Trying to conceive can involve uncertainty, difficult decisions and a considerable emotional and practical burden. Some people seek support while trying to conceive naturally, while others are preparing for or undergoing fertility investigations, IUI, IVF or ICSI.
Fertility problems may involve ovulation, the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, hormones or sperm. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis may also affect fertility. Sometimes no cause is identified, and fertility factors may involve either or both partners.
The World Health Organisation defines infertility as not achieving pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. NHS advice is to speak to a GP after one year of trying, or sooner if the woman is aged 36 or over or there is already a reason for concern.
The existing East West Clinic page usefully emphasises preparation before conception and the importance of considering both partners. Fertility care should not place responsibility on one person without appropriate assessment.
During treatment, Jamie considers menstrual-cycle history, known diagnoses, fertility-test results, previous pregnancies, fertility treatment plans and any symptoms affecting wider health. The assessment may also include sleep, digestion, energy, stress and emotional wellbeing.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine should form part of wider fertility care rather than replace medical investigation or treatment. Fertility concerns can have many causes, and timely assessment is particularly important because fertility changes with age.
Chinese medicine uses an individual diagnosis rather than treating everyone seeking fertility support in the same way. Care is adapted according to the person's cycle, health history, symptoms, medical findings and stage of treatment.
Jamie combines more than 20 years of clinical experience with detailed pulse diagnosis and specialist fertility training. He has experience supporting people trying to conceive naturally and those undergoing assisted reproduction.
The existing page's preference for individual treatment rather than a fixed acupuncture protocol is retained. Any acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine recommendation should be based on the individual's circumstances and coordinated appropriately with fertility-clinic or medical care.
The first appointment provides time to discuss your fertility history, menstrual cycle, current investigations or treatment, relevant diagnoses and wider health. You may wish to bring available test results and information from your GP or fertility clinic.
Jamie will also ask about medication, supplements, previous treatment, sleep, stress, digestion and other relevant symptoms. The appointment includes an individual Chinese medicine assessment and, where appropriate, your first acupuncture treatment.
Jamie will explain the initial approach and discuss a suitable rhythm of care. Treatment timing is individual and should not be presented as a requirement or guarantee. Chinese herbal medicine is considered separately where clinically appropriate and must be discussed carefully during fertility treatment or pregnancy.
The Fertility Pathway is the clinic's main destination for people seeking support while trying to conceive naturally or alongside fertility treatment. It provides a clear framework for reviewing the cycle, wider health, medical information and changing needs over time.
The pathway is clinical guidance rather than a fixed programme or promise of pregnancy. Where relevant, assessment of the male partner should also form part of wider fertility care.
Pathway link: Fertility Pathway
The British Acupuncture Council's 2019 infertility and IVF fact sheet reviews research concerning acupuncture alongside IVF and ICSI. It discusses some systematic reviews that reported possible benefits, including for clinical pregnancy or live-birth rates, but also highlights inconsistent findings, low-quality evidence and important problems in study design.
The research does not establish that acupuncture improves fertility or IVF success for every person. Some studies report benefits while others do not, and the true effect remains uncertain. Acupuncture should therefore be described as optional complementary support, not as an essential part of fertility treatment or a way to guarantee pregnancy.
Current NICE fertility guidance, published in March 2026, covers assessment and established fertility treatments. It does not recommend acupuncture as a treatment for fertility problems. Medical investigation and treatment decisions should be made with an appropriate fertility professional.
Further reading:
Speak to a GP if you have not conceived after one year of regular unprotected sex. Seek advice sooner if the woman is aged 36 or over, either partner is already aware of a possible fertility problem, periods are absent or very irregular, or there are other concerns about reproductive health.
Contact your fertility clinic or an appropriate healthcare professional about symptoms, medication, test results or treatment decisions. Do not stop or change prescribed fertility medication without speaking to the clinician responsible for your care.
Seek urgent medical help during fertility treatment or pregnancy for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, breathing difficulty or other serious or rapidly worsening symptoms.
If you are trying to conceive naturally or preparing for fertility treatment, a first appointment gives us time to understand your individual circumstances and discuss whether acupuncture may be a suitable part of your wider care.