Fertility and Acupuncture: How does it work?

I cannot count how many times a patient has shared that they wished they had known about acupuncture right from the beginning of their fertility journey!

By the time many people have heard about the benefits of acupuncture for fertility, they may have already been struggling for years to conceive, endured multiple miscarriages, or had an IVF cycle or two that just didn’t take.  Many times they come to our clinic as a last resort when everything else has not yet worked for them.

 Today, it is estimated that 1 in 8 couples struggle with fertility issues. When trying to conceive,  advanced reproductive techniques (ART) such as IVF and IUI are options that many couples choose. Numerous research studies have shown that acupuncture in conjunction with your upcoming IVF or IUI can improve your chances of a successful cycle, in some studies, by as much as 50%.

Acupuncture not only helps relieve the stress and emotional rollercoaster of undergoing such a process but also helps regulate your hormone levels, increase blood circulation to your uterus and ovaries, enhance egg quality, improve the endometrium to insure higher implantation rates, increase and enhance sperm quality and morphology.  We also address any side effects you have with any medications you receive, and provide mental and emotional support to patients, as the IVF process can be a stressful process. Lifestyle and vitamin/supplement recommendations that are used to prepare the body for pregnancy are also part of our fertility care.

Over the past few decades acupuncture has become one of the most important alternative support therapies for fertility and advanced reproductive technology procedures. But don’t take our word for it. There are numerous studies to reinforce this statement.

Check out these resources below, and schedule a consultation so we can walk you through any questions you may have!

Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial


Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Effects on Assisted Reproductive Technology: Six Cases and Their Clinical Significance


The impact of acupuncture on IVF success rates: A randomised controlled trial