Acupuncture for IVF: The Benefits of Acupuncture Three Months Before IVF and During the IVF Process

By Dr Luke McPherson (TCM)

TCM, Acupuncture, Crows Nest

The Benefits of Acupuncture Three Months Before IVF and During the IVF Process

For couples undergoing IVF, the journey can be emotionally, physically, and financially demanding. Improving your health before starting treatment can significantly increase your chances of success, and acupuncture is one of the most effective complementary therapies to support fertility. Starting acupuncture three months before IVF and continuing through the process can help regulate your menstrual cycle, improve egg quality, enhance uterine receptivity, and reduce stress.  Working on these factors can greatly contribute to a successful outcome.

Why Start Acupuncture Three Months Before IVF?

Acupuncture takes time to regulate the body, and beginning treatment at least three months before IVF allows your system to undergo the necessary changes to help achieve your fertility dreams. Here’s how it helps:

1. Regulating the Menstrual Cycle

If your cycle is irregular or if ovulation is inconsistent, acupuncture helps bring balance. It works by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which regulates reproductive hormones. A well-regulated cycle improves egg maturation and overall reproductive (1).

2. Improving Egg Quality

Egg quality is a crucial factor in IVF success, and it takes around 90 days for an egg to fully mature before ovulation. For this reason, it is recommended that you start your acupuncture for IVF treatments at least 3 months prior to starting IVF. Acupuncture enhances ovarian blood flow, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to developing follicles, which may result in better-quality eggs (2).

3. Enhancing Uterine Receptivity

The uterus needs to be in the best possible condition for implantation. Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the endometrium, helping it develop an optimal thickness for embryo implantation. A well-nourished uterine lining increases the chances of successful embryo transfer (3).  Acupuncture can also be used to enhance pharmaceutical (Such as gonadotropin -releasing hormone agonists) fertility treatments(4).

4. Reducing Stress and Balancing Hormones

The IVF process can be stressful, and stress hormones like cortisol can interfere with reproductive hormone balance. There is a lot of uncertainty the you have to deal with as a fertility, and it feels there is a constant wait period you are dealing, that really builds your stress.  Acupuncture has been shown to lower cortisol levels, promote relaxation, and support the release of endorphins, which help counteract the negative effects of stress on fertility (1).

How Acupuncture Supports You Through IVF

Acupuncture for IVF will support you throughout the process.  It will help regulate your body, it will reduce stress, and it will help you emotionally.  Once you begin the IVF process, acupuncture can help at each stage:

1. During Ovarian Stimulation

Acupuncture supports ovarian response to stimulation medications by increasing blood flow to the ovaries (5). This may help follicles develop more evenly and improve the chances of retrieving high-quality eggs. It also helps mitigate side effects of stimulation drugs, such as bloating, headaches, and mood swings.

2. Before and After Embryo Transfer

Acupuncture sessions immediately before and after embryo transfer have been linked to higher pregnancy rates. Research suggests that acupuncture performed on the day of transfer can improve implantation by promoting blood flow to the uterus and reducing uterine contractions that might dislodge the embryo (6).

3. Supporting the Two-Week Wait

The waiting period between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test can be filled with anxiety (7). Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, keeping stress levels in check, and supports progesterone production, which is crucial for maintaining early pregnancy.

4. Preventing Early Pregnancy Loss

If conception is achieved, acupuncture can help sustain the pregnancy by supporting progesterone levels and promoting blood flow to the developing embryo. Regular acupuncture in early pregnancy may reduce the risk of miscarriage, particularly in cases of previous pregnancy loss (8).

To Sum Things Up…

Acupuncture is a gentle, natural, and effective way to prepare your body for IVF and support you throughout the process. By starting three months before IVF, you allow your body time to optimise egg quality, balance hormones, and create the best possible environment for implantation. Continuing acupuncture through the IVF cycle helps manage stress, enhances ovarian function, and supports embryo transfer success.

If you’re preparing for IVF, consider integrating acupuncture into your fertility plan to give yourself the best possible chance of success. Dr Luke McPherson(TCM), is highly experienced fertility acupuncturist who understands both the biomedical and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspectives on fertility to ensure you receive tailored, evidence-based care.

CALL Dr LUKE MCPHERSON (TCM)

FOR A CONSULTATION!

0414 287 083

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References

1.     Cai XM, Jie WU. The mind-tranquilizing and menstruation-regulating method for acupuncture treatment of delayed menstrual cycle—a clinical controlled study. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2009 Mar 1;29(1):35-8.

2.     Maughan, T. A., & Zhai, X. P. (2012). The acupuncture treatment of female infertility-with particular reference to egg quality and endometrial receptiveness. The Journal of Chinese Medicine, (98), 13.

3.     Zhong Y, Zeng F, Liu W, Ma J, Guan Y, Song Y. Acupuncture in improving endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019 Dec;19:1-9.

4.     Yang J, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Zhou C, Liang Q, Liang T. Acupuncture combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists improves endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcome in patients with recurrent implantation failure of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2024 Aug;41(8):2185-92.

5.     Wang RR, Su MH, Liu LY, Lai YY, Guo XL, Gan D, Zheng XY, Yang H, Yu SY, Liang FR, Wei W. Systematic review of acupuncture to improve ovarian function in women with poor ovarian response. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2023 Mar 13;14:1028853.

6.      Wang X, Xu HM, Wang QL, Zhu XY, Zeng YM, Huang L, Feng X, Chen S. The Timing and Dose Effect of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes for Infertile Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2024 Nov 1;30(11):1031-46.

7.     Rubin LE, Smith CA, Schnyer RN, Tahir P, Pasch LA. Effect of acupuncture on IVF-related anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2022 Jul 1;45(1):69-80.

8.     Hullender Rubin L, Cantor D, Marx BL. Recurrent pregnancy loss and traditional Chinese medicine. Medical acupuncture. 2013 Jun 1;25(3):232-7.