Male
It was not very long ago that infertility was considered a purely female issue. Most men who have healthy, viable sperm are fertile all the time, compared to women who are only fertile for a few days of each month. However, increasingly research has shown that the health, age, diet and lifestyle of a man can have a huge impact on his fertility and on the health of his sperm.
It is now considered that male factor alone is indicated in 20% of cases and is a contributing factor in another 30%-40% of cases (American Urological Association).
There has been a marked decline in male sperm count over the past ten years, falling from 87 million to 62 million per ml. It’s thought that this is, at least in part, due to hormone disrupting chemicals and the increased use of them in our daily lives.
For instance, oestrogen levels in our water supply have increased significantly as a result women using the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy and excreting oestrogen through their urine but, more worryingly, xeno-oestrogens which are man-made and mimic the effects of oestrogen. These are commonly found in any household; soft plastics, tin cans, paints, polish, deodorants etc.
Other factors that can affect male fertility are alcohol, smoking, drug use, obesity, low BMI and general diet and lifestyle.
Since fertility is about both partners we often recommend that male partners get a comprehensive semen analysis, so we can formulate the most appropriate treatment plan. Where problems are identified in the male partner we are able to offer treatment and support. Good nutrition, lifestyle changes and acupuncture have been shown to improve semen parameters as well as improving libido in both partners.
Historically it has been easier in Western medicine terms to affect female infertility/fertility than it has been to affect male fertility (esp. before ICSI). So it is often assumed that men need not be offered treatment. However, acupuncture has a long history in treating male infertility. Short-term treatment can affect motility and libido, to affect morphology 3 months is required.
Men are so often over-looked in the fertility journey, sometimes because they choose not to be involved, but often because they are unaware of what is on offer. I think we do men a disservice when we deny them the opportunity to take the journey with their partner. I have found that men respond really well when they are actively involved and that both partners benefit.
WHAT WE CAN DO
- Encourage men to get tested
- Encourage men to become involved in the IVF process. Our experience is that where both partners receive treatment success rates are improved.
- Where couples are trying to conceive naturally, encourage men to come for treatment at the time of their partner’s ovulation. This treatment will obviously not affect morphology but it can speed up slow sperm, and, importantly, improve libido.
- Try acupuncture treatment when there has been lack of libido, erectile dysfunction, varicoceles, STD’s, urinary disease.
- It is our wish to improve the service we offer to couples that are having difficultly conceiving, we think we’re serving women very well but letting men down.
