M, 30y, was told that his sperm morphology (shape) and motility (movement) were so poor that it was extremely unlikely that they would be able to conceive naturally. His partner, L, 34y, was experiencing hyperprolactinemia and no ovulation. They were accepted for ICSI treatment (assisted conception) and were set to start this in a few months. However they wanted to get their bodies in good shape to give the treatment the best chance of working.

 They hadn’t heard anything about the benefit of traditional Chinese medicine for male infertility. They decided to give it go in spite of some hesitation.

 M’s Seminal fluid analysis (06/10/2008)

• Volume: 2.0ml
• Concentration: 26×10 PWR 6/ml
• Motility: 12% excellent; 5% sluggish; 19% non-progress; 64% immotile
• Morphology: 1% normal forms

He didn’t have many symptoms apart from generally feeling cold and preferring warmth. His pulse was deep and thready.

 The treatment plan was weekly acupuncture and daily herbal medicine. His partner was treated at the same time. Find more here. Thee months later, she was pregnant naturally.

 M did another sperm test to establish whether it had been a fluke, but found that his results were massively improved.

Seminal fluid analysis (01/05/2009)

• Volume: 2.4ml
• Concentration: 65×10 PWR 6/ml
• Motility: 31% excellent; 30% sluggish; 2% non-progress; 37% immotile
• Morphology: 11% normal forms

It is not common to see reports of male infertility treated with Chinese medicine, I mean in English versions. It is probably just because it has not been widely used and recognized in western countries. But it dated way back in China. The basic requirement for full reproductive potential, according to Chinese medicine, is strong Kidney Jing (essence) and a balance of Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang. Therefore, Kidney factor, more or less, will be mentioned in almost all cases. Complications with other factors, such as phlegm, damp, heat, Qi stagnation, blood stasis, make every case special.