When couples come to see me about fertility, there’s a pattern I notice almost every time. The woman has already done extensive research — she knows her cycle, her AMH levels, possibly her antral follicle count. She’s read about acupuncture, changed her diet, started supplements.
Her partner, more often than not, hasn’t had any testing yet.
This isn’t a criticism. It reflects something broader: fertility is still predominantly framed as a women’s issue, even though the evidence tells a very different story. Approximately 40 to 50 percent of fertility challenges involve a male factor — either as the primary cause or as a significant contributing one. In around 20 percent of cases, male factor is the sole reason a couple is struggling to conceive.
If you’re trying to conceive and only one partner is being investigated and treated, you’re working with half the picture.
This post is for the men — and for the women who want to share it with them.
What Male Fertility Actually Means
Male fertility comes down to one thing: the ability to produce sperm that can reach and fertilise an egg. But within that, there are several distinct parameters that matter:
Sperm count (concentration)
The number of sperm per millilitre of semen. The WHO reference value is 16 million per millilitre or above. Below this is considered oligospermia (low sperm count).
Motility
The percentage of sperm that are moving — and moving in the right direction. Progressive motility (sperm moving forward in a straight line) is what matters most. At least 30 percent of sperm should show progressive motility.
Morphology
The shape and structure of the sperm. Only sperm with normal morphology can effectively penetrate an egg. The WHO considers 4 percent or more normal forms to be within the reference range — which surprises most men when they hear it.
DNA fragmentation
This is less commonly tested but increasingly recognised as important. High levels of DNA damage within sperm can result in fertilisation but poor embryo development, recurrent implantation failure, or early miscarriage — even when count, motility, and morphology all look normal on a standard semen analysis.
Volume and pH
The total volume of semen and its acidity level, which affect sperm survival in the reproductive tract.
A standard semen analysis covers the first four parameters but often misses DNA fragmentation. If you’ve had a “normal” semen analysis but are experiencing recurrent IVF failure or unexplained infertility, it’s worth asking your fertility specialist specifically about DNA fragmentation testing.
What Affects Sperm Quality
Sperm are remarkably sensitive to the body’s internal environment — far more so than most men realise. The good news is that this sensitivity works both ways: the factors that damage sperm quality are largely modifiable.
Heat
Sperm production requires a temperature approximately 2–4°C lower than core body temperature. This is why the testes are located outside the body. Prolonged heat exposure — laptops on the lap, hot baths, tight underwear, heated car seats, or occupational heat — can meaningfully reduce sperm production and quality. The effect is temporary: sperm take approximately 72–74 days to mature, so reducing heat exposure now will show in semen analysis results roughly 3 months later.
Oxidative stress
Sperm are particularly vulnerable to damage from free radicals — reactive molecules produced by inflammation, poor diet, alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins. Antioxidant nutrients (zinc, selenium, CoQ10, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate) help protect sperm from oxidative damage. Diet and targeted supplementation can make a measurable difference.
Alcohol and smoking
Both are well-documented as harmful to sperm parameters. Smoking is associated with reduced count, motility, and morphology, and with increased DNA fragmentation. Alcohol affects testosterone levels and sperm production. The research on occasional moderate drinking is less clear-cut, but consistent heavy drinking has a reliable negative effect.
Stress and cortisol
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which suppresses testosterone production and disrupts the hormonal signalling involved in sperm production. This is one of the pathways through which the stress of a difficult fertility journey can itself become a contributing factor.
Weight and metabolic health
Obesity is associated with reduced testosterone, increased oestrogen (adipose tissue converts testosterone to oestrogen), and lower sperm quality across all parameters. Even modest weight loss in overweight men has been shown to improve semen analysis results.
Medications and supplements
Some medications affect sperm production — notably anabolic steroids (which can cause severe suppression of natural sperm production), testosterone replacement therapy, certain antidepressants, and some blood pressure medications. If you’re taking any regular medication and trying to conceive, it’s worth reviewing this with your GP.
What the Research Shows About Acupuncture and Male Fertility
The evidence base for acupuncture and male fertility has grown considerably over the past decade. Here’s what the better-quality research shows:
A 2005 study published in Fertility and Sterility found that acupuncture significantly improved total motility and the percentage of structurally normal sperm compared to a control group. The treatment involved twice-weekly sessions over five weeks.
A 2011 systematic review in Asian Journal of Andrology analysed multiple studies on acupuncture for male infertility and found consistent improvements in sperm motility and morphology, with a trend toward reduced DNA fragmentation in some studies.
A 2013 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that acupuncture improved sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility (no identified cause) — the group where conventional medicine has the least to offer.
More recent research has focused on acupuncture’s effect on DNA fragmentation specifically, given its importance in IVF outcomes. Early results are promising, though this remains an area of active study.
As with all acupuncture research, study quality is variable and results are not universal. But the consistency of findings across multiple studies — improvements in motility and morphology particularly — gives reasonable grounds for including acupuncture as part of a comprehensive approach to male fertility.
How Acupuncture Supports Male Fertility
From a clinical standpoint, acupuncture addresses male fertility through several overlapping mechanisms:
Improving circulation to the testes
Acupuncture has a well-documented effect on local and systemic blood flow. Several points used in male fertility protocols are specifically selected to improve circulation to the pelvic region and reproductive organs, supporting the environment in which sperm are produced.
Reducing oxidative stress
Research suggests acupuncture can reduce markers of oxidative stress — one of the primary mechanisms through which sperm DNA becomes fragmented. This may explain the findings on DNA fragmentation in some studies.
Regulating the HPG axis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis governs testosterone production and sperm development. Acupuncture has measurable effects on hypothalamic function and hormone regulation, which can support the hormonal environment for sperm production.
Nervous system regulation
Acupuncture’s effect on the autonomic nervous system — reducing sympathetic (stress) dominance and supporting parasympathetic (rest and repair) activity — directly counters the cortisol-driven suppression of testosterone that occurs under chronic stress.
A TCM Perspective on Male Fertility
In traditional Chinese medicine, male reproductive health is primarily governed by the Kidneys — specifically Kidney Yang, which represents warmth, vitality, and the driving force of reproductive function.
Men presenting with low sperm count, poor motility, or reduced libido often show signs of Kidney Yang deficiency in TCM assessment: cold extremities, low back weakness or aching, fatigue, frequent urination, reduced drive. Treatment focuses on warming and tonifying Kidney Yang, supporting the Essence (Jing) that underlies reproductive capacity.
Liver Qi stagnation — the pattern associated with chronic stress, frustration, and emotional tension — is also commonly involved, particularly in men whose fertility challenge has been ongoing for some time. This pattern disrupts the smooth flow of Qi and Blood to the reproductive organs and is addressed through different point combinations and, sometimes, herbal medicine.
The TCM assessment adds a layer of individualisation that semen analysis alone cannot provide — two men with identical sperm parameters may have completely different underlying patterns and respond to different treatment approaches.
What a Treatment Course Looks Like
Because sperm take approximately 72–74 days to complete their development cycle, the minimum meaningful treatment period for male fertility is three months. This is the most important thing to understand about timeline.
A single acupuncture session will not improve a semen analysis result. A consistent course of treatment over three months — typically weekly sessions for the first six to eight weeks, then fortnightly — gives the sperm currently developing the best possible environment throughout their maturation.
For men undergoing IVF with their partner, starting three months before the planned egg retrieval date is ideal. This allows time for treatment to influence the sperm that will be used in the cycle.
In addition to acupuncture, I typically discuss:
- Heat reduction strategies specific to each patient’s lifestyle
- Targeted antioxidant supplementation (zinc, selenium, CoQ10, folate — doses and forms matter)
- Dietary adjustments to reduce inflammatory load
- Sleep optimisation, since testosterone production is heavily dependent on adequate deep sleep
- Alcohol and smoking reduction where relevant
Frequently Asked Questions
My semen analysis came back normal. Do I still need to be assessed?
A standard semen analysis is a useful starting point but not a complete picture. It doesn’t measure DNA fragmentation, which can be high even when count, motility, and morphology are within normal ranges. It also represents a single snapshot — sperm quality fluctuates significantly based on recent illness, stress, heat exposure, and lifestyle. If you’ve had one normal result but conception hasn’t occurred after 12 months of trying, a repeat analysis and DNA fragmentation test are worth discussing with your GP or fertility specialist.
How quickly can sperm quality improve?
Because sperm take 72–74 days to mature, any improvement in the internal environment — whether through acupuncture, lifestyle changes, or supplementation — will show up in semen analysis roughly three months later. This is why the three-month treatment period is the minimum meaningful timeframe. Some men see improvements in as little as six to eight weeks; others take longer.
Can acupuncture help if we’re doing IVF?
Yes — and this is one of the most practical applications. Sperm quality directly affects embryo quality in IVF. Even small improvements in motility, morphology, or DNA integrity can make a meaningful difference to fertilisation rates and embryo development. I’d recommend starting treatment at least three months before the planned retrieval date if possible.
Is acupuncture covered by private health insurance in Australia?
Most Australian private health funds cover acupuncture under Extras — typically under traditional Chinese medicine or natural therapies. Check your specific fund and policy level for rebate amounts. We accept HICAPS for on-the-spot claiming at the clinic.
Does the male partner need to come to every session?
Yes — the treatment needs to be on the person whose sperm we’re trying to support. I do also see couples together for initial consultations when both partners want to understand the full picture, which can be a useful starting point.
Book a Consultation at Randwick Acupuncture Clinic
Male fertility is half of the equation — and it’s the half that’s most often overlooked. If you’re trying to conceive, naturally or through IVF, it’s worth making sure both partners have been properly assessed and supported.
Initial consultations are available at our Randwick clinic, for individuals and couples.
📍 Shop 1, 71 Arthur St, Randwick NSW 2031
📞 0423 657 060 www.randwickacupuncture.com.au
Jin Choi is an AHPRA-registered acupuncturist with over 15 years of clinical experience at Randwick Acupuncture Clinic in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, with a focus on fertility support and reproductive health.
Related articles:
- Why So Many Women in Their 40s Feel Exhausted
- Trying to Conceive? Where Acupuncture Fits In — IVF & Fertility Support Sydney
- My Approach to Acupuncture in Sydney: Why I Treat the Whole Person
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Male fertility concerns should be assessed by a GP or fertility specialist, including appropriate semen analysis and hormonal testing. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy and is not a replacement for medical fertility treatment. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.