Men contribute to at least 50% of infertility cases. Yet the focus is mostly on the woman. This is probabaly related to how Reproductive Endocrinologists are specialist Gynecologists and not Urologists, and have little to offer men except during ICSI.
This panel will discuss if and how men contribute to the quality of the embryo and live birth rates. We will explore what men can do to optimize their fertility and will address one of the biggest issues facing healthcare - how can you get the men to be more actively invloved and to come in for treatment.
Chris Axelrad is a specialist in hormonal, mind-body, and reproductive wellness using Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Therapeutic Nutrition, and Mind-Body Coaching. After graduating from Bellaire High School in Houston, he studied jazz performance at the University of North Texas. He then completed a successful 10-year career as a software developer before embarking on his journey as an Acupuncturist.
Mr. Axelrad is currently the President of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), a specialty board dedicated to excellence in holistic fertility care. He is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Chinese Bodywork. After receiving his Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine in 2003, Mr. Axelrad completed extensive graduate and post-graduate studies not only in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but also Western endocrinology, psychoneuroimmunology, neuroendocrinology, nutrition, mind-body disciplines, and interpretation of lab results.
His father and brother are both Urologists (MDs), and he takes pride in being from a family steeped in medical tradition. Two of his great uncles were physicians, one uncle was a well-respected Cardiologist, another is a currently practicing Psychiatrist in the Houston area. He brings to his practice a deep understanding of the natural, holistic principles of Chinese Medicine, and an equally deep respect for the modern system of medicine practiced by his forebears. It is this balance that makes him uniquely qualified as a practitioner of the highest quality.
Chris’ philosophy is that the modern age is calling all of us to integrate and cross-pollinate medical traditions to create a new, more advanced form of medicine for the next generation. To support this vision, he is constantly working to understand the parallels between TCM and Western biological models, to discover new ways to apply Western nutritional concepts to TCM and vice versa, and novel ways to communicate holistic medical concepts to a Western-minded public.
Chris sees himself primarily as a coach and teacher, with the goal of helping his patients to rediscover and awaken the natural healing intelligence that often lies dormant or obstructed within.
Mr. Axelrad maintains a busy full-time practice in Houston, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, and continues to play club dates and private parties with several local jazz and pop groups.
Mr. Axelrad offers the following online fertility course through Pro D Seminars aproved for CEU/PDA/CPD
- Treatment of Male Infertility: An Integrative TCM Approach (7 CEU/PDA/CPD)
Paul J. Turek MD, FACS, FRSM is Director of The Turek Clinics (www.TheTurekClinic.com) men’s health clinics in Beverly Hills and San Francisco. As a former Endowed Chair Professor at UCSF, he is a highly decorated teacher, mentor and internationally recognized authority on issues of men’s sexual and reproductive health.
Dr. Turek attended Yale College, followed by Stanford Medical School. After a urology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Turek was fellowship trained at Baylor College of Medicine. His over 200 publications have advanced our knowledge of stem cells, fertility genetics, Sperm Mapping and the epidemiology of men’s reproductive health. He is Past-President of the American Society of Andrology and the Society of Male Reproduction and Urology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Société Internationale d'Urologie and the Royal Society of Medicine (U.K). He has consistently been voted a “Top Doctor” by seven national accrediting agencies.
Dr. Turek has received an NIH grant to develop an artificial testicle. He is a consultant to Healthcare 2.0 organizations, is a board member of several non-profits, and regularly advises the NIH, the CDC and The White House. Dr Turek maintains an award-winning blog on men’s health issues (www.TurekonMensHealth.com) and is syndicated contributor to WedMD.
Co-chair of the Integrative Fertility Symposium
Ray Rubio, D.A.O.M., L. Ac., (FABORM), is President Emeritus and Executive Director of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), and was the founding Chair of the Reproductive Medicine Department at the Yo San University Doctoral Program in Los Angeles.
Dr. Rubio has been in practice for more almost 20 years, and his practice focuses exclusively on the treatment of Male and Female Reproductive Disorders/Infertility.
Dr. Rubio is a member in good standing of ASRM & PCRS, and he lectures frequently to Acupuncturists on the topic of Infertility and TCM. Dr. Rubio is also the former President of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Special Interest Group for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Dr. Rubio has also presented to the REI Fellows Program UCLA/Cedars Sinai Medical School program, and he has lectured on the subject of Male and Female Infertility for the Lotus Institute, Medigogy.com and for the AAAOM Expo, the Southwest Symposium, and the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) He also mentors other Acupuncturists who wish to study Reproductive Medicine.