Acupuncture for Secondary Infertility
SUPPORTING FERTILITY, IVF & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THROUGH A FIVE-ELEMENT APPROACH
A Five-Element approach to
Fertility care
When conception no longer follows expectation
For many, it arrives quietly — often at odds with past experience — and can feel particularly disorienting when fertility was once uncomplicated.
Physiology changes over time. So do hormones, recovery capacity, and emotional reserves. Pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood are not neutral events; they leave an imprint. Secondary infertility is rarely about one missing factor, but rather the accumulation of subtle shifts.
Acupuncture is often sought at this point not to recreate the past, but to support the body where it is now.
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.
"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.
Secondary Infertility - Charlotte
Charlotte's experience of secondary infertility and Five Element acupuncture at Kite Clinic:
“One of my friends spotted an article on Kite Clinic in a magazine, which was all about a journalist who’d had problems conceiving. I was very skeptical, and Tim, my husband, was even more so, but I had an idea that it might help with more IUI treatments.
I remember walking into the treatment room at Kite Clinic, and we discussed getting me through one natural cycle without drugs. Once I’d had a period and moved into my next cycle, I could try IVF if I wanted — but that I might not still want to go ahead and instead take a bit more time.”
— Charlotte Claydon
(Film from our clinic iBook, ‘The Art of Baby Making’)
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
Five Element acupuncture understands secondary infertility not as a failure of fertility, but as a response to change within the body over time. Pregnancy, birth, loss, stress, and prolonged responsibility can subtly alter how the body regulates itself — physically, emotionally, and neurologically.
Treatment focuses on restoring internal communication and adaptability, rather than correcting a single reproductive function. Attention is given to how the nervous system is holding demand, how rhythm and recovery have shifted, and how the body is responding to pressure now, rather than in the past.
“Johnny brought clarity and calm at a time when everything felt overwhelming. I finally felt seen & supported."
— Patient feedback
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.
The Clinical Evidence
Boosting Success Rates
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
AREAS OF FOCUS WITH FERTILITY ACUPUNCTURE
Explore the areas most relevant to you, each approached within the wider context of 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.