Considering IVF? Here’s Why Acupuncture Might Be Your Not-So-Secret Weapon
If you’re navigating the rollercoaster that is IVF, you’ve probably already Googled everything from embryo grading to pineapple core smoothies, and you know it can be overwhelming to sift through all the information and find what actually works.
As a registered acupuncturist, I am here to help simplify one of the most popular co-therapies recommended with the IVF process. Rooted in tradition and supported by modern research, acupuncture is a trusted ally in fertility care.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to support reproductive health, and over the past two decades, clinical studies have begun to confirm what many patients have already experienced firsthand: it helps.
What Are the Benefits?
Here’s what acupuncture may offer if you’re going through IVF:
- Improved blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
This supports follicle development and helps create a thicker, more receptive endometrial lining. - Reduced stress and cortisol levels
IVF can be emotionally intense. Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body regulate stress and, by association, the hormones involved in reproduction. - Enhanced hormone regulation
Especially helpful for those with irregular cycles, PCOS, or other endocrine imbalances. - Increased implantation and pregnancy rates
Particularly with consistent treatments and when acupuncture is done before and after embryo transfer.
When Should You Start Acupuncture Before IVF?
The ideal time to begin is about three months before your egg retrieval.
Why? Because it takes roughly 90 days for an egg to fully mature before ovulation. So the eggs being retrieved are already being influenced by your circulation, hormone levels, and stress response, all areas acupuncture can support. But it’s not just about egg quality.
Starting acupuncture in advance also allows time to improve uterine blood flow and endometrial receptivity, helping create an ideal environment for implantation. It supports hormonal balance, particularly for those with irregular cycles, PCOS, or luteal phase issues such as a short luteal phase or low progesterone production. Acupuncture also reduces cortisol and promotes a state of calm, which supports the reproductive axis. When done consistently in the lead-up to ovarian stimulation, acupuncture may enhance your body’s response to fertility medications, improve follicle development, and reduce the risk of a poor responder cycle.
In short, three months gives your body time to reset, rebalance, and prepare from egg to endometrium.
What Does a Treatment Plan Look Like?
A typical IVF acupuncture plan includes weekly sessions leading up to your egg retrieval and embryo transfer with two treatments on transfer day, one before and one after.
Even if weekly sessions aren’t possible, starting a few weeks in advance and including day-of-transfer treatments can still offer meaningful benefits.
What If You’ve Already Done the Retrieval and Are Just Doing a Transfer?
If you’ve already completed your egg retrieval and fertilization and are now preparing for a frozen embryo transfer (FET), acupuncture can still play an important role.
Ideally, begin treatment three to four weeks before your scheduled transfer. This allows time to support the thickening of the uterine lining, balance estrogen and progesterone levels, reduce stress, and promote hormonal stability. Acupuncture can also help you feel more physically and emotionally prepared for implantation.
At minimum, starting just one to two weeks before your transfer can still be helpful, especially so if you schedule two treatments on transfer day.
The Takeaway
IVF can be one of the most hopeful and vulnerable journeys you’ll take. Acupuncture offers a grounded, holistic layer of support that enhances everything else you’re already doing. It can be a great tool to prepare your body for every stage of the IVF journey as well as early pregnancy.
I hope this has answered some of your questions about acupuncture as an assistive therapy. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email or book a free 15 minute consultation.
References
- Xu, M., Zhu, M., & Zheng, C. (2023). Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 309, 775–788.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1 - Zheng, C. H., Huang, G. Y., Zhang, M. M., & Wang, W. (2012). Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertility and Sterility, 97(3), 599–611.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.12.007 - Qian, Y., Xia, X. R., Ochin, H., Huang, C., Gao, C., Gao, L., Cui, Y. G., Liu, J. Y., & Meng, Y. (2017). Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 295(3), 543–558.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4255-y - Zhou, X., Li, X., Ding, H., & Lu, Y. (2022). Acupuncture effects on in-vitro fertilization pregnancy outcomes: a meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 46, 101525.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101525 - Wang, X., Xu, H. M., Wang, Q. L., Zhu, X. Y., Zeng, Y. M., Huang, L., Feng, X., & Chen, S. (2024). The Timing and Dose Effect of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes for Infertile Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 30(11), 1031–1046.
https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.0478 - Paulus, W. E., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I., & Sterzik, K. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility, 77(4), 721–724.
https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(02)02285-X/fulltext