Fertility Acupuncture:

Your Questions Answered

Welcome. We know the path to growing your family can be filled with questions and uncertainty. You're likely here because you're exploring every option to support your dream. Fertility acupuncture is a safe, effective, and evidence-based therapy that has helped countless women and couples enhance their natural fertility and improve the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and IUI. This page is designed to answer your most common questions and help you understand what to expect on your journey with us.

  • Acupuncture works to enhance fertility through several key mechanisms supported by modern research. From a biomedical perspective, it helps by:

    • Regulating Hormones: It influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which is the primary hormonal feedback loop that governs your menstrual cycle. This can help regulate hormones like FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone.

    • Increasing Blood Flow: Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood circulation to the uterus and ovaries. This improved blood flow can lead to a healthier uterine lining for implantation and better ovarian response.

    • Reducing Stress: The journey to conceive is often stressful. Acupuncture is highly effective at reducing stress by lowering cortisol levels and activating the body's parasympathetic "rest and digest" nervous system. High stress can negatively impact reproductive function, so this is a crucial benefit.

    • Improving Egg Quality: By increasing blood flow to the ovaries and reducing oxidative stress, acupuncture can contribute to a healthier environment for developing follicles, potentially improving egg quality over time.

  • Yes! From our clinic’s own results, we have helped bring over 3,000 babies into this world since we opened in 1990.

    From the broader scientific community, research supports the use of acupuncture in reproductive medicine. Numerous studies and systematic reviews have shown that acupuncture can be a valuable tool for couples trying to conceive from a biomedical, hormone base. It is particularly well-researched as an adjunct therapy for IVF, with several studies demonstrating higher pregnancy rates in women who receive acupuncture before and after embryo transfer. We are committed to an evidence-based approach and can discuss relevant research with you during your consultation.

  • Acupuncture doesn't treat a Western diagnosis but rather the underlying pattern of imbalance contributing to it. It can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including:

    • Unexplained Infertility

    • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

    • Endometriosis

    • Poor Egg Quality

    • Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)/ Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

    • Thin Uterine Lining

    • Luteal Phase Deficiency

    • Irregular Menstrual Cycles

    • Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

    • Male Factor Infertility (e.g., low sperm count or motility)

  • Absolutely. Acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary therapies for patients undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Acupuncture for IVF or IVI can help:

    • Prepare the Ovarian and Uterine Environment: increasing nutrient-rich blood flow to the reproductive organs. For the ovaries, this supports the development of higher-quality follicles for IUI or IVF retrieval. For the uterus, it helps build a thick, healthy, and receptive lining in preparation for FET, fresh transfer, or IUI. By "priming the soil" beforehand, you create a more optimal environment, which can lead to a better response once the cycle officially starts.

    • Improve response to stimulation medications for IUI or IVF retrievals.

    • Increase blood flow to the uterus to promote a thick, receptive lining for embryo transfer or IUI.

    • Minimize medication side effects like bloating, fatigue, and mood swings.

    • Support implantation with specific treatments timed around your embryo transfer or IUI procedure.

    • Reduce stress and anxiety associated with the ART process.

    We work in conjunction with your reproductive endocrinologist's protocol to optimize your results. We are familiar with the protocols that IVF doctors like to us in our area (Irvine, Orange County, and Los Angeles).

How fertility acupuncture works at SoCal Family acupuncture in Irvine

  • This is a very common concern. Most our patients report feeling little to no pain. The needles used are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin—nothing like the needles used for injections or blood draws.

    You may feel a slight pinch upon insertion, followed by a dull ache, warmth, or a tingling sensation, which are all normal signs that the point has been activated. The vast majority of our patients find acupuncture to be relaxing and often fall into deep sleep during treatment.

  • Your first visit will be the longest, typically 60-75 minutes. It includes the consultation and first acupuncture session. During the consultation, we will go over your reproductive history and any labs or diagnostic studies conducted by your OBGYN, primary care physician, and reproductive endocrinologist if available. This in-depth conversation, along with traditional diagnostic methods like looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse, allows us to create a complete picture of your health. You will then receive your first acupuncture treatment. Subsequent visits are shorter usually about 30-40 minutes.

  • Your treatment plan will be personalized to your specific case. Every person and body is different. During your initial consultation we will outline a detailed treatment plan for you based on your history and tongue/pulse examination.

    It’s difficult to say how many treatments are needed without seeing you. Our patients range from women looking to conceive in their early 20s born with only one fallopian tube to women in their 40s with diminished ovarian reserve doing IVF. Treatments look drastically different in such cases.

    Generally, many of our patients come once to twice a week. For those in an active IVF or IUI cycle, the frequency may increase around key events like egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Consistency is key, as the effects of acupuncture are cumulative.

  • Male factor contributes to roughly 40-50% of infertility cases. Acupuncture can help improve sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology), reduce stress, and improve overall wellness for the male partner, significantly increasing your chances of conception as a couple.

Fertility acupuncture expectations and FAQs