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At The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, unexplained infertility is approached by looking beyond standard fertility testing to identify factors that may be interfering with conception even when conventional results appear normal. Treatment is individualized and may combine fertility-focused acupuncture, customized herbal medicine, low-level light therapy, nutritional guidance, and targeted nutraceuticals. The goal is to optimize the reproductive environment by supporting ovarian and testicular function, improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, reducing excessive inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting healthy hormone function, and improving egg and sperm quality. Male-factor contributors, including sperm DNA fragmentation, are also considered because abnormalities may exist even when a routine semen analysis appears acceptable. By evaluating both partners and addressing potentially overlooked reproductive factors, The Berkley Center works to improve the conditions necessary for natural conception and to complement IUI or IVF when assisted reproduction is needed.

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Targeted nutritional supplements may help support sperm count, motility, morphology, and DNA integrity by promoting healthy cellular energy production and reducing oxidative stress. Nutrients such as CoQ10, L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and vitamins C, D, and E are commonly used in male fertility programs. Purchase high-grade nutraceuticals from The Berkley Center’s Supplement Shop and receive 10% off.

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Acupuncture, customized herbal medicine, and low-level light therapy support egg quality and improve the conditions needed for a healthy pregnancy by addressing several important aspects of reproductive health. Acupuncture enhances blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, helps regulate stress responses, and supports hormonal function; carefully selected herbal medicine provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support while addressing each patient’s individual reproductive needs; and low-level light therapy stimulates mitochondrial activity and energy production within ovarian cells. Together, these therapies help create a healthier environment for follicle development, fertilization, embryo implantation, and pregnancy. 

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Eating well when trying to conceive helps create the healthiest possible environment for egg and sperm development, hormone regulation, ovulation, fertilization, and early pregnancy. A balanced diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-mercury fish supplies the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and essential fatty acids required for reproductive health. It can also support stable blood sugar, a healthy body weight, lower inflammation, and a more balanced gut microbiome—all of which may influence fertility. At the same time, limiting highly processed foods, excessive sugar, trans fats, processed meats, and excess alcohol may reduce metabolic and inflammatory stress. Good nutrition cannot guarantee pregnancy or correct every cause of infertility, but it is an important part of preparing both partners for conception and supporting a healthy pregnancy.

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A father’s vitamin B12 and folate status may influence the health of a developing baby. Low levels around the time of conception have been associated with a higher risk of certain birth defects, possibly because these nutrients help produce healthy sperm, support normal DNA formation and repair, and regulate gene activity during early development. Men who are trying to conceive should eat foods rich in B12 and folate and ask their healthcare provider about blood testing and appropriate supplementation if a deficiency is suspected. 

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When IUI, IVF, or donor-egg treatment does not lead to pregnancy, patients may explore complementary therapies such as acupuncture, low-level light therapy, and customized herbal medicine as part of a fertility plan. These approaches reduce inflammation, improve impaired pelvic circulation, regulate hormones, improve endometrial receptivity, and improve egg or sperm quality. Acupuncture supports nervous-system regulation and blood flow; low-level light therapy promotes mitochondrial activity and cellular energy; and carefully customized herbal medicine may be used to address each patient’s specific reproductive needs. 

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Gut dysbiosis—an unhealthy imbalance in the microorganisms living in the digestive tract—may contribute to fertility challenges by disrupting hormone metabolism, increasing inflammation, affecting insulin sensitivity, and altering immune-system regulation. Because gut bacteria help process estrogen, absorb nutrients, and maintain the intestinal barrier, an imbalance may influence ovulation, egg development, endometrial receptivity, and the environment needed for implantation. Dysbiosis has also been associated with conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis. 

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This 2022 study looked back at 2,330 patients who had frozen embryo transfer (FET) at Vios Fertility Institute in Chicago between 2018 and 2021, comparing those who received individualized acupuncture just before and after their transfer.

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Sperm abnormalities can include low sperm concentration, poor motility, abnormal morphology, and increased DNA fragmentation, all of which can reduce the likelihood of natural conception and may also affect IVF outcomes. In men without a correctable genetic or structural problem, acupuncture may help improve the reproductive environment by supporting blood flow to the testes, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and influencing nervous-system and hormonal regulation involved in sperm production. Because sperm development takes roughly 2½ to 3 months, a consistent course of treatment over several months may improve semen parameters and contribute to healthier sperm and a better fertility outlook.

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Sperm DNA fragmentation occurs when the genetic material inside sperm is damaged or broken. Even when a standard semen analysis shows normal sperm count, movement, and shape, high DNA fragmentation can reduce the sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg properly, impair embryo development, lower implantation potential, and increase the risk of early pregnancy loss. For this reason, sperm DNA fragmentation can be an important hidden contributor to unexplained infertility, particularly when routine male fertility testing appears normal.

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