How Acupuncture Can Support Infertility and Enhance Your Fertility Journey
- reproductiveacupun
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Infertility is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a person or couple can face. Whether you're trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IVF, or somewhere in between, acupuncture offers a gentle, holistic approach to support your reproductive health and overall well-being.
At Melbourne Reproductive Acupuncture, we work with individuals and couples at every stage of the fertility journey—from the early months of trying to conceive to complex diagnoses like PCOS, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, recurrent implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss.
But how exactly can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture and the Physiology of Fertility
Acupuncture is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which views fertility as a reflection of overall balance in the body. Through gentle, targeted needling, acupuncture can help:
Improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries—supporting the development of a healthy uterine lining and nourishing ovarian follicles.
Regulate hormones—by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, acupuncture may help rebalance disrupted menstrual cycles or support ovulation.
Reduce stress—research shows acupuncture can lower cortisol levels and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm the body and mind during what is often a stressful process.
Enhance IVF and ART outcomes—including during stimulation, egg collection, and embryo transfer.
Support first trimester pregnancy outcomes - helping reduce common symptoms like nausea, constipation and anxiety, calming the nervous system and supporting a more stable and relaxed internal environment during early pregnancy.
What the Research Says
Recent high-quality studies have strengthened the evidence base for acupuncture in fertility care.
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics analysed 25 trials involving 4,757 participants. The study found that acupuncture significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates (43.6% in the acupuncture group vs. 33.2% in the control group) and live birth rates (38.0% vs. 28.7%) among women undergoing IVF.
These findings suggest that acupuncture can be a valuable adjunct therapy in IVF
treatments.
Another 2023 network meta-analysis published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics evaluated various acupuncture-related therapies. The study concluded that acupuncture, particularly when administered before oocyte retrieval, can enhance clinical pregnancy rates among women undergoing IVF-ET. Specifically, acupuncture for three menstrual cycles before egg retrieval showed the most significant improvement in pregnancy outcomes.
These studies highlight the importance of the timing and consistency of acupuncture sessions in relation to IVF procedures.
A Whole-Body Approach
What sets acupuncture apart is the individualised care. No two bodies or fertility journeys are the same—we look at your cycle, your health history, and where you are in the process to create a personalised treatment plan.
Acupuncture can be used on its own or alongside Western fertility treatments. Many of our patients find that acupuncture helps them feel more grounded and connected to their bodies again—something that's easy to lose in a clinical fertility journey.
When to Start
We recommend beginning acupuncture at least 2–3 months before trying to conceive or starting IVF. This allows time for your body to respond and rebalance and aligns with the natural timelines for egg maturation and sperm development. That said, people often begin acupuncture at different stages of their fertility journey. Most don’t know how long it will take to conceive or whether they’ll encounter challenges until they’re already partway through the process.
Wherever you are in your fertility journey, we meet you there. Our goal is to support you with individualised care and help you make informed decisions about the options available to you. If you're navigating infertility, know that you're not alone—and there are gentle, supportive options available.
Start your Acupuncture Journey
Book your Initial Consultation or a 10‑Minute Discovery Call below.
(03) 9132 0287
@reproductive.acupuncture
Written by Kim Riley
BHSc (TCM)
AHPRA and ATMS
References
Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Li, J., Chen, X., Liu, H. & Zhao, Y. 2023, ‘Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta‑analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials’, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, vol. 308, no. 2, pp. 321‑334.
Liu, X., Sun, Y., Chen, W., Zhang, H. & Zhou, F. 2023, ‘Comparative efficacy of acupuncture-related therapies as an adjunct to IVF-ET: a network meta‑analysis’, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, vol. 40, no. 5, pp. 1101‑1115.
Comments