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Clinically reviewed by: Gudrun Wu Snyder, Doctor of Acupuncture, DAc, LAc, Dipl.Ac (NCCAOM), MSAc
Infertility is one of the most sensitive subjects. It’s private, painful and highly personal. Infertility is commonly considered a “woman’s issue.” However, the NIH finds that in one-third of infertility cases, the male partner is experiencing challenges.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one in eight married couples have difficulty conceiving. A large study published in 2017, found that sperm counts have greatly decreased over the last three decades in places like: the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Why? There seems to be a range of reasons without much certainty.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), male fertility issues are commonly associated with sperm and an imbalance connected with the blood and kidney qi. Qi is the flow of energy that travels through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into precise points along these channels, we aim to re-balance that qi. “The needles we use are 30 times thinner [and much more comfortable] than the traditional needle you experience at your physician’s office,” says Moon Rabbit Acupuncture Owner, Gudrun Snyder. Acupuncture can boost blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormones and help reduce stress.
It’s important to point out that male infertility is not linked with impotence. A New York Times article from 2019 reported that Dr. Marc Goldstein, M.D., director of the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, stated that most men who struggle with infertility have completely normal sexual functioning.
“Initially it may seem daunting to seek “alternate” support for male infertility. However, why not engage in something that can increase sperm count and improve sperm quality in a relaxing atmosphere? Conceiving a baby is a partnership and we are here to support you.” - Gudrun Snyder, DAc, Founder Moon Rabbit Acupuncture
Before an acupuncture session that targets a male infertility concern, consult with your general practitioner M.D and/or a reproductive endocrinologist.
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