Acupuncture for Perimenopause & Menopause in Brighton & Hove
A natural phase of life
Menopause is a natural phase of life, yet the way we experience it is as individual as we are. For some, the transition passes smoothly; for others, it can bring waves of change — from hot flushes and night sweats to anxiety, brain fog, disrupted sleep, or mood swings.
No matter how you’ve arrived at perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause — whether naturally, after medical treatment, or through surgery — acupuncture offers gentle, personalised support to help you navigate this stage with greater ease and balance.
At my Brighton and Hove acupuncture clinic, I specialise in women’s health and work with each woman as an individual. Using evidence-based, restorative acupuncture techniques, I help calm the nervous system, regulate temperature, and support hormonal harmony — naturally and holistically.
journeys
How acupuncture supports you through menopause
From a Chinese medicine perspective, menopause marks a shift in Yin and Yang — the body’s cooling and warming energies. When these become imbalanced, symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, and irritability can appear. Acupuncture helps restore harmony by improving the flow of Qi (vital energy) and nourishing the Yin, supporting your body’s natural ability to adapt.
From a modern medical viewpoint, acupuncture can:
- Stimulate circulation and regulate temperature control
- Reduce stress by calming the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
- Improve sleep quality and mood
- Ease joint pain, headaches, and fatigue
- Support emotional wellbeing and resilience
Many women notice a sense of calm, improved energy, and more consistent sleep within just a few sessions.
help
What to expect in your menopause acupuncture session
Your first session begins with a detailed consultation exploring your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle. This helps me understand the underlying energetic patterns behind your menopause experience.
During treatment, very fine needles are gently inserted at specific acupuncture points to rebalance your body’s energy and promote deep relaxation. Many patients find the experience soothing and restorative, often leaving the clinic feeling calmer and more centred.
Treatment plans vary, but a course of weekly sessions for 4–6 weeks is usually recommended initially, with top-up treatments to maintain balance
Why choose acupuncture for menopause?
Acupuncture offers a natural, drug-free alternative or complement to HRT. It’s suitable for women who can’t take hormone therapy or prefer a holistic approach.
The focus is on treating you — not just your symptoms — helping you navigate menopause feeling more grounded, balanced, and supported.
I’m based in Brighton & Hove and have almost two decades of clinical experience specialising in women’s health, hormonal balance, and emotional wellbeing.
IVF
Acupuncture to Support IVF and Assisted Conception
Acupuncture is often used in the lead-up to and during IVF to help manage stress and support the body through each stage of treatment.
Sessions can be timed to align with:
Pre-IVF preparation (regulating cycles, reducing stress)
Ovarian stimulation and egg collection
Embryo transfer (before and after sessions are most studied)
The two-week wait — promoting calm and relaxation
My approach integrates evidence-informed acupuncture with emotional support and self-care tools, helping you feel grounded and cared for through the entire process.
My own research into acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF was published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, demonstrating the potential benefits of using the right acupuncture protocol to support pregnancy outcomes. This experience informs the way I work today — combining evidence-based principles with personalised care to enhance wellbeing throughout fertility treatment.
Common issues
What to Expect in Your Fertility Acupuncture Treatment
Your first fertility acupuncture session begins with a detailed consultation. We’ll take time to talk through your health, menstrual cycle, lifestyle, emotional wellbeing, and any previous fertility investigations or treatments. This helps me understand the bigger picture and design a plan that supports you as a whole person — not just your symptoms.
Once you’re settled, fine sterile needles are placed gently at specific acupuncture points to restore balance, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system. Most people find the experience deeply relaxing and describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more centred afterwards.
Each treatment lasts around 60 minutes, allowing time for rest and integration. Many of my patients say their acupuncture appointments become a peaceful pause in their week — a chance to breathe and reconnect with their body.
To support the benefits between sessions, I may suggest simple self-care tools such as:
- Gentle acupressure techniques you can use at home
- Breathing or mindfulness practices to regulate stress
- Nourishing lifestyle or diet guidance rooted in Chinese medicine principles
For best results, fertility acupuncture is usually weekly or fortnightly for a few months, though every plan is tailored to your unique timeline and goals.
Whether you’re preparing for natural conception or IVF, we’ll work together to create a calm, supportive rhythm that feels right for you.
Retreats
Small, women-only retreats where everything is taken care of. Daily qi gong, nourishing food and the gentle wisdom of Chinese medicine, with plenty of time to swim, rest and simply be.
Acupuncture
Experienced Acupuncturist, Effective Acupuncture Treatment in Brighton & Hove.
I am no longer taking new patients. Except if you have a referral – email a request and i’ll get back to you.
Qi Gong
Move with the seasons. Breathe with nature. Feel more like yourself.
Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that brings harmony to body and mind through gentle, flowing movement. It helps restore the natural rhythm between rest and activity, strength and softness.
Sometimes what you need isn’t another treatment. It’s time away, good company and the chance to feel properly cared for, in a place that restores you.
Rest, nature and Chinese
medicine self-care,
shared with a small
group of women.
Living with the seasons
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— Get the support you deserve
— Science-proven coaching method
— 100% guaranteed
A little about Qi Gong
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A little about Yang Sheng
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— Take 1 or 2 classes a week
— Registration is on-ongoing
Testimonials
People Love Us
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Zahra Butt
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STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start acupuncture for fertility?
Ideally, begin three to six months before trying to conceive or starting IVF. This allows time to support egg and sperm quality, regulate hormones, and build your body’s natural strength. But it’s never too late — acupuncture can be beneficial at any stage of your fertility journey.
How often should I come for treatment?
Most people begin with weekly sessions, moving to fortnightly once cycles regulate or stress levels ease. I’ll always tailor your plan to your needs and timeline — whether that’s pre-conception support, regulating periods, or preparing for IVF.
Is acupuncture safe when trying to conceive or during IVF?
Yes. Acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner using sterile, single-use needles. Treatments are always gentle, adapted to your cycle, and complementary to any medical treatment you may be receiving.
Can acupuncture really help with fertility?
Acupuncture isn’t a magic fix, but it can help restore balance to your body and mind. Research suggests it may support hormonal regulation, reduce stress, and improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries — creating an optimal environment for conception.
Can my partner have treatment too?
Yes — and it’s often very beneficial. Acupuncture can support sperm health, energy levels, and stress management, helping couples approach conception as a shared journey.
Meet Jo
About Jo Darling
With over 15 years’ clinical experience, I specialise in women’s health, fertility, and IVF support. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture, am a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), and continue postgraduate training in reproductive and cancer support.
My approach blends traditional Chinese medicine with modern research to provide safe, evidence-informed care — helping you feel balanced, nurtured, and supported through every step of your fertility journey.
If you’d like to talk things through first, I’m always happy to discuss how acupuncture might support you.
