Acupunture - has anyone's DP/DH tried it for sperm count?

[Ladypig]

Hi, have been TTC for 15 months now and I have been having acupunture for the last month and found it really helpful. My DH has recently been told he has a low sperm count and poor motility and morphology - poor everything basically.

My acupunturist suggested he tried having acupuncture as well to help sort out his swimmers. I know he'll be v sceptical about it and won't be keen at all. Has anyone's DP/DH tried it and did it help at all?

I'd be v grateful for any feedback - positive or negative! Thanks.

Acupuncture is not going to go anywhere near addressing such problems with motility and morphology.

How many semen analyses have been carried out; if only one test has been done it should be repeated.

If more than one semen analysis has been done to date has your DH been referred onto a specialist to see if there are any varicocele or other such problems?.

Many drug treatments have been tried to improve sperm count without success. Simple measures like lowering alcohol consumption and taking zinc may help a little but sperms are complicated things and there is much about them that is not yet understood.

Thanks. One analysis has been done so far and he has been asked to do a second one. After that doctor says he will do a referral. Also planning to try zinc and cutting down on alcohol in the meantime.
DH cycles a lot (to work 15 mins each way every day and rides of 4 hours or so once or twice a week). Is that likely to have any effect?

Hi Ladypig,

One poor semen analysis is not fully indicative of there being problems; repeated tests will only show this.

As said before zinc and such like won't do any harm but whether such measures will have any long term effects on sperm is debateable.

Would not think that the cycling would have any deleterious effect on sperm count.

If he does have to see a specialist (probably a urologist) I would ask about the amount of cycling. It certainly has its health and fitness benefits but it could have affect on sperm count due to pressure being borne by the seat.

Hi Ladypig

I'm sure attila has given you great advice but if you're looking for a miracle story (as there are always some) I have one.

I have just been going through my 2nd attempt at IVF (got a negative this morning )& my friend was also booked in at the same clinic... she has been ttc for 5 yrs. Has had about 4 attempts at IVF (DH has poor SA) at the Lister with a positive outcome of a DS from her 2nd go. She has had 2 more subsequent IVF cycles all BFN.

She has never had a natural pregnancy. For 3 months up to this cycle she managed to get DH to have acupuncture with her. He had it weekly I think for a total of 3 months and she got her 1st natural BFP while waiting for AF to arrive before starting her cycle.

She is convinced that the acupuncture has helped her DH's sperm....

I'm no expert & am not saying it definately did... but its always nice to hear some positive stories...
Good luck.

R
x

Attilla- you hate accupuncture don't you?!! I think its excellent!
Its like everything else, it works amazingly for some people and for others it does nothing. Much depends on the practitioner too. But convential medicine is the same. Great for some people rubbish for others.
I don't think you should scoff at it unless you really know the history and the theory and practice of accupuncture.
I do "alternative" therapies, my sister is a paediatrician. Together we pool our knowledge and have more effective results.
So I would say, Ladypig (and I conceived whilst having no periods after accupuncture and reflexology) that your dh should try it all. Cant harm him.
Read up about accupuncture and its origins. Its very interesting.