Understanding Male Infertility: Functional Medicine and Acupuncture Solutions
We all know that it takes two to tango, but when a couple struggles to conceive the assumption is often that the fault lies with the female. Research shows us this is not true. Male infertility is a rising concern that deserves attention for all couples on a journey to parenthood.
How do I know if my fertility is impaired? What are my partner’s and my chances of having a baby? What can be done to improve male fertility?
Below we will discuss male fertility, potential causes, and how we can support the overall male fertility process through holistic medicine.
The Impacts of Male Infertility
Though not widely as discussed as female infertility, male infertility is a significant issue affecting couples worldwide, with recent studies revealing startling statistics. It's estimated that males are solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of overall infertility cases (1).
Alarmingly, sperm counts among men in regions like North America, Europe, and Australia have plummeted by 50-60% between 1973 and 2011, highlighting a concerning trend in male reproductive health (2). What's more concerning is that there's been no evidence of this decline leveling off in recent years.
In light of this trend, it's important that we take a closer look at the fertility of male partners and how we can optimize it for couples looking to conceive.
The specific definition of male infertility refers to the inability of a man to cause pregnancy in a fertile female partner after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
The concern of a couple failing to conceive often falls to the female for many reasons, however, this can be partially attributed to the fact that there are often no overt signs of male infertility.
Some symptoms that may be present in men struggling with infertility include:
Problems with sexual function, including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low libido (3)
Abnormal breast growth, decreased facial or body hair, or other symptoms of hormonal imbalances
Pain or swelling in the testes
Men with these symptoms should address them with their functional medicine provider, however, many men will present no symptoms other than the inability to conceive with a female partner.
Just as with females, the process of developing healthy fertility in men so that the sperm can fertilize the egg to create pregnancy is not a simple one.
Let’s explore the process of male fertility and what is needed for optimal function.
Causes of Male Infertility
For conception to occur, a chain of events must all successfully take place. Sperm, created in both testicles alongside testosterone, leaves through the epididymis connecting to the vas deferens. In the vas deferens the sperm mixes with other fluids from the prostate and the seminal vesicles to create semen. At this point, the semen will travel through the urethra where it is ejaculated in hopes of fertilizing an egg. If any point in this process is compromised, it can inhibit the chances of fertilization. There are many opportunities to impede this chain of events, here are some common causes that can contribute to male infertility:
Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia): Defined as having fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. This can significantly reduce the chances of fertilizing an egg.
Sperm Motility Issues: Refers to sperm's ability to move effectively through the female reproductive tract. Poor motility hinders sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.
Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) play crucial roles in sperm production. Imbalances in these hormones can impair sperm production and function.
Genetic Factors: Certain genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Y-chromosome microdeletions, can affect sperm production or quality.
Varicocele: A condition where varicose veins develop in the testicles, leading to overheating and reduced sperm production.
Lifestyle Factors: Factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, frequent marijuana and illicit drug use, obesity, and exposure to toxins, endocrine disrupting chemicals or environmental pollutants can all negatively impact sperm health.
A Path Toward Enhanced Male Fertility
Addressing fertility in both partners is essential to encourage a healthy pregnancy, but as sperm are created daily, we can often see faster results in addressing male infertility first. While conventional treatments and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are incredible options that offer solutions to many couples, they often focus on addressing symptoms rather than addressing underlying causes.
Holistic approaches, such as functional medicine, aim to identify and treat the root causes of male infertility. By addressing diet, lifestyle factors, stress management, and optimizing overall health, these approaches can improve sperm quality and enhance fertility outcomes naturally as well as fertility outcomes of couples utilizing ART.
An integrative approach not only supports fertility but also contributes to overall well-being and quality of life. In the following sections, we delve deeper into how functional medicine and acupuncture can play pivotal roles in treating male infertility effectively.
An integral first step in taking a holistic approach to male fertility includes testing. Identifying the root cause allows your medical provider to develop a customized plan that will treat your specific needs to improve your fertility. Types of testing may include:
Semen Analysis
Comprehensive hormone panel
Thyroid panel
Lipid panel
Toxin testing
Gut health panel
Immunologic Infertility testing
Depending on your specific health profile, your functional medicine doctor may wish to run other tests in addition to a combination of the above testing. Based on diagnostic findings, a personalized treatment plan is crafted. This may include dietary adjustments, targeted nutritional supplements, herbs, lifestyle modifications, and stress management techniques.
Integrative medicine approaches for male infertility involve combining various therapies to address both the physical and underlying causes contributing to fertility challenges. By integrating multiple modalities such as functional medicine, acupuncture, and other complementary treatments, individuals can benefit from a comprehensive and personalized approach to improving fertility outcomes.
Comprehensive care in treating male infertility involves addressing all aspects of health and lifestyle that may affect fertility. This approach recognizes that fertility is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, emotional, and environmental factors.
Integrative approaches offer several benefits:
Holistic View: By addressing the root causes of infertility through functional medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle modifications, individuals receive holistic care that supports overall health and fertility.
Personalization: Each treatment plan is personalized based on individual health assessments and diagnostic tests, ensuring targeted interventions that address unique fertility challenges.
Enhanced Treatment Outcomes: Integrative approaches aim to optimize fertility outcomes by improving sperm quality, enhancing reproductive function, and increasing the likelihood of natural conception or success with assisted reproductive techniques (e.g., IVF).
Patient Empowerment: Integrative approaches empower individuals to take an active role in their fertility journey, providing tools and strategies to improve fertility naturally and support overall well-being.
The Far-Reaching Fertility Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture focuses on improving whole-body health and wellness through the stimulation of energy flow (Qi) to restore balance to the body. Regular acupuncture sessions complement functional medicine by promoting blood flow to the reproductive organs, balancing hormones, reducing stress levels, and supporting overall reproductive health.
In comparison to conventional therapeutic approaches for treating male infertility, including drugs and surgery, acupuncture offers a low-risk and low-cost approach to bolster overall health, including fertility.
Some of the key ways that acupuncture improves male fertility can be seen through:
Enhancing Sperm Quality and Quantity: Acupuncture treatments are believed to improve sperm morphology (shape), motility (movement) (4), and concentration by promoting better blood circulation to the testes and improving the overall environment for sperm production.
Balancing Hormones: Acupuncture influences the endocrine system, helping to regulate hormone levels crucial for sperm production, such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) (4). By restoring hormonal balance, acupuncture supports optimal reproductive function.
Reduction of Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms: Studies have shown acupuncture to support the treatment of psychological erectile dysfunction as well as premature ejaculation, data shows a decrease in incidents of psychological erectile dysfunction (5) and an ejaculation-delaying effect, respectively (6).
Reducing Stress: Stress can negatively impact fertility by disrupting hormone balance and sperm production. A feeling of relaxation is a common benefit of acupuncture and has been scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for depression, stress, and anxiety (7). Additionally, acupuncture can encourage the body to produce more endorphins and other neurotransmitters to improve mood. This combination reduces stress and inflammation improving overall well-being, including fertility function.
While conventional treatments like IVF remain essential options for many couples, acupuncture offers a natural and supportive approach to improving male fertility. By promoting reproductive health through holistic means, acupuncture provides a valuable complement to modern medical interventions, helping couples achieve their goal of conception.
Complementary Lifestyle Adjustments to a Fertile Future
While working directly with a holistic healthcare provider will result in an individualized approach to enhanced fertility, there are lifestyle adjustments that can benefit all men aiming to improve their fertility.
Some of these lifestyle changes include:
Cease smoking cigarettes and the use of other drugs as well as avoid exposure to toxins. Exposure to these toxins can impair sperm production and quality.
Stop marijuana as it negatively impacts sperm morphology (shape) and volume
Reduce or stop consuming alcohol.
Limit extreme heat exposure to the testicles, including hot tubs and saunas.
Add stress-reduction activities to your daily routine, such as yoga, meditation, or breathwork to improve your overall well-being.
Reduce any processed foods which include toxins such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, sugar, and pro-inflammatory seed oils.
Prioritize quality sleep. Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night helps regulate hormone production, including testosterone, crucial for sperm production.
Incorporate regular activity into your routine. Moderate physical activity improves blood circulation, reduces stress, and supports overall health, which can positively impact fertility.
Maintaining a healthy weight. Both obesity and being underweight can negatively impact fertility.
Diet and nutrition play crucial roles in male fertility, influencing sperm quality, count, and overall reproductive health. A balanced diet rich in nutrients supports optimal sperm production and function. Key dietary considerations include:
Antioxidants: Found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Antioxidants protect sperm from oxidative stress, improving sperm motility and DNA integrity. (8)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Omega-3s help regulate hormone production and improve sperm membrane fluidity, enhancing sperm quality.
Zinc: Found in lean meats, oysters, poultry, seafood, beans, and nuts. Zinc is essential for testosterone production, sperm motility, and DNA synthesis in sperm cells.
Folate (Vitamin B9): Found in leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals. Folate supports sperm production and reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm.
Vitamin D: Found in fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and sunlight exposure. Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with improved sperm motility and fertility.
In addition to consuming the right foods to improve fertility, certain foods are best avoided to encourage optimal fertility, seek to limit or omit:
Processed foods
Large intake of soy products (9)
Pesticides, microplastics (10) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) – Environmental toxins easily find their way into our food and are present in our environment. They have adverse effects on our overall health, especially hormone health.
It's best to make all efforts to clean up your diet and your environment to reduce your toxic burden.
Supplementation can also be beneficial for fertility, but it is best to discuss supplements with your functional medicine provider to identify which supplements will be most beneficial for you. Some common supplements to benefit sperm health and male fertility include:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): An antioxidant that supports energy production in sperm cells, enhancing sperm motility and count.
L-carnitine: Amino acid found in red meat and dairy products. L-carnitine helps sperm cells generate energy, improving their motility and function.
Selenium: Found in brazil nuts, seafood, and whole grains. Selenium protects sperm from oxidative damage and supports sperm motility.
Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers. Vitamin C boosts sperm motility and protects sperm DNA from damage.
L-arginine: Amino acid found in nuts, seeds, and whole grains. L-arginine enhances sperm production, motility, and quality.
By incorporating these nutritional strategies and lifestyle changes, men take their first steps in enhancing their fertility potential and improve overall reproductive health.
Address Your Infertility Head-On
For both male and female infertility, considering an integrative approach that combines functional medicine and acupuncture presents a promising avenue toward achieving optimal reproductive health. These approaches not only target the root causes of infertility but also promote overall well-being. By taking proactive steps and exploring integrative solutions tailored to individual needs, you can empower yourselves in the journey toward parenthood.
For couples navigating infertility, we always start our consultation with both the female and male partner to determine where the infertility lies. Once determined, if it is one or both, we proceed in working with each individual to optimize the couple's chances of conception and carrying to term.
By emphasizing personalized care, acupuncture, nutritional support, and lifestyle modifications, it offers a holistic pathway to enhance your fertility naturally.
To find the best path forward in improving your fertility as a couple, request a free consultation with Dr. Martina Sturm at Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine to discuss next steps and achieve your dream of becoming a parent.