Fertility Support & PCOS Treatment in Greenville, SC
Acupuncture and functional medicine for fertility support, IVF optimization, and PCOS treatment — addressing the hormonal, metabolic, and nutritional factors that determine fertility outcomes with precision testing and clinical depth.
A Note From Dr. Hendry
Fertility consultations are some of the most complex and emotionally weighted appointments in my practice. The timeline pressure is real. The failed cycles carry their own weight. When someone comes in after two unsuccessful IVF attempts and an 'unexplained infertility' diagnosis, the clinical question I'm asking is: what did the standard workup not look for?
The answer is often the thyroid. A TSH of 3.0 is 'normal' by most lab standards but associated with significantly reduced implantation rates in fertility research — and I target 1.0–2.0 for patients trying to conceive. Or CoQ10 deficiency affecting oocyte mitochondrial energy. Or subclinical insulin resistance in a woman who isn't overweight and whose PCOS was never diagnosed. Standard fertility workups aren't designed to find these. Functional medicine evaluation is.
I've worked with couples who achieved pregnancy after two failed IVF cycles once the underlying thyroid dysfunction or nutritional deficiency was identified and addressed. That specificity is what makes the difference.
Fertility Support: What Standard Testing Misses
Thyroid optimization: TSH above 2.5 mIU/L is associated with reduced conception rates and increased miscarriage risk — yet most labs flag only values above 4.5 as abnormal. I target TSH 1.0–2.0 for fertility patients and run free T3, free T4, and antibodies alongside TSH.
Egg quality: CoQ10 (600–800mg/day) supports mitochondrial energy production in maturing oocytes — and egg quality is substantially determined by mitochondrial function. DHEA improves ovarian reserve markers in poor responders. These require the 90-day egg maturation window, ideally started 3–4 months before retrieval.
Insulin resistance: Impairs ovulatory function in normal-weight women and is the primary driver of PCOS in most cases. Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR identify it before weight changes appear.
Uterine environment: Systemic inflammation from food sensitivities or gut dysbiosis impairs endometrial receptivity. Vitamin D deficiency — strongly associated with implantation failure — is correctable and commonly missed.
Male factor: Involved in 40–50% of infertility cases. Sperm quality responds highly to CoQ10, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and carnitine supplementation — and to addressing oxidative stress from poor sleep, smoking, and inflammatory diet.
Acupuncture for Fertility & IVF
Acupuncture regulates the HPO axis, improves ovarian blood flow and follicular development, reduces uterine artery resistance to improve endometrial blood supply, and reduces stress hormones that suppress reproductive function.
For IVF patients, my protocol includes sessions during ovarian stimulation, around egg retrieval, and on the day of embryo transfer — where multiple randomized trials show improved implantation and live birth rates. I coordinate timing precisely with the fertility clinic's protocol.
Chinese herbal medicine formulas custom-prescribed for each patient's TCM pattern regulate the menstrual cycle, improve endometrial lining quality, and support luteal phase progesterone.
PCOS: Addressing the Root Cause
PCOS affects 8–13% of reproductive-age women and is the leading cause of ovulatory infertility. In the majority of cases — including lean women — it's driven by insulin resistance: elevated insulin stimulates ovarian androgen production, disrupts follicle maturation, and creates the characteristic ultrasound appearance.
The standard approach — birth control pills — regulates cycles by suppressing the hormonal system entirely. It doesn't address the insulin resistance driving androgen excess. When the pill is stopped, the pattern resumes.
A landmark Swedish research program (led by Elisabet Stener-Victorin) found that repeated electroacupuncture normalized LH levels, improved menstrual regularity, and reduced testosterone in PCOS patients. I use this evidence base alongside myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (multiple RCTs supporting ovulation restoration), dietary modification, and berberine for metabolic PCOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tests does Dr. Hendry run for fertility evaluation?
Beyond standard reproductive labs: thyroid function (TSH above 2.5 is independently associated with reduced implantation — yet most labs flag only values above 4–5 as abnormal), fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, vitamin D, CoQ10 markers, full hormone panel, and inflammatory markers. For PCOS: DHEA-S, free testosterone, SHBG, LH:FSH ratio, and fasting insulin.
Is acupuncture safe during the two-week wait after IVF?
Yes, with specific point protocols. Dr. Hendry uses a conservative and evidence-informed approach during the two-week wait — supporting uterine circulation and reducing cortisol while avoiding points contraindicated in early pregnancy. Acupuncture in the days following embryo transfer has been shown to improve implantation rates in multiple clinical trials.
Can Chinese herbal medicine help fertility?
Yes. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for menstrual regulation and fertility support for centuries, and contemporary research confirms specific formula components modulate the HPO axis, improve endometrial receptivity, and support ovarian function. Dr. Hendry's in-house herbal pharmacy formulates custom prescriptions based on each patient's TCM pattern and laboratory findings.
How does PCOS affect fertility and what can be done?
PCOS is the leading cause of ovulatory infertility. Insulin resistance and androgen excess disrupt follicle maturation and prevent ovulation. Restoring ovulation is the primary fertility goal — achieved through insulin resistance correction (myo-inositol, dietary change, berberine), HPO axis regulation with acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine for cycle normalization. Many PCOS patients who haven't ovulated in years achieve natural conception with consistent treatment.
What supplements support egg quality?
CoQ10 (600–800mg/day) is the most evidence-backed egg quality supplement — it supports mitochondrial energy production in oocytes, and egg quality is substantially determined by mitochondrial function. DHEA supplementation has evidence for improving ovarian reserve markers in poor responders. Methylfolate, vitamin D, omega-3s, and vitamin C round out the core egg quality protocol.
Services for Fertility & Women's Health
Ready to Get to the Root of It?
Dr. William Hendry will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and build an integrative treatment plan around your specific condition. New patients welcome in Greenville, SC.