Male Infertility

“It takes Two to Tango.” So, why is male infertility often ignored when discussing recurrent pregnancy loss and miscarriage? Recent studies are shedding light on the significant role of the male factor in embryo development and fertilization. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chemistry, poor sperm quality and DNA defects are important risk factors for consecutive miscarriage.  

Similarly, Dr. Paul Magarelli, a reproductive endocrinologist claims that sperm affects the development of the placenta. So, what exactly is it about men and fertility that we should analyze? What is the role of men in creating a healthy baby? Do men matter? Read on for more information about sperm health as the blueprint of child health. 

Lifestyle changes may improve male infertility.

According to the renowned urologist, Dr. Paul Turek, male infertility is the canary in the coal mine to reproductive and overall health. What is the basis of his assertions? During a recent interview with an acupuncture expert, Dr. Magarelli helped explain the issue of male infertility. He says that men are the major group that can benefit from lifestyle changes. Why so?  

We now know that the sperm contribute 50% of the genetic makeup of the growing fetus. It is also easier to improve the health of sperm in comparison to eggs. Female eggs develop before birth, and nearly 1000 eggs are lost every month. 

On the other hand, sperm response to the environment is delayed for about 3 months, and thousands of sperms are produced per heartbeat. What does this mean for fertility treatments? The brand-new sperm cells can be rapidly improved by modification of lifestyle and nutrition.  

Male infertility may also be attributed to other underlying medical conditions. A study appearing in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics shows that abnormalities of the male reproductive system, including testicular cancer and cardiovascular health problems, coincide with poor semen quality. 

Acupuncture for Male Infertility 

How can acupuncture help with male infertility? According to a growing body of scientific research, traditional Chinese medicine may help to improve sperm quality and embryo development. “Acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.” This was the conclusion of an Israeli study on the impact of acupuncture treatment on sperm quality. In another prospective study in the Archives of Andrology, acupuncture significantly improved the integrity, motility, volume, and viability of sperms.  

In addition to improving sperm quality, consulting with acupuncture practitioners at Centre of Balance Hamilton will may help to improve your quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine may help with better sleep, boosting libido,  stronger erections, and reducing depression.

To find out more about how acupuncture may help with your fertility and general health, call us at Centre of Balance on 07 846 7956.

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References 

Jayasena, C. N., Radia, U. K., Figueiredo, M., Revill, L. F., Dimakopoulou, A., Osagie, M., … & Dhillo, W. S. (2019). Reduced Testicular Steroidogenesis and Increased Semen Oxidative Stress in Male Partners as Novel Markers of Recurrent Miscarriage. Clinical chemistry, 65(1), 161-169. 

Bussen, S., Sütterlin, M., Steck, T., & Dietl, J. (2004). Semen parameters in patients with unilateral testicular cancer compared to patients with other malignancies. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 269(3), 196-198. 

Siterman, S., Eltes, F., Wolfson, V., Lederman, H., & Bartoov, B. (2000). Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study. andrologia, 32(1), 31-39. 

Sherman, S., Eltes, F., Wolfson, V., Zabludovsky, N., & Bartoov, B. (1997). Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality. Archives of andrology, 39(2), 155-161. 

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.