or brisk walking can boost your testosterone levels and improve your sperm count. However, moderation is key. Excessive exercise can have the opposite effect, potentially lowering your testosterone levels.

• Avoid excessive heat: No spa/sauna, no biking (testicles too close to body = heat): Now, about those bike rides and sauna visits—try to cut back. They heat up your scrotum, which can lower your sperm count. It sounds minor, but it makes a big difference. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests limiting these activities if you're facing fertility challenges.

• Strength training: Activities that increase muscle mass can help raise testosterone levels, which is beneficial for sperm production.

🌱 Lifestyle Adjustments

• Reduce stress: Chronic stress can affect your hormone levels and contribute to fertility issues. Practices like yoga, meditation, or even regular deep-breathing exercises can make a big difference.

• Avoid toxins: Try to reduce exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins like pesticides and heavy metals, which can affect sperm quality. Try to eat organic as much as possible!

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can impact hormone balance and sperm production. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can improve these factors significantly.

• No alcohol, no sugar, reduce carbs, gluten and dairy. They can mess with your hormone levels and affect sperm quality. Research indicates that even moderate alcohol consumption can reduce sperm quality, and high caffeine intake has been linked to reduced fertility.

✨Acupuncture for Men fertility ✨

And here's something you might not have thought about much: acupuncture. Yes, it can play a big part in boosting fertility. Starting acupuncture before you try for a baby can improve the quality of your sperm when it matters most. Studies have found that men undergoing acupuncture have shown improvements in sperm quality, including increases in sperm count and motility, as well as enhancements in the percentage of normal sperm morphology. These changes are likely due to a combination of hormonal adjustments, enhanced genital blood flow, reduced oxidative stress, and better overall regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Enhancing Male Fertility

🌱 Hormonal Regulation:

Acupuncture can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which plays a critical role in the regulation of reproductive hormones. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, the treatment can help increase the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which in turn boosts the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. These hormones are crucial for the stimulation of testosterone production and spermatogenesis (the production of sperm) in the testes.

🌱 Improvement of Blood Flow:

Acupuncture has been shown to improve blood circulation. Better blood flow to the reproductive organs can enhance the delivery of nutrients and oxygen while also removing toxins and metabolic wastes more efficiently. Improved testicular blood flow specifically supports the optimal functioning of the testes and can lead to healthier sperm.

🌱 Reduction of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress:

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can impair sperm quality by damaging sperm DNA, reducing sperm motility, and affecting the overall sperm count. Acupuncture helps to reduce systemic inflammation and combat oxidative stress, thereby protecting sperm integrity.

🌱 Stress Reduction:

Stress can significantly impact fertility by altering hormone levels and potentially reducing sperm count and motility. Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. It does this by lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, creating a more favorable environment for reproductive health.

🌱 Neuroendocrine Effects:

Acupuncture can modulate the nervous system, which influences neuroendocrine factors related to fertility. By activating nerve receptors, acupuncture can stimulate the release of endogenous endorphins and other neurotransmitters that can improve the hormonal environment for sperm production.

⚜️ Let’s Work together! ⚜️

All these steps—eating well, taking the right supplements, staying active in a fertility-friendly way, and making smart lifestyle adjustments—can collectively enhance your fertility. It’s about creating a healthy environment for sperm production and ensuring they’re in the best shape to reach and fertilize an egg.

Let’s start making these changes today. How about we look into starting some acupuncture sessions as well? It’ll complement all the great lifestyle adjustments you’re making. As a French midwife, doula, and acupuncturist, I strongly believe in TCM and I would be honored to give you the chance of a healthy fertility and a healthy baby! Book a 30 min free consultation here.