Non-surgical Treatments
Medical therapy for male infertility can be divided into specific and non-specific (emperic) therapy. Specific therapy can further be divided into hormone-based and non-hormone based treatments. The latter could include the treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction (retrograde ejaculation or anejaculation); genital tract infections; immunilogical infertility; treatment of excess oxidants (reactive oxygen species) and environmental toxin (gonadotoxin) exposure.
Non-Hormone Therapy
Non-Hormonal medical therapy for male infertility for which there is no identifiable cause (ideopathic or unexplained infertility) can use Kallikreins, bromocriptine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors or supplements such as zinc, carnitine or other herbs. These herbs include, among others, are:
| Herb | Application |
|---|---|
| Zhibai Dihng pilual | Immunologic infertility |
| Astragalus membranaceus | Low motility |
| Hachimi-jio-gan | Idiopathic infertility |
| Gosha-jimki-gan | Idiopathic infertility |
| Hoschu-ekki-to | Idiopathic infertility |
Nutritional Supplements: Amino Acids
For men who want to take a natural approach to improving and / or maintaining their fertility, over-the-counter supplements may be an option. While most of these supplements have not been rigorously studied with regards to how effective they are in improving or maintaining fertility, there is some scientific support behind their individual ingredients. For example, a high concentration of “free radicals” may cause damage to sperm, and treating these using antioxidants can improve the life of the sperm. Many male fertility supplements contain antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, selenium, and beta-carotene, as well as other micronutrients that support sperm growth, development, and movement. These include zinc, amino acids such as L-carnitine, B vitamins, and coenzyme Q10.
As far as we know, no harm comes from taking the recommended doses of these supplements, and based on what’s known about the individual ingredients and their roles in male fertility, they may be helpful.