Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Martin.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been drawn to preventative and holistic health since I was in middle school. Growing up, my parents were definitely a little “crunchy,” which had an impact and as a teenager, I was the friend reading wellness books and tracking my cycle before apps even existed.
That interest grew when I started dealing with my own hormonal and digestive issues. But every time I brought them up to my doctor, the response was the same: a prescription for birth control and reassurance that everything was “normal.” I knew there had to be more to it than that, and I wanted to understand why.
My search for answers eventually led me to study Traditional East Asian Medicine and earn a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, and to become a board-certified fertility acupuncturist through ABORM (The American Board of TCM Reproductive Medicine). Over the last 10 years, I’ve worked in integrative acupuncture clinics in San Francisco and New York City, partnering closely with reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYNs to support patients navigating everything from irregular cycles to IVF.
Today, I’m proud to call San Diego home. I practice out of San Diego Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture in Hillcrest, where I combine acupuncture, herbal medicine, functional lab testing, and lifestyle based coaching to support clients in all phases of reproductive health – whether they’re dealing with irregular cycles or hormonal symptoms, preparing for pregnancy, or navigating perimenopause.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t always smooth or straightforward, but I really believe the bumps along the way helped shape my experience in a way that allows me to show up more fully for my clients.
Early in my career, I had a miscarriage, which really shook me and my relationship with my body. I had already supported clients through that kind of loss, but going through it personally gave me a different level of empathy and understanding for what my clients are holding – and also what it means to sit with uncertainty, to feel like your body is working against you, and to keep moving forward anyway.
It also really emphasized to me just how essential the work that I do is. a holistic and personalized approach is—especially for fertility clients. By the time someone finds their way to me, they’ve often tried so many things and are already carrying a lot. The last thing they need is more generic advice or another overwhelming to-do list.
That’s why my goal with clients is to get a really clear and full picture so we’re not just addressing symptoms in isolation, but understanding how everything is connected. I want to know what they’ve tried, what’s felt supportive (or not), what their labs show, and what their daily life actually looks like. From there, we can create a plan that feels both strategic and sustainable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in reproductive health, so I work with everything from PMS, pain, and irregular cycles to fertility, pregnancy, and all the way through perimenopause and menopause. Most of my clients come to me after hearing “everything looks normal” or being offered a medication to mask symptoms without anyone looking deeper.
My work blends Traditional East Asian Medicine with functional lab testing to look at the full picture: digestion, energy, stress, hormone balance, and more. Using these tools, we can see where your body may need more support and create a plan that’s personalized and actually feels doable.
I’m probably most proud of the transformations I get to witness in my clients. Not just the improved cycles or positive pregnancy tests, but the shift in how they feel in their bodies. When someone has been dismissed or stuck for a long time, and they start to reconnect with themselves and finally feel like something is working, it’s so rewarding. Definitely one of my favorite parts of this work.
I think what sets me apart is my integrative approach. I’m not a purist, and I don’t believe care has to be an either-or decision. In my experience, the best outcomes come from combining tools from both Eastern medicine and conventional care. That might mean acupuncture and nutrition, or it might mean medication, surgery, IVF, or a blend. My focus is always on what’s going to be most supportive and aligned for the person in front of me and helping them connect with the right providers so we can build a care team that actually moves things forward.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of community. Throughout my career, I’ve always felt like I’m standing on the shoulders of so many incredible women—mentors, colleagues, my sisters, friends. It makes such a difference to have people in your corner. People who see you, who you can be real with, and who show up when it matters. As someone who is very independent, that’s been a huge lesson for me.
And for my clients, I see every day what an important part community support plays, especially during fertility struggles. Sometimes the people closest to us just can’t relate or don’t know how to be there in the way we need, so I always encourage anyone who feels alone in their fertility process to lean into the support that does exist, whether that’s online groups, fertility-focused providers, or even social media. Having people in your corner who truly understand what you’re going through can make a huge difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drstephaniemartin.com
- Instagram: @drstephaniemartin
Image Credits
Meg Marie Photography
