IVF can ask a lot of a person. There are appointments to attend, medications to manage, blood tests to schedule and a fair amount of waiting and hoping in between. Somewhere in that process, many people start wondering whether there is anything else they can do to support their body and give themselves the best possible chance. Acupuncture is one of the things that comes up most often.
If you ‘ve been asking yourself whether acupuncture is worth considering during IVF, this guide walks through what it may help with, what the evidence does and does not tell us, and what to look for before you book. The honest answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and that’s exactly why it’s worth understanding properly.
What acupuncture is meant to do during IVF
Acupuncture is often used alongside IVF as a complementary support rather than a treatment in its own right. It’s not a substitute for your medical fertility care, and any reputable practitioner will be clear about that from the outset.
Where people tend to find it valuable is in how the IVF process feels. Acupuncture is commonly used as a way to help manage stress, encourage relaxation and support a sense of overall wellbeing through what can be a demanding few weeks. Some people also turn to it to help support blood flow and helping their body feel more settled during the cycle.
The framing our practitioners use is deliberately measured. Acupuncture may assist and support you through IVF – it works best as one part of a wider approach that puts your medical treatment at the centre.
When in your IVF cycle people typically use it
A lot of people begin in the weeks or months leading up to their cycle and continue through the stimulation phase, with sessions often arranged around key milestones such as egg collection and embryo transfer. The idea is to support relaxation and wellbeing during the more intensive stretches of treatment.
Because everyone’s cycle and circumstances are different, the best approach is to plan your sessions together with your practitioner and coordinate them with your fertility specialist’s schedule. That way your acupuncture fits around your medical treatment instead of complicating it.
To understand more about the latest research on acupuncture timing in an IVF cycle, we recommend reading this article.
Is it okay to use alongside IVF treatment?
When performed by a qualified, registered practitioner, acupuncture is generally regarded as a low-risk therapy, which is a large part of its appeal for people already going through IVF. The key is making sure your practitioner understands where you are in your treatment and communicates well with your broader care team.
Our practitioners take a considered approach and place real value on integrating with your GP and specialists, drawing on both Eastern and Western medical traditions rather than working in isolation (you can read more about how this works on our acupuncture IVF support page). If you have any specific medical concerns, always raise them with your fertility specialist before starting, so everyone caring for you is on the same page.
What to look for in a fertility acupuncture practitioner
Not all acupuncture experience is the same, and fertility support is a specialised area. A few things are worth checking before you commit:
- Relevant experience. Look for a practitioner who regularly supports people through fertility treatment and IVF, and who understands the process you are going through.
- Proper registration. Choose a qualified, registered practitioner so you can be confident in their training and standards.
- Willingness to collaborate. A good practitioner welcomes working alongside your fertility clinic and GP, and is honest about what acupuncture can and cannot do.
At Essendon Natural Health, our team brings many years of experience supporting patients with fertility and IVF, and combines modern research with time-tested natural medicine. Robert has almost two decades of experience working in the IVF support space and collaborates with his colleagues, Alicia and Clara on IVF cases.
Book an appointment
If you’re going through IVF and considering acupuncture as part of your support, our team is happy to talk it through honestly and help you decide whether it’s right for you. Book an appointment with Essendon Natural Health to get started.
B.C.M (Hons), C.Clin.Prac (China), C.Toyohari. Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Integrative Natural Medicine Practitioner.
Robert is a passionate and warm practitioner who has an extensive knowledge of integrative and functional natural medicine. He is down to earth and has an interest in organic foods, gardening and sustainable living. With over 17 years of experience, he is renowned for being very thorough by both fellow practitioners and patients alike.