womens health – Specialist in Fertility Acupuncture & IVF Support, Warton, Preston, Lancashire PR4

When Fertility Tests Are Normal, But Pregnancy Isn’t Happening

October 5, 2026October 23, 2026 by JMReflex, posted in Acupuncture

One of the most common conversations I have in clinic starts with someone telling me that all their tests have come back normal. Their partner’s tests are normal too, and they’ve been reassured that everything looks fine. Yet pregnancy still isn’t happening.

Sometimes there isn’t an obvious explanation. Fertility is complex, and even thorough investigations don’t always provide clear answers.

What strikes me, though, is that when we start talking in more detail, the story is often less straightforward than it first appeared.

A person may describe years of low energy, sugar cravings or afternoon energy slumps. They may have painful periods, heavy bleeding or clotting. Others mention recurrent thrush, BV or urinary tract infections, unexplained weight gain, digestive issues or thyroid symptoms despite being told their results are within the normal range.

None of these symptoms automatically explains fertility difficulties. Nor am I suggesting that every symptom points to an underlying fertility problem.

What I am interested in is whether these seemingly separate issues might be part of a wider pattern.

The more I learn about fertility, the more interested I become in the factors that influence overall health: blood sugar regulation, inflammation, nutrient status, sleep, stress, gut health, the vaginal microbiome and hormone function. These systems do not operate independently of one another, and neither does fertility.

This is one reason I believe it is important to look beyond individual test results and consider the broader context. A result that falls within a reference range can be reassuring, but it does not always mean there is nothing more worth exploring.

Need support?

Need a second pair of eyes on your fertility journey? My Fertility Journey Review is a one-to-one Zoom consultation where we’ll review your fertility history, previous investigations and current treatment plan, helping you identify potential gaps, questions to explore and practical next steps.

Ear Points for Fertility: The 28 Day Protocol title

£17.00

A practical self-guided fertility ear acupressure programme featuring pattern identification, point-finding photographs, a four-week routine and tracking tools to help you use ear acupressure consistently and confidently.

Category: Fertility Resources

Tags: Acupressure, Chinese Medicine, Ear Acupressure, Ear Points for Fertility, Fertility, Fertility Support, Women’s Health

Fertility Journey Review

£150.00

A 90-minute one-to-one Zoom consultation designed to review your fertility history, previous investigations and possible next steps.

Category: Personalised Support

Tags: Fertility, Fertility Support

Insulin Resistance and Fertility: The Hidden Factor Affecting Conception and IVF Success

September 21, 2026October 23, 2026 by JMReflex, posted in Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition

In my previous post, I discussed why blood sugar balance matters in natural conception and IVF. But behind many blood sugar issues lies a hidden problem called insulin resistance.

A smiling woman in a fitted tank top holds a plate of fresh vegetables and nuts, looking content while preparing to eat.

Insulin resistance can develop years before diabetes appears and may affect fertility long before blood sugar levels become abnormal. In fact, many people are told their glucose levels are “normal” whilst underlying metabolic dysfunction is already influencing hormone balance, egg quality and reproductive health.

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin is the hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells where it can be used for energy. When cells become less responsive to insulin, the body compensates by producing more.

As a result, insulin levels can remain elevated for years whilst standard blood sugar tests still appear normal.

This is important because insulin doesn’t just regulate blood sugar. It also influences hormone signalling, inflammation, ovulation, egg development, implantation and early pregnancy.

How does insulin resistance affect fertility?

High insulin levels can disrupt the delicate balance of reproductive hormones.

Insulin resistance is commonly associated with PMOS (previously known as PCOS), but it can also occur in women who do not have PMOS and who maintain a healthy weight.

Research has linked insulin resistance with:

Impaired egg quality
Reduced embryo quality
Increased inflammation
Altered endometrial receptivity
Reduced implantation potential
Increased risk of early pregnancy loss

Some studies have even shown that insulin resistance may negatively affect embryo quality in women without PMOS undergoing IVF treatment.

The hidden problem

One of the challenges with insulin resistance is that routine screening may not identify it.

A normal fasting glucose or HbA1c does not necessarily mean that insulin function is optimal. These markers alone do not show how hard the pancreas is working to keep them within range. By the time blood sugar levels begin to rise, insulin resistance may have been developing for many years.

This is why assessing metabolic health requires looking beyond glucose alone.

Signs that insulin resistance may be present

Not everyone experiences symptoms, but common signs can include:

Difficulty losing weight
Increased abdominal fat
Sugar cravings
Fatigue after meals
Energy crashes during the day
Feeling faint, shaky or light-headed between meals
Skin tags
Darkened patches of skin around the neck, underarms or groin
PMOS (previously known as PCOS)
A family history of Type 2 diabetes

Supporting insulin sensitivity

The good news is that insulin sensitivity can often be improved through targeted lifestyle and nutritional interventions.

Helpful strategies include:

Eating regular, balanced meals rather than grazing or snacking throughout the day
Prioritising protein at meals
Pairing carbohydrates with healthy fats and fibre
Eating plenty of colourful vegetables and polyphenol-rich foods
Regular movement throughout the day
Walking after meals
Resistance training
Prioritising good-quality sleep
Managing stress effectively
Correcting nutrient deficiencies where appropriate
Acupuncture, which may support metabolic health through its effects on stress regulation, inflammation and insulin sensitivity

Summary

Fertility is not just about reproductive hormones.

Egg quality, embryo development, implantation and healthy pregnancy all depend on good metabolic health. Insulin resistance can be present long before diabetes develops and may not be detected by routine screening.

This is why, in my practice, fertility investigations include a full metabolic work-up, looking beyond reproductive hormones alone to assess the factors that may be influencing fertility and IVF outcomes.

Identifying and addressing metabolic dysfunction before IVF creates an opportunity to optimise health, improve fertility potential and support the best possible treatment outcomes.

Not sure if insulin resistance or blood sugar imbalances could be affecting your fertility?

Many women are told their fertility tests are normal, yet underlying metabolic factors are often overlooked.

Through detailed testing and individualised fertility support, I can help you understand what may be influencing your reproductive health and what steps could help improve your chances of success.

Contact me to find out how I can support your fertility or IVF journey.

References

Huang, W., Chen, Q., Fan, Y., Ma, Y., Zhang, Y., Fang, T. & Wang, Y. (2021).
Association between insulin resistance and embryo quality in lean, non-PCOS women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 741981.
Full text:View article

Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. & Dunaif, A. (2012). Insulin Resistance and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Revisited: An Update on Mechanisms and Implications. Endocrine Reviews, 33(6), 981-1030.
Full text

Lei, R., Chen, S. & Li, W. (2024).
Advances in the study of the correlation between insulin resistance and infertility. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1288326. It reviews how insulin resistance may affect oocyte development, embryo quality, endometrial receptivity, implantation, assisted reproduction outcomes, miscarriage risk and pregnancy complications. Full text

Ear Points for Fertility: The 28 Day Protocol title

£17.00

Category: Fertility Resources

Tags: Acupressure, Chinese Medicine, Ear Acupressure, Ear Points for Fertility, Fertility, Fertility Support, Women’s Health

Fertility Journey Review

£150.00

A 90-minute one-to-one Zoom consultation designed to review your fertility history, previous investigations and possible next steps.

Category: Personalised Support

Tags: Fertility, Fertility Support

Why am I not getting pregnant?

January 27, 2026October 24, 2026 by JMReflex, posted in Nutrition, Stress

A man comforts a distressed woman sitting on a couch, emphasizing emotional support and empathy.

It is quite common to think that it is easy to get pregnant. At school we were scared into believing that it is really easy to get pregnant and there was a huge push to educate on contraception. But statistically it takes time to fall pregnant.

For women up to and including the age of 25, 60% will be pregnant at 6 months of trying; 85% at a year. And of 100 couples trying to conceive, 40 will not be pregnant after 5 months, and 15 will not have conceived after a year of trying.

For women of 35 or over the statistics lengthen: 60% will be pregnant at a year, and 85% at 2 years. Age being the factor to reduce the chances of conception.

Men account for almost 40% of the reasons behind fertility treatment.

When that positive pregnancy test doesn’t come quickly, anxiety and worry can quickly set in, and this level of stress only adds to the problem. And this then often leads to a quick jump into IVF without properly giving the issue enough time and attention it needs for it to potentially happen naturally.

Why Is It Hard to Get Pregnant?

There are many possible reasons why pregnancy may not happen as quickly as expected. Common factors in addition to already mentioned age-related changes in fertility and sperm health issues include ovulation problems, hormone imbalances, metabolic health issues, endometriosis, fallopian tube problems, immune dysregulation, and lifestyle factors. In some cases, standard fertility tests appear normal and no clear explanation is found.

Understanding which factors may be affecting your fertility is often the first step towards improving your chances of conception and identifying the most appropriate support. My Fertility Journey Review takes a detailed look at your history, investigations, cycle health and potential barriers to conception from both a Western and Chinese medicine perspective. This can be in-person or remote via Zoom.

fertility journey review

What can I do?

Get to know your cycles

Understanding your menstrual cycle is key to timing intercourse properly and knowing the signs of ovulation and a healthy follicular and luteal phase, as well as a healthy bleed. Don’t rely on apps to tell you when you are ovulating and when you should be next on your period; look for stretchy egg white cervical mucus and make a note of which day of your cycle this is observed. Take your basal body temperature first thing every morning with a properly calibrated thermometer and mark this on a chart. Look at your menstrual blood and observe its colour, texture, and notice any premenstrual pains and tension you feel, and whether this carries on into your period. Doing this for a few months can built up a good picture of your menstrual health and allows you to time intercourse accordingly (every other day between the end of your bleed and ovulation).

What do you class as normal?

By this I mean, what are the things that you regularly put up with that really you shouldn’t have to? Such as extreme pain, running to the toilet after eating certain foods, avoiding particular foods/products because they irritate your tummy or skin, heart burn, fatigue, heavy periods, painful periods, acne, hot flushes, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, headaches. Symptoms you put up with could be indicators of imbalances that need to be smoothed out in order to create a baby-friendly environment within your body.

Dig a little deeper

Get tested properly. A basic Day 2 hormone panel from the GP is a good starting point, but even that can be difficult to get. Progesterone needs to be tested separately 7 days after you have ovulated (another good reason to get to know your cycle). A full thyroid panel is also useful, as is Vitamin D and iron levels. Consider getting these panels done privately if necessary. If you are local to me in Lancashire and Fylde, I work in partnership with Fylde Private Medical to offer a bespoke set of fertility-specific tests. And please realise that when using an IVF clinic they will run tests to see if you will respond to IVF and therefore they can sell you IVF. This is very different from uncovering the root of the imbalance.

Look at him

As previously mentioned, 40% of all fertility treatment is because of male factor. It is so easy to improve sperm quality quickly by improving diet, nutritional choices, reducing alcohol and smoking, and keeping testicles cool and free. Reduce the use of hot baths, saunas, hot tubs. Reduce sitting around in tight clothing. Look at hobbies which can increase the heat to this area: cycling, gaming etc. Use a good quality men’s fertility health supplement like Ovum. Keep mobile phones out of front trouser pockets.

Looking for Answers?

If you’ve been trying to conceive and are wondering why it’s not happening, it’s easy to feel frustrated, confused or overwhelmed. The reality is that fertility is influenced by many factors, including hormones, ovulation, metabolic health, inflammation, nutrition, stress and sperm quality.

If you’re struggling to identify what’s preventing pregnancy, my Fertility Journey Review takes a detailed look at your history, investigations, cycle health and potential barriers to conception from both a Western and Chinese medicine perspective. This can be in-person or remote via Zoom.

Ear Points for Fertility: The 28 Day Protocol title

£17.00

Category: Fertility Resources

Tags: Acupressure, Chinese Medicine, Ear Acupressure, Ear Points for Fertility, Fertility, Fertility Support, Women’s Health

Fertility Journey Review

£150.00

A 90-minute one-to-one Zoom consultation designed to review your fertility history, previous investigations and possible next steps.

Category: Personalised Support

Tags: Fertility, Fertility Support

Common obstacles to wellness

April 15, 2024February 4, 2025 by JMReflex, posted in Acupuncture, Health & Wellbeing, Reflexology, Stress

Many people find it difficult to find the time for wellbeing. Juggling work and family commitments can be a challenge, and before we know it another week has passed and another opportunity to book in for that reflexology or acupuncture session has gone.

As women I think we often find that, in altruistic fashion, put our own needs at the bottom of the priority list. Our children/partners/work all often take priority over ourselves and what we need to keep well and feel good.

Sometimes we might even feel that having that massage or facial is actually a luxury, and not an essential, and then we simply don’t prioritise it at all, and may even cross it off the to-do list completely!

But it is so important to take care of our health while we still have it. If we become unwell and ill-health prevails, that is when we will be unable to cope with family commitments and go to work.

Preventative healthcare is so important particularly for women as we spin so many plates in our various roles as mother, sister, daughter, wife/partner, carer, money-earner, housekeeper, cook, cleaner… the list goes on! If we don’t take care of ourselves while we have so many responsibilities, the stress of it all will start to take its toll.

So put yourself first, at least once a month, for just an hour. Book in for that treatment and make sure your cup is replenished so that you’re fully topped up and resourced for the month ahead.

More on Endometriosis

March 1, 2024October 23, 2026 by JMReflex, posted in Acupuncture, Endometriosis, Fertility, fertility acupuncture, Fibre, Healthy eating, Menstrual Cycle, Nutrition, Pain management, Reflexology, TCM

Endometriosis is thought to come from retrograde menstrual blood flow. This means that when we menstruate, some of the uterine shedding doesn’t flow downwards and out through the vagina; some of it will move up through the Fallopian tubes and into the ovary, and sometimes beyond and into the pelvic cavity.

These pieces of the endometrium are then implanted outside of the uterus, and will bleed during subsequent menses. This means that there is menstrual blood outside of the uterus which the body sees as a foreign invader; the body doesn’t recognise it outside of the uterine cavity. This creates inflammation and pain, and triggers an auto-immune response.

This also can create an oestrogen-dominant state within the body, because of the excess oestrogenic tissue outside the uterine cavity.

Endometriosis doesn’t just create “period pains” and heavy bleeding. It also can have a huge impact on reproductive health, digestive health and bowel movements, urinary and bladder health, mental/emotional health. It can also cause fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, we need to move Liver Qi Stagnation and clear Blood Stasis. This means that the Qi (energy) of the body is not free-flowing, which causes pain. It also means that if these continue to stagnate then the Blood cannot flow as it should and it gets locked down.

Depending on your particular symptoms and observations an acupuncture prescription will be created to help encourage the restoration of balance within the body.

If you prefer a Reflexology approach, then Reflexology Lymph Drainage could be the sequence of choice. This sequence specifically targets the lymphatic reflexes on the feet, with the intention of modulating the immune system (the white blood cells of the immune system live in the lymphatic fluid) and reducing the inflammatory effect on the body.

Some lifestyle interventions you can do to help yourself:

Do not wear tampons. These block the natural downward movement of menstrual blood.
Do not have intercourse during your period and the post-partum period.
Do less exercise during your bleed.
Avoid pelvic examinations and abdominal massage/pressure during your bleed.
Avoid exposure to cold water during your bleed.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean Diet, increases your intake of phytonutrients, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and reducing refined sugars, alcohol, caffeine.
Improving your diet can create an improved impact on bowel movements. Excess oestrogen is excreted through the stool so ideally twice daily bowel movements are optimal.
Remove all oestrogen-mimicking plastics and personal care products from your home. Anything from synthetic fragrances, plug-ins, candles, food stored/cooked in plastics, washing plastic Tupperware/bowls/cups in really hot water and with a harsh detergent. Switch to more environmentally friendly cleaning products and glass Tupperware. See my other post on detoxing holistically.

For more information please see my other blog post.

Fertility Journey Review

£150.00

A 90-minute one-to-one Zoom consultation designed to review your fertility history, previous investigations and possible next steps.

Category: Personalised Support

Tags: Fertility, Fertility Support

Ear Points for Fertility: The 28 Day Protocol title

£17.00

Category: Fertility Resources

Tags: Acupressure, Chinese Medicine, Ear Acupressure, Ear Points for Fertility, Fertility, Fertility Support, Women’s Health

Feel at the endo’ your rope with Endometriosis?

December 1, 2023October 23, 2026 by JMReflex, posted in Acupuncture, Endometriosis, Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Healthy eating, Mediterranean Diet, Menstrual Cycle, Pain management, Reflexology, Sleep, Stress

Endometriosis is a condition where the cells of the endometrium (the uterine lining) are laid down outside of the uterus, usually within the pelvic cavity but sometimes also further afield, like in the nostril for example.

Often endometriosis is found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even the bladder and bowel.

When menstruation occurs, the endometriosis tissue bleeds too. This means that menstrual blood is flowing into areas where it shouldn’t. The body’s immune system will kick in, and attack the endometriosis tissue, creating high levels of inflammation and pain.

Other symptoms might include pain while emptying bladder, during bowel movements, and during or after intimacy. IBS symptoms may also be present; diarrhoea or constipation.

Often endometriosis takes a long time to diagnose, because it really can only be seen via laparoscopy or MRI, although sometimes it can be detected via ultrasound. Initially pain and IBS symptoms will be dealt with via pain killers, and heavy periods are often managed via the oral contraceptive pill. Although these firefighting methods might help, they don’t get to the root of the issue.

High levels of inflammation can cause all sorts of havoc within the body. A disordered immune system will have an impact on thyroid, joints, musculoskeletal health, intestinal and bowel health, sexual health and mental wellbeing. Higher levels of the wrong type of bacteria can be prolific within the microbiome; these can cause reoccurring infections such as thrush and UTIs. Oestrogen dominance can also prevail.

What are the answers?

If you suspect you have endometriosis its imperative that your symptoms are investigated further.

Anything you can do to modulate your immune system will help. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet and removing known stimulants and food triggers is important. Regular bowel movements are also hugely important. Seek help from an acupuncturist specialising in fertility or women’s health, or a reflexologist specialising in Reflexology Lymph Drainage.

If you are experiencing problems and would like to book in with me please get in touch.