Nonmedical and nature cure approaches to male infertility

So far,only a few studies about the effects of nature cure on male infertil ity have been published. Most data are available for application of acupunc ture in andrological patients. Since randomized, double-blind and placebo-c ontrolled studies cannot be easily performed with acupuncture, it is diffic ult to interpret the possible effects on semen quality. Significant improve ment in pregnancy rates and standard semen parameters after treatment with Chinese medical herbs has been reported in the Chinese scientific literatur e. However, almost all manuscripts are written in Chinese language or are n ot available in German libraries. Therefore, only English abstracts with in sufficient data can be evaluated. Studies about homeopathic treat ment of m ale infertility have not yet been performed. Most reports about positive ef fects on semen quality are based on unpublished observations and case repor ts.