Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
There can be many causes for abnormalities in a sperm analysis but the main cause in Chinese Medical terms is ‘Yang deficiency’, which in a man very broadly equates to an imbalance in the amount of testosterone in the body.  Obviously this is a very complicated subject and there are other causes such as local ‘stagnation’ (i.e. varioceles).  Many studies have shown the positive impact that acupuncture and Chinese herbs can have on sperm counts.  The points used are usually on the lower back and we might also use a warming herb called Moxa to reinforce the treatment.

Nutrition and Western Herbal Medicine
We see many men who have had abnormal sperm test results and work closely with them to ensure that they are doing everything possible to improve their sperm quality and quantity. Nutritional deficiencies of zinc, essential fats, vitamin E and vitamin C have been linked to low sperm quality and quantity, as have consumption of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. In nutritional therapy, we use a questionnaire and your case history to determine if you may be lacking in any nutrients, as well as ensuring that you have all the necessary nutrients in your diet and nutritional supplements to make healthy, strong sperm.

A hair mineral analysis, using a sample of head or pubic hair, will show any heavy metals that are present in your body eg mercury, cadmium, lead or aluminium as these can also affect the production of sperm in males.

Many herbal remedies have a reputation for increasing sperm production and quality, and we have found that using herbs alongside nutritional therapy in the male partner is often a major factor in the successful treatment of couples for infertility.

It is important to remember that it takes around 70-90 days to create new sperm, so you will need to undergo treatment for at least 3 months, although we recommend at least 6 months as a minimum.