 Male infertility is a growing issue in this society. Sperm counts have dropped by 29% in the last 13 years (1989-2002) and ICSI is now more common than IVF (ICSI is when the sperm are injected directly into the eggs). 15% of couples are infertile. Male infertility is the main cause in up to 40% of those couples. This is a growing health crisis among men.
Acupuncture for male sub fertility is understood to improve the morphology (shape and structure) and the motility (how they move) of sperm as well as increasing sperm count.
Smoking has the worst affect on sperm, closely followed by alcohol, cannabis and being overweight. All of these damage the sperm and reduce fertility. Stress, overwork, environmental pollutants such as oestogens in the water, insecticides, fungicides, phthalates (anti androgens leached from plastics) are all factors that are considered to contribute to this rising phenomena of increased male sub fertility.
Jani is often concerned that she is only treating half of the equation when women come to see her. If a couple is having difficulty conceiving then it is important that both parties take appropriate care to improve the health of the sperm and eggs. This is especially important when a couple have decided to use assisted conception.
The average male sperm count has dropped by 45% since 1940. The WHO (World Health Organisation ) has dropped the 'normal' parameters by 50% in the last 20 years to accommodate these falling levels. This trend means that a 30 year old man in 2005 might have a sperm count of 32 million per ml - about one-quarter of the count of the average male born in 1925.
Recent studies have shown that men's fertility does decrease as they age, and that they also have a biological clock that starts ticking in their 30's, though not as urgently as women's do. This study has shown that the older a man is, the longer it is likely to take his partner to conceive irrespective of her age. When considering the inability to conceive it is equally important for men to address this as women.
Acupuncture can help to increase the health of the sperm enormously. Even when sperm counts are 'normal' it is well worth considering this extra support to make the most of the sperm that are there.
Jani is aware that some men would prefer not to see a female practitioner, and she has male colleagues she would be happy to refer to if that is the case. Jani is very comfortable treating men, but she would like to point out that some of the best acupoints for enhancing fertility are low on the abdomen right near the pubic bone (just a prior mention should some men think they might find this embarrassing).
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