Fertility

The Yinova Method

Our team of experts are here to provide tailored fertility support with meaningful results. Rooted in East Asian medicine, we put integrative care within your reach, giving you the power to take your health in hand. Whether you see us virtually or in-clinic, we are partners throughout your journey.

We treat your Body &
Mind Holistically

A completely holistic system, East Asian medicine is able to address the complex interaction between body chemistry & emotions very effectively.

Our Approach is Safe &
Clinically Effective

Our team of fertility experts & board-certified herbalists are qualified to blend herbs & craft treatment plans that address your symptoms & treat your whole body.

We Gently Prompt Your
Body to Heal

We help prompt your body’s innate self-healing abilities through herbal medicine, dietary advice, lifestyle suggestions, & more.

Ready To Get Started?

Virtual Fertility Services

From our support group to ongoing coaching, our virtual fertility services offer you added support on-the-go, wherever you are.

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Fertility Quiz

Take our Fertility Type Quiz to find your Fertility Type, allowing you to focus on the advice most relevant to you & your situation.

Take The Quiz

In-clinic Fertility Services

With the clinics in New York City & conceriege appointments, we offer acupuncture, custom herbal formulas & bodywork.

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Fertility Support at Yinova

We don’t practice cookie-cutter medicine at Yinova. We take the time to thoroughly understand each patient’s particular pattern of symptoms and tailor a unique treatment plan grounded in East Asian Medicine. Whether you’re seeing us for treatments, learning about your Fertility Type, joining us for informative events, or deep-diving into our rich blog archive, we understand that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to healthcare.

Explore our various fertility support offerings below:

Support At Any Stage

East Asian medicine can assist you through every stage of your fertility journey, from trying naturally to using Assisted Reproductive Technologies like intrauterine insemination (IUI) & in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

preparing

We believe that healthy bodies are key to healthy babies. We’re here to help with advice on nutrition, fitness & healthy habits as well as offer an overall reproductive tune-up to get you in great shape for pregnancy.

Trying

Crafted to support conception, your treatment plan will help you balance your hormones, regulate your cycle, & correct any other imbalances to help prepare you for conception & optimize egg quality.

IVF/IUI/Egg Freezing

Our mission is to put you back in control, working together to develop a concrete treatment plan with clear goals in mind. Our team of experts can help improve ovarian function & follicle development, enhance uterine blood flow & more.

We use the Yinova Method to treat a range of fertility conditions.

Explore some of the conditions we treat:

Amenorrhea
There are many reasons why you might not be getting your period. Amenorrhea can be related to over-exercising, nutritional deficiencies, PCOS, and hormonal imbalances, some of which affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Our experienced team of acupuncturists provide customized treatments and herbal formulas based on each specific case to help you ovulate and your cycles to become regular. Your practitioner may also suggest some dietary and lifestyle changes to support your treatments.
How to Help Yourself
Limit your aerobic exercise to 30m 4x/week until your cycle has been reset.
Include plenty of protein and healthy fats in your diet. Limit raw and cold foods and prioritize warming foods such as soup.
Take an essential fatty acid supplement to promote hormone balance.
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Decreased ovarian reserve
Our ovarian reserve decreases naturally as we age but this condition can also affect younger women, either when the supply of eggs runs out ahead of schedule or the eggs don’t respond to FSH and so don’t mature. Either way, estrogen levels drop because the follicles stop releasing the hormone. When estrogen levels fall, symptoms usually associated with menopause result: no menstrual period, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and low sex drive. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help a patient with decreased ovarian reserve by balancing hormones and helping each egg live up to its potential.
How to Help Yourself
Include some flax in your diet because it contains phytoestrogens, protein and healthy fats, which will support your hormonal balance.
Try ground flaxseeds on your breakfast cereal or flaxseed oil in your salad dressing (whole flaxseeds are not easily digested, so you reap less benefit).
Egg Freezing Support
Together, acupuncture and Chinese medicine create the ideal conditions for healthy egg development by maintaining the delicate balance of hormones and increasing ovarian blood flow.¹ This makes it the perfect adjunct treatment for anyone preparing to embark on the journey of egg freezing. Acupuncture sets up a healthy foundation by evening out any minor hormonal imbalances so that when it comes time to start medicated injections the body is prepared to respond efficiently. And when the process is over, acupuncture gently brings the body back to baseline activity.
How to Help Yourself
Follow the Making Babies program for your fertility type for three months before your procedure begins, if you can.
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Elevated FSH
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone released from the pituitary gland that tells the ovaries to start preparing an egg to ovulate each cycle. As you approach menopause, the hormones regulating the menstrual cycle begin to change. As we age, it can become elevated and higher levels are associated with decreased fertility. FSH levels fluctuate each cycle and can respond very well to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Most fertility clinics require FSH to be within a certain range in order to proceed with reproductive treatments, so regulating this hormone can be very important for fertility and the success of treatments like IVF.
At home tips for relief:How to Help Yourself
If your FSH is high, establish whether you are ovulating and, if so, keep trying for natural conception
Use meditation and visualization techniques to reduce stress and help normalize FSH.
Avoid low calorie diets and limit coffee and alcohol.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain that we see at Yinova. It can seriously affect your ability to conceive and can also cause uncomfortable, heavy or irregular periods. Sometimes there are no symptoms associated with endometriosis and it is only discovered when a patient is seeking treatment for infertility. We use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs aimed at improving blood circulation, clearing inflammation, relieving pain and treating the patient’s underlying condition associated with their endometriosis. Patients with this condition may also benefit from making specific dietary changes to reduce their symptoms.
How to Help Yourself
Regular exercise promotes blood flow and in our clinic we have noticed that our endometriosis patients who exercise frequently respond better to treatment and show marked symptomatic improvement.
The liver is responsible for metabolizing excess estrogen and so supporting good liver function is an important part of a holistic strategy to treat endometriosis. Because of this we advise our Yinova patients with endometriosis to limit their alcohol consumption and avoid caffeine.
Adopting a low fat, high fiber, mostly plant-based diet can also help to relieve some of the symptoms associated with endometriosis.
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Immunological Factors
Chinese medicine has been shown in studies to help regulate the immune system. In cases of autoimmune disorders and immunological fertility barriers to fertility, acupuncture and specific Chinese herbs, often in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes, can help calm an overactive immune system, to support a healthy pregnancy.
How to Help Yourself
Avoid alcohol and smoking altogether, and keep refined sugar and caffeine to a minimum, as they all put extra stress on your immune system.
Load up on antioxidants such as vitamin C (in reasonable amounts), vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc, all of which are beneficial to the immune system. Include them in your diet and also consider supplements.
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Irregular Menses
Periods that come irregularly each month are very common and can make it difficult to conceive. Even if you are not trying to have a baby, Chinese medicine considers a regular menstrual rhythm to be an important sign of good health. Irregular menses can be caused by an imbalance that results in hormone fluctuations throughout the month. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for hundred of years to balance hormones, restore rhythm, and encourage a more predictable ovulation, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
How to Help Yourself
Follow a diet that won’t stress your liver with too many synthetic compounds by prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods and eating plenty of fiber.
Aim for 60 percent vegetables and fruits, 30 percent complex carbohydrates, and 10 percent protein (lean meat, oily fish, low-fat cheese, nuts, and seeds).
IVF Support
Good clinical research has demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture used in conjunction with IVF, demonstrating a 50% increase in success rate with acupuncture vs. without. Acupuncture works to increase success rates of these interventions by increasing blood flow to the ovaries during the stimulation phase of IVF and by improving the effectiveness of the drugs given. It also relaxes the uterus and addresses uterine spasm after embryo transfer. Acupuncture also reduces stress, calms anxiety, and offsets side-effects of the fertility drugs.
How to Help Yourself
Follow the Making Babies program for your fertility type for three months before your IVF procedure begins, if you can.
Combine this with regular acupuncture and Chinese herbs for three months, as research has shown this is the optimal amount of treatment to support an IVF cycle.
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IUI Support
During an IUI cycle, acupuncture can help increase conception rates by increasing the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, improving the effectiveness of any medications used, and by assisting in the development of follicles and the uterine lining. Acupuncture also helps to address uterine spasm around the time of potential implantation and can treat any side effects that arise from the fertility drugs.
How to Help Yourself
Limit the amount of caffeine you consume because it can decrease the flow of blood to the uterus, which can interfere with implantation.
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Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)
A luteal phase lasting less than twelve days is too short for the endometrium to develop enough to properly support a fertilized egg. This is known as luteal phase defect. It’s a common endocrine disorder, present in a significant portion of our patients having trouble conceiving and more than a third of people with repeated early pregnancy loss. Low progesterone levels in the luteal phase are also an indicator of LPD. You might have a normal twelve- to-fourteen-day luteal phase but still have progesterone levels that are too low. The result is the same: if there’s not enough progesterone, the endometrium can’t develop and function properly. Some studies have implicated LPD in poor follicle development and insufficient levels of FSH and LH.
How to Help Yourself
Try chaste tree berry to help lengthen the luteal phase; take 16 drops of the tincture (or follow package instructions) twice a day from ovulation until your period begins. It is especially useful if you have a slow transition from the LH surge to ovulation.
Try red raspberry leaf, usually taken as a tea or tincture, to improve blood flow to the uterus. (Stop taking it when you become pregnant.)
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Male Factor Infertility
Male factor infertility accounts for 40% of couples struggling to conceive. Fertility acupuncture has been shown, in recent studies, to help improve sperm count, motility, and morphology, as well as correcting some immune factors such as anti-sperm antibodies that can interfere with conception. Treatments that affect sperm quality in both Chinese medicine and Western medicine can take a minimum of 3-4 months, so it is best to start as soon as possible
How to Help Yourself
We encourage all our patients to eat as much organic, unprocessed food as possible but this is particularly important for men trying to conceive because repeated studies have shown that environmental toxins have a negative impact on sperm quality and count.
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Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts can cause pelvic pain and interfere with a your ability to conceive. They can occur naturally or as a side effect of some fertility treatments. As Jill explained in her book Making Babies Chinese herbs can help to reduce cysts and are combined with acupuncture to treat the underlying causes, whether they are related to PCOS or other structural issues or hormone imbalances.
How to Help Yourself
Research shows that cows deprived of beta-carotene develop ovarian cysts and are slow to ovulate, and their fellow mammals—humans—work much the same way. You get beta-carotene in your diet from yellow and orange foods (including carrots, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes), as well as from broccoli and leafy greens such as spinach.
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is the most common anovulatory disorder and the single most common hormonal cause of infertility. Anyone with ovaries can develop PCOS, and in fact an estimated 10% of women have been diagnosed with this disorder. In PCOS, a hormonal dysfunction results in the ovaries not being able to fully mature an egg. Follicles begin to develop and build up fluid, but do not progress to the point where they release an egg. As a result, ovulation is either absent or intermittent. Because of this, some of the semi-developed follicles turn into little fluid-filled sacs known as cysts. Without the progesterone that matured follicles would make, menstruation is irregular or perhaps stops altogether. On top of that, the cysts make androgens (masculinizing hormones, although they exist in all people in different proportions), which can prevent ovulation. It can be a vicious cycle.
How to Help Yourself
Lose some weight if you need to. Studies show that losing just 10 percent of body weight can result in normal ovulation in patients with PCOS.
Cut down on animal fats and increase essential fatty acids (EFAs). Eat a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat protein such as chicken, fish, and beans. Get plenty of antioxidant nutrients from foods and supplements. They fight inflammation, which can exacerbate PCOS.
Balance your blood sugar by limiting your carbohydrate intake. Don’t cut out carbs altogether, though, as that can lower serotonin levels and leave you feeling depressed. Instead, eat healthy carbs such as whole grains.
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Recurrent Miscarriage
There are many causes of recurrent miscarriage, some of which can be addressed with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Our experienced acupuncturists can help determine potential imbalances leading to early pregnancy loss, and will refer to leading physicians for testing and concurrent medical treatment when appropriate. Studies have shown acupuncture can prevent some types of miscarriage, so we recommend newly pregnant people to continue acupuncture treatments into early pregnany.
How to Help Yourself
The key to treating repeated miscarriages is to figure out the cause by consulting your MD. Most doctors focus on hormones, anatomy (especially of the uterus), genetics (abnormal chromosomes in either partner or the fetus), and thrombophilia (overactive clotting). Those are likely causes, but it’s also worth investigating environmental, immunological, and infectious causes. In our experience, immunological problems and infections are the most commonly overlooked causes of repeated miscarriages. It’s also important to consider what’s going on in both partners, not just the woman.
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Hormone Imbalances
Diet, lack of sleep, and stress-filled lifestyles can very easily wreak havoc on our hormones in multiple ways. Stress can lead to chemical changes in our bodies, and can divert blood away from organs, included those associated with the digestive and reproductive systems. Since many hormones are dependent upon one another to remain balanced, over time, excess levels of stress can lead to imbalances in reproductive hormones, potentially affecting fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to offset the effects of stress on reproductive hormones and to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs. In conjunction with Chinese herbs, it can help your body to regain hormonal balance.
How to Help Yourself
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, kale, and the like contain a phytonutrient called diindolylmethane (DIM), which helps us to metabolize estrogen better.
That means that cruciferous veggies help combat the estrogen dominance that can lead to everything from PMS to irregular periods or menstrual cramps.
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Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign growths in the uterus and are often associated with heavy periods, cramping, bleeding, or spotting between periods, abdominal swelling, and sometimes pain during intercourse. They can also interfere with the ability to conceive. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be effective as treatment for fibroids or as an adjunctive treatment with Western medical interventions when fibroids are advanced in size.
How to Help Yourself
Many of our patients find that adopting a low fat, high fiber, mostly vegetarian diet is helpful. If you are overweight, losing a few pounds could help as excess fat increases the amount of estrogen in your system and that in turn causes fibroids to grow.
For the same reason avoid hormonally treated meat and dairy and eat as much organic produce as you can.
Learn More
Unexplained Infertility
A diagnosis of unexplained infertility can be one of the most difficult to receive. One of the many strengths of Chinese medicine is an emphasis menstrual cycle health and its ability to make subtle changes to the cycle that can improve fertility, even when no issues can be found with medical testing.
Follow the Making Babies Program
Take the Fertility Quiz and follow the Making Babies Program for the Stuck or Tired Type, depending on your results.
Learn More

Our Team

Yinova’s team of board-certified practitioners of East Asian medicine have been helping patients understand their fertility health & provide customized guidance & holistic support for over two decades.

Yinova was founded by Dr. Jill Blakeway, who has been described as a “fertility goddess” & named as one of the top acupuncturists by the New York Times. She wrote the bestselling Fertility book, called “Making Babies” in partnership with Dr. David, which is the foundation of the Yinova method.

All of our practitioners are all licensed & board-certified in acupuncture & herbs. Partnering closely with leading doctors, we are dedicated to providing complementary care with meaningful results by using an integrative approach to Eastern Medicine.

Meet Our Team

I truly believe this place is a big part of the reason that I am now the mom of a beautiful 7-month old!! Most of my sessions were with Noah, and he is kind, gentle, engaged, and so supportive. Thank you, Noah and Yinova!!

Erin, Yinova Patient

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Anne, Mary & my cohort in our fertility support group. I originally joined because I heard a statistic that women increase their chances of getting pregnant when they join a support group. I was so tired of hiding in shame about my struggles, as a woman and a practitioner and found it so comforting to know other women could relate to my journey. Each call was packed with resources and loads and loads of empathy, facilitated so skillfully by Mary and Anne. I’m happy to report that 2 weeks after our last class, my husband and I found out we were expecting. Today we are going strong at 9 weeks, expecting a baby girl in August.

Marianne, Yinova Patient

Jill’s reputation for fertility is what attracted me to Yinova and I believe it definitely helped me get pregnant and manage pregnancy symptoms. Thank you for being such a wonderful place!

V, Yinova Patient

Related Fertility Resources

See All Fertility Posts

Locations

Fertility Support, Tailored to You

The Yinova Method

We treat your Body &
Mind Holistically

Our Approach is Safe &
Clinically Effective

We Gently Prompt Your
Body to Heal

Ready To Get Started?

Fertility Support at Yinova

Support At Any Stage

preparing

Trying

IVF/IUI/Egg Freezing

We use the Yinova Method to treat a range of fertility conditions.

Our Team

Related Fertility Resources

ART

Chinese Herbs

ART

Fertility

Food as Medicine

ART

ART

Schedule your appointment online or email us

Fertility Support, Tailored to You

We treat your Body & Mind Holistically

Our Approach is Safe & Clinically Effective

We Gently Prompt Your Body to Heal

Ready To Get Started?

Fertility Support at Yinova

preparing

Trying

IVF/IUI/Egg Freezing

We use the Yinova Method to treat a range of fertility conditions.

Our Team

ART

Chinese Herbs

ART

Fertility

Fertility

Food as Medicine

ART

ART

Schedule your appointment online or email us

We treat your Body &
Mind Holistically

Our Approach is Safe &
Clinically Effective

We Gently Prompt Your
Body to Heal