Acupuncture in Leicester for IVF
Acupuncture for IVF and IUI
More and more women choose traditional acupuncture to support them through their IVF cycles. Research into acupuncture and IVF is developing, and some studies suggest it may have a positive effect on outcomes when given across the cycle.
Many women find it helps them feel calmer, more supported and more in control through a demanding process.
How acupuncture may support you through IVF:
Increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Improved circulation supports the uterine lining and ovarian function in the lead-up to treatment.
Managing stress and anxiety.
IVF is emotionally demanding. Acupuncture can be a way to feel calmer and better able to cope through treatment.
Regulate hormonal imbalances
Acupuncture is thought to support reproductive hormones and may help to promote regular ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Supporting more regular cycles.
Some women find acupuncture helps with cycle regulation in the months leading up to a cycle.
Feeling supported through each stage.
Working with a fertility acupuncturist means having someone alongside you through stimulation, transfer and the two-week wait.
Research Supporting Acupuncture for IVF
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 3,188 women found acupuncture had a positive effect on live birth rates when given across the cycle rather than only around embryo transfer (Zhang et al., 2018). The evidence base is still developing and findings across studies are mixed, which is why treatment is usually recommended over the months leading up to a cycle.
Additionally, a recent large-scale study with 4,757 participants further underscored acupuncture’s potential. Women who received acupuncture achieved a clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) of 43.6%, compared to the control group’s 33.2%, showing a significant difference (P < 0.00001). The study also showed a live birth rate (LBR) of 38.0% in the acupuncture group, compared to 28.7% in the control group (Xu et al., 2023).
A recent study shows that women with poor ovarian response benefited from moxibustion (a herb burnt topically on a particular acupuncture point.
When to start acupuncture for IVF
For the best possible outcome, I recommend starting acupuncture 2-3 months before a fresh IVF or IUI cycle. This timing aligns with the 90-day period it takes for eggs to develop, giving us the opportunity to create an optimal hormonal environment that supports healthy egg maturation and enhances your chances of success. If you have less time, it is still worth considering acupuncture.
Acupuncture works best when treatments are regular (a minimum of weekly), as the effects are cumulative. Research also suggests that acupuncture during ovarian stimulation can improve embryo and blastocyst quality (Zhang et al., 2018).
Acupuncture and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
It's not uncommon for women to discover acupuncture after a failed fresh IVF cycle and seek support for their next frozen embryo transfer.
It's worth being clear that once the eggs have been collected and the sperm sample given, acupuncture and lifestyle changes cannot change the quality of the eggs or sperm. What acupuncture can offer in the lead-up to a frozen transfer is support of a different kind. Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and improved circulation supports the uterine lining. I usually recommend weekly sessions for six weeks before the planned cycle, with further sessions around the transfer and through the two-week wait.
Many women find this helps them feel calmer, more supported and less alone through a stage that can be full of uncertainty. Working with a fertility acupuncturist also means having someone alongside you who understands the process and can help you manage the ups and downs along the way.
I offer acupuncture in Leicester for all aspects of fertility and women's health.
