Fertility challenges commonly are considered a female issue, however it takes two people to make a baby. Currently male factors are involved in approximately 50% of couples having difficulty conceiving. Understanding issues affect male fertility how to correct them is a big part of any fertility journey.
In this article, we’ll look at the common causes of male fertility, conventional treatment options, and acupuncture as an appropriate approach to male reproductive health.
Understanding Male Fertility
In Australia male infertility is estimated to affect approximately 8–9% of Australian men, and affects approximately half of cases of difficulty conceiving (1). Infertily is defined as 12 months of active trying to conceive with no positive outcome.
Common Causes of Male Fertility Issues
Male fertility issues can stem from a wide range of causes, including:
- Poor sperm production – low sperm count (oligozoospermia) or lack of sperm (azoospermia)
- Varicocele – enlarged veins within the scrotum
- Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone or pituitary issues
- Genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Y-chromosome microdeletions
- Structural blockages within the reproductive tract
- Ejaculation disorders
- Testicular injury
- Infections of the reproductive tract
- Oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation
- Lifestyle factors — smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, and heat exposure (saunas, hot tubs, tight clothing)
- Certain medications and anabolic steroid use
- Age-related decline in sperm quality
- Idiopathic – no known cause and accounts for approximately 30% of cases (2)
Conventional Approaches to Male Fertility
- Diagnosis and Assessment – Initial assessment including reproductive and medical history, physical examination, and semen analysis. Further testing may include hormone profiling (FSH, testosterone), genetic testing, or imaging (3).
- Lifestyle and Medical Management- Where risk factors are identified, lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, achieving a healthy weight, or reviewing current medications may be recommended initially. Hormonal therapies (such as gonadotropins or aromatase inhibitors) may be used in cases of hormone imbalances, and antibiotics in the case of infections.
- Surgical Options – For structural causes such as variococele, structural blockages or sperm retrieval surgery may be recommended.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) When other treatments are not appropriate or successful, assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), may be recommended.
How Acupuncture May Support Male Fertility
Like any treatment, acupuncture is not a guaranteed solution for male infertility, but may be considered to support hormone regulation and reproductive health. Potential benefits of acupuncture for male fertility may include:
- Improving circulation to the testes vital for healthy sperm development (4).
- Supporting Hormonal Balance – Acupuncture is believed to improve communication along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Some studies suggest it may assist regulation of FSH, LH and testosterone levels in men, however more high-quality research is needed to confirm these effects (4).
- Reducing Oxidative Stress – Oxidation is like rust inside the body and is a significant contributor to cell damage. (4)Reducing Stress and Anxiety will directly affect hormone balance and semen quality
What Does the Research Say About Acupuncture for Male Fertility?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomised controlled trials (5), involving 1,172 male patients, found acupuncture was associated with improvements in clinical efficacy, sperm motility, sperm density and viability compared with control groups. The review’s authors concluded that “acupuncture, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies, is a safe and effective treatment for male infertility.”
Other research (4) considers biological mechanisms may underpin these positive outcomes.
Overall, current evidence suggests acupuncture may be a useful complementary option for some men, particularly as part of an integrated approach to fertility care, while further high-quality research is still sought to confirm these findings.
Lifestyle Tips to Support Male Fertility
Some additional lifestyle adjustments to consider include:
- A balanced diet with nutrient- and antioxidant-rich foods (zinc, selenium, vitamin C and E)
Low processed food intake and high wholefoods will help to ensure this. If it comes out of a packet then try to avoid it. - Regular, physical activity – it’s important this is not excessive or extreme. The more stress we put the body under the less capable it will be to produce high quality sperm.
- Maintaining a healthy weight – excessive weight increases oxidative stress, inflammation, and reduces sperm quality.
- Heat exposure to the testes (saunas, hot tubs, laptops on the lap, tight underwear) will damage sperm.
- Reduce alcohol and quitting smoking as these both significantly increase oxidative stress
- Stress management such as mindfulness exercises, reasonable work hours and mental health support if needed.
- Quality sleep
At Evolve Natural Medicine we recommend small, sustainable lifestyle changes rather than a radical overhaul as this is more achievable and less stressful. Remember, we want to reduce stress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture for Male Fertility
- How long before trying to conceive should a man start acupuncture?
The ideal approach is weekly treatment for a minimum of three months prior to actively trying to conceive. The reason for this is there is a 74-day cycle of sperm development (spermatogenesis). However this may not always be achievable so we can support you any time along the conception journey. - Can acupuncture increase sperm count or improve sperm quality?
Some studies suggest acupuncture may be associated with improvements in sperm motility, concentration and viability, however it is important to note current evidence is still undecided.
Is acupuncture safe alongside conventional male fertility treatment?
Many men safely receive acupuncture alongside western approaches, under the guidance of an AHPRA registered, experienced practitioner.
Contact us to find out more or Book Now.
Alayna Gay is a registered acupuncturist with AHPRA. She loves supporting women’s health
and helping them to become all that they can be.
Disclaimer: Each individuals’ treatment and/ or results may vary from person to person depending on the specifics of the situation. Results are not promised or guaranteed as a result of receiving a treatment with Evolve Natural Medicine.
References
- Healthy Male. Male infertility: Symptoms, causes & diagnosis. https://healthymale.org.au/mens-health/infertility
- American Urological Association / American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline (2024). https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/male-infertility
- Medical Journal of Australia. The first Australian evidence-based guidelines on male infertility (2025). https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2025/223/11/first-australian-evidence-based-guidelines-male-infertility
- Frontiers in Endocrinology. The efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of male infertility (2022). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.1009537
- BioMedical Research (BJSTR). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Male Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.008851.php
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