Acupuncture
Acupuncture has a long history in supporting reproductive health
Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old healing practice that uses ultra-fine needles placed along the body’s “channels” or energy pathways.
It is one modality in a larger system of Chinese medicine which includes a comprehensive way of diagnosing and treating illness. Acupuncture is especially supportive for hormone health, fertility, and stress regulation. Certain points can guide blood flow to the reproductive organs and influence hormonal balance, while others support digestion, sleep, and immune function.
Acupuncture is well-known for pain relief, but acupuncture has been used for centuries to influence health in all areas of the body. Acupuncture points are specific nodes of vital “qi”, or energy, found along the channels, and these channels are named after organ systems. The Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Lung channels are a few of the channels we use in acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture has a long history in supporting reproductive health. In Chinese medicine there is no single word for hormones. Instead, we look at someone’s pattern—a group of symptoms that tell a story, that help us understand where the body needs the most support. When it comes to fertility and hormone support, acupuncture is most commonly centered around the Liver, Kidney and Spleen channels with the most influential points along the abdomen, arms and legs.
While the traditional explanation of acupuncture through “qi” and the organ channels may seem strange, many research studies have shown that acupuncture can support fertility and IVF success through more familiar mechanisms, such as:
- Increase vasodilation and blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- Thicken uterine lining
- Floods the body with endorphins which mitigates the stress response
- Release of neurotransmitters which can promote ovulation, regulate menses and increase fertilit
- Decrease insulin and increase insulin clearance
- Improve egg quality
These mechanisms are important for many reproductive health challenges such as age-related infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, implantation failure and more.
In addition to fertility and IVF, acupuncture also offers a natural approach to perimenopause and cycle-related issues like painful periods, heavy bleeding, long or short cycles, missing periods, fibroids, cysts, and PMS symptoms like menstrual migraines, breast tenderness, bloating and more.
At Arrive, acupuncture is more than a treatment—it’s part of a thoughtful, integrative approach to your health. Whether you’re trying to conceive, navigating IVF, moving through perimenopause, or simply wanting to feel better in your body, this is care that fills in the gaps of conventional medicine. Acupuncture is part of a larger treatment plan that can include comprehensive lab testing and functional medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does acupuncture work?
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture is. The needles are very thin, and while you may feel a small sensation at first, treatments are typically deeply relaxing—many patients rest or fall asleep during sessions. In my practice, I use pediatric needles that are extra thin. My intention is for acupuncture to help you get into a state of deep relaxation.
How does acupuncture work for fertility?
Acupuncture can support fertility by improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, supporting hormone balance, and regulating the nervous system. Over time, it helps create a more supportive environment for ovulation and implantation, and often enhances the treatment of endometriosis, PCOS and poor egg and sperm quality.
When should I start acupuncture for fertility?
Ideally, 1–3 months before trying to conceive naturally or beginning IVF. This allows time to support egg quality, hormone balance, and uterine lining. It takes approximately 90 to 120 days for an egg to fully mature within the ovary before it’s ready for ovulation. The environment you create in the months leading up to ovulation—through acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle—can directly influence egg quality, hormone balance, and implantation potential.
Can acupuncture help regulate my menstrual cycle?
Yes, acupuncture is great for cycle and hormone support. It can help regulate hormone signaling, improve blood flow, and reduce stress. It’s often helpful for irregular cycles, PMS, and painful periods.
Can acupuncture improve IVF outcomes?
Yes, research suggests acupuncture can improve outcomes for fresh, frozen and donor egg cycles when used consistently before and during IVF cycles.
How many acupuncture sessions do I need to support fertility or IVF?
Research, and our experience, show that 9-12 acupuncture visits over the course of three months gives the best results for both natural and IVF cycles. However, our treatment plans are tailored for each patient. If you are just starting to TTC with no significant health history, we may recommend fewer sessions than if you have been TTC for many months with an underlying long-standing health challenge. (link to fertility page)
Is acupuncture safe during IVF and pregnancy?
Yes, acupuncture has been shown in the research to increase live birth rates by almost 30% compared to IVF alone. It has not been shown to increase miscarriage rates, in fact it may even decrease miscarriage.
Can acupuncture help male fertility or sperm health?
Yes, acupuncture can support sperm, and in my practice I integrate acupuncture, herbs and functional medicine to improve sperm motility, morphology, count, DNA fragmentation and chronic inflammation or infection.
How is your clinic different from other acupuncture practices?
My focus is on hormonal health, fertility, IVF and perimenopause. I am board-certified in reproductive acupuncture with more than 20 years experience dovetailing with IVF protocols. In addition to acupuncture, I love to bring in lab results, including advanced hormone and microbiome tests that you won’t find in your doctor’s office or most acupuncture practices. Learn more about my training and approach here.
Want to learn more? Let’s chat. Book a free 15-minute consultation.