Anon, Bristol

I was told our fertility issues were due to male factors that I could do little about, and was feeling a bit down about it. I was also apprehensive as to whether acupuncture would help. All of my sperm factors improved gradually over the course of the journey and now we are expecting our first child. Working with you allowed another voice and another perspective on other related issues that could be contributing to male factor infertility and I am glad that we investigated most of your suggestions. The acupuncture work also created a calming safe space where for the duration of the needle work I wasn’t preoccupied by other life stresses allowing my kind to focus on positive thoughts. Thank you for all of your help and support. I would recommend you to others if they needed similar help.

Find out more about Acupuncture for Fertility and Hormone Health on my Instagram page

So often I am contacted by couples where they have been told the male side is fine, or that the recommendation is IVF with ICSI but no real answer as to why a sperm parameter might be low.

Recently I even had a client who had a semen analysis where the recommendation in the notes at the end was, amongst other things, to consult with a urologist. But the clinic did not discuss this with the client, they just recommended IVF with ICSI (which was unsuccessful and why they came to see me).

I have an eye for detail so I will pick things like this, as well as more subtle issues from your test results.

I work with a framework of optimal ranges, not just “normal” to support you to prepare properly for your fertility journey.

One of my favourite parts of working with couples is being a fertility detective and getting to the root cause of your issues!

If you would like an extra pair of experienced eyes to go over your case and to support you with relaxing and nourishing acupuncture alongside dietary and lifestyle suggestions, my Four Month Conception Reset package could be the right next step for you. There is more info on my website (link in bio.)

What are you struggling with most on your fertility journey? Let me know here or by DM and I may write a post about it 😊

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Open post by valerie_salt_fertility with ID 18285349165266665
So often I am contacted by couples where they have been told the male side is fine, or that the recommendation is IVF with ICSI but no real answer as to why a sperm parameter might be low. Recently I even had a client who had a semen analysis where the recommendation in the notes at the end was, amongst other things, to consult with a urologist. But the clinic did not discuss this with the client, they just recommended IVF with ICSI (which was unsuccessful and why they came to see me). I have an eye for detail so I will pick things like this, as well as more subtle issues from your test results. I work with a framework of optimal ranges, not just “normal” to support you to prepare properly for your fertility journey. One of my favourite parts of working with couples is being a fertility detective and getting to the root cause of your issues! If you would like an extra pair of experienced eyes to go over your case and to support you with relaxing and nourishing acupuncture alongside dietary and lifestyle suggestions, my Four Month Conception Reset package could be the right next step for you. There is more info on my website (link in bio.) What are you struggling with most on your fertility journey? Let me know here or by DM and I may write a post about it 😊

All ready for couples to come into clinic together.

Have you tried acupuncture to support your fertility journey yet?

Or are you thinking about trying it because you have heard it can help. Maybe you aren’t sure how it can actually help but you are ready to try anything.

It can feel like a big step to commit to a course of acupuncture, especially if it’s not something you have tried before.

But did you know that I also specialise in supplements, diet and lifestyle changes to support your fertility journey. As well as being very familiar with a lot of fertility related testing that it is available, which helps to find out the answer to why you are struggling to conceive.

I saw a client in clinic who came to me with her partner thinking that her pregnancy loss was all due to her PCOS. But it turns out that her partner has an infection (which they are both being treated for) and he has a varicocele which can impact male fertility.

If they had gone down the conventional route, neither of these things would have been found.

Because they trusted me with their care these things can be sorted out as quickly and efficiently as possible using my trusted network of practitioners and medics, all while supporting their hormones and stress levels with regular acupuncture.

If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, my Four Month Conception Reset might be just what you need. Please feel free to DM me to find out more. Or, if you are ready to take action and commit to your health and fertility with a treatment package, you can book a free 15 minute call using the link in my bio @valerie_salt_fertility

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All ready for couples to come into clinic together. Have you tried acupuncture to support your fertility journey yet? Or are you thinking about trying it because you have heard it can help. Maybe you aren’t sure how it can actually help but you are ready to try anything. It can feel like a big step to commit to a course of acupuncture, especially if it’s not something you have tried before. But did you know that I also specialise in supplements, diet and lifestyle changes to support your fertility journey. As well as being very familiar with a lot of fertility related testing that it is available, which helps to find out the answer to why you are struggling to conceive. I saw a client in clinic who came to me with her partner thinking that her pregnancy loss was all due to her PCOS. But it turns out that her partner has an infection (which they are both being treated for) and he has a varicocele which can impact male fertility. If they had gone down the conventional route, neither of these things would have been found. Because they trusted me with their care these things can be sorted out as quickly and efficiently as possible using my trusted network of practitioners and medics, all while supporting their hormones and stress levels with regular acupuncture. If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, my Four Month Conception Reset might be just what you need. Please feel free to DM me to find out more. Or, if you are ready to take action and commit to your health and fertility with a treatment package, you can book a free 15 minute call using the link in my bio @valerie_salt_fertility

Lovely feedback from a Dad to be.

It is very common for me to work with couples where there are suboptimal results on the male side.

In this case, and many others, the man is not given any advice to improve his sperm health and they can be left feeling upset due to having a problem and no way to fix it.

In this case there was a fix.

Both partners were looked after with regular acupuncture as well as everything else that I do with couples. Easing the journey to parenthood is always my aim.

I wish them both the best for the rest of the pregnancy and beyond!

If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, my Four Month Conception Reset might be just what you need. Please feel free to DM me to find out more. Or, if you are ready to take action and commit to your health and fertility with a treatment package, you can book a free 15 minute call using the link in my bio @valerie_salt_fertility

7 2
Open post by valerie_salt_fertility with ID 17960778248794041
Lovely feedback from a Dad to be. It is very common for me to work with couples where there are suboptimal results on the male side. In this case, and many others, the man is not given any advice to improve his sperm health and they can be left feeling upset due to having a problem and no way to fix it. In this case there was a fix. Both partners were looked after with regular acupuncture as well as everything else that I do with couples. Easing the journey to parenthood is always my aim. I wish them both the best for the rest of the pregnancy and beyond! If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, my Four Month Conception Reset might be just what you need. Please feel free to DM me to find out more. Or, if you are ready to take action and commit to your health and fertility with a treatment package, you can book a free 15 minute call using the link in my bio @valerie_salt_fertility

Is low sperm morphology quietly blocking your path to pregnancy?

If your clinic has recommended IVF with ICSI, it’s often due to poor sperm quality—typically when morphology (normal forms) is 4% or lower. But what if that’s not just a technical detail… what if it’s the root cause of your infertility?

Before going through IVF cycles, down regulation, hormone stimulation, egg collection, and embryo transfers, it’s worth asking:

👉 Can improving sperm health help you conceive naturally?

Sperm quality—especially morphology—is deeply linked to fertilisation success, embryo development, and long-term fertility. By addressing this early, you may not only boost your natural fertility, but also increase your chances of IVF success later, if needed.

And let’s be honest—IVF is not a guarantee. Success rates hover around 30% per cycle, and that includes transferring all embryos created. So doesn’t it make sense to optimise everything before starting?

💡 Better sperm. Better outcomes. Fewer interventions.

If you’re in your 30s or 40s, feeling lost or unsure of your next step, my Fertility Boost program is here to support you.

📩 DM me for more info or book a free 15-minute call via the link in my bio
👉 @valerie_salt_fertility

8 2
Open post by valerie_salt_fertility with ID 17935745643010154
Is low sperm morphology quietly blocking your path to pregnancy? If your clinic has recommended IVF with ICSI, it’s often due to poor sperm quality—typically when morphology (normal forms) is 4% or lower. But what if that’s not just a technical detail… what if it’s the root cause of your infertility? Before going through IVF cycles, down regulation, hormone stimulation, egg collection, and embryo transfers, it’s worth asking: 👉 Can improving sperm health help you conceive naturally? Sperm quality—especially morphology—is deeply linked to fertilisation success, embryo development, and long-term fertility. By addressing this early, you may not only boost your natural fertility, but also increase your chances of IVF success later, if needed. And let’s be honest—IVF is not a guarantee. Success rates hover around 30% per cycle, and that includes transferring all embryos created. So doesn’t it make sense to optimise everything before starting? 💡 Better sperm. Better outcomes. Fewer interventions. If you’re in your 30s or 40s, feeling lost or unsure of your next step, my Fertility Boost program is here to support you. 📩 DM me for more info or book a free 15-minute call via the link in my bio 👉 @valerie_salt_fertility

One of the ways I can support you is to guide you through microbiome testing. But what is it, how do you do it and what is the point?!

You have different microbiomes all over your body. Your microbiome is your individual make up of organisms including bacteria, yeasts and other things, in a certain area of your body.

Some organisms are beneficial, some cause problems when present in large quantities and some are ok when at a reasonable level together with good levels of beneficial bacteria.

The microbiomes I am most interested in for fertility and hormone health are vaginal, uterine, seminal, urine and gut but there are other areas that can be tested as well.

The tests are a simple swab kit which you send off in the post.

When I work with women and couples, I usually start with one or two microbiomes to focus on, depending on what has come up in their history.

The most important part to note is that when things show up, they can often be fixed relatively easily with a mixture of supplements, dietary advice and sometimes antibiotics.

I have seen couples who have suffered multiple miscarriages and have been on the way to trying IVF who have gone down this path and conceived naturally.

I have also seen couples who have been through multiple failed rounds of IVF, some with implantation failure and others with no good quality embryos to transfer, who have done this work and then gone on to have successful rounds of IVF.

There are studies on various “opportunistic organisms” which state that the evidence shows an increased risk of miscarriage and/or pre term birth when there is a high presence in your uterine or vaginal microbiome. These organisms can also affect sperm and semen quality so if you have any results outside of the normal range, this is a good non-invasive path to go down.

If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, having a look at your microbiome whilst working with me during the Fertility Boost package might be just what you need. You can DM me to find out more, or if you are keen to get started, you are welcome to book a free 15 minute call. Link in bio @valerie_salt_fertility

7 2
Open post by valerie_salt_fertility with ID 18064347029511759
One of the ways I can support you is to guide you through microbiome testing. But what is it, how do you do it and what is the point?! You have different microbiomes all over your body. Your microbiome is your individual make up of organisms including bacteria, yeasts and other things, in a certain area of your body. Some organisms are beneficial, some cause problems when present in large quantities and some are ok when at a reasonable level together with good levels of beneficial bacteria. The microbiomes I am most interested in for fertility and hormone health are vaginal, uterine, seminal, urine and gut but there are other areas that can be tested as well. The tests are a simple swab kit which you send off in the post. When I work with women and couples, I usually start with one or two microbiomes to focus on, depending on what has come up in their history. The most important part to note is that when things show up, they can often be fixed relatively easily with a mixture of supplements, dietary advice and sometimes antibiotics. I have seen couples who have suffered multiple miscarriages and have been on the way to trying IVF who have gone down this path and conceived naturally. I have also seen couples who have been through multiple failed rounds of IVF, some with implantation failure and others with no good quality embryos to transfer, who have done this work and then gone on to have successful rounds of IVF. There are studies on various “opportunistic organisms” which state that the evidence shows an increased risk of miscarriage and/or pre term birth when there is a high presence in your uterine or vaginal microbiome. These organisms can also affect sperm and semen quality so if you have any results outside of the normal range, this is a good non-invasive path to go down. If you are in your 30s or 40s and are feeling lost or not sure what to do next on your fertility journey, having a look at your microbiome whilst working with me during the Fertility Boost package might be just what you need. You can DM me to find out more, or if you are keen to get started, you are welcome to book a free 15 minute call. Link in bio @valerie_salt_fertility

I have worked with a few medical doctors over the years and quite a few nurses. Some come to me because they have heard acupuncture can help with fertility and others come to support them with their relaxation.

When they come to see me for acupuncture, they receive the relaxation and fertility support but they also get someone who can talk to them in detail about their hormone levels.

Someone who can support them through choosing the right extra testing so they can understand what the issue is for them.

Someone who has links with a variety of consultants specialising in fertility and endocrinology/urology/reproductive immunology, or whatever it is they need support with (I have some excellent contacts.)

I love to be able to support patients to integrate conventional medicine with functional medicine testing and acupuncture.

I see the benefits of combining the best parts of conventional medicine with complementary therapies every day in my clinic. I think that people are often relieved that I am very happy to integrate a number of different options into the treatment plan, and whilst natural conception is the most gentle way forward with your body, I also see the benefits of extra testing available with IVF and being able to store embryos for later. What each person needs is different and I do my best to hear what you need and support you on that journey.

If you have been thinking about acupuncture for your fertility but were concerned because you have a medical background, you are very welcome to book a free 15 minute call with me. Link in bio. I look forward to hearing about your journey so far and what support you need.

3 0
Open post by valerie_salt_fertility with ID 18078407191764148
I have worked with a few medical doctors over the years and quite a few nurses. Some come to me because they have heard acupuncture can help with fertility and others come to support them with their relaxation. When they come to see me for acupuncture, they receive the relaxation and fertility support but they also get someone who can talk to them in detail about their hormone levels. Someone who can support them through choosing the right extra testing so they can understand what the issue is for them. Someone who has links with a variety of consultants specialising in fertility and endocrinology/urology/reproductive immunology, or whatever it is they need support with (I have some excellent contacts.) I love to be able to support patients to integrate conventional medicine with functional medicine testing and acupuncture. I see the benefits of combining the best parts of conventional medicine with complementary therapies every day in my clinic. I think that people are often relieved that I am very happy to integrate a number of different options into the treatment plan, and whilst natural conception is the most gentle way forward with your body, I also see the benefits of extra testing available with IVF and being able to store embryos for later. What each person needs is different and I do my best to hear what you need and support you on that journey. If you have been thinking about acupuncture for your fertility but were concerned because you have a medical background, you are very welcome to book a free 15 minute call with me. Link in bio. I look forward to hearing about your journey so far and what support you need.

Valerie Salt_Submark White300

Acupuncture in Bristol

Bristol Natural Health Service
407 Gloucester Road
Horfield, Bristol
BS7 8TS

The Family Practice
116 Gloucester Road
Bishopston, Bristol
BS7 8NL

Quick links:

Acupuncture in Bristol for General Wellbeing

Acupuncture in Bristol for Fertility

Acupuncture in Bristol for Pregnancy

Acupuncture in Bristol for Perimenopause

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