Thank you Dr. Q! I'm ready to have them on the site...
What can Acupuncture do for the male?
January 28, 2008
Can acupuncture help males with sperm issues? If it can what does it do. We are looking into this also.
Angelfish, Hello!
Male factor infertility is a complex issue. And, the 'issue' is what has to be determined before we can discuss whether acupuncture and/or herbal medicine can help. But, to try and give you an answer, I will speak to your question generally.
There are several possible pathologies that can be present in men that can negatively affect their sperm or sperm quality.
1. Antisperm antibodies.
2. Leukocytospermia representing a genital tract infection.
3. Azoospermia (no sperm) can be genetic or due to obstruction.
4. Oligospermia (low count) can be caused by stress or vericocele.
5. Asthenospermia or poor morphology (ineffective shape)
6. Sperm DNA fragmentation. Occurs as a result of excessive reactive oxidative species.
7. Ureaplasma (an STD)
Any and all of these disorders should be evaluated and treated by a urologist. However, acupuncture and herbs can play a significant role in the resolution of some of these problems.
Specifically, what acupuncture and herbs cannot do is to help in the face of an obstructive disorder, i.e. a vericocele (surgery only), or genetic disorder,(donor sperm only) cases.
Acupuncture and herbs can increase count when it is low as a result of stress. A + H can help motility when it is not as a result of a severe morphological issue. A + H can help with sperm DNA fragmentation. And, A + H can reduce the recovery time involved in a vericocelectomy.
So the best case scenario is to take a team oriented approach which would include a urologist, a reproductive endocrinologist and an acupuncturist who is Board Certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine to address male factor issues.
Best wishes.
Dr. Berkley
berkleycenter.com
acupuncture
Male factor infertility is a complex issue. And, the 'issue' is what has to be determined before we can discuss whether acupuncture and/or herbal medicine can help. But, to try and give you an answer, I will speak to your question generally.
There are several possible pathologies that can be present in men that can negatively affect their sperm or sperm quality.
1. Antisperm antibodies.
2. Leukocytospermia representing a genital tract infection.
3. Azoospermia (no sperm) can be genetic or due to obstruction.
4. Oligospermia (low count) can be caused by stress or vericocele.
5. Asthenospermia or poor morphology (ineffective shape)
6. Sperm DNA fragmentation. Occurs as a result of excessive reactive oxidative species.
7. Ureaplasma (an STD)
Any and all of these disorders should be evaluated and treated by a urologist. However, acupuncture and herbs can play a significant role in the resolution of some of these problems.
Specifically, what acupuncture and herbs cannot do is to help in the face of an obstructive disorder, i.e. a vericocele (surgery only), or genetic disorder,(donor sperm only) cases.
Acupuncture and herbs can increase count when it is low as a result of stress. A + H can help motility when it is not as a result of a severe morphological issue. A + H can help with sperm DNA fragmentation. And, A + H can reduce the recovery time involved in a vericocelectomy.
So the best case scenario is to take a team oriented approach which would include a urologist, a reproductive endocrinologist and an acupuncturist who is Board Certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine to address male factor issues.
Best wishes.
Dr. Berkley
berkleycenter.com
acupuncture
January 28, 2008
Soon angel, you will be able to ask acupuncturists directly on this site...