IVF and Acupuncture: Most of you have heard that acupuncturists use Chinese Medicine to support IVF. How does it help? I have been utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine to support patients undergoing IVF since 2002, and I feel it is an honor to be a part of this very important. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been used for centuries to treat fertility-related issues. Today, modern acupuncturists successfully use the medicine in conjunction with Western medical techniques.
When do the acupuncture treatments begin for the IVF cycle?
Most patients choose to begin treatment three to six months before the planned IVF cycle. This 3-6 month period allows for more time to touch upon the other elements of Chinese Medicine, including nutrition therapy, stress reduction, relaxation techniques, and herbal therapy. Acupuncture can also improve sperm quality in men[i], so beginning treatment early allows for a complete cycle of spermatogenesis, which takes approximately 72 days.
Can acupuncture improve my IVF success?
Acupuncture in conjunction with IVF became popular after a research study in 2002 reported that receiving acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer increased the pregnancy rate by 50%[ii]. This particular protocol consists of two acupuncture treatments, one immediately preceding the embryo transfer and one upon completion of the transfer. This treatment stimulates the autonomic nervous system and, from an energetic viewpoint, relaxes the uterine muscles, calms the mind, and increases the flow of Qi, or energy, in the uterus[iii]. Acupuncture can also help increase blood flow to the uterus and increases circulation in the pelvis[iv]. It can stimulate endorphins[v] to reduce stress, help to regulate hormones, as well as stimulate follicular development[vi].
What about acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer?
Before 2020, we met patients on transfer day at the fertility clinic 45 minutes before the scheduled embryo transfer time. Since 2020, we have seen patients at the clinic on the morning of transfer or the day prior.
I meet my patients at the fertility clinic on the day of IVF embryo transfer and give two acupuncture treatments, one before the transfer and one directly afterward.
The day of the embryo transfer during an IVF cycle is crucial. It is the culmination of many emotions, and people are usually experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety. If a woman has had a negative experience with a prior IVF cycle, or there are increased work demands and financial concerns around an IVF cycle, she may experience increased levels of fear, worry, and stress. Research shows a correlation between increased levels of stress and a lower number of fertilized eggs, successful pregnancies, and live births[vii]. Acupuncture can help reduce stress, but I often refer patients out for psychological support and/or group therapy as part of the treatment plan. Group therapy, in particular, has been shown to decrease stress levels and improve pregnancy success rates in couples undergoing IVF[viii]. In addition, a treatment plan may include relaxation techniques to reduce stress. This is a key reason why it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible before the transfer.
So is it just acupuncture that helps or other modalities too?
Natural treatment around your IVF cycle includes adjunct therapies that can enhance your fertility, like nutrition and massage.
Adjunct therapy also may include a session with a nutritionist, especially if the woman’s Body Mass Index is too high or too low. Obesity has been associated with sub-fertility[ix] and decreased IVF success[x]. Being underweight can also decrease fertility by being low in nutrients, such as healthy fats, iron, B vitamins, and zinc. The importance of nutritional therapy cannot be stressed enough. According to TCM practitioner & holistic nutritionist Rylen Feeney, “Whole foods, rich in protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, are essential to creating life. A woman’s body must be taking in adequate nutrient-dense foods that not only sustain her own vitality but also create enough nutrients to make healthy viable eggs, to create healthy blood and tissues to nourish the uterus for implantation, to sustain the pregnancy, and to contribute to rich milk following birth”.
How do I find the right fertility acupuncturist?
A simple conversation with a practitioner of Chinese Medicine will give you a good idea if they are the right fit for you. When looking for an acupuncturist, it is important to ask them the following questions:
- Are you a licensed acupuncturist and certified in herbology? It is best to find someone with comprehensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including herbology. Usually, this practitioner is someone with at least a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine.
- Do you have experience working with women and men with fertility concerns? Have you attended embryo transfers before? Do you have a specialty? I would recommend finding someone who treats women’s health concerns instead of someone who treats only musculoskeletal issues. You might want to ask your OB/GYN, RE, or an acupuncturist in another specialty if they have any recommendations for an acupuncturist.
- Do you have access to other treatment modalities besides acupuncture? Often a place that provides massage therapy, group sessions, and nutrition consults will provide a more comprehensive treatment plan. But an acupuncturist with a good referral network is a great place to start.
Liz Richards, L.Ac., is clinic director of Blossom Clinic, an integrative health clinic focusing on women’s health and well-being. She is an acupuncturist who has been seeing fertility patients in Portland, Oregon, since 2002 and is the author of Nourishing Fertility: An A-to-Z Guide, an e-book filled with her best fertility tips.
[i] Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Zabludovsky N, Bartoov B. Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality. Arch Androl. 1997;39:155-161.
[ii] Paulus, WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K..Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4.
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[v] Chang, R., Chung P.H., Rosenwaks Z. Fertil Steril. 2002 Dec; 78 (6): 1149-1153.
[vi] Emmons, S., Patton, P. Acupuncture treatment for infertile women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Medical Acupuncture Journal. Spring/Summer 2000-Vol. 12 / Number 2.
[vii] Cohen Klonoff-Cohen H, Natarajan L. The concerns during assisted reproductive technologies (CART) scale and pregnancy outcomesFertil Steril. 2004 Apr;81(4):982-8.
[viii] The Domar Center at Boston. Oct. 19, 2009 study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s 65th Annual Meeting.
[ix] Van der Steeg JW, Steures P, et al. Obesity affects spontaneous pregnancy chances in subfertile, ovulatory women. Hum Reprod. 2008 Feb;23(2):324-8. Epub 2997 Dec 11.
[x] Bellver J, Ayllón Y, Ferrando M, Melo M, Goyri E, Pellicer A, Remohí J, Meseguer M. Fertil Steril. 2010 Feb;93(2):447-54. Epub 2009 Jan 26.