Fertility is one of the most profound areas of TCM practice — and one where the evidence for acupuncture is growing year on year. Dr D'Alberto has spent over 25 years specialising in this field.
Struggling to conceive places enormous emotional, physical and relational strain on couples. Traditional Chinese medicine offers a compassionate, evidence-informed approach that supports fertility at a fundamental level — addressing the hormonal, physical and constitutional factors that influence the ability to conceive, carry and sustain a pregnancy.
Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has spent over 25 years working with fertility patients across Berkshire and is the author of My Fertility Guide — a comprehensive guide to improving fertility through TCM principles. He treats both female and male fertility conditions and works closely with couples undergoing IVF and other assisted conception procedures.
The research into TCM and fertility is substantial. Studies led by Professor Stener-Victorin at the Karolinska Institute (2000, 2008, 2010) demonstrated significant improvements in reproductive hormone profiles and ovarian function following acupuncture in women with PCOS. A systematic review published in 2011 found that TCM-treated couples were significantly more likely to conceive within four months than those relying solely on IVF or fertility medication.
Acupuncture's fertility benefits operate through several distinct mechanisms:
When investigations find no clear cause, TCM often identifies subtle constitutional patterns that underlie the difficulty conceiving.
The most common cause of anovulatory infertility. Acupuncture has one of its strongest evidence bases in PCOS treatment.
Reducing pain, inflammation and the hostile uterine environment while supporting the menstrual cycle.
Acupuncture timed to the stimulation phase, egg collection and embryo transfer to optimise outcomes.
Low count, poor motility, abnormal morphology and high DNA fragmentation — all respond to targeted TCM treatment.
Addressing immune, hormonal and constitutional factors associated with pregnancy loss.
Acupuncture is now routinely recommended alongside IVF by many fertility clinics. Dr D'Alberto has extensive experience working with IVF patients, adapting TCM treatment to complement each stage of the IVF protocol — from the stimulation phase through to the critical post-transfer window. He also supports couples preparing for IVF in the months beforehand, with the aim of optimising egg and sperm quality before the cycle begins.
Fertility is a shared concern. In around half of all cases where a couple has difficulty conceiving, male factor infertility is a contributing element — yet it is frequently the less investigated side of the equation. Dr D'Alberto regularly treats both partners simultaneously, improving sperm parameters while supporting the female partner through her cycle or IVF protocol. This integrated approach consistently delivers better outcomes than treating one partner alone.
Eggs take approximately 90 days to mature from the earliest follicular stage to ovulation, and sperm takes a similar period to develop. For best results — particularly before an IVF cycle — three months of treatment is recommended. Weekly sessions are typical during active treatment, with timing aligned to the menstrual cycle where possible. Dr D'Alberto will advise on the optimal schedule at your initial consultation.