Male infertility refers to the inability of a male to achieve a pregnency in a fertile female. In humans it accounts for 40-50% of all infertility. Male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is used as a surrogate measure of male fecundity.
The volume of the semen sample, approximate number of total sperm cells, sperm motility/forward progression, and % of sperm with normal morphology are measured. This is the most common type of fertility testing. Semen deficiencies are often labeled as follows:
Aspermia – complete lack of semen
Hypospermia – reduced seminal volume
Oligospermia or Oligozoospermia – decreased number of spermatozoa in semen
Azoospermia – absence of sperm cells in semen
Teratospermia – increase in sperm with abnormal morphology
Asthenozoospermia – reduced sperm motility
There are various combinations of these as well, e.g. Teratoasthenozoospermia, which is reduced sperm morphology and motility. Low sperm counts are often associated with decreased sperm motility and increased abnormal morphology.
Some Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine
1, kidney Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: low sperm motility, or dead sperm rate of> 40%; also related to weak Yang Qi, the weak ejaculation; premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, sexual apathy; fatigue, weakness; dizziness, tinnitus, aversion to cold; spontaneous perspiration dripping urine. Pale tongue white, pulse weak.
Governing Law: replenishing Kidney Yin and Yang
2, blood deficiency type
Clinical manifestations: low sperm motility, or sperm mortality> 40%; sexual indifference, body emaciated, pale complexion, Shen and Spleen deficiency, fatigue, eat less bloating, shortness of breath, loose stools; heart palpitations, forgetfulness, dizziness, spontaneous. Pale tongue, white, or tongue pale, with scalloped edges, thin weak pulse.
Governing Law: qi nourishing
3 damp heat type
Clinical manifestations: low sperm motility, or sperm mortality> 40%; erection is not firm; scrotum hot and humid, sticky unhappy bitter taste in the mouth, thirsty and do not want to drink; urine hot astringent pain. Red tongue, yellow greasy tongue coating, pulse a bit string alike.
Governing law: reducing heat dampness and nourish Jing
4, liver stagnation and blood stasis
Clinical manifestations: sperm mortality is high, or low sperm motility; perineum or tingling in the lower abdomen; the complexion dark, the lips and tongue purple color; chest pain, depression, anger; tinnitus. Dark purple tongue, pulse string or astringent lag sluggish.
Governing Law: liver qi stagnation, blood circulation
Treatment shall start with both acupuncture and herb medicine because the sperm regeneration takes time. Have proper exercise, organic diet and enough sleep time.
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