5 Things Your Doctor Might Not Tell You About Fertility—But I Will
Fertility is so much more than charts, lab results, and ovulation apps. It’s a journey that touches your physical body, your emotions, and your sense of self.
As a fertility acupuncture practitioner who bridges science and natural health, I want to share some insights that I wish every person trying to conceive knew—truths that often get overlooked, but can change everything when it comes to healing and hope.
1. Your Cycle Is a Vital Sign
Tracking your cycle isn’t just about pinpointing ovulation. It’s a powerful diagnostic tool.
The length of your cycle, the quality of your flow, PMS symptoms, spotting between periods, temperature patterns—these are all messages from your body. They’re not random or irrelevant; they’re clues. And in the right hands, they can form a roadmap to understanding where your system might be out of balance.
When we treat your cycle as a vital sign (like blood pressure or heart rate), we begin to see the bigger picture of your health and fertility.
2. “Unexplained Infertility” Isn’t the End of the Story
If you’ve been told you have “unexplained infertility,” you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not out of options.
In Western medicine, when test results look “normal” but pregnancy still doesn’t happen, the diagnosis often stops there. But in Chinese Medicine, we ask different questions. Is there enough qi and blood? Is energy flowing freely, or is there stagnation? Is the body in a chronic state of stress or depletion? We also consider not only “normal” ranges but “optimal” ranges for test results. There is a difference.
“Unexplained” doesn't mean unhelpable. It means it's time to look deeper.
3. Stress Really Does Affect Your Fertility
If you’ve ever been told to “just relax,” it can feel very dismissive and unhelpful, but in truth, stress does impact your fertility, and not in a vague, emotional way—in a very physiological one.
Chronic stress alters your hormone balance, causes inflammation, affects ovulation, and can make implantation harder. Your nervous system plays a key role in your reproductive health. It may not be the whole picture, but it can be a significant part of it.
That’s why acupuncture, along with lifestyle adjustments, can be so powerful. It helps regulate the nervous system, shifting the body out of fight-or-flight and into a state of rest, repair, and receptivity. Peace is fertile ground.
4. Your Body Is Not Broken
This is a big one. So many people come to me feeling like their body is failing them. But fertility challenges aren’t a sign you’re broken—they’re a sign your system is asking for support.
You are not a machine that needs fixing. You are a wise, complex, cyclical being. Fertility is a process of rebalancing—not about forcing your body to comply, but about gently bringing it back into harmony.
5. You Deserve Care That Holds Both Science and Soul
You shouldn’t have to choose between medical interventions and holistic care. You can track your LH surges and align with your cycle. You can pursue IVF and receive acupuncture. You can work with your doctor and a practitioner who sees your whole self.
Real healing comes from support that honors both the biology and the emotional, energetic layers of your journey.
Curious How Fertility Acupuncture Could Support Your Journey?
Whether you're just starting to explore your options or feeling burned out after trying everything, you're not alone—and you don’t have to walk this path unsupported.
Ann-Marie Shepherd
Fertility and Women's Health Acupuncture Derby
Bridging Science & Natural Health with Compassion
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