Treating Blood & Jing in Male Fertility

This article was originally published in June 2024

Infertility is clinically defined in women and men who cannot achieve pregnancy after one year of having intercourse without using birth control, occurring in approximately 15% of heterosexual couples who are trying to conceive. According to the National Institutes of Health, one-third of infertility cases are caused by male reproductive factors, one-third by female reproductive issues, and one-third by both male and female reproductive issues or by indeterminate factors. In the first five years of my private practice, for 40% of cases in which I was asked to help couples conceive, the primary cause of infertility was due to conditions present in the male. I was fortunate to have a gynecology teacher during acupuncture school who insisted that in every case of infertility the male was required to undergo semen analysis before beginning treatment for the couple. For an excellent and thorough discussion about both biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine theory regarding male factor infertility, see Will Maclean’s article. In addition, a comprehensive article that you may want to share with your patients regarding all aspects of sperm production can be found on Medical News Today.

Each of the formulas mentioned in this article are available as templates in Mayway’s Dispensary Service (available to practitioners and TCM students). Before suggesting herbal treatment protocols, here are some other factors to consider: apparently, male factor infertility is a growing problem, not only in the US, but also globally. While it is true that older men are likely to have a greater percentage of sperm with lower motility and abnormal morphology, according to World Health Organization statistics, the average sperm count in all men has dropped by 65% – from 113 million per milliliter in 1940 to 39 million per milliliter in 2021. Semen volumes have also decreased, while the number of men with low sperm counts (less than 20 million per milliliter) has tripled from 6 to 18%. The more recently a man was born, the lower the average sperm count and the greater the percentage of abnormalities. Many of the factors described in Maclean’s article are artifacts of modern society including pharmaceutical and recreational drugs, environmental toxins in the food, air, water, and households, and increasingly, obesity. Any of these factors may alter the normal functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal system and diminish a man’s testosterone, which is absolutely required for normal spermatogenesis and healthy, mature sperm that can fertilize an egg.

Normally, spermatogenesis in the testis takes around 60 days, but these sperm lack motility and fertility. Next, the sperm travel to the epididymis where the maturation of the sperm requires an additional 14 days, during which the epididymis acts as a storage vessel. During emission, sperm flow into the vas deferens where they are mixed with fluids secreted by the prostrate and seminal vesicles prior to the ejaculation of the mixture, which is now semen. It should be noted that a source of permanent male infertility/contraception is a vasectomy, in which a man’s vasa deferentia are cut and tied or sealed to prevent the sperm from the testes from entering the ejaculate.

Varicoceles

The number one major cause of all male factor infertility is the presence of a varicocele in the scrotum of men. Studies have determined that 40% of males have some degree of varicocele and 16% of infertile males have a significant varicocele. A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the veins that remove oxygen-depleted blood from the testicles. Although the precise etiology of varicocele formation is not completely understood, at least 78% of varicocele cases involve the left testicle and may be a result of venous physiology and, interestingly, clothing or underwear choices that impinge one testicle over another. Spermatogenesis performs optimally when the temperature is below the normal physiological range. Although arguably more vulnerable, this is a design feature of the testes’ location outside the abdomen so that the temperature is cooler. When there is a varicocele, the blood pools in the veins disturbing the normal circulation, which not only inhibits the normal oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange, but also causes an increase in the scrotal temperature. Additionally, research has shown that the presence of a varicocele causes apoptosis of germ cells in the testes, which leads to decreased mature sperm production and possibly azoospermia. Varicoceles usually form during puberty and develop over time, becoming more pronounced with age. While they may result in no symptoms or complications including infertility, there may be some discomfort, achiness, or pain and in some individuals a palpable mass may form.

In biomedicine, confirmation and differential diagnosis is performed. If it is determined through semen analysis that infertility is occurring and a varicocele is present, surgery may be recommended, which can correct the issue resulting in eventual normal function or a significant improvement in sperm quality, at least sufficient for in vitro fertilization success.

In traditional Chinese medicine, a varicocele is an obvious case of Qi and Blood stagnation, predicating the principle of invigorating the Blood, dispelling Blood stasis, moving Liver Qi, alleviating pain (if any), and dissolving masses (if any). One herbal formula that may assist in such a case is Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang.

Drive Out Stasis in the Lower Chamber Pills/ Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

The formula is also available as Plum Flower™ Stasis in the Lower Chamber Teapills and in an extract powder form, Plum Flower™ Ge Xia Zhu Yu San. Both variations include vinegar-fried Resina boswellia (Ru xiang) (cu) and vinegar-fried Resina commiphora (Myrrh) (Mo yao (cu), which provide additional actions to invigorate the Blood, dispel Blood Stasis, alleviate pain, and reduce swelling.

Jing/Essence Issues in Male Factor Infertility

In Chinese, the word for semen and Essence is the same, “Jīng” (精). Essence is responsible for our fertility, along with our growth, development, and the physical decay of our bodies. Essence is associated with our basic constitution, strength, vitality, and the fundamental resistance of our body to various stressors and diseases. Jing/Essence is aptly named as that which is essential to be human. It is inherited from our parents, and the amount and the quality of Essence we received is fixed from birth. In males, this Essence is transferred to our offspring via the sperm in semen. It controls reproductive function, fertility, conception, and pregnancy. Sterility/impotence and genetic disorders are all symptoms of Essence Deficiency (Shèn Jīng Xū 腎精虛).

In TCM theory, two types of Essence/Jīng are defined. Pre-natal (or pre-Heaven) and post-natal Jīng. Pre-natal Jīng is passed at conception from the parents to the fetus, which nourishes the fetus with the addition of the Qi (especially her Kidney Qi) from the mother. In theory, very little can alter pre-natal Jīng after birth and it is advised that Essence should be conserved and not wasted, which is accomplished by living one’s life in harmony with the Tao. Suggested strategies, including moderation in diet, work, sexual activity, and stress reduction are recommended along with adequate rest and exercise that incorporates breathing exercises such as Qigong or Taijiquan. Chinese herbs can support pre-natal Jing but cannot replace it. Instead, for issues involving Jing deficiency, one supports Qi and Blood, and since the Kidney ‘stores’ the Jīng, Kidney Yin and Yang.

According to Daoist ideas, a man should avoid ejaculation to preserve/conserve his Jīng. This idea is completely related to fertility. Research has shown that men who frequently ejaculate, even daily, have relatively the same sperm count as men who avoid or restrain ejaculation. However, their number of mature sperm is significantly lower due to a lack of maturation time in the epididymis, which, as already mentioned, takes 14 days. Male patients who are being treated for infertility should be advised that saving ejaculation for their partner’s most fertile time will have a greater likelihood of a successful impregnation.

Basically, the primary pathology findings of male factor infertility e.g., low sperm count, poor motility, poor liquefaction, abnormal sperm morphology, and anti-sperm antibodies, are examples of Essence Deficiency. For a patient presenting with any or all of these findings, practitioners can only support post-natal Jīng. This is accomplished mainly by tonifying Qi and Yang and nourishing Blood and Yin. Here are a couple of possible herbal approaches.

Polygonum Pill/ Hé shǒu wū piàn (何首烏片)

Radix Polgonum multiflora / Hé shǒu wū (zhì)(何首烏製), also known as Fo-Ti, has been used for centuries to treat Jing deficiency. Used in its processed (zhì) form, cooked with black bean juice and yellow rice wine, it tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and nourishes Jīng. To treat male factor infertility, one possible formula is (He) Shou Wu Pian. This formula was first created by Guang An Men Hospital in 1990. Originally developed to treat hair disorders such as alopecia, et al., this formula contains herbs that tonify the Yang Qi, nourish Blood, nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, and replenish Jīng. This version of Shou Wu Pian is a variation of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers) but contains more Yang Qi herbs that enhance Ming Men. Recent research has supported its use, or close variants, to treat male factor infertility issues such as low libido, spermatorrhea, and erectile dysfunction. In addition, it has been shown to improve sperm motility, morphology, and mobility in cases of deficiency of Blood and Jīng.

He Shou Wu Wan/Polygonum Pills

Five Ancestors Pills

Five Ancestors Pills (Wu Zi Yan Zong Pills/五子衍宗丸) is reputed to be the No. 1 Kidney-tonifying formula for ‘many children and grandchildren’. This formula is recorded in “The Wonderful Prescriptions for Preserving Health”: “There are people who have taken this medicine for generations, and their descendants have spread and become villages.” One of the meanings of Yanzong (衍宗) is ‘propagating the clan’. Not only did the father give birth to many sons, but also the sons gave birth to many sons, and the children and grandchildren filled the house. This means that the quality of the “sperm” in the family is particularly good, which can give birth to many excellent descendants.

The five ‘seeds’ formula is an updated version of Shouxian Wuzi Pill “5 Seeds to Preserve the Immortals”, a longevity health formula dating from the Tang Dynasty (608-317 CE). The original formula calls for Alma (Indian Gooseberry)/ Phyllanthus emblica/ Yú gān zi (餘甘子), which is primarily an Ayurvedic herb. The current version uses Lycium barbarum fruit Gou qi zi (枸杞子) instead, along with Cuscuta chinensis seed/ Tu si zi (菟絲子), Rubus chingii fruit/ Fu pen zi (覆盆子), Plantago asiatica seed/ Che qian zi (車前子), and Schisandra chinensis fruit/ Wu wei zi (五味子). When men take this medicine, it can replenish Essence and marrow, support Kidney Qi, and eliminate patterns of Cold and Heat regardless of the deficiency and excess patterns of the lower Jiao. Modern Chinese medicine uses “Wuzi Yanzong Pills” to treat male infertility, sexual dysfunction (impotence, premature ejaculation), prostate hypertrophy, kidney deficiency, low back pain, and chronic kidney disease. In addition, Five Ancestors Pills can detoxify ‘metal and stone’ (i.e., heavy metals and chemical substances) and remove all toxins from the body. Since ancient times, and into modern clinical practice, it is considered the best formula for improving the quality of men’s ‘seed’ (semen) and propagating heirs.

While a decoction is considered viable, the source text recommends the percentages of powdered herbs indicated in the chart below. Tu si zi is dry fried, Wu wei zi is steamed, and Che Qian zi is fried with salt before grinding into a fine powder and mixing with pure honey (90g) and sufficient water to then roll into honey pills. Dosage is 9g of pills per day taken with warm water or wine (in winter). The formula can also be made from extract granules and placed into capsules with the same dosage recommendation. The best and most convenient form of this formula, in which all the necessary processing has already been carried out, is available as Plum Flower™ Five Ancestors Teapills.

Five Ancestors Pills are often combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan/ Plum Flower™ Six Flavor Teapills and/or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction/ Plum Flower™ Central Qi Teapills, as well as other formulas which may be indicated by differential diagnosis.

Five Ancestors Pills/Wuzi Yanyong Pills

Final Thoughts

The main take-away is that when counseling couples experiencing difficulty in achieving pregnancy, it is critically important to consider male factors in infertility and not assume that ‘the female cannot get pregnant’. While the general health of the man should be considered, a semen analysis is required. The results of this testing will guide treatment options, and Chinese medicine lifestyle and dietary advice can provide a valuable adjunctive therapy alongside Chinese herbal medicine, that may perhaps make all the difference in attaining success. A final thought is that successful couples need to be patient, to lower expectations of a quick outcome, and to allow the therapy sufficient time to change a patient’s condition.

About the Author

Skye Sturgeon, DAOM is the Quality Assurance Manager and Special Consultant for Mayway, USA. Skye was the former Chair of Acupuncture & East Asian Medicine and core faculty member at Bastyr University, core faculty member and Faculty Council Chair at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and President and Senior Professor of the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley. Before making Chinese medicine his career choice, Skye held various positions in the natural foods industry for 12 years and, prior to that, was a clinical biochemist and toxicologist.