Chinese Acupuncture for Fertility Problems

For almost 3,000 years, Chinese medicine has used acupuncture and herbal medicine to help couples facing fertility difficulties. Current research shows that roughly 35 to 40 percent of infertility cases originate with the male partner, a similar share with the female partner, and about 20 to 30 percent involve a combination of both. It is important to recognize that fertility treatment is not only a woman’s issue, and that a couple trying to conceive without success for a full year should have both partners evaluated. This approach is the foundation of treatment at Shai Davids’s clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan.

Chinese medicine and fertility problems

Traditional Chinese medicine does remarkable work regulating, improving and preparing the body for pregnancy – for both the man and the woman. The fertility process is often accompanied by significant pressure and stress for one or both partners, and acupuncture and herbal medicine can help reduce that stress as well, beyond their physiological effect. Combining acupuncture, herbal medicine and tailored nutrition can increase the chances of conceiving.

What a semen analysis measures

A semen analysis checks several key parameters: sperm count in a given sample, sperm motility – the ability to move independently, quickly and in the right direction – and morphology, meaning shape and structure. It also examines the seminal fluid that mixes with the sperm before ejaculation, along with abnormalities such as unusual semen volume or an irregular pH level.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, semen is considered a pure fluid – the essence of a man (Jing). Every person, male or female, is born with a genetic endowment known as “pre-heaven energy,” stored in the Kidneys and drawn on gradually throughout life. This essence can be compared to a savings account: every use of it, whether wise or excessive, is a withdrawal from that account.

Causes of male infertility

An unbalanced lifestyle undermines the body’s ability to preserve this essence. Common contributing factors include unhealthy eating, insufficient sleep, and a life of excess – heavy drinking, excessive sexual activity, smoking, and exposure to toxins in fast or processed food.

• High body heat, such as in people who sit for long periods without moving
• Mobile devices placed on the lap or on a belt
• Food supplements, drugs and alcohol
• Excess weight

Protecting the body’s essence means eating when hungry, sleeping when tired, and acting with moderation and balance in every area of life.

How acupuncture and herbal medicine help

Studies point to a clear link between acupuncture treatment and herbal medicine and an improvement in sperm quality across all measured parameters. This essence needs to be nurtured and used in a balanced way – wasting it can harm fertility and even shorten the body’s vitality over time.

What the research shows

In a study of sixteen infertile men treated with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks, functional improvement in sperm quality was found compared with a control group. In the clinic, the usual protocol is weekly acupuncture combined with herbal medicine, alongside a balanced diet focused on a variety of vegetables – a kind of homework for body and mind. When additional issues such as prostatitis, impotence or pelvic inflammation are present, treatment is adapted to address them as well.

Book a treatment

The overall goal is to improve general health and, in doing so, increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Shai Davids guides patients at clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan through a combined process of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and dietary adjustments. To get in touch and schedule a first diagnostic session, you can reach out to the clinic.