News / Blog

Male Factor Infertility

Sperm health is declining in the Western world at worrying rates, with sperm counts having dropped around 50% in the last 40 years. There is now some limited data to show that this not just be restricted to the West, and may in fact be more widespread.

Research shows that between 1973 to 2018, the levels of decline in the West were 1.2% annually, but since 2000 those figures have accelerated to 2.5% every year.

Currently 1 in 7 couples experience infertility, and 30% of those are solely male factor related (and another 30% down to a combination of both male and female factor). As such, male factor infertility is now the primary cause of couples seeking IVF treatment. Deteriorating semen quality and male reproductive health is beginning to escalate into a general fertility crisis.

Why is this happening?

Recent research (Kortenkamp et al, 2002) suggests the answer may be complex, with lifestyle playing a part (including recreational drug use or smoking during pregnancy being possible components), but also that exposure to chemicals looks to be contributing factor. Perry (2023) suggests use of pesticides is also playing a role in this decline, while Osadchiv et al (2024) argue that the semen microbiome (and in particular high levels of the bacteria lactobacillus iners) may be affecting semen parameters.

So what can be done?

Some researchers have suggested that reducing unnecessary exposure to certain environmental chemicals may be beneficial for overall reproductive health. Other suggestions from recent studies include thorough washing of vegetables, avoiding alcohol and smoking, exercising regularly, minimising stress, avoiding processed foods, and eating a diet rich in antioxidants, probiotics and fibre.

What are the common issues that men face with fertility?

Suboptimal semen analysis (ie motility, morphology
varicocele (a pooling of blood in the veins around the testicles, leads to DNA fragmentation) – 10-15% of men affected. In couples experiencing infertility this goes up to 40%
Azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate -affects 1 in 100 men). Can be obstructive or non obstructive)- referral to urologist needed, as this can be worked on
Hormonal imbalance
Infection
DNA fragmentation – can be a cause of embryonic development failure and recurrent miscarriage
oxidative stress – usually caused by lifestyle / infection – needs to be within a certain range to help with hormone balance
Testicular trauma
History of undescended testicles
History of mumps or glandular fever

How can working with a practitioner help?

knowledge and roadmapping of testing and available options, referrals etc
Working with diet, lifestyle and supplementation, all of which may play a role in supporting reproductive health
Emotional support
Stress management

When I work with couples experiencing infertility, I always look at both sides of the equation – both male and female. Get in touch to find out more.

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Burnout

Burnout is a chronic state of stress which leads to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion.

Cases of burnout are becoming increasingly common due to societal and work pressures and in societies where there are fewer boundaries – in today’s fast paced world we’re often expected to be constantly productive and always available.

It can (and does!) happen to anyone – not just the stereotypical city worker. In fact, it’s more common amongst younger people and women, as well as those in caring professils as people tend to over-give, to the point of exhausting themselves.

It can be a very gradual process, starting with enthusiasm which eventually leads to exhaustion, often over several years. People experiencing it often don’t realise that they’re experiencing burn out initially and sometimes there’s a sense of shame that surrounds it, or a feeling of failure.

It can seem hard to know where to turn if you’re experiencing burn out, or what to do. Most advice seems to be centred around individual failings…i.e. to exercise more, holiday more, ‘do’ more, ‘care’ less – often people are in fight and flight so this advice isn’t always very helpful.

Signs of burnout:

Environmental triggers – usually something has changed in environment, which means that more energy is being expended, or something introduced with more demands (new job, relationship issues, extended working hours, difficult project etc) so our levels of stress increase
In addition to this, often something isn’t working in that change of environment – not enough time, increased responsibility, not feeling valued, lack of resources etc. Personal values are compromised and there is usually a feeling of a lack of support / lack of control
Then follows adaptive behaviour – compromising boundaries or taking less responsibility for self care / reducing non-essentials in life (resting, having fun etc)
Typically we try to exert more energy to combat this, we try harder, or work longer, telling ourselves if I try harder, do more, or give more, things will get better. Or we feel powerless to change, and think we have to put up with things
In Polyvagal theory, when people are burning out they are in fight and flight and then dorsal vagal (feeling emotionally unsafe, hyper vigilant)

Burnout has a profound affect on the body and mind and can include the following signs and symptoms:

Headaches
Fatigue
Digestion issues
Brainfog
Nausea
Feelings of overwhelm or helplessness
Procrastination
Irritability
Changes in appetite and sleep

Sometimes we try to deal with strong feelings but addictive behaviours, such as numbing with alcohol, excessive social media use, over exercising, recreational drugs etc

The following can be helpful in addressing burnout:

Acknowledging whats happening
Frequent checks in with the body
Visiting a talking therapist and / or bodyworker
Getting support on the situation that’s changed
Seeking help from friends and family
Not judging yourself

How acupuncture can help:

Many people choose acupuncture as part of their approach to managing stress, supporting emotional wellbeing and encouraging relaxation.

Research has explored whether acupuncture may:

Influence areas of the brain associated with stress regulation and relaxation (Hui 2010)
Affect neurotransmitters and hormones involved in mood regulation, including serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine and GABA (Lee 2009; Samuels 2008; Zhou 2008; Yuan 2007
Influence activity within the autonomic nervous system, including pathways associated with relaxation and recovery (Arranz 2007)
Affect inflammatory markers associated with stress response (Arranz 2007)
Influence behavioural and physiological responses to stress (Kim 2009).
Reverse pathological changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines that are associated with anxiety (Arranz 2007)
Increase cerebral blood flow (Yan 2010) reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, hence increasing relaxation (Lee 2009a)
Increase circulation to relax tight muscles and reduces joint stiffness (Komori 2009)
Reduce inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors (Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003).
Reduce insomnia through increasing nocturnal endogenous melatonin secretion (Spence 2004).

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Mental Health Matters

Whether it’s BPD, BDD, OCD, PTSD, PMDD, OCD, SAD, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, paranioa (to list but a few), mental health problems come in many guises and according to figures are on the up, with the increase showing no signs of abating, causing some to call it the epidemic of our generation.

Whether rising statistics are because (thankfully) the social stigma surrounding mental health is finally starting to fall away, meaning that more people are seeking help, or because, as some would have it, we live in an age that contributes to mental health problems, be it via social media, anxiety about global warming, disconnected societies or smartphone addiction, the facts don’t lie, and it is estimated that 615 million people worldwide now suffer from depression and one in four in the UK will experience at least one diagnosable health problem.

Eckhart Tolle refers to the “pain body”, which lives in humans and is the emotional aspect of egoic consciousness, feeding on negativity. When it becomes active, it triggers emotional reactions, and hijacks our internal dialogue, interpreting situations and judging – ourselves and others – and distorting the present with old emotional pain.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the mind and body and inter-connected, so when we are emotionally upset, our internal environment becomes disrupted. Emotions are connected to the organs, and anxiety and depression are usually due to an imbalance of the Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs or Spleen. The Heart houses the Mind, and is the origin at the centre of all emotions, while the Kidneys are related to fear and phobias. The Lungs are related to grief and letting go, and the Spleen to over-thinking and worry. Depression is often considered to be unspoken anger, so clearing the Liver channel (which is the Organ linked to the emotion of anger) can be helpful in releasing old frustration and stuck emotions.

So what can be done? The good news is that just as we maintain physical health, certain practices can help to lift and enhance mood, for example:

– Labelling your emotions – studies have shown that simply labelling emotions actually defuses them, and often anxiety and depression stem from repressed emotions, so going into your body and allowing the feelings can help to release them

– Keep a gratitude diary – our brains are pre-wired to look for threats, as in the past this sense of alertness kept us alive, however in today’s world of fast living where excess cortisol levels run high, this trait does not serve us. However, keeping a gratitude diary helps to rewire our neural pathways, helping us to become more optimistic and increase positivity

– Physical exercise – there’s no shortage of evidence that physical activity releases endorphins, which make us feel good, and which in turn can help to alleviate depression and anxiety

– Mindfulness or meditation – our minds often can caught up in worrying about the future, or ruminating on the past. Practising mindfulness or meditation can help to detract from this, with studies showing that mindfulness can change the brain and help to prevent depressive relapse

– Ensure you’re sleeping well – links have been found between sleep deprivation and depression, so having a bedtime ritual, getting up at the same time each day and reducing screen time before bed can all help to ensure you get the recommended 8 hours a night

– Eat a balanced diet – Mind, the mental health charity states that food can affect mood, give more energy and help us to think clearly, citing that eating regularly, ensuring that we’re getting enough protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals and staying hydrated can reap benefits for mental health, while caffeine and alcohol can affect mood detrimentally

– Find meaning in your life, whether it’s through a career, hobby, caring for a person or pet, or volunteering, having a sense of purpose is fundamental to wellbeing. Vktor Frankl, a psychotherapist captured by the Nazis and forced to endure years in Auschwitz famously said: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’…. Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”

– Speak to someone: whether it’s a friend or a trained professional, find someone to talk to. There is truth in the old adage that a problem shared is often a problem halved, and there’s no shame in asking for help when it’s needed. There are people out there that can help, so don’t suffer in silence

acupuncture, Mental Health

The Chinese Medicine Guide To Winter

Winter: the ultimate time of Yin, when it’s dark outside, the Yang energy of summer has gone inwards, the trees have lost their leaves and the frost settles. Daoists believed in living at one with nature and in accordance with the seasons – rising when the sun came up, eating seasonal produce and adapting their behaviour depending on the time of year, so as to fully connect with the environment and keep immunity strong to stay healthy. Winter in Chinese Medicine is associated with the Water Element and is a time of stillness and quiet. It is a time to nourish and warm; many animals hibernate and although we don’t have that luxury, we’re reminded of the need to rest in order to nourish our Yin energy and build our reserves up.

Chinese nutritional therapy is an important component of Chinese Medicine and the food that we eat has a profound effect on the body and our health and wellbeing. Chinese dietary philosophy suggests eating locally sourced foods that grow in season. Food such as broths and stews are recommended during winter time, as are foods that grow naturally at this time of year, such as squashes, potatoes, root vegetables, winter greens, dark berries and lots of hearty vegetables, such as carrots, mushrooms, cabbage etc. We should be avoiding raw foods at this time, which are harder for the body to break down, and instead eat lightly cooked foods. Lentils and legumes, such as black beans help to nourish the Kidneys, the organ associated with the Water element and winter time. Herbs such as Ginseng can be used to boost energy and help relaxation.

The Chinese believe that winter is a time of inward reflection so meditation is encouraged during winter and gentle activities such as yoga and Qi Gong. Stay wrapped up and use the wintertime as a time to catch up on some much needed sleep!

acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, TCM

My Journey Into Acupuncture

Funnily enough, my journey into acupuncture started reluctantly! I went to see a friend that I hadn’t seen for a while and was told that I didn’t seem my usual self. He recommended that I go and see someone, who later became my regular practitioner and started my interest in all things Chinese Medicine.

While I had been for acupuncture before, this was 5 Element acupuncture and it quite literally changed my life. Without realising, I had been stuck in a rut, having been in a job that wasn’t making me happy for some time. I was dissatisfied with my working and living conditions and had got to a stage whereby I was existing rather than living. After a few months of having acupuncture, this all started to change. Like a domino effect, I changed jobs, moved house and gradually started ironing out all the ‘creases’ in my life, and the areas in which I wasn’t happy.

I began to wonder about the power of acupuncture. How much of these changes had been attributed to my having acupuncture? The more I read up on the subject, the more fascinated I became. I learned about 5E, its origins into the UK by J.R.Worsley, and how it was believed to put you back in touch with your ‘Dao’ or path.

The seed had been sown, and with the encouragement of my practitioner, I started to look into ways of studying this fascinating subject. Before long I had signed up for a course at the renowned College of Integrated Chinese Medicine and the rest is history…!

acupuncture, five element