JOHNNY CHILDS | FIVE-ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture for Secondary Infertility
SUPPORTING FERTILITY, IVF & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THROUGH A FIVE-ELEMENT APPROACH
EXPLORE FERTILITY SUPPORT
A Five-Element approach to fertility care
When conception no longer follows expectation
Many arrive carrying both gratititude for what they have and grief for what is proving harder to reach this time.
- Johnny Childs
Many arrive carrying both gratititude for what they have and grief for what is proving harder to reach this time.
- Johnny Childs
Secondary infertility in conventional fertility care
Familiar investigations, unfamiliar outcomes
Clinically, secondary infertility is assessed through familiar pathways: hormonal testing, ovulation tracking, uterine and tubal assessment, and review of previous pregnancy history.
Yet despite clear investigations, many find the experience curiously unsatisfying — particularly when no single explanation emerges. Those who have conceived before are often told they can conceive again, without guidance on why it is no longer straightforward.
It is frequently within this gap — between reassurance and uncertainty — that acupuncture enters the conversation.
The Five Element Acupuncture Lens
A different way of reading the body
Five-Element acupuncture approaches secondary infertility as a change in internal balance following significant physiological and emotional demand.
Pregnancy and birth can affect nourishment, recovery, and rhythm over time. Treatment is therefore not directed at fertility in isolation, but at restoring coherence across systems that may have become depleted, constrained, or overstimulated.
Sessions are paced, individualised, and responsive — particularly where fertility is entwined with fatigue, stress, or a sense of being “out of sync” with one’s body.
How Acupuncture Can Help With Secondary Infertility
Responding to change within the body
How Acupuncture Can Help With Secondary Infertility
Responding to change within the body
“Johnny brought clarity and calm at a time when everything felt overwhelming. I finally felt seen and supported.”
— Patient feedback
A Classical Five-Element Approach
Johnny Childs practises classical Five-Element acupuncture from Kite Clinic, Marylebone, and Liberty London. His work is grounded in the classical tradition, with a contemporary focus on emotional health, fertility, and the regulation of the nervous system.
He supports people navigating fertility treatment, hormonal imbalance, stress, and complex or long-standing conditions, working at a deeper, constitutional level to restore balance over time.
Appointments & Enquires
If you are considering acupuncture as part of your fertility journey, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss whether this approach feels appropriate for you. Appointments are available at Kite Clinic and Liberty London.
At Kite Clinic
At Liberty London
The Clinical Evidence
Boosting Success Rates
While your body has successfully carried a child before, secondary infertility often means the "biological environment" has shifted. Whether it’s due to increased stress, hormonal changes, or reduced uterine blood flow, recent clinical research shows that acupuncture is an exceptionally effective tool for resetting that baseline.
Many of my patients are juggling the demands of a first child while trying for their second. This creates a "sympathetic" (stress) state that can hinder conception. These studies confirm that acupuncture isn't just about relaxation; it is a targeted, physiological intervention that improves the physical markers of fertility.
Boosting Success Rates
While your body has successfully carried a child before, secondary infertility often means the "biological environment" has shifted. Whether it’s due to increased stress, hormonal changes, or reduced uterine blood flow, recent clinical research shows that acupuncture is an exceptionally effective tool for resetting that baseline.
Many of my patients are juggling the demands of a first child while trying for their second. This creates a "sympathetic" (stress) state that can hinder conception. These studies confirm that acupuncture isn't just about relaxation; it is a targeted, physiological intervention that improves the physical markers of fertility.
What the Latest Research Really Means for Your Fertility
What the researchers were looking at: A comprehensive 2024 meta-analysis published in Healthcare (MDPI) examined the impact of acupuncture on reproductive success. The findings were significant: acupuncture was shown to notably increase live birth ratesby regulating the communication between the brain and the ovaries (the HPO axis).
• The takeaway: It helps restore your hormonal rhythm to its peak state, supporting your body in not just conceiving, but maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Evidence-Based Insights Into Acupuncture for Fertility
What the researchers were looking at:
This paper did not report a new clinical trial. Instead, it reviewed and evaluated existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses that studied acupuncture’s effects on endometrial receptivity — a key factor in implantation and fertility outcomes in infertility care. The goal was to assess how solid the evidence is and what it actually shows about acupuncture’s impact on the endometrium.
The Findings:
The overview included 10 systematic reviews (2019–2023) that collectively examined acupuncture in infertile women. It found that:
Most of the existing evidence on acupuncture improving endometrial receptivity and fertility outcomes was of low or very low quality when rigorously evaluated.
Acupuncture combined with other interventions (like medications, Chinese herbal medicine, or IVF-ET) may be linked with improved pregnancy and ovulation rates, based on descriptive analysis.
However, methodological weaknesses — including inconsistent reporting, bias risk, and variability among studies — make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about acupuncture’s standalone effect on endometrial receptivity.
The takeaway:
Although some reports suggest that acupuncture might boost endometrial factors important for implantation and pregnancy when used alongside other therapies, the overall quality of the evidence is low and far from definitive. This means that while acupuncture remains a promising supportive tool in infertility care, high-quality randomized trials with standardized protocols are still needed to confirm its specific benefits for endometrial receptivity.
The Clinical Consensus: What NICE, the WHO, and the BMJ say about Acupuncture
In the refined world of modern reproductive wellness, the most discerning individuals are moving beyond a binary choice between clinical intervention and holistic support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long acknowledged the traditional role of acupuncture in supporting reproductive health, particularly its use in promoting emotional equilibrium and physical relaxation during what can be a demanding journey. Even within the prestigious dialogue of the British Medical Journal (BMJ), practitioners have explored how acupuncture serves as a sophisticated adjunctive therapy, helping to harmonise the body’s response to stress—a vital factor for those navigating the complexities of assisted conception.
While the NHS and NICE focus their guidelines on primary clinical outcomes, they recognise acupuncture as a safe, highly popular complementary choice for those seeking a more integrative experience. Rather than a replacement for Western protocols, these bodies view it as a supportive tool for patient well-being. Whether used to foster a sense of calm during the critical windows of implantation or to manage the emotional rigours of an IVF cycle, acupuncture offers a "gold-standard" for self-care. It is the essential luxury of a well-supported path, providing a bridge between the precision of the lab and the timeless, restorative intelligence of the body.
Acupuncture FAQs for Secondary Infertility
Can acupuncture help with secondary infertility?
Acupuncture is commonly used as a supportive therapy to help regulate cycles, reduce physiological stress, and support reproductive wellbeing. It is not positioned as a treatment for infertility itself.
Is secondary infertility different from primary infertility?
Yes. Secondary infertility often reflects cumulative physiological change rather than an initial reproductive difficulty.
Can acupuncture help after a demanding first pregnancy or birth?
Many seek acupuncture following pregnancy or birth where recovery feels incomplete or cycles have altered.
Does age play a role?
Age can influence fertility following a first child. Acupuncture does not reverse age-related change but may support balance within current physiology.
Can acupuncture be used alongside fertility treatment?
Yes. It is frequently used alongside IVF or other fertility care as part of an integrative approach.
What if no medical cause is found?
Where investigations are inconclusive, acupuncture may support regulation and wellbeing during attempts to conceive.
How often would treatment be recommended?
Frequency is individual and discussed in context of cycle, presentation, and any concurrent treatment.
Is acupuncture safe while trying to conceive?
When provided by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is considered safe during fertility planning.
Other Areas of Focus with Fertility
Individual support, shaped around your fertility journey
Important note
Acupuncture is a holistic and complementary therapy rooted in classical Chinese medicine, including Five-Element principles. Many people find it supportive alongside conventional medical care, particularly for stress regulation and overall wellbeing.
Individual responses vary, and outcomes depend on the person, the condition being treated and the quality of available research. Acupuncture is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment, and should be used as part of an integrated approach to health.
