Acupuncture & IVF: How to Support Your Cycle Before, During, & After Transfer

You've invested thousands of dollars and months of your life into IVF. You've endured the injections, the monitoring appointments, the weight of not knowing. Now you're looking for anything that might improve your chances.

Acupuncture is one of the most researched complementary therapies for IVF support. But knowing that it might help and understanding how to use it strategically are two different things.

This article explains how acupuncture supports each phase of your IVF cycle, what the research shows, and how to time your treatments effectively.

Does Acupuncture Improve IVF Success Rates?

Acupuncture works on multiple systems that affect IVF outcomes. It increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, regulates the hormones involved in ovulation and implantation, and calms the nervous system during a process that can be physically and emotionally demanding.

The research is substantial. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal examined multiple randomized controlled trials and found that acupuncture performed on the day of embryo transfer increased clinical pregnancy rates by 65%. This remains one of the most cited studies supporting acupuncture for IVF.

A landmark study by Paulus and colleagues, published in Fertility and Sterility in 2002, established the transfer-day protocol now used in clinics worldwide. Women who received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer had significantly higher pregnancy rates than those who did not.

Research published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online found that women who integrated traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbs, with their IVF treatment had higher live birth rates than those using IVF alone. The study suggested that the combination addresses factors that medications alone cannot: stress regulation, blood flow, and the overall environment in which eggs develop and embryos implant.

Another study in Fertility and Sterility measured cortisol and prolactin levels in women undergoing IVF and found that those receiving acupuncture during stimulation had significantly lower stress hormones. Elevated cortisol and prolactin can interfere with follicle development and implantation, so reducing these hormones creates a more favorable environment for your eggs and embryos.

You can explore these and other studies on our research page.

Acupuncture Before IVF: Why Preparation Matters

The most overlooked phase of IVF support is the preparation phase. Ideally, you would begin acupuncture three months before your retrieval. This timeline matters because egg development takes approximately 90 days. The follicle that will become your retrieved egg is influenced by your hormonal environment, blood flow, and stress levels during this entire window.

During the preparation phase, acupuncture focuses on regulating your menstrual cycle and addressing any underlying imbalances. If your periods are irregular, painful, or accompanied by significant PMS, these are signs that your hormonal environment needs support. We work on improving blood flow to the ovaries, which need steady circulation to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to developing follicles. Research using Doppler ultrasound has demonstrated that acupuncture increases ovarian and uterine blood flow, improving the delivery of hormones and nutrients to developing eggs.

We also focus on calming your nervous system. Chronic stress keeps your body in a state that deprioritizes reproduction. When your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, it affects hormone signaling, inflammation levels, and blood flow to your reproductive organs. Starting acupuncture before your cycle begins gives your body time to settle and regulate.

We address digestive issues, sleep problems, and inflammation that might affect your response to medications. Many women don't realize how much these factors influence their cycles until they start feeling different.

If you don't have three months, start wherever you are. Even a few weeks of preparation can make a difference. For more on optimizing the months before your cycle, read our article on how to improve egg quality.

Acupuncture During IVF Stimulation

Once you begin your stimulation medications, the goals of acupuncture shift. During this phase, treatment focuses on supporting your ovarian response, managing side effects, and keeping your stress levels manageable.

During the preparation phase, most patients receive acupuncture one to two times per week. Once stimulation begins, we typically increase to twice per week, and sometimes more if you're experiencing significant symptoms. Treatments are gentler during stimulation and focus on maintaining balance rather than making significant changes. Your body is already responding to powerful medications, and acupuncture works to support that process.

Common concerns during stimulation that acupuncture can address include bloating and abdominal discomfort, headaches, mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disruption. Many women are surprised by how much better they feel when receiving consistent treatment during stimulation. The medications are intense, and having support makes the process more manageable.

Many women find that acupuncture during stimulation helps them feel more grounded. The IVF process can feel all-consuming. Having a space to lie down, breathe, and receive care can be restorative in ways that go beyond the physical. For some women, their acupuncture sessions are the only time during their cycle when they feel genuinely calm.

Acupuncture on Egg Retrieval Day

Some patients choose to receive acupuncture on the day of egg retrieval, either before or after the procedure. Treatment before retrieval focuses on calming the nervous system and promoting blood flow. Treatment after retrieval supports recovery and addresses any cramping or discomfort.

The hours around retrieval can feel stressful. You've been preparing for this moment, and there's anticipation about how many eggs will be retrieved and whether they'll fertilize well. Acupuncture helps your body stay regulated during this high-stakes time.

If you're unable to come in on retrieval day, treatment the day before or the day after is also beneficial. The goal is to keep your body supported throughout the process rather than treating any single day as make-or-break.

Acupuncture Before and After Embryo Transfer

The most studied application of acupuncture in IVF is treatment on the day of embryo transfer. The Paulus protocol, published in Fertility and Sterility, established what has become standard practice: acupuncture approximately 25 minutes before transfer and again immediately after.

The pre-transfer treatment focuses on relaxing the uterus, increasing blood flow to the endometrium, and calming the nervous system. A relaxed uterus is less likely to contract in ways that might interfere with implantation. Increased blood flow to the lining creates a more receptive environment for the embryo.

The post-transfer treatment supports implantation and reduces uterine contractions. Studies have shown that the uterus can contract significantly after transfer, and these contractions may affect where the embryo settles. Acupuncture helps calm this response.

We offer day-of-transfer acupuncture at CCRM and can coordinate with other clinics throughout Manhattan. If you're unable to receive treatment at your clinic, coming to our office before and after your transfer appointment is also effective.

A study published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that women who had experienced previous implantation failure had improved outcomes when acupuncture was added to their subsequent cycles. This suggests that acupuncture may address factors that contributed to earlier failures.

The Two-Week Wait: How Acupuncture Helps

The two-week wait between transfer and pregnancy test is one of the most emotionally challenging phases of IVF. Acupuncture during this time focuses on supporting implantation, managing anxiety, and helping you stay as calm as possible while you wait.

Most patients come in once or twice during the two-week wait. Treatment is gentle and focuses on promoting blood flow to the uterus, supporting progesterone levels, and calming the nervous system.

This is not the time to make major changes or push your body. Rest, gentle movement, and stress reduction are the priorities. Acupuncture fits well into this approach. Many women tell us that their sessions during the two-week wait are the only time they feel genuinely at ease.

The anxiety of not knowing can be overwhelming. Having a practitioner who understands what you're going through, and a treatment that physically helps your body settle, makes this waiting period more bearable.

For more on navigating this challenging time, read our article on the two-week wait.

Choosing a Fertility Acupuncturist: Why Credentials Matter

Not all acupuncturists have training in reproductive medicine. Fertility acupuncture requires specialized knowledge of reproductive physiology, IVF protocols and medications, cycle timing, and how to coordinate care with reproductive endocrinologists.

When choosing a practitioner, look for board certification in reproductive acupuncture. The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) is the credentialing organization that certifies acupuncturists who have demonstrated expertise in fertility and reproductive medicine. ABORM-certified practitioners have completed advanced training, passed a rigorous examination, and committed to ongoing education in reproductive health.

This certification matters because fertility treatment is complex. Your acupuncturist should understand what medications you're taking, how they affect your body, and how to time treatments for maximum benefit. They should be able to communicate with your reproductive endocrinologist and adjust your care based on how your cycle is progressing.

You should also look for a practitioner who has experience coordinating with IVF clinics and can offer flexible scheduling for time-sensitive treatments like day-of-transfer acupuncture. The logistics of IVF are demanding enough without having to work around a practitioner who doesn't understand the timing requirements.

Why We're Different

Most acupuncture clinics offer acupuncture. We offer comprehensive IVF support.

At Fifth Avenue Fertility Wellness, we've supported thousands of women through IVF cycles since 2001. We work closely with reproductive endocrinologists throughout NYC and understand the specific demands of each phase of treatment. We know which clinics use which protocols. We understand the medications, the timing, the monitoring schedule. When you tell us where you are in your cycle, we know exactly what that means and how to support you.

But we also look beyond the cycle itself. We address the underlying factors that affect how your body responds: nervous system regulation, inflammation, sleep, digestion, stress. Many women come to us after cycles that didn't go as hoped, and when we look at the fuller picture, we often see patterns that weren't being addressed.

This isn't about adding one more thing to your IVF checklist. It's about creating the best possible conditions for your body to respond to treatment.

What This Looks Like in Practice

A woman came to us at 38 after her first IVF cycle was canceled. Her lining had only reached 6mm despite extended estrogen support, and her doctor wouldn't proceed with transfer. She was devastated and worried this would keep happening.

When we talked, I noticed a pattern. She had always had heavy periods with clots, which seemed contradictory to thin lining, but in Chinese medicine terms made sense. She had cold hands and feet, even in summer. Her energy was low, especially in the afternoons. She described herself as someone who pushed through everything, rarely resting, always moving to the next task.

We started acupuncture twice weekly, six weeks before her next cycle. We focused on building blood flow to her uterus and warming her system. We added Chinese herbs tailored to her pattern. We talked about slowing down, eating warming foods, and protecting her energy instead of spending it all.

By the time her second cycle started, she felt different. More rested. Less cold. Her period before the cycle was lighter with no clots, a sign that circulation was improving. She said she felt like her body was finally getting what it needed.

Her lining reached 9.2mm. She retrieved 9 eggs, and 2 made it to blast. Her first transfer was successful.

She now has a daughter.

What we added was attention to her whole system: her circulation, her energy, her nervous system. When those shifted, her body could respond differently to the medications. The IVF protocol was the same. What changed was the foundation underneath it.

Read stories from women we've worked with →

Your Next Step

If you're preparing for IVF or currently in a cycle, acupuncture can support your body and your nervous system through the process. The earlier you start, the more benefit you'll receive, but it's never too late to begin.

We'll look at your full picture, not just your protocol, and create a plan that addresses what your body actually needs. Whether you're in your first cycle or your fifth, whether things have gone smoothly or you've faced setbacks, we can help you move forward with more support.

Learn more about our Fertility & Health path or contact us at 212.432.1110 or info@fafwellness.com.