Introduction

Acupuncture has gained popularity among those seeking natural methods to support fertility and enhance pregnancy success rates. At Golden Gate KL Fertility & Gynaecology Centre, we prioritize holistic approaches that complement advanced fertility treatments, including acupuncture performed by experienced fertility acupuncturist Ms. Lai Kok Yong. Below, we explore the effectiveness, benefits, and other key considerations of acupuncture for fertility.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Fertility

Acupuncture for fertility offers several benefits, supporting both natural conception and assisted reproductive techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Some key benefits include:

• Enhanced Blood Flow: Acupuncture stimulates blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, creating a healthier, nutrient-rich environment for egg implantation and embryo growth.
• Hormone Regulation: It helps balance hormones, particularly for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or irregular menstrual cycles, which can hinder ovulation.
• Stress Reduction: Acupuncture activates the body’s natural relaxation response, reducing stress levels that can negatively impact fertility and hormone levels.
• Improved Egg Quality: By enhancing circulation and reducing inflammation, acupuncture may improve the quality of eggs in women, a crucial factor for successful fertilization.

Success Rate of Acupuncture for Fertility

The success rate of acupuncture in enhancing fertility varies depending on individual factors such as age, health conditions, and the presence of underlying infertility issues. Studies have shown that when combined with conventional fertility treatments like IVF, acupuncture can increase pregnancy success rates by 10-15%.

For natural conception, the pregnancy success rate without fertility treatments ranges between 20-30% per menstrual cycle for healthy couples. However, acupuncture can play a supportive role in boosting these odds by promoting a more balanced reproductive system, especially for couples facing mild fertility challenges.

How Acupuncture Works for Fertility

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow, known as “qi” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). When targeted for fertility, acupuncture is performed on points that align with the reproductive organs, aiming to:

1. Enhance Energy Flow to Reproductive Organs: Acupuncture encourages optimal blood flow to the pelvic area, ensuring a nutrient-rich environment for egg development.
2. Modulate the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) Axis: By impacting the HPO axis, acupuncture can improve the hormonal signaling essential for regular ovulation and a balanced menstrual cycle.
3. Reduce Uterine Contractions Post-Embryo Transfer: In IVF, acupuncture reduces uterine contractions after embryo transfer, lowering the chances of embryo displacement.

Acupuncture can be a standalone fertility treatment, but it is often used as a complementary therapy to assist with assisted reproductive technologies, particularly IVF. When combined with IVF, acupuncture may help improve outcomes by enhancing energy flow to the reproductive organs, balancing hormones, and reducing uterine contractions after embryo transfer.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

While generally safe, acupuncture may present mild risks or side effects for some individuals. These can include:

• Mild Bruising or Discomfort at Needle Sites: Bruising, minor bleeding, or soreness at the needle insertion points can occur but typically resolves quickly.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Some individuals may feel dizzy post-treatment, which can be minimized by resting afterward.
• Risk of Infection: This is rare, especially with sterile practices, but infection at the needle site is a minor risk.

At Golden Gate KL fertility centre, all treatments are conducted by qualified practitioners to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

When is the Most Fertile Period?

Identifying the most fertile period in a menstrual cycle can significantly improve pregnancy chances. Generally, a woman’s most fertile period is the few days leading up to and including ovulation. The fertile window typically spans 5-6 days, with the peak fertility day being the day before and the day of ovulation.

How to Calculate Your Fertile Window (Ovulation Date)

To accurately identify the fertile window, women can use various methods:

1. Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Measuring body temperature first thing in the morning can reveal a slight increase around ovulation.
2. Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These kits detect luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, which occur just before ovulation.
3. Calendar Method: For those with regular cycles, counting 14 days backward from the expected start date of the next period provides an estimate of the ovulation day.
4. Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Cervical mucus becomes clear, stretchy, and slippery around ovulation, resembling egg whites.

Ms. Lai Kok Yong often guides patients at Golden Gate KL Fertility & Gynaecology Centre on how to identify their fertile windows, maximizing their chances of conception.

Introduction

Retrograde ejaculation (RE) is a medical condition that can significantly impact male fertility by preventing semen from exiting the body during orgasm. In typical ejaculation, semen is propelled forward through the urethra and out of the body, enabling the release of sperm necessary for conception. However, with retrograde ejaculation, semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis, making conception challenging or even impossible without intervention. Surprisingly, many men with retrograde ejaculation may not even be aware of their condition, as it’s often mistaken for other issues like erectile dysfunction or low libido. However, it’s entirely possible to have normal erectile function and a strong libido while still experiencing retrograde ejaculation.

At Golden Gate TMC Puchong, we specialize in diagnosing and treating male subfertility to support fertility outcomes. This article will delve into the causes, symptoms, and diagnostic process of retrograde ejaculation. We will also explore related medical conditions, effective treatment options, and how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can complement conventional treatments to help men regain a healthy ejaculation process and improve their chances of fatherhood.

Types of Retrograde Ejaculation:

1. Partial Retrograde Ejaculation: Some semen is released normally, while the rest flows into the bladder.
2. Complete Retrograde Ejaculation: All semen is redirected to the bladder, resulting in a completely “dry” ejaculation.

Understanding the type and severity of retrograde ejaculation is crucial to identifying the most effective treatment plan, which is where Golden Gate TMC Puchong’s expertise becomes invaluable.

What Are the Symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation?

A. Understanding Retrograde Ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the internal sphincter muscle at the base of the bladder fails to close properly during orgasm. This dysfunction allows semen to flow backward into the bladder rather than exiting through the urethra (Dohle & Colpi, 2022). Although the amount of semen released during orgasm may decrease or disappear, the individual can still experience the sensation of climax.

B. Common Symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation

1. Dry Ejaculation: A key indicator of retrograde ejaculation is producing little to no semen during orgasm.
2. Cloudy Urine After Ejaculation: Since the semen flows into the bladder, men with RE often notice their urine appears cloudy after orgasm.
3. Fertility Issues: Couples struggling to conceive may discover retrograde ejaculation during fertility assessments.

C. Physical Signs and Diagnosis

Men experiencing dry orgasms are often recommended to undergo a urine analysis post-ejaculation. The presence of sperm in the urine confirms retrograde ejaculation (Niederberger, 2017). Other diagnostic tools include a physical examination of the prostate and sphincter muscles and hormone level assessments to determine underlying causes.

Medical Conditions Linked to Retrograde Ejaculation

Several medical conditions and factors can contribute to retrograde ejaculation:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to sphincter dysfunction (Kaplan et al., 2019).
• Prostate Surgery: Procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can affect the muscles involved in ejaculation.
• Medications: Some drugs for hypertension and psychiatric conditions can impair the internal sphincter, increasing the risk of retrograde ejaculation.

Treatment Options and Next Steps

A. Medical Treatments

Treatment options for RE depend on the underlying cause. Medications such as pseudoephedrine or imipramine may help strengthen the internal sphincter and improve ejaculation. In cases where medication isn’t effective, sperm retrieval techniques like electroejaculation or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are used in conjunction with assisted reproduction methods (e.g., IVF).

B. TCM Solutions for Retrograde Ejaculation

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers holistic solutions by addressing imbalances in the body’s energy flow. TCM practices like acupuncture can improve nerve function and sphincter control, while herbal remedies such as ginseng and epimedium are believed to enhance reproductive health and semen production and improve muscle/sphincter function

At Golden Gate TMC Puchong, our specialists have seen positive results using TCM alongside conventional treatments. Men struggling with ejaculation disorders have reported improvements in semen volume and overall reproductive health after just a few months of treatment. At the same time, those men also reported improved erection function and libido. 

C. Can Strong Erections Rule Out Retrograde Ejaculation?

It’s a common misconception that strong erections guarantee normal ejaculation. In reality, a man can have excellent erectile function but still experience retrograde ejaculation, as the two processes involve different physiological mechanisms. If you suspect you have RE despite normal sexual performance, consulting a fertility expert is essential.