Male fertility care, taken seriously
Male factors are part of the picture for many couples, yet men are rarely asked how they're doing. I see men on their own or alongside their partners, for sperm health and for the strain of trying.
Jason Rinker, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. · Practicing since 1999 · Columbia, PA
For men who want to do their part
Maybe a semen analysis came back with numbers you didn't expect. Maybe your partner is going through treatment and you want to do something too.
Either way, you'll get the same careful attention, and an honest answer about what acupuncture can and can't do.
- Low sperm count (concentration)
- Reduced motility
- Abnormal morphology
- Preparing for IVF, ICSI, or IUI with a partner
- Stress, poor sleep, or a demanding job
- Wanting to start with lifestyle
If this sounds like you, let's talk about where you are.
Book online, or call or text me with a question first.
How I approach male fertility
A semen analysis looks at a few things: how many sperm there are (concentration), how well they move (motility), and their shape (morphology). It's a snapshot, and it can change.
Sperm take around two to three months to develop, so what you do now shows up later. That's why I think about male fertility care in months, not weeks.
- Your results
- Bring your semen analysis if you have one, along with any other testing or a urologist's findings. I'll go through them with you.
- Your health and history
- Past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and anything your doctor has flagged.
- Lifestyle
- Sleep, stress, alcohol, smoking, heat exposure, exercise, and food. We talk about the changes most likely to matter for you.
- Acupuncture
- Treatment focused on circulation, stress, and sleep, planned around your partner's timeline if you're working with a clinic.
- Herbs and lab review, when appropriate
- For some people I may suggest Chinese herbal medicine or a closer look at functional lab work. I only offer these when they're clinically appropriate and coordinated with your medical team.
Your first appointment
It's a private, one-on-one conversation first. Nothing about it is awkward, and you set the pace.
We talk first
Your first visit is 80 minutes. We go through your history, any testing you've had, and what you and your partner are working toward.
Then you rest
You lie down in a warm, quiet room while the needles do their work. Each one is as thin as a strand of hair.
You leave with a plan
Before you leave, I'll suggest how often to come in, and which lifestyle changes are worth starting now.
A plan measured in months
Because sperm take months to develop, steady care over time makes more sense than a burst of visits.
- Getting started
- Early visits set the plan and the lifestyle changes you'll work on.
- Keeping it steady
- We settle into a rhythm that fits your work and your life.
- With your partner's cycle
- If your partner is going through IVF or IUI, I time your care to the same calendar.
- Repeat testing
- If your doctor repeats your semen analysis, bring the results. We'll look at them together and adjust.
What the research shows about acupuncture and sperm health
Here is what published studies have found about acupuncture during fertility care, in plain language. The sources are listed below if you'd like to read them.
Sperm quality
- A review of 12 studies with more than 2,000 men reported improvements in sperm quality with acupuncture.
Alongside medical treatment
- A 2021 review found that adding acupuncture to medication was linked with better sperm motility and concentration than medication alone.
Lifestyle
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, heavy drinking, and heat exposure are worth addressing, and your doctor can tell you more about them.
Studies vary in size and quality, and everyone responds differently. I'll always tell you honestly what I think acupuncture can do for you.
Care from Jason Rinker
I'm Jason Rinker. I'm a licensed acupuncturist and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and I've practiced since 1999. Over those years, I've cared for many people going through IVF, FET, IUI, and other fertility treatments.
Every visit is with me from start to finish. I listen, I pay attention to how you're holding up, and I adjust as things change.
Every day, your body is repairing, healing, and renewing itself. It can even grow a whole new person. That's life's way, and it still amazes me. You don't have to do this alone.
- L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist
- Dipl. O.M., Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Practicing since 1999
- Private practice in Columbia, PA
Questions people ask me
Start with a conversation
Book your first visit online, or call or text me if you'd like to ask something privately first.