In the minds of the general public, when a couple is unable to conceive a child, it is often assumed that there must be something wrong with the woman's body. Under this preconceived notion, people often overlook the potential health risks for men. Experts point out that the blame for infertility should not be easily and hastily placed on women. In recent years, with the accelerated pace of life, increased work competition, tense interpersonal relationships, and irregular sleep patterns, many men are experiencing feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and psychological imbalance. These issues often manifest in difficulties in sexual intercourse for couples, with the man being unable to perform adequately or lacking interest altogether. Additionally, some men experience a significant decline in the quality of their semen, leading to the unfortunate situation of infertility.
Male infertility and emotional factors
The World Health Organization defines male infertility as follows: "A couple who have been living together for over a year without using any contraceptive measures, and the woman is unable to conceive due to male factors." The experts further explain that male infertility can be classified into two types based on clinical manifestations: absolute infertility and relative infertility. Absolute infertility refers to a complete lack of fertility, such as in the case of azoospermia. Relative infertility indicates some level of fertility but lower than the critical value required for pregnancy, such as oligozoospermia or reduced sperm motility. So, what is the root cause of male infertility? From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, emotional factors are one of the major factors affecting male fertility. The "Bian Zheng Lu" records: "There are six diseases that cause male infertility: cold in the essence, weakness in Qi, excessive phlegm, excessive fire, insufficient essence, and Qi stagnation." It is evident that ancient physicians recognized the significant impact of emotional factors on male fertility.
In modern life, young people often pursue a fast-paced lifestyle, value high quality, and emphasize efficiency. Even in the process of seeking medical treatment, they hope for immediate results. Doctors frequently encounter men who feel that their sexual function has declined and their mental state is poor. They want doctors to prescribe more tonics to quickly enhance their sexual performance and regain their "virility" and "sexual interest." These men often seek quick fixes, believing that medication alone can resolve their "embarrassing" issues, but they often overlook the potential mental and emotional risks. Little do they know that without a healthy mental state, relying solely on medication to regulate bodily functions will yield minimal results. A fulfilled mental state and good sleep are the best "lubricants" for both genders.
Experts often use the analogy that "robust crops require excellent seeds," and the arrival of a child depends on strong sperm. If men frequently experience depression, fatigue, and exhaustion, it can severely impair their sexual and reproductive functions. Prolonged mental stress can have a continuous impact on reproductive ability, leading to imbalances in neuroendocrine regulation, decreased sperm quality, and abnormalities in semen, such as azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, hemospermia, teratozoospermia, and necrozoospermia. According to traditional Chinese medicine, if intense and long-lasting mental stimulation exceeds the body's regulatory range, it can cause disorder in the circulation of Qi and blood. Mental stress, excessive worries, marital disharmony, unfulfilled desires, excessive grief, and excessive anger can all lead to liver stagnation, spleen stagnation, disorder in the functions of the organs and Qi, kidney essence imbalance, leakage of essence and Qi, and functional disorders due to emotional factors, ultimately resulting in infertility.
Reducing stress: key points to remember
In clinical diagnosis of male infertility, it is essential to inquire about any psychological issues in order to detect and intervene in a timely manner. Experts believe that during autumn, people should go to bed and rise early, just like chickens, to maintain tranquility of the mind. Autumn is characterized by shorter days, longer nights, and cooler evening breezes. Going to bed early is in line with the storage of Yin essence, which helps collect "essence" and Qi. Rising early allows the body's Yang Qi to generate and expand, promoting a calm and peaceful mind. If one does not rise early, the Yang Qi cannot generate and disperse, resulting in the development of internal heat. This accumulation of heat can lead to irritability and anger. Autumn is often a season of melancholy and sorrow, and people are prone to falling into a state of sadness. According to the theory of the Five Elements and their interactions, one should adjust their emotions by seeking joy and avoiding sorrow during this time. This helps reduce the disturbance caused by the autumn's cold and killing Qi in the body. Additionally, one should participate in non-stimulating recreational activities to uplift the mood, strive to overcome feelings of inferiority, anxiety, and depression, and avoid diminishing one's fertility.
Experts recommend that men who aspire to fulfill their "fatherhood dreams" should focus on the following three aspects:
1. It is crucial to maintain a relaxed mindset and avoid negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, and even anger. When feeling tense and anxious, one can gently close their eyes, relax the whole body, and imagine lying on a slow-flowing stream. The cool and clear water flows gently over the skin, surrounded by undulating mountains, pleasant bird songs, and fragrant flowers.
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