Acupuncture & IVF.. is it worth it?
Whether you’re preparing for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or already undergoing fertility treatment, acupuncture can play an important role alongside your care. Many of my patients have acupuncture during IVF to support their body throughout, improve overall wellbeing, and feel more grounded physically and emotionally during what can often be an intense and demanding time.
IVF involves a significant investment - financially, physically, and emotionally. Alongside the appointments, medications, procedures, and uncertainty, you also want to give yourself the best possible chance of success. For this reason, we recommend starting acupuncture in the lead-up to IVF. This gives us time to support & prepare your body, optimise reproductive health, and create the strongest possible foundation for treatment outcomes.
Our focus is on supporting egg quality, sperm quality, embryo quality, endometrial receptivity, and nervous system regulation to optimise your chances of pregnancy and, most importantly, live birth. There is now a growing body of research supporting the use of acupuncture alongside IVF, including studies demonstrating improvements in pregnancy and live birth outcomes when used as part of an integrated treatment approach [1].
Many fertility clinics now have an acupuncture treatment room on-site to provide acupuncture before and after embryo transfer.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
Research on Acupuncture and IVF
Benefits of acupuncture for fertility
How we support you at each stage of IVF
IVF Treatment Phases:
Preparing for IVF: 3–4 months prior
Acupuncture during ovarian stimulation
Support around egg collection
Embryo transfer support
Supporting the two-week wait
Ongoing care after a positive pregnancy test
Support following an unsuccessful cycle
IVF support at Ochre Acupuncture & Wellness
Research on Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used to support fertility and reproductive health for thousands of years. While it is encouraging to see growing research exploring its role in IVF, much of the clinical value of treatment is best understood in the context of ongoing, individualised care rather than isolated interventions.
Research into acupuncture and IVF has shown mixed results over time. Early studies, including the Paulus et al. (2002) protocol, focused on acupuncture administered immediately before and after embryo transfer only, which does not reflect how acupuncture is typically used in clinical practice [8]. More recent research has increasingly examined the effects of regular treatment before and throughout the IVF cycle, suggesting that acupuncture may be more effective when delivered consistently as part of an integrated treatment plan rather than only around embryo transfer [1].
At Ochre, acupuncture treatment involves weekly sessions tailored to you, your individual constitution and your needs to optimise your reproductive health. We work with both male and female patients as part of a comprehensive fertility approach.
Benefits of Acupuncture for fertility
What Acupuncture Does
Regulates menstrual cycle function and supports more consistent ovulation [2]
Supports follicular development in both natural cycles and IVF stimulation cycles [3,4]
Promotes healthy endometrial development by supporting the natural cyclical build-up and shedding of the uterine lining [3,4]
Improves blood flow to the ovaries and endometrial tissue, supporting implantation and uterine receptivity [3,5]
Helps regulate reproductive hormones via the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, including in conditions such as PCOS and irregular cycles [2,6]
Reduces the physiological impact of stress on reproductive function by supporting nervous system regulation [7]
Encourages a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, supporting sleep, digestion, and emotional wellbeing [7]
Supports key IVF stages including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer through improved circulation and reduced physiological stress [9]
Aims to support overall reproductive health by improving the internal environment for egg quality, sperm quality, and implantation [3,4,9]
Male fertility
The Herbal Dispensary at Ochre Acupuncture & Wellness, Shellharbour.
For males, we review relevant blood work and semen analysis to identify key areas requiring support. Sperm health responds well to structured intervention over time, similar to rehabilitation of a musculoskeletal injury - consistency and time are essential.
Spermatogenesis takes approximately 70-90 days. For this reason, we recommend weekly acupuncture for the first 6 weeks, followed by fortnightly treatment, alongside individualised herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, and dietary and lifestyle strategies to improve sperm quality and outcomes. Just like a shoulder needs rehab, sometimes we just need to do the work.
Female fertility
For female patients, we are also reviewing relevant bloodwork and tracking their BBT charts, focusing on regulating & improving menstrual cycles, supporting hormonal balance, and overall reproductive function. This includes addressing underlying conditions such as blood sugar dysregulation, thyroid dysfunction, PMOS, and endometriosis, alongside supporting ovulation, cycle regulation, and uterine health.
For both partners, treatment focuses on nervous system regulation, sleep, digestion, and energy. Fertility reflects whole-body health - when the body is under stress or depleted, reproductive function is often affected. Supporting overall physiological balance helps create optimal conditions for conception and pregnancy.
Here’s how we support you during each stage of IVF:
At Ochre, we take a thorough and investigative approach to fertility care. We do not view terms such as “unexplained infertility” or “low AMH” as final answers. Instead, we look deeper to identify what’s been missed, what requires further investigation, and what needs to be addressed in both male and female fertility.
Both sperm development and egg maturation occur over approximately three months, so beginning acupuncture at least three months before IVF allows time for meaningful change in reproductive function. For many individuals, IVF isn’t always required as natural conception can occur due to improvements natural conception parameters.
During Ovarian Stimulation
During the ovarian stimulation phase, we support follicular development and optimise blood flow to the ovaries, improving circulation and nutrient delivery for follicle growth.
We also help to mitigate the side effects of fertility medications and support both the physical and emotional well-being during this phase.
At this point, the groundwork has already been laid in the months leading into IVF, supporting a stronger physiological foundation for ovarian response and treatment outcomes.
After Egg Collection
Acupuncture is particularly supportive after egg retrieval to ease bloating, tension, and stress, and to support recovery. At this point, we want to reduce any inflammation in the lower abdomen in preparation for IVF transfer.
Pre and Post Embryo transfer
Embryo transfer support typically consists of two acupuncture treatments - one before and one after transfer, ideally within a 24-hour window. Pre-transfer treatment focuses on supporting uterine blood flow, optimising endometrial receptivity, and calming the nervous system. Post-transfer treatment focuses on supporting a calm uterine environment, regulating the stress response, and promoting overall physiological balance to support implantation.
The Two-Week Wait
Acupuncture during the two-week wait supports hormonal health, including progesterone levels, nervous system regulation, sleep, emotional resilience, energy and stress management during this often emotionally heightened period.
Positive Pregnancy Test
Acupuncture is continued weekly throughout the first trimester to support your body during the rapid physiological and hormonal transition as the first few weeks of pregnancy are a vulnerable time.
Treatment focuses on supporting early pregnancy stability and progesterone, which plays a key role in maintaining your pregnancy until the placenta takes over at around 10–12 weeks. It also helps regulate your nervous system and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.
If you experience symptoms such as low energy, nausea, constipation, bloating, headaches, fatigue, or sleep disruption, acupuncture can be very supportive. It is also used in cases of early pregnancy vulnerability, including symptoms such as cramping or spotting.
If the IVF Cycle Was Unsuccessful
If a cycle is unsuccessful, it is important to allow space for physical and emotional recovery, particularly following a fresh transfer cycle. As your practitioner, I would already have a plan of what to do. This includes gathering data and feedback from this cycle and identifying what needs further investigation, support and the next steps before proceeding with another cycle.
You are not in this process alone, and it’s okay if you don’t know what to do. That’s our job as allied health professionals.
IVF Support at Ochre Acupuncture & Wellness, Shellharbour
At Ochre Acupuncture & Wellness, we are fertility-trained acupuncturists and would love to support you whether you are seeking natural fertility support or undergoing IVF/IUI. We provide individualised acupuncture and Chinese medicine care tailored to your reproductive health and fertility journey, while ensuring you feel informed, guided, and well cared for throughout the process.
When used consistently before and during IVF, acupuncture supports key aspects of reproductive health including circulation to the reproductive organs, hormonal regulation, egg and sperm quality, endometrial receptivity, and nervous system regulation. It also helps reduce the physiological impact of stress and improve overall resilience throughout treatment.
Many patients report feeling calmer, more grounded, and better supported while navigating IVF.
Our goal is to support you as a whole person throughout the journey while helping create the most supportive internal environment possible for conception, pregnancy and birth.
Can you imagine how good it would feel being supported by fertility trained acupuncturists?
References
[1] Xu, M., Zhu, M., & Zheng, C. (2024). 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(3), 775–788. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1
[2] Lim, C. E., et al. (2010). Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub2
[3] Stener-Victorin, E. (2005). The role of acupuncture in IVF.Human Reproduction Update. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmh061
[4] Cheong, Y. C., et al. (2013). Acupuncture and assisted reproduction. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub3
[5] Huang, D. M., et al. (2011). Acupuncture for infertility: uterine blood flow effects. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-9-113
[6] Stener-Victorin, E., et al. (2009). Acupuncture effects on endocrine parameters in PCOS.American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.90608.2008
[7] Hui, K. K. S., et al. (2010). Acupuncture modulates limbic system and stress response.Human Brain Mapping.https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20938
[8] 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://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(01)03273-3
[9] Manheimer, E., et al. (2013). The effects of acupuncture on rates of clinical pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Human reproduction update, 19(6), 696-713.
