Infertility is a sensitive issue for many men and as a result some feel too overwhelmed or embarrassed to ask questions of their doctors and other medical practitioners. Asking questions, however, is very important to help understand what is going on with your body and later to recognise changes.
To help instigate these conversations we now have refined measurements published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to determine whether semen analysis results are normal.
As can be seen in the table below these measurements include volume of semen, sperm motility, sperm concentration,and sperm morphology.
PARAMETER | NORMAL RANGE | |
VOLUME OF SEMEN | More than 1.5ml | |
SPERM MOTILITY | More than 32% of the sperm are moving forward | |
SPERM CONCENTRATION (NUMBER) |
|
More than 15 million sperm per ml |
SPERM MORPHOLOGY (SHAPE) |
|
More than 4% have a ‘normal’ shape (as defined by strict criteria) |
The volume of semen is the amount of ejaculate produced in a sample after 3 to 5 days of abstinence. 1.5ml is the lowest average amount of sperm that should be able to conceive without IVF assistance.
Sperm motility refers to the amount of the sperm that are moving forward. In your tests there will be two levels, total motility and progressive motility. Total motility should be 40% or above to have optimal chance of conceiving and 32% or higher progressive motility.
Sperm concentration is the amount of sperm per ml of semen and should be more than 15 million sperm per ml.
Most organisations and medical practitioners rely on the first three categories, leaving out the morphology (or sperm shape)due to how subjective these terms can be.
No one category is more significant than another and so it is the balance across the three main categories that will be measured and worked upon by your specialists.
FROM THE CHINESE MEDICINE POINT OF VIEW
Infertility in men is associated with the kidneys and spleen. It can be caused by:
1) Excess heat
Too much internal heat can produce low sperm quantity and create abnormal sperm forms. This is usually because the excess heat (energy) reduces the amount of nutrition available to go into the sperm.
Possible cause: Binge drinking, eating too much spicy foods, smoking or high caffeine intake and also prolonged periods of stress or emotional instability.
Symptoms: high blood pressure, irritability, insomnia and flushes.
2) Kidney Yin Deficiency
Yin essence represents the fluid and nourishment of the body. A deficiency of yin can lower sperm count and semen volume.
Possible cause: ‘burning the candle at both ends,’ inadequate nutrition, acute or chronic illness, long-term emotional instability or stress.
Symptoms: Night sweats, prematurely greying hair, dry eyes and lower back pain.
3) Kidney Yang Deficiency
Yang essence represents warmth, energy and production of the body’s functions. A deficiency of yang reduces the overall motility and sperm count.
Possible cause: overwork, chronic illness, inadequate nutrition, prolonged exposure to cold (too much: cold drinks, cold or raw foods, working or staying in cold environments) and a tendency toward depression.
Symptoms: intolerance for cold, frequent pale urine, fatigue, impotence, nocturnal emissions, nocturnal urination, low libido, holding water, pale tongue and slow pulse
4) Stagnant Qi
Qi stagnation is the most common diagnosis for medical issues, including male infertility. It is essentially one or more blockages in your system that prevents qi and/or blood from circulating naturally and can increase abnormal sperm forms.
Possible cause: stress, overwork, lack of exercise, depression, and an inability to vent or regulate anger or frustration in a healthy manner. Surgery or trauma to the testicles can also create qi or blood stagnation as can poor circulation.
Symptoms: Varicose veins in testes, legs or groin, cold fingers and toes, a purple hue to the tongue, noticeable veins beneath the tongue and weak pulse.
HOW TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE CAN HELP
- Traditional Chinese medicine stimulates or focuses on body’s natural healing potential by treating root causes rather than specific symptoms or disease on an individual.
- Acupuncture minimizes undesired side effects and could potentially eliminate the accumulated toxicity from invasive procedures or drug such as drug therapies.
- A successful case study conducted by Jane Ma at Acupuncture in Brisbane showed the effectiveness of the complement of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. The combining of these two treatments on infertility help to strengthen and balance one’s general health, hence makes the IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI, AHT and TET procedures more effective.
Case Study #1
CLIENTS EXPERIENCE WITH INFERTILITY AT ACUNATURAL HEALTH WITH JANE MA AT ACUPUNCTURE IN BRISBANE
This client came to the clinic late March 2012 with sperm test results dating back to that January showing below normal levels of sperm concentration (Figure 1)
The client followed recommended treatment which consisted of herbal medicine,a detoxification program and once a week acupuncture treatments for 1 month prior to taking another sperm test.
On 4th May client returned with positive sperm test results (Figure 2). Their sperm concentration levels were now at 18% showing a 17% per cent rise in 1 month of treatments. This client went on to have IVF treatments which were a success.
Seminal Fluid analysis before experience with acupuncture
Seminal Fluid after acupuncture treatment
SUMMARY OF THE SEMINAL FLUID ANALYSIS BEFORE AND AFTER ACUPUNTURE CONDUCTED BY JANE MA
PARAMETER | Before treatment | After treatment | Reference range |
Volume of semen | 4.7 | 4.0 | >1.5ml |
Sperm motility | 43 | 49 | >32% |
Concentration | 1 | 18 | >15 x 10E6/ml |
Total sperm number | 5mil/ml | 72mil/ml | >39 x 10E6/ejaculate |
CASE STUDY #2
This client had an initial consultation in the beginning of March 2017 and presented sperm test results (Figure 3)from late August 2016 that showed below normal sperm concentration, below normal sperm motility and progressive motility, below normal sperm volume and below normal total sperm number.
SEMINAL FLUID ANALYSIS BEFORE EXPERIENCE WITH ACUPUNCTURE
The client received 7 weeks of acupuncture treatment with herbal medicines and underwent a detox program. On the 27th of April the client took another sperm test and produced the following test results (Figure 4).
SEMINAL FLUID Analysis AFTER ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
These results show an increase in almost all criteria. Sperm concentration went from less than 1 million per ml to 3 million per ml. Although progressive motility went from 4% to 3%, the total motility rate more than tripled from 4% to 13%. Sperm volume also increased from 1.4ml to 3.3ml and finally total sperm number increased tenfold with a jump from less than 1 up to 10.
Despite the numbers still being below the recommended reference range, these improvements from only 7 weeks treatment are significant and encouraging.
The client decided to continue with treatment and received another 8 weeks of once a week acupuncture sessions mixed with Chinese herbal medicine.
On the 30th of June the client took another sperm test and produced once again impressive results (Figure 5).
In the space of 8 weeks the client’s sperm concentration progressed from 3 million per ml to 10 million per ml. The progressive motility rose from 3% to 11% while the total motility also tripled from 4% to 12%. Total sperm number also increased from 10 to 25 and although the sperm volume dropped from 3.3ml to 2.5ml it was still above the necessary reference range.
Overall the majority of numbers still remain below the reference range, however, the numbers are the closest they have been for this client since they began sperm tests and the pattern suggests that their sperm quality and quantity will continue to improve whilst undergoing Traditional Chinese Medicine.
This case remains ongoing with the client still receiving regularly acupuncture sessions and herbal medicine. It is important to note the impressive steps in fertility this client has made over the course of 15 weeks.
SUMMARY OF THE SEMINAL FLUID ANALYSIS BEFORE AND AFTER ACUPUNTURE CONDUCTED BY JANE MA
PARAMETER | BEFORE TREATMENT | AFTER TREATMENT | REFERENCE RANGE |
VOLUME OF SEMEN | 1.4 | 2.5 | >1.5ml |
SPERM MOTILITY | 4 | 12 | >32% |
CONCENTRATION | ≤1 | 10 | >15 x 10E6/ml |
TOTAL SPERM NUMBER | ≤1 | 25 | >39 x 10E6/ejaculate |
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