Fertility Acupuncture: How It Fits Alongside IVF
Why people add acupuncture to fertility care, what research says (mixed), how sessions are timed around IVF, and talking to your clinic.
Written byFlourish TCM ClinicTraditional Chinese Medicine & skin care · Yaletown, Vancouver
Reviewed byTabasom (Tabi) Mirshahi, R.Ac., R.TCM.P.
Fertility Acupuncture: How It Fits Alongside IVF
Many people going through IVF or trying to conceive add acupuncture as supportive care, mainly for stress, rest and a sense of doing something for themselves. Research on whether acupuncture improves IVF success rates is mixed, so it's most accurately understood as support alongside your fertility clinic's care, not a fertility treatment in its own right.
Why do people add acupuncture to fertility care?
Fertility treatment is physically and emotionally demanding. People tell us they value acupuncture for:
- time to rest in the middle of a stressful process;
- stress support, which many find hard to manage alone;
- a whole-person approach that looks at sleep, energy, digestion and cycle;
- feeling proactive alongside medical treatment.
What does research say?
Research is mixed. Some earlier studies suggested acupuncture around embryo transfer might improve pregnancy rates. Later, larger trials and systematic reviews have generally not found a consistent improvement in live birth rates. Some studies suggest benefits for anxiety and wellbeing during IVF.
We're honest about this: we can't promise that acupuncture will help you get pregnant. Many people still choose it for support, and that's a valid reason.
How are sessions timed around IVF?
Timing is planned with your clinic's calendar. Common approaches:
- Before starting: weekly sessions for a few weeks or months, to support rest and cycle awareness.
- During stimulation: weekly sessions.
- Around embryo transfer: some people book sessions close to transfer day.
- After transfer: gentle, relaxation-focused sessions if your clinic agrees.
Laser or needles?
At Flourish, the fertility protocol uses low-level laser on acupuncture points, a needle-free approach. See Laser Acupuncture for Fertility: What It Is.
Talking to your fertility clinic
- Tell your clinic you're having acupuncture.
- Share your treatment calendar with your acupuncturist.
- Follow your clinic's instructions first, especially around retrieval and transfer.
- Tell your acupuncturist about all medications.
Warning signs during IVF
Contact your fertility clinic urgently for severe abdominal pain or bloating, shortness of breath, or rapid weight gain during stimulation. These can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). See IVF support.
Booking
Fertility Acupuncture is performed by a registered acupuncturist and is currently on the waitlist. Meanwhile, relaxing care such as Reiki and the pregnancy-conscious Pregnancy & New Mom Facial is bookable at our Yaletown clinic, a direct Canada Line trip from Richmond. The team speaks English and Farsi.
Frequently asked questions
Can acupuncture help me get pregnant?
Research is mixed. We offer it as support, not a promised outcome.
Is acupuncture safe during IVF?
Generally considered low-risk with a registered practitioner. Tell your clinic.
When should I start?
Many start weeks or months before treatment; any stage is fine.
Will my fertility clinic mind?
Most are familiar with it. Always tell them.
Can I book now?
Fertility acupuncture is on a waitlist.
Sources
- Cheong YC, et al. Acupuncture and assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Smith CA, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Hullender Rubin LE, et al. Effect of acupuncture on IVF-related anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2022. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Paulus WE, et al. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Information on this site is general and isn't a substitute for advice from your physician.
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Fertility Acupuncture
Fertility Acupuncture is a 30-minute session for men and women: a registered acupuncturist applies red and infrared cold laser to acupuncture points, with no needles, alongside your fertility care. At Flourish TCM Clinic in Yaletown, Vancouver, it's $170. Appointments open once a registered acupuncturist joins us.
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Reiki Healing with Gentle Massage is a 60-minute, fully clothed relaxation session that combines Reiki with soothing touch to the scalp, arms, hands and feet and a gentle gua sha facial. At Flourish TCM Clinic in Yaletown, Vancouver, it costs $170 with Lida Fazlinejad (Lida Fazli), certified Reiki practitioner.
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The Pregnancy & New Mom Facial is a gentle 75-minute facial for people who are pregnant or in the months after birth, using only OxyGeneo skin care products and no devices or machinery. At Flourish TCM Clinic in Yaletown, Vancouver, it costs $230 and is performed by Mina Gharnian, skin care practitioner.
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Relaxation Massage is a calming, Swedish-style full-body massage using long, flowing strokes to help you unwind. At Flourish TCM Clinic in Yaletown, Vancouver, it's $170 for 60 minutes or $250 for two hours, with Amir Norouzi. It is a relaxation service, not registered massage therapy.
