Acupuncture for male fertility and sperm health
If you've been told that your sperm count, motility or morphology isn't where it should be, you may be wondering what you can actually do about it. Male fertility can sometimes receive surprisingly little attention. You might be advised to take supplements, make some lifestyle changes or move towards fertility treatment, without really understanding why your sperm results are poor or whether there are other areas worth looking at.
We believe male fertility deserves more attention. Acupuncture is one of the therapies we may recommend alongside fertility coaching, lifestyle support, appropriate testing and specialist medical care.
And if you've never had acupuncture before, don't worry. Most of the men we see haven't either. Read on to find out more about it.
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What happens during male fertility acupuncture?
One of the first questions you might have is where exactly do the needles go?
For male fertility acupuncture, needles are commonly placed in areas including the legs, arms, lower abdomen, back, head and ears. They are not placed anywhere intimate.
For part of your treatment, you may be asked to remove your top and lie face down on the treatment bed so your practitioner can access acupuncture points on your back. Your practitioner will explain the treatment and make sure you're comfortable, so you don't need to know anything about acupuncture before you arrive. For many men, simply knowing what to expect makes that first appointment feel much easier.
What is acupuncture, and how does it work?
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. Although it has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has also been studied for its effects on the nervous system and other physiological processes in the body.
When acupuncture needles stimulate sensory nerves in the skin and muscles, signals are sent through the nervous system. Research suggests acupuncture can influence the release of naturally occurring chemicals in the body and affect areas involved in pain, stress and relaxation. This is one reason acupuncture is now used in a number of healthcare settings, particularly for certain types of pain. More and more IVF clinics are now recommending and advocating for acupuncture as part of their couples treatments.
What does acupuncture have to do with sperm?
This is where it's important to separate what we know from what we're still researching. Sperm develop over about 3 months, and sperm health can be influenced by a number of factors including general health, lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, heat, illness and oxidative stress and more.
There has been research into whether acupuncture may influence aspects of male fertility, including sperm concentration, movement and quality. Some studies have reported improvements in semen parameters following acupuncture, but the research is still limited and isn't strong enough for us to say that acupuncture will improve sperm or increase your chance of pregnancy.
That's why we don't use acupuncture as a standalone 'fix' for poor sperm results. We use it as one part of a much wider approach to male fertility, alongside understanding your semen analysis, looking at lifestyle and nutrition, considering appropriate supplements and further testing, managing stress and, where necessary, referring you to the right medical specialist.
What we can tell you is that our acupuncture treatments with our talented and well qualified therapists, combined with our fertility coaching, has led to some wonderful results. We've seen this with improved sperm analysis results and fantastic pregnancy and baby news from our clients. You can read lots of reviews here.
Why do we recommend multiple acupuncture sessions over a few months and not just one session?
A new sperm cell isn't produced overnight. The process of sperm development takes approximately 70 to 90 days. That's why, when we're trying to support sperm health, we tend to look at what is happening consistently over that period rather than what you did yesterday. Ongoing regular treatments can give consistent support over time, whilst the new sperm is being developed.
Where acupuncture is appropriate, regular treatment can form part of that period of support. It can also provide time to switch off and support areas such as stress, sleep and general wellbeing, which can be particularly welcome when trying for a baby has become stressful. It's one of those things you can read about and you may feel skeptical, but never fully understand unless you give it a try.
Some examples from real clients
Over the years, we've supported couples facing some very difficult male fertility diagnoses.
One couple came to us after a semen analysis found no live sperm. We supported them alongside specialist care from a urologist, with regular acupuncture for him and reflexology for his partner. They later went on to have a daughter.
Another fertility coaching client came to us with a sperm count of around three million, when the ideal total is 15 million or more. We worked with him on significant lifestyle changes and helped the couple find an IVF clinic with particular expertise in sperm issues. They subsequently achieved a pregnancy with support through acupuncture, lifestyle changes and IVF treatment.
We've also supported couples through a combination of male fertility acupuncture, fertility reflexology (we recommend for women rather than men) and wider fertility support who have since gone on to have their families.
Every couple is different and these individual experiences cannot tell us what the outcome will be for somebody else. But they are part of the reason we feel so strongly that male fertility should be investigated, understood and supported rather than treated as an afterthought.
If you're not sure where to start and would like to discuss a combined treatment plan, book a Free Introductory Call here.
Want to understand what you can do to improve your sperm health?
If you've had a low sperm count, poor motility or morphology, our male fertility page can help you understand what your results mean, what can affect sperm health, which further tests may be worth considering and the practical steps you can take to support your fertility.
Acupuncture is only one part of how we support male fertility
For us, our Fertility Investigation Session is often the game changer when sperm results are poor, because it gives us the opportunity to look at the bigger picture and see if anything has been missed. We can also help you understand whether further male fertility testing or a referral to an appropriate specialist might be worth discussing. Acupuncture is a popular complimentary treatment alongside our coaching.
Sometimes that means helping you access a urologist or consultant with particular expertise in male fertility. If IVF or ICSI is being considered, it may also mean helping you find a fertility clinic with greater experience of complex sperm issues.
Male fertility acupuncture FAQs
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, much thinner than the needles used for injections or blood tests. Most people feel very little as they are inserted, although you may occasionally notice a brief tingling, dull ache or unusual sensation around a point.
If you've never had acupuncture before, tell your practitioner. They'll explain what they're doing and make sure you're comfortable throughout the treatment.
