hinese Medicine for Fertility: Gut Health & Stress with Dr. Susan Fox

Discover how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), functional medicine, and lifestyle protocols can transform the fertility journey—physically, emotionally, and hormonally. In this powerful episode of the Gutsy Fertility Podcast, Dr. Mandy sits down with Dr. Susan Fox, a renowned Doctor of Chinese Medicine with 23+ years of clinical experience supporting women and couples through natural conception and IVF.

Dr. Susan explains:

Why fertility is not a pathology but a life journey

How gut health, stress, grief & emotional stagnation disrupt hormones

The link between microbiome balance and reproductive health

How acupuncture & acupoint stimulation improve blood flow, egg quality & cycle regulation

What couples should actually look for in a fertility acupuncturist

How Eastern & Western medicine can work together during IVF

Why personalized herbal medicine matters (and the dangers of self-prescribing)

Lifestyle foundations every woman should fix before trying supplements

Whether you're preparing for natural conception, trying after loss, navigating PCOS, diminished ovarian reserve, or beginning IVF—this episode gives you a grounded, holistic, science-supported roadmap.

Key Topics Covered:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
00:28 – Dr. Susan’s background in TCM & functional medicine
01:00 – How Chinese medicine views fertility
02:00 – Emotional burnout, hope & the fertility journey
03:30 – Dr. Susan’s corporate-to-healing career shift
05:00 – Gut issues, grief & early acupuncture experiences
07:00 – Generational patterns in women’s health
09:00 – Symptom suppression vs. root-cause healing
10:00 – Partnering with reproductive endocrinologists (REIs)
12:00 – Why IVF may require multiple cycles
13:00 – Removing shame from any fertility path (including donor eggs)
14:00 – Lifestyle signals: periods, cycle irregularities, stress
15:00 – Why herbal medicine must be customized
16:00 – The danger of “green pharma” & supplement overload
17:00 – How to find a certified fertility acupuncturist (ABORM.org)
💡 Additional Resources:

Read the blog: https://mandypatterson.com/blog/

Download the Fertility & Hormone Success Guide: https://mandypatterson.com/optimize-y...

Learn more about the Positivity Fertility group coaching program (launching Spring 2024): https://positivityfertility.com/

Book a Discovery Consult for fertility: https://mandypatterson.com/fertility-...

Book a Discovery Consult for wellness: https://mandypatterson.com/wellness-a...