What to Know About Acupuncture & IVF

Talk to your doctor before deciding if acupuncture is right for you and your unique treatment plan.

You’ve no doubt heard about at least one person who tried acupuncture while trying to conceive. People share their experiences online; maybe a friend or #IVFsister posted a reel about it. They left their acupuncture appointment feeling good and ready for their egg retrieval or transfer. You trust your friend, but you still have questions.

As a fertility acupuncturist and clinical researcher, I also had questions. I have been a clinician for over 23 years and have worked at multiple fertility clinics in addition to my private practice. I primarily see individuals and couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and have witnessed many compelling success stories. During discussions with colleagues, I discovered they would share similar observations. There is limited research on multiple acupuncture treatments before egg retrieval or during the two-week wait. Were our observations coincidental, or did acupuncture treatment truly offer a benefit to those undergoing IVF?

My inquiries inspired me to pursue formal clinical research training at Oregon Health & Science University and to lead several research projects on acupuncture treatment in conjunction with IVF. Here’s what I’ve learned.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a drug-free medical procedure in which sterile, solid, fine needles no thicker than a strand of hair are inserted into the body. The needles can be manipulated by hand or stimulated with low-intensity electrical impulses. They are strategically placed to stimulate the biological responses of surrounding tissues and various body systems, including the nervous and endocrine systems, to promote self-healing. Acupuncture is the most well-known modality within the whole system of Chinese medicine and has been used for treatment for at least 2,500 years. Other modalities include cupping, gua sha, tui na (a type of massage), Chinese medical nutrition, mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.

Acupuncture may support fertility through multiple pathways Research has revealed numerous biological responses when needles are inserted into the body during acupuncture, which may explain how this therapy works. Studies suggest acupuncture can help regulate an overactive nervous system, dilate blood vessels, and enhance blood flow to targeted areas. Additionally, acupuncture promotes the release of neurotransmitters, potentially improving communication between the deep brain, the pituitary gland, and the gonads (ovaries or testicles) or adrenal glands. This may assist in regulating menstrual cycles and ovulation, as well as supporting sperm production. Moreover, for individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome, acupuncture may improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Acupuncture can reduce pain 

This one is probably what you thought about when someone suggested acupuncture. Aren’t those needles for pain? Yes, the evidence for acupuncture’s effectiveness is most robust for drug-free pain management in back pain, knee pain, tension-type headaches, neck pain, and migraines. Pain relief with acupuncture may be caused by a flood of pain-killing endorphins in the body. Acupuncture may also modulate how we process pain by suppressing pain signaling in the central nervous system and increasing the release of endogenous opioids in the peripheral nervous system. Acupuncture has also been found to positively support changes in brain neuroplasticity in people with chronic pain. 

If you experience pain or headaches, acupuncture during your fertility treatments may help you, as most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are generally not recommended during traditional fertility treatments.

Acupuncture can reduce stress and treatment-related anxiety

If you are reading this, you likely already know that fertility treatment is no walk in the park. People going through fertility treatments may experience significant distress on their journey to parenthood. Because acupuncture can flood the body with endorphins, it may help to alleviate the stress response. Acupuncture has been found to reduce stress during IVF in multiple studies. In my own study, we found acupuncture provided a small but significant reduction in IVF-related anxiety. While stress and anxiety don’t directly cause infertility, they do contribute additional distress to an already taxing process. The addition of acupuncture to your IVF cycle may make it more tolerable and support you in achieving your goal of having a baby.

Acupuncture can increase blood flow to the reproductive organs

One of the primary ways we can consider when explaining how acupuncture may directly impact reproductive function is by increasing blood supply to the reproductive organs. Acupuncture has increased blood flow in animal and human studies to the ovaries, uterus, and testicles. While we need more research to understand how this may impact reproductive birth outcomes fully, we do understand a few things. If the ovaries have limited blood supply, overall fertility declines. If blood flow to the uterus is impeded, the lining may not fully develop or impact pregnancy viability. If the testicles do not receive adequate blood flow, it can lead to infection, inflammation, or atrophy. Increasing blood flow may help your response to medications as some small studies have found acupuncture patients needed fewer medications than their comparison group.

Risks with acupuncture

Acupuncture, when administered by licensed acupuncturists, has very few risks. The most common side effects include drowsiness, mild pain during needle insertion (though a skilled acupuncturist will minimize this with good techniques), the possibility of a small drop of blood, and mild bruising. These are usually minor and resolve without any additional treatment. You may experience warmth, heaviness, achiness or a gentle tapping sensation with electroacupuncture at the needle site, but acupuncture does not have to be painful to be effective. For instance, in my practice, I always encourage people to inform me if anything feels uncomfortable. There is nothing you need to endure for the benefit of acupuncture. For folks who cannot handle more needles beyond what is required for their IVF treatment, acupuncturists can offer acupressure, transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS), and/or laser acupuncture. Ask your acupuncturist about needle-free alternatives.

What can I expect when I meet with a fertility acupuncturist?

A fertility acupuncturist specializes in supporting people trying to conceive at home or with assisted reproduction, such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. The state should license them and, if possible, board-certify them by the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine. They likely completed extensive study and training in reproductive medicine and worked closely with a fertility clinic. A fertility acupuncturist can work with women, people assigned female at birth, men, and people assigned male at birth.

Care with a fertility acupuncturist includes a comprehensive health history, encompassing a review of lab test results, imaging assessments, and treatments you have undergone with your fertility doctor. Fertility acupuncturists may offer education regarding your diagnosis and physical examinations of the tongue and pulse. Chinese medicine employs a model of health and wellness that stands apart from Western medicine. We examine the tongue and pulse to gain insights into the body’s functioning and refine our diagnosis based on Chinese medicine’s physiology and pathology principles. Additionally, we can collaborate with you and your doctor to help you achieve your family-building goals.

How much does acupuncture cost?

Fees can vary significantly, ranging from $75 to $200 per treatment depending on the geographic area. I list my fees on my website, as do many other fertility acupuncturists. However, if it’s unclear, ask the acupuncturist about their fee schedule.

Will my insurance cover acupuncture for fertility?

Historically, health insurance payers do not reimburse for acupuncture treatments related to infertility. Check with your insurance provider to confirm whether your acupuncture benefits include infertility treatment. However, FSA and HSA funds can typically be used for treatment.

Bio

Lee Hullender Rubin, DAoM, MS, LAc, FABORM, is an internationally recognized, award-winning doctor of acupuncture and a leader in the field of integrative reproductive medicine. She is also a clinical researcher and maintains a private practice at Rosefinch Health in Portland, Ore.