Acupuncture Maidenhead

〰 〰 〰 Traditional Chinese Medicine • Maidenhead, Berkshire

Fertility Acupuncture in Maidenhead

Fertility is one of our most established areas of clinical work. Treatment is provided by Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto, author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide, with over 25 years of clinical experience in supporting couples through conception, pregnancy and postnatal recovery. Patients travel to us from across Maidenhead, Cookham, Bray, Taplow and the wider Berkshire area for fertility support.

Who we help

Fertility journeys take many forms. Some couples have been trying for less than a year and want to optimise their chances. Others have been trying for years and have been told their case is unexplained. Some are preparing for IVF or ICSI. Some have experienced recurrent miscarriage. Some are over 40 and conscious of time. All are welcome.

Natural conception

Optimising egg quality, regulating cycles, supporting ovulation and implantation. The natural starting point for most couples.

IVF / ICSI support

Pre-treatment preparation, support through stimulation, embryo transfer and the two-week wait. Improves outcomes when integrated correctly.

Unexplained infertility

One of the most common reasons couples seek TCM. Where Western diagnostics find nothing, Chinese medicine often identifies clear treatable patterns.

PCOS

Restoring ovulation, regulating cycles, addressing underlying insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance.

Endometriosis

Reducing pain, improving egg quality, supporting fertility in the presence of endometriosis or adenomyosis.

Male fertility

Improving sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation. Both partners should be assessed.

Recurrent miscarriage

Investigating and treating underlying patterns. Supporting the body to carry pregnancy to term.

Perimenopause & later fertility

Supporting fertility for women over 40, optimising the limited time available, working with declining AMH.

How acupuncture supports fertility

Acupuncture has been shown to influence reproductive function through several measurable mechanisms. It improves blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (the master hormonal system controlling reproduction), modulates the stress response (chronic stress is a significant fertility inhibitor) and may improve egg quality through better mitochondrial function.

For men, acupuncture has been shown in multiple studies to improve sperm count, motility and morphology, and to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation — an important measure that conventional semen analysis often misses.

What the research shows

The most well-known fertility acupuncture study was published by Paulus and colleagues in 2002 in Fertility and Sterility. It found that women receiving acupuncture immediately before and after embryo transfer during IVF had significantly higher pregnancy rates (42.5%) compared to those who did not (26.3%). Subsequent research has refined our understanding — the most consistent benefits are seen when acupuncture is delivered as a course of treatment in the months before IVF, optimising the egg quality and uterine environment, rather than just on the day of transfer.

The 90-day window

Both eggs and sperm take approximately three months to mature before they are ready for fertilisation. This is the most important window for influencing quality. For this reason, we recommend that couples planning to try (or planning IVF) begin treatment three to four months in advance. This is enough time to influence the developing eggs and sperm, regulate cycles, address any underlying issues and prepare the body optimally.

Chinese herbal medicine for fertility

Where appropriate, Chinese herbal formulas can substantially enhance fertility outcomes — particularly for irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage and male factor infertility. Formulas are individually prescribed using pharmaceutical-grade Sun Ten granules from Taiwan. They are safe to take alongside fertility medication under proper supervision, with appropriate adjustments made around IVF protocols.

Reading recommendation

If you'd like to read more about natural fertility from the same practitioner who would be treating you, My Fertility Guide is available on Amazon, Waterstones, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Google Play, in English, French and German editions. Many patients read it before their first appointment.

Take the next step

Whether you're at the start of your fertility journey or have been trying for years, treatment can help.

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