Expert: Coninyah B. Dew - 9/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: My husband is 35years old. Turned out he has azoospermia. His testicles are too small. Can acupuncture change this situation and make him normal. We are trying to have a baby. Will we have a baby naturally???

ANSWER: Hello Bona,

Thank you for your question. Infertility affects thousands of patients each year, and for those who are trying to conceive, infertility can be a life changing event. I have several questions as a follow up before I can say whether or not I believe Acupuncture would be beneficial. The first question I have is has your husband taken any medications that could result in testicular atrophy? The second question I have is does your husband have a history of slowed physical development of sexual characteristics (i.e. delayed puberty)? The third question I have is do you know if you husband has ever had a sperm count within normal levels? Answering these questions can give me a better idea of the circumstances surrounding your husbands condition. I look forward to your responses.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Coninyah for your reply to my question.

Concerning to your questions I might say that my husband didn't take any medicines up to now. After we tried for 8 months to concieve/get pregnant with no results we thought to have some tests done and there is where we learned about his azoospermia. He has never done a sperm count before. I don't know about the slowed physical development but he is 1.90 cm tall. Please tell me if he can be normal and we can have children in the future.

Answer
Hello Bona,

Thank you for your follow up. Acupuncture has been used quite successfully in treating conditions related to infertility specifically in women. It has also been used to treat men with conditions affecting sexual function. In your husband's case, I am not certain that acupuncture would be beneficial. I would recommend however scheduling an appointment with a local board certified acupuncturist. He/She would be able to do a full work up for your husband and provide more detailed information based on the findings. I do wish I had better news for you. I wish you the best in your efforts. Please feel free to contact me again with any additional questions you may have.

Most sincerely,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices