Etiology
Male Infertility only accounts for about 1/3 of infertility cases, another 1/3 female infertility and 1/3 both female and male infertility. The definition of male infertility is inability to conceive after actively trying for more than 12 months without woman’s fertility issues. The most common causes of male infertility are as follows:
o Abnormal sperm production or function due to different problems, such as undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as mumps, Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) can increase blood flow and heat, affecting the number and shape of sperm.
o Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation; semen entering the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm (retrograde ejaculation); certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as blockage of the part of testicle that contains sperm (epididymis); or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.
o Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, radiation, or to certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, or marijuana. In addition, frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can elevate core body temperature, impairing sperm production.
o Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. Removal of one testicle due to cancer also can affect male fertility.
o Risk Factors, such as age over 40, tobacco use, alcohol use, overweight, underweight and lack of exercises.
o Chinese medicine causes: kidney deficiency; blood and Qi deficiency; damp heat toxins; blood and Qi stagnation; and phlegm retention.
Clinical Features
The male infertility is inability to conceive after actively trying for 12 months without female fertility issues present. The most common symptoms are:
o Late puberty
o Impotence
o Ejaculating too soon
o Inability to ejaculate
o Take hot bath or steam baths regularly
o Never pregnant a woman before
Diagnosis
o 12 months active unprotected sex unable to conceive woman without female fertility issues present.
o Sperm Production: After 3 days without sex, semen volume <1.5ml, or greater than 8ml; Semen liquefaction insufficient 1 hour after ejaculation; sperm motility <60%; sperm movement is < grade III; Sperm deformity >30%; Semen WBC >10.
Chinese Medicine Treatment
Our clinic is focusing on the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and sperm abnormalities in infertility:
Acupuncture treatment: SP10, KID3, LV4, LI3, 4, LU7 PC7 ST36, UB62, GB34.
Ear Acupuncture: Internal Genital, External Genital, Libido, Shenmen, Kidney, Liver, Heart, Pituitary, Endocrine.
Sperm Abnormalities Herb treatment:
o Kidney Qi Deficiency: Sperm density is <60*10/ml. Low sex drive. Herbal treatment: Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan and Zuo Gui Wan. With premature ejaculations add Lian Zi Rou, Jin Ying Zi.
o Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency: Insufficient semen liquefaction 1 hour after ejaculation. Semen contain puss particles. Herbal Treatment: Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. With puss particles add Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin.
o Blood and Qi Deficiency: Sperm motility < III, low semen volume. Herbal Treatment: Yu Lin Zhu.
o Damp Heat Toxins: Sperm Motility <60%, sperm deformity >30%, prostatic fluid and semen shows RBC, reduced lecithin, abdominal/ perinea pain, urine appears white at the end and painful urination. Herbal Treatment: Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin and Ba Zeng San.
o Cold Blood Stagnation: Perinea and testicle pain and coldness, cloudy urine. Herbal Treatment: Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan.
Inability to Ejaculate
o Kidney Yang Deficiency: Low sex drive, soft erection. Herbal Treatment: Zuo Gui Wan and You Gui Wan.
o Kidney Yin Deficiency: Long strong erection without ejaculation, anxiety with insomnia, stress and easy to anger. Herbal Treatment: Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan.
o Blood & Qi Deficiency: Normal intercourse without ejaculation, heart palpitation, Insomnia, dull pain in lower back. Herbal Treatment: Gui Pi Tang.
o Phlegm Retention: Intercourse without ejaculation, insufficient semen liquefaction, overweight, fatigue. Herbal Treatment: Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan.