Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Sperm Health

A male client attended treatment to support his sperm health after tests revealed low sperm count and poor morphology. He also experienced Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), fatigue, and poor sleep quality.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, weakened digestion is commonly linked to Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency. Over time, this can contribute to low energy levels and reduced sperm quantity and quality. Stress and poor digestive function can also significantly disrupt sleep, which in turn negatively impacts reproductive health. Acupuncture helps to strengthen digestive function, restore balance, and support overall wellbeing.

Following regular acupuncture sessions and a course of personalised herbal medicine, the client experienced gradual improvements in energy, digestion, and sleep. His most recent sperm test results are now within the normal range — a very positive milestone ahead of his IVF cycle.

If you are looking to improve sperm quality or seeking support for your natural or assisted fertility journey, you are welcome to book a fertility consultation and treatment session online to explore how we can support your goals: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/b973b79d/?locations=Xu%20Clinic. 

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for secondary infertility due to severe Endometriosis

Overcoming Secondary Infertility Caused by Severe Endometriosis with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

A woman in her early 40s came to us after struggling with secondary infertility. She had been diagnosed with severe endometriosis and adhesions, which, due to their location, made surgical intervention unfeasible. Alongside her fertility challenges, she experienced debilitating symptoms, including:

• - Severe menstrual pain

• - Passing large blood clots

• - Poor sleep quality

• - Weak digestion

  
  

These symptoms not only affected her physical health but also took a toll on her emotional well-being.

Treatment Approach

We developed a comprehensive treatment plan combining acupuncture, acupressure, and customized Chinese herbal medicine. Over time, these therapies worked synergistically to address her underlying imbalances, alleviate her symptoms, and improve her overall health.

Remarkable Outcomes

• Symptom Relief: Her severe period pain, clotting, and digestive issues resolved entirely.

• Improved Sleep: She began experiencing restful, rejuvenating sleep.

• Natural Conception: After two years of consistent treatment, she successfully conceived naturally—a testament to her body’s restored balance and vitality. (Updated in 2025: she felt pregnant naturally again!)

   

Tongue Diagnosis: A Visual Journey

Tongue diagnosis played a key role in monitoring her progress. At her first session, her tongue displayed a scarlet red tongue body with deep teeth marks and swollen edges, indicating significant internal imbalances. By the end of treatment, her tongue showed remarkable improvement, reflecting her enhanced overall health.

This case underscores the power of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in addressing complex conditions like endometriosis and infertility. By focusing on holistic healing and restoring balance, we were able to support her journey to motherhood and improved well-being.

Under tongue showed fully extended thick sublingual veins

Tongue pictures taken at the last session: healthy pink tongue body with good coating and even shape, 

Under tongue showed reduced sublingual veins

To enquire or book an appointment, please email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk with your contact details. 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for infertility

 The patient 

Healthy female in her 20s has been trying naturally for 5 years without success. Her and her partner have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and all their fertility tests showed results within the normal range. Patient came for treatment to support her first round of funded IVF cycle. 

The treatment

A full diagnostic consultation revealed areas that needed to be strengthened through treatment. Dietary and lifestyle advice was given to improve health, help boost fertility and relieve impact of stress. It is very understandable for patients to want to start their IVF cycle as soon as possible after trying for a long time, however it is highly advisable to allow time to regulate menstrual cycle and improve body condition first for the best outcome. Patient took this on board and received ten weekly sessions of acupuncture alongside herbal medicine at the same time targeting different stages of her cycle. Overall improvement was felt on digestion, quality of sleep, energy and fertility signs. 

The outcome

Patient had a positive natural conception pregnancy test just days before her IVF cycle was about to start. 

There has been an increased number of young healthy females having to go through IVF cycle to get pregnant. Through closely monitored acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment alongside dietary and lifestyle changes, it is very possible to achieve natural pregnancy and to prepare the body for successful  assisted pregnancy. 

Basal Body Temperature chart showing a successful pregnancy 

Acupuncture for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF

 The patient

Patient was identified having Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after taking fertility medication in the first round of IVF cycle. Patient started having headaches, poor sleep, abdominal swelling/tenderness, bloating, emotional disturbances alongside other gynaecological symptoms and excess water over one ovary was discovered during routine scan. Decision was made by her IVF team to postponed the fresh embryo transfer to a frozen transfer. 

The treatment

Patient received eight weekly acupuncture treatments for one cycle to support her OHSS associated symptoms and gradually was able to sleep better and feeling calmer. 

The outcome

Her follow up scan showed she was good to go after and had a successful frozen embryo was conducted with no issue. Patient reported a good scan at 13 weeks. 

More information on OHSS can be found here. 

Please visit www.xuclinic.co.uk if you require any further information or email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk  with your contact number to book a consultation. 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for secondary infertility

The patient

Full time working mum of one struggled to conceive again. She suffered from extreme fatigue, lower back pain, low moods, stress related digestive issues, frequent night urination (2/3 times a night) disturbing sleep, poor sleep quality and circulation. 

Treatment plan

Focus on strengthen the digestion, improve energy level, release stress, boost Kidney energy which is vital in fertility. 

Progress of treatment

Week 1: reduced night urine to just once a night, no more feeling bloated after food, noticeable improvement on energy level. Patient couldn't lay flat on her back on the first visit due to back pain;

Week 2: Lower back pain had improved and patient was able to receive treatment comfortably on her back, able to sleep through the night without the need to get up for night urine;

Week 3: Improved circulation, patient no long felt cold. No longer feeling low. sleeping much better;

Week 4: Improved bowel movement, slight cramping pain over womb which also felt during first pregnancy;

Week 5: Patient reported a positive pregnancy test on day 29!

Please visit www.xuclinic.co.uk if you require any further information or email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk  with your contact number to book a consultation. 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for infertility

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for infertility

The patient

Female patient in her mid 30s has been trying to get pregnant for over one year. Patient had been having frequent urinary tract infections despite several courses of antibiotics treatments. Ultrasound scan and blood tests for patient and sperm test for patient's partner showed no abnormalities. Patient's menstrual cycle on average is around 24 days and suffered from premenstrual symptoms. Patient also experienced chronic fatigue most of the time. Other discomforts include bloating after meal, insomnia and frequent acne outbreaks.

The treatment

Patient received weekly acupuncture treatments along with Chinese herbal medicine and achieved natural pregnancy. In addition, over the course of treatment cycle, the following complaints also benefitted:
- urinary tract infection gradually diminished until eventually cleared
- bloating after meal subsided and patient no longer felt tired all the time
- acne outbreak was controlled and cleared
- quality of sleep was much improved an patient no longed needed to spend over an hour to fall asleep
- menstrual cycle was regulated to 28 days with no reported premenstrual symptoms

Acupuncture for infertility, image source

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for secondary infertility

Acupuncture and herbal medicine for secondary infertility

The patient

Female patient in her late 30s had been trying to conceive naturally since an ectopic pregnancy. Her period cycle was longer than usual averaging around 35 days and experienced premenstrual tension such as headaches and period pain. Patient also suffered from periodic eczema flare up on her fingers.

The treatment

Patient received weekly acupuncture treatments and took Chinese herbal medicine for 5 months. Dietary advice was also given to the patient to facilitate the treatment.

Outcome

Patient's period cycle reduced to 30 days and premenstrual tension symptoms gradually subsided. Ovulation discharge increased in volume, lengthen of days with improved consistency. Patient fell pregnancy in the 5th cycle. Eczema on fingers cleared with no further flare up.

Acupuncture for fertility, image source

Regulating abnormalities associated with the period is the key to acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment for fertility. This can usually be achieved between 3 to 6 menstrual cycles. 

Acupuncture for infertility

The patient

A special needs teacher in her mid 40s had been trying for a baby for over two years without success. She lead a busy life and lived mainly on takeaways during the week. At the weekends she was often too tired to exercise.

Presenting symptoms

- Tiredness
- Passing blood clots during menstruation, painful periods

Treatment outcome

- Increased energy level
- Periods became symptom free and uneventful gradually 
- After 4 months of weekly acupuncture sessions, patient felt pregnant naturally and gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl!

Acupuncture for infertility, image resource

Diet and lifestyle changes

Regular exercise and a healthy diet is vital for optimising fertility. Patient went for a week delivery service of fresh fruit & vegetables to have more healthy home cooked meals. There are lots of good suppliers providing fresh ingredients and convenient recipe cards such as hellofresh, ideal for working professionals. She also went out for walks with her partner at weekends.  

Acupuncture for infertility

Although statically it becomes more and more difficult to conceive with age, with the help of improved diet and lifestyle and the assistance of complementary therapy, it is still achievable in the natural way. In the patient's case, acupuncture helped with natural conception by addressing her menstruation issues and enhancing overall wellbeing. 

If you would like further information on this blog or to discuss any conditions you would like to be treated, please do not hesitate to contact me via email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk.