Male Infertility
According to the WHO, infertility due to male factors is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after having regular sexual intercourse for more than one year without using any contraception. In TCM, this condition falls under the categories of “difficult conception” and “childlessness.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Treatment Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Low sperm count, reduced motility, or weak ejaculation; decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, accompanied by lower back and leg weakness, cold intolerance, low energy, frequent clear urination, and loose stools. Pale tongue with a white coating; deep, weak pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Low sperm count, reduced motility, or weak ejaculation.
- Decreased libido, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, or premature ejaculation.
- Lower back and leg weakness, fatigue, feeling cold, and low energy.
- Frequent, clear urination and loose stools.
- The tongue appears pale with a white coating.
- The pulse feels deep and weak when palpated.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the kidneys and warm Yang; replenish essence and nourish the marrow.
Plain-language explanation:
- Aims to support Kidney Qi and warm Yang, potentially easing discomforts such as feeling cold, cold limbs, soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees, and low energy.
- Aims to nourish essence and blood and support the marrow, potentially easing dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, fatigue, or signs of weakened bones.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Low sperm count or motility, or absent or weak ejaculation; low libido and weak erections, accompanied by low mood, chest oppression, distending pain in the flanks, irritability, or anxiety. Pale-red tongue with a thin white coating; wiry pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Sperm count may be low and motility reduced, or ejaculation may be absent or weak.
- Decreased libido and reduced interest in sex; erections may be weak or difficult to maintain.
- Low mood or a tendency toward depression, chest tightness, distending pain on both sides of the torso, and frequent irritability or anxiety.
- The tongue appears pale red, without a bright-red color.
- The tongue coating is thin and white, rather than thick.
- The pulse feels taut and strong, like a tightened string.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the liver and relieve constraint; regulate the flow of Qi.
Plain-language explanation:
- Aims to soothe Liver Qi and relieve stagnation, potentially easing distension in the chest and flanks, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- Aims to regulate the flow of Qi throughout the body, potentially easing chest tightness, abdominal bloating, reduced appetite, or signs of impaired Qi flow.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Low semen volume, low sperm count, reduced motility, viscous semen, or a high proportion of abnormal sperm; accompanied by involuntary seminal emission, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia with frequent dreams, and dry throat and mouth. Red tongue with little or dry coating; deep, fine, or rapid fine pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Semen volume and sperm count may be low, motility may be reduced, semen may be viscous, or the proportion of abnormal sperm may be notably high.
- Involuntary seminal emission or seminal leakage may occur, along with soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, poor sleep with frequent dreams, and dryness in the throat and mouth.
- The tongue appears red, with little or dry coating; the pulse feels deep and fine, or fine and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish Kidney Yin; replenish essence and nourish the marrow.
Plain-language explanation:
- Aims to nourish Kidney Yin, potentially easing soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, or heat in the palms and soles.
- Aims to nourish essence and blood and support the marrow, potentially easing forgetfulness, fatigue, weakened bones, or general debility.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Low sperm count, reduced motility, or viscous semen; acute distension and fullness in the lower abdomen, scrotal dampness, scant dark urine, dry or sticky stools. Red tongue with a yellow or yellow-greasy coating; slippery-rapid or wiry-slippery pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Sperm count may be low, motility reduced, or semen viscous.
- Acute fullness and distension in the lower abdomen.
- The scrotum feels damp and sticky rather than dry.
- Urine may be scant and yellow, with a noticeably darker color.
- Stools may be hard and dry or sticky and difficult to pass.
- The tongue appears red.
- The tongue coating is yellow or yellow and greasy.
- The pulse may feel slippery and rapid, or taut and slippery.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear Heat and drain Dampness; promote free passage through the reproductive tract.
Plain-language explanation:
- Aims to clear internal Heat and promote the elimination of Dampness, potentially easing discomforts such as feeling hot, thirst, or a heavy sensation in the body.
- Aims to promote free passage through the reproductive tract, potentially easing scant, dark, burning or painful urination, or difficulty urinating.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Low semen volume, low sperm count, and reduced motility; accompanied by decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, a dull complexion, and pale lips and nails. Pale tongue with a thin white coating; deep, fine, weak pulse.
Plain-language explanation:
- Semen volume and sperm count may be low, with reduced sperm motility.
- Decreased libido or difficulty getting an erection, sometimes accompanied by dizziness and tinnitus.
- Fatigue and low energy, a dull complexion, and pale lips and nails.
- The tongue appears pale, with a light, thin white coating.
- The pulse feels deep, fine, and weak when palpated.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify Qi and nourish Blood.
Plain-language explanation:
- Aims to support the body’s Qi, potentially easing fatigue, shortness of breath, or a tendency to tire easily.
- Aims to nourish the Blood, potentially easing a pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, or signs of inadequate nourishment of the skin.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Li Hongjun. Routine Diagnosis and Treatment in Andrology [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2015: 2–26.
- Li Yueqing. Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002: 288–291.
- Shang Xuejun, Guo Jun, Chen Lei, et al. A multicenter clinical observation of Qilin Wan for oligoasthenozoospermia [J]. Chinese Journal of Andrology, 2011, 17(12): 1139–1142.
- Pang Baozhen, Pang Qingyang, Zhao Huanyun, et al. Research progress on the treatment of oligospermia-related infertility with traditional Chinese medicine [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2009, 4(6): 353–355.
- Wang Qi. Wang Qi’s Andrology [M]. Zhengzhou: Henan Science and Technology Press, 2007: 353–358.