FAQ Acupuncture for Fertility

Important questions answered.
If you still need help, please get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to re-assure you.

How can acupuncture help fertility? 

When looking at the evidence, clinical trials have shown Acupuncture to: 

Do I need to be undergoing fertility medical treatment to have Acupuncture for fertility?


No, Acupuncture can be used as a standalone treatment, and may boost fertility alone. Some women prefer to have acupuncture before beginning to try to conceive as a way to regulate their cycles, balance hormones, and as a way of staying calm, informed and supported whilst trying to conceive naturally.

Will I need to bring anything along to my first appointment? 

When you book an appointment you will be directed via an intake form to fill in any previous test results, so it is recommended to begin to request and collect these as soon as you are able. The information I ask for will be quite comprehensive, so please allow enough time to complete these.

This allows us to give a quicker diagnosis once we have had our first consultation and proceed with treatment in a timely manner and make the most of your time with me, having the information upfront rather than chasing information as we go.There will be facility to attach any results from investigations you have completed, such as blood test results, sonography reports, IVF treatment protocols, consultation notes, Embryology reports, any other imaging reports, and sperm test results to include DNA fragmentation results and infection screening.

Some IVF clinics do not routinely send this information, but you do have a right to request any of the information they hold on your medical records.

Please also send any functional medicine, naturopath, nutritionist reports and results such as gut testing, microbiome tests- both male and female and Dutch testing. And if you have been completing BBT charts, please attach the last 3 months of your charting. You will also be sent a form for your male partner to fill in about his medical history. If you are using a sperm donor, the forms are designed not to require this from you.
Again, this gives me a chance to formulate a plan from the start. 

I have not had any previous treatment for fertility or investigations and I am starting from scratch. Can you still help? 

Yes, we can take a deep dive into your medical history, and I will come up with some suggested avenues for testing based on your signs and symptoms. 

Does my partner need to attend the first consultation? 

When you book in a first consultation, you will be sent some intake forms, to include a comprehensive form for your partner to fill in. I find this easier than asking partners to attend and unfortunately I do not have room in my clinic for both partners. If you prefer to have your partner present for the initial consultation, I can offer this online. 

Have you had experience of supporting same sex couples? 

I run an LGBT friendly clinic, and have supported same sex couples to achieve their families using donor sperm. 

What happens at the first consultation? 

I will take a full health consultation where I ask you everything about your health history and lifestyle. I take your pulse, check your tongue, and then I form a treatment plan and choose the appropriate acupuncture points based on these findings. I will then insert the needles and let you relax while they are in. I will leave the room at this point, unless doing additional treatments, and leave you with a call button should you need anything. Once the treatment is over, I will take the needles out, let you get dressed and the session will come to an end. 

What happens after the first consultation? 

I will send you a detailed report about what my findings and recommendations are, so you will know what the next steps are. You can then decide if you would like to work with me longer term, and book your weekly sessions in. 

How long is an acupuncture appointment? 

Allow 1.5 hours for an initial consultation.
Follow up appointments take 45-60 minutes. On your appointment reminder information, I allow for an hour, however if we have addressed all treatment aims, and there is time remaining we may only take 45 minutes. I will always commit to fulfilling the aims of the treatment. 

Do you stay in the room? 

I always leave the room when you are undressing and dressing. During the appointment, you may need additional treatments such as electro stimulation, or cupping, which mean I will stay in the room to administer them. If there are none of these indicated, I may leave the room while the needles are in place. You will have a call button available. If you prefer me not to leave, I am happy to stay. 

What specialist fertility training have you had? 

I have completed the Diploma in Advanced Fertility training run by Naava Carmen who is the top fertility acupuncture specialist in the UK. The course is the worldwide recognised gold standard of acupuncture fertility training.
The Advanced training covered acupuncture and western medical treatment approaches for the following conditions 

  • Immunology where there is autoimmunity, or the body is unable to accept an embryo.

  • Recurrent Miscarriage

  • Failed Embryo development

  • Improving follicular fluid health to improve egg quality 

  • Looking deeply into Sperm Health

  • Considering the role of Vaginal and Sperm Microbiome in fertility

  • Taking a holistic approach into the influence of hormonal balance, gut health, Thyroid health (even when markers are showing as normal) Insulin resistance, metabolism of hormones, and inflammation in improving fertility. 

What is a BBT chart, and do I need to complete one for fertility treatment? 

A BBT (Basal Body Temperature chart) tracks a woman’s monthly cycle, and shows when she has ovulated. This information is very useful, as it gives the couple an overview of when ovulation occurs in the cycle, particularly when there is discrepancy due to a long Follicular or Luteal phase. It allows the couple to assess when the ideal fertile window is. 

From a Chinese medicine perspective, it gives me a lot of diagnostic information. For example, a graph which shows a slow, step like pattern in the Luteal phase, indicates Qi stagnation caused by Blood stasis or Kidney Yang deficiency. This information allows me to view diagnostic information across the whole cycle, and to tailor the treatments to your particular cycle. I will also be able to determine any additional blood tests you may need based on this information, giving a deeper understanding of your fertility, and more treatment options. 

I have been using ovulation predictor kits, does this mean I already have all the information I need? 

Ovulation kits, are tools which give a prediction as to when ovulation is about to occur. 

They measure a rise in LH levels compared to their baseline levels. In some hormonal imbalances, the difference in rise cannot be detected if the baseline levels are already elevated. Sometimes a surge in LH can occur with no release of the egg. In contrast BBT charting along with noting cervical mucous changes, can give more information about confirming ovulation as well as what is happening across the whole cycle. This allows me to pinpoint anomalies and to form a tailored Chinese medicine diagnosis. This gives the opportunity for a highly individualised treatment approach. 

How do I fill in a BBT chart? 

Documenting a BBT chart requires some commitment, and a routine. The woman has a thermometer next to the bed, and takes her temperature first thing in the morning, before rising, eating, drinking or speaking at the same time each day, across the whole menstrual cycle. It can be helpful to set an alarm or reminder for each day. She then completes the information on the chart, which is displayed as a graph across the whole cycle. There are other more hi-tech solutions which involve monitoring devices which do not have the need to rise to take the temperature reading. If you would like more information, please sign up to my email list to receive a document outlining clear steps. 

I use an app to record my menstrual cycles, and it predicts ovulation for me- surely I   don’t need to do anything else? 

With the exception of a few high quality companies, a lot of apps work on an algorithm. 

As we know, women bodies do not conform to external predictions! The more high quality companies rely on biomedical feedback to predict ovulation based on changes in temperatures or urine testing. Simply recording when your period was is not enough data to pinpoint when ovulation is, and is using guesswork. The algorithm also needs a few cycles to get enough information to predict any of these events, which can mean not having the information you need for while. They also do not work where there are irregular cycles. 

Where do I find a BBT chart to complete? 

You can find a BBT chart to print by using the following link to sign up for my email list:   

Sign Up Here

How do I store the information for a BBT chart? 

The simplest way is to print a chart and to fill it in manually with a pen.
There are also Apps which correlate the information for you after you have input the daily data. Some have devices such as an internal thermometer or arm sensor which automatically sync to the app, making recording a little easier. If you are happy to hand over the log in details to me, I can then check how the chart is doing before you come in for your appointment. 

When should I begin completing a BBT chart 

You should begin to complete a chart at the beginning of your cycle, or at ovulation time, whichever is sooner. 

How long do I need to complete BBT charts for?

Ideally it would be useful to track the temperature changes for a 3 cycle period, particularly if the cycle is irregular. This would ideally be recorded before any treatment with me begins. However, just having the chart completed for one cycle, as soon as you are able to begin, will be very diagnostically useful. 

I can’t face doing a BBT chart. Can I still come for treatment? 

I would encourage you to try one of the hi-tech solutions if you cannot face waking up each morning to record temperatures. BBT charting can give so much information, that to not have it as a practitioner can be like treating with a blindfold on. It is also an excellent reassurance as we can pinpoint in a tangible way where treatment is moving towards better health, or if the needle is not moving, it helps me to change course quickly on my treatments. It allows a level of personalisation that converts into a really bespoke treatment. Internal thermometers are available which are excellent, reliable and very convenient if you like a lie-in!
If you cannot face the numbers as a reminder that there is some dysfunction, any of the hi tech solutions will allow the data to be stored on an app that I can access if you are happy to give me the log in details. You won’t need to look at the numbers if you don’t want to!
I alway encourage you to hand over the mental load to me and I will only highlight where I see other investigations may be needed, or the positive wins. I have had many patients who have come in saying they felt unable to do it, however with my support, they have felt more able to, as I always encourage you to let me do the thinking and analysing of results.
My wish is that you feel that you can do it with me providing you with emotional support as you will also have me as a sounding board for questions and an avenue of reassurance if things seem like they are not progressing. If you still don’t feel able to think about charting, I will always meet you where you are, and work in a way that works for you. I won’t insist you do it if its uncomfortable- it just might take a little longer, or we may need to push some blood tests forward as priority to have another way to assess what any underlying issues may be. 

I am on your waiting list to have my first consultation. Is there anything I can do whilst waiting to see you? 

Please fill in a BBT chart, also noting any cervical mucus changes. If you don’t already have the results of any blood tests, or any you have are over 12 months old, please sign up to my email list, and you will be sent a document outlining the tests recommended to organise either through your GP if you are able to, or through some recommended providers (There will be fees to pay for this route, although I am able to include a discount code for you) 

When looking at the male partner, my partner has had a sperm test, is there any further testing that needs to be investigated? 

Yes! A basic sperm test is, well.... Basic! It is the most baseline starting point, and there is so much more that needs to be looked into. A basic sperm test can tell us how many sperm per sample are present, what their shape is and how well they swim. It cannot tell us whether there is any DNA damage, what the PH of the semen is, whether there are any infections that can impact on fertility, the viscosity, whether they’re is any agglutination, any antisperm antibodies, and how the semen microbiome is balanced. If anything is flagged up from any of the above, he may need referral for an ultrasound to rule out a Variocele. It is also recommended that the male partner has hormone testing. All of this will be clearly roadmapped for you after your initial consultation with me. 

I have an IVF cycle starting very soon. Can you help? 

If you have an ART cycle which is imminent, or you have started, it is recommended to book an appointment as soon as you can. The sooner we can start, the better. This would be a treatment strategy based on prescription points using well researched protocols, which aim to relax your body and are timing specific, based on where you are in your treatment cycle. 

All the above also applies for an FET treatment where we have not worked together before. I will work primarily on stress, and uterine receptivity. 

I will always do my absolute best for you, and acupuncture with no preparation time will help to regulate your emotions, help you to feel supported and counteract the negative side effects of medications, and there will be some benefits to Uterine receptivity. There are several studies to show that this approach can improve live birth rates. 

However if you are looking to influence the environment that leads to good egg quality, a 3 month preparation time is the best option. If you have a complex fertility picture such as recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility, PCOS or Endometriosis, my recommendation if you feel able, would be to pause treatment to do some prep time with me. I understand this may not be what you want right now, as you may be feeling overwhelmed and need my support.- so I am happy to go ahead and treat you in this scenario - I would do my absolute best for you and still plan for a successful round. However, please note that for any future cycles I would only be able to treat you with an undertaking of a preparation period, and this would be a one time deal only to save you the heartache and stress of proceeding with treatment and not addressing the underlying causes that are getting in the way of you becoming or staying pregnant.

Why is a preparation period recommended? 

Several studies have shown that a preparation period of 3 months is recommended. In the paper referenced below, the authors observed that 11 treatments were associated with greater odds of live birth. In the body we know that egg recruitment takes 12 weeks to reach maturity, and this three month period allows us to influence follicular health to improve the environment the egg is matured in. Furthermore this allows us time to deep dive into looking at organising testing of what information may be missing, and to address any findings. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4458185/ 

Does it sometimes take longer? 

Due to the deep diving into your clinical picture, it can sometimes take up to 6 months of treatment to address, although we always try and get there as quickly as we can. It may be sometimes suggested that we pause treatment to give you time to arrange any other services and we resume once all the information is in front of us, so that we are treating with all the information up front and you are not wasting any treatment time with me.
Some patients do decide they would rather carry on both as they are finding their time with me helps them to feel more grounded and empowered to face their exploration. Of course I appreciate that often there are limited funds, so I am always happy to have a discussion about which approach is best for you. 

Of course addressing the basics can be very powerful and shift towards better fertility, so we always start there. 

Can you guarantee that I will get pregnant?

I would love to guarantee a baby for you, but sadly it doesn’t always happen for every couple. No one avenue of treatment can give you this promise, and I would be sceptical of anyone who does. I would hope that any couple in this situation has access to support to help them come to terms with this news, and acupuncture can be a way of getting that support. With me, you would have me every step of the way for as long as you needed it. In the meantime, depending on your resources, I would leave no stone unturned in my search for answers for you. 

How will I feel supported during treatment with you? 

All fertility treatments I offer will include Acupuncture points which support and promote calm. There is no separation of emotions and health in Chinese medicine, and all treatment approaches integrate the two. This is crucial during fertility treatment, as the stress hormone cortisol interferes with conception by unsettling the hormonal cycle. Emotional support is also offered by way of creating a space for you to talk through your experiences, fears, hopes and dreams. 

I will offer you a full support service while you are undergoing fertility treatment with me, and I can help you uncover what your body needs in order to conceive. 

I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), can Acupuncture help me to conceive? 

A course of 12 acupuncture treatments have been shown in studies to: Affect b-endorphin secretion, which increases GNRH
This release in turn has a positive effect on follicular growth
And promotes ovulation. 

• Improves blood flow to the ovaries
• Controls hyperglycaemia by increasing insulin sensitivity.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Lowers the body’s stress response by modulating the sympathetic nervous system
• Recovers a dysfunctional menstrual cycle
• Induces ovulation
• Down regulates androgens 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9637827/ 

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