AFN Members blog
Our Fertility Blog is here to support you with trusted information and insight.
Written by experienced fertility acupuncturists from across the Acupuncture Fertility Network, these posts explore every aspect of fertility — from understanding your cycle to preparing for IVF, and caring for your emotional health along the way.
Your OPK Is Positive, But Did You Actually Ovulate?
What Chinese medicine sees when Western medicine moves on If you've been tracking your cycle with ovulation predictor kits, you'll know the drill, you watch for the surge, you get your positive, you tick the box. But what if that positive result isn’t giving you...
Endometriosis, Fertility and Natural Conception: What Chinese Medicine Sees That Western Medicine Misses
What Is Endometriosis and Why Does It Affect Fertility? Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, or elsewhere in the pelvis. It affects roughly one in ten women of...
Support Through Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum with Acupuncture and Nutrition
When planning for a baby, supporting your body with acupuncture and nutrition can significantly impact fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. These holistic approaches nurture both mother and baby, ensuring optimal health at every stage. Preconception Care:...
Endometritis & The Endometrial Microbiome: What You Need to Know If You’re Trying to Conceive
The uterine microbiome is an important, yet often overlooked, factor in many people’s fertility journey. We used to believe the uterus was sterile, we know now that the endometrium has its own microbiome. This tiny ecosystem impacts implantation, immune regulation and...
How to Detox Your Daily Life from Hormone Disruptors
Discover practical steps to reduce exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that impact fertility, hormone balance, and inflammation. Ideal for anyone trying to conceive, managing hormonal conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, or reducing health risks from toxins in food, home products, and skincare. Learn easy swaps to lower your toxic load and support long-term wellness.
Facts You Didn’t Know about Male Fertility
Discover essential tips for improving male fertility, from protecting sperm health to avoiding harmful environmental factors. Learn how temperature, diet, lifestyle habits, and common toxins can impact sperm count and motility. Explore natural ways to boost fertility and support reproductive health, including diet changes, supplements, and more.
A Medical Perspective on Acupuncture and IVF
The preparation of the mind and body is an essential part of the journey towards successful fertility treatment and pregnancy.
How to Choose a Fertility Acupuncturist
If you as a consumer find yourself in the unexpected position of needing fertility treatment, how do you find a doctor, a clinic, and navigate your way through a system you never thought you needed to know anything about? Most of my clients start with their GP – and...
3 easy high protein savoury breakfasts to support your fertility
If you’ve been seeing a fertility acupuncturist it’s highly likely they have recommended you start your day with a high protein savoury breakfast. But why is this and how much protein do you actually need?
Low AMH – When to Worry
Low AMH doesn’t always mean you need to start to panic right now – and in my experience, in women under 40 it rarely means you need IVF!
When is the best time to do acupuncture for fertility
by Hannah Pearn
Many people seek treatment as a supporting therapy alongside fertility treatment. This can be for IVF, IUI and if you’re trying to conceive naturally. Ideally we like to see people 3 to 6 months before they start any treatment as we know it take this amount of time for lifestyle change and acupuncture to influence the quality of the egg and sperm
Why is your vaginal microbiome important for fertility?
By Hannah Pearn
This is a whole new area of science but studies show that a healthy vaginal microbiome can be linked to positive fertility outcomes.Research has shown that the dominance of lactobacillus (the good microbes) in the vagina plays a vital role in fertility outcomes.
Can Acupuncture aid fertility
by Sam May LicAc, MFHT
There is a common misperception that acupuncture only helps with aches and pain — ‘it hurts here, let’s stick a needle there’. So, how can acupuncture help fertility? It’s not an ache or pain. We can explain this at a basic physical level, but to appreciate it fully, we need to consider fertility in terms of the whole person — body and mind. Acupuncturists call this a holistic approach.