Male Factor Acupuncture Research
Evidence-Based Support for Integrative Fertility Treatment
Drawing from 51 randomized controlled trials and data on over 5,000 men, these next 3 slides summarize the strongest scientific evidence to date on how acupuncture can improve male fertility outcomes.
The findings come from three major systematic reviews and meta-analyses (2020–2024), each demonstrating significant improvements in sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and clinical pregnancy rates.
Acupuncture is not an alternative. It is a safe, well-tolerated, and evidence-based adjunct to modern fertility care.
Acupuncture for Male Infertility
Zhou et al., 2024
Zhou, Z., Wang, F., Li, M., Jing, X., Guo, Z., Mi Re A Ya Ti·Mi Re Di Li, Li, Z., Xiong, L., Xu, X., Ma, L., Zhao, S., & Guo, B. (2024). Acupuncture for the treatment of male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Biomed Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 56(3). https://dx.doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2024.56.008851
Study Overview
Zhou et al. (2024) conducted a robust meta-analysis demonstrating strong clinical effectiveness of acupuncture in improving male fertility outcomes. The effect size for standalone acupuncture was particularly impressive, suggesting that even without additional therapies, acupuncture alone can substantially improve key semen parameters and clinical pregnancy outcomes. It also validated the importance of treatment consistency—12 weeks being the optimal duration.
This 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1,172 men in China to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating male infertility. The study compared acupuncture used alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine versus various control groups (no treatment, sham acupuncture, or conventional therapy).
Key Outcomes
Acupuncture significantly improves clinical fertility outcomes
• Especially when paired with herbal or Western therapies
• Strong effect size seen with standalone acupuncture (OR 7.6)
- Clinical effectiveness (acupuncture alone):
OR 60, 95% CI [3.96, 14.58]
- Clinical effectiveness (acupuncture alone):
Notable improvements in semen parameters
• Increased sperm density, motility (PR and Grade A), and viability
- Progressive Motility (PR): Acupuncture: MD +16.48%, 95% CI [89, 22.07]
Safe and well-tolerated
• No serious adverse events reported
Consistency matters
• 12-week (90-day) treatment duration provided best results
Validates acupuncture as a safe, evidence-based adjunct
• Particularly valuable pre-conception or pre-IVF/ICSI to optimize male fertility
Acupuncture for Male Infertility: Efficacy & Mechanisms
Feng et al., 2022
Feng, J., He, H., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, T., Zhu, M., Wu, X., & Zhang, Y. (2022). The efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of male infertility: A literature review. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 1009537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1009537
Study Overview
This 2022 narrative review analyzed the clinical effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture for male infertility. The authors reviewed 27 clinical trials involving a total of 2,442 male patients, with varied causes of infertility (most commonly idiopathic, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, or low sperm motility).
Feng and colleagues took a deep dive into both the clinical outcomes and underlying biological mechanisms of acupuncture for male infertility. They highlighted that benefits span multiple systems—testicular blood flow, hormone regulation, antioxidant defenses, and even hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis balance. Not only was efficacy shown in outcomes like sperm concentration and morphology, but the interventions were also extremely safe.
Key Outcomes
Clinical Results:
Acupuncture significantly improved:
- Sperm concentration
- Progressive motility
- Sperm morphology
- Pregnancy rates when combined with ART or herbal medicine
Average Number of Acupuncture Sessions:
Across studies, patients received 8 to 12 sessions, typically delivered 1–2 times per week over 4–6 weeks.
Mechanisms of Action:
- Neuroendocrine regulation: Improved balance of testosterone, FSH, LH
- Enhanced testicular blood flow: Increased microcirculation in scrotal vessels
- Reduction in oxidative stress: Elevated antioxidant enzyme levels, reduced ROS
- Decreased apoptosis of germ cells
- Reduced stress hormones: Supporting fertility via hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis modulation
Adjunctive Benefits:
Acupuncture combined with pharmaceuticals or traditional Chinese medicine enhanced outcomes more than either alone.
Safety Profile:
No significant adverse effects were reported in the included trials.
Acupuncture for Oligoasthenozoospermia
You et al., 2020
You, F., Ruan, L., Zeng, L., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia: A systematic review. Andrologia, 52(1), e13415. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13415
Study Overview
This 2020 systematic review examined the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia—a condition characterized by low sperm count and poor motility, which is a leading cause of male infertility.
The authors analyzed 15 clinical studies including a total of 1,559 male patients, comparing acupuncture (alone or as an adjunct) to various control interventions such as Western medicine or no treatment.
You et al. confirmed that acupuncture significantly improved critical semen parameters across multiple trials. Some studies even showed improved natural conception rates when acupuncture was combined with herbs or standard Western medicine. Importantly, acupuncture remained safe and well-tolerated, reinforcing its place in an integrative treatment plan.
Key Outcomes
Sperm Parameter Improvements:
- Acupuncture significantly improved:
- Sperm concentration
- Progressive motility
- Sperm morphology
- Sperm vitality
Pregnancy Rate:
Some studies reported higher natural pregnancy rates in acupuncture-treated groups, especially when used in conjunction with herbal or Western therapies.
Average Number of Treatments:
Most protocols included 10–12 acupuncture sessions, administered 1–2 times per week over 4–6 weeks.
Safety:
No serious adverse effects were reported. Minor discomfort or transient bruising was occasionally observed but resolved without intervention.
