My wife and I have been trying for a baby for the past three years. Given our demanding jobs and our ages - my wife is 35, I am 41 - we were prepared for it to take some time, but we are now getting concerned. We've been using ovulation sticks and a basal thermometer to chart my wife's cycle, and have undergone all sorts of medical tests, but nothing seems to be wrong with either of us. This makes it almost more frustrating because there seems to be so little we can do to help ourselves. We are trying to stay relaxed, but deep down I think we are both feeling stressed by our failure to conceive. We've started to talk about IVF, but want to exhaust all other possibilities first. My wife is seeing an acupuncturist but is there anything I can do to boost my fertility?
AW, Leamington Spa

The alternative practitioner
Angela Hicks

Acupuncture is known to assist female fertility, but it would also be useful for you: a 1996 research project into the use of acupuncture in male infertility resulted in nearly 75 per cent of patients showing an improvement. In Chinese medicine, kidneys are central to the body's health and store its 'essence'. If you are anxious and tired, this places unnatural stress on your body, which depletes your kidneys of energy and affects your ability to conceive. So the first thing an acupuncturist might work on is the energy flow to your kidneys. Other problems could be an energy blockage in the pathway of the liver or an overheating of your genital area. All these can be cleared by acupuncture. I'd recommend you take another sperm test before you start an acupuncture course, then another test at the end of the course to judge if your fertility is improving.

· Angela Hicks is joint principal of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine

The fertility consultant
Zita West

It's great that you are looking at ways to improve your own fertility instead of assuming it's your wife's problem. There are many ways to increase sperm quality. Sperm need water in order to swim, so drink at least two litres a day. Take a good multivitamin plus an omega 3 supplement. Also, take a hard look at your lifestyle. Do you take painkillers, binge drink, take cannabis and cocaine? Are you badly over- or underweight? Planning ways to improve your health will give you the best chance of conceiving. Another vital area to consider is your sex life. A common mistake for couples trying to conceive is to 'save up' sperm for the days around ovulation, but doing so decreases the quality. Have sex regularly to maximise your chances. If after you've made these changes there is still no pregnancy after some months, consider IVF.

· Zita West is a leading consultant and author, midwife and nutritional advisor

The homeopath
Francis Treuherz

Before prescribing any of the 216 homeopathic remedies for infertility, a homeopath will ask to see both you and your wife, and take into account your full medical, emotional and behavioural history. Smoking can seriously affect fertility - and erections: take Caladium seguinum 30c, one a day for three days, or more frequently and for longer if you're still giving up smoking. If you do not express emotion easily, like salty foods and are affected by sea air, take Natrum muriaticum 30c, one a day for three days. Those who are open, very sociable, untidy and easily overheated may benefit from taking Sulphur 30c, one a day for three days. In all cases do not take coffee with these courses. Finally, if you've ever suffered from STDs, this could affect your fertility. Contact The Society of Homeopaths (www.homeopathy-soh.org) for help.

· Francis Treuherz is honorary secretary of the Society of Homeopaths and a practising homeopath and lecturer

· If you have a health question for our experts, email health@observer.co.uk