Acupuncture and IVF: What the Research Really Says

IVF Acupuncture Research: Why Dose and Timing Matter

When it comes to acupuncture and IVF, it’s not just whether you have acupuncture—it’s when and how often.

A large body of research now supports the use of acupuncture as part of IVF care, but only when enough treatments are given.

Many early studies—like the Paulus study (2002)—looked at just two acupuncture treatments on embryo transfer day. While helpful for reducing anxiety, this “ET-only” protocol doesn’t reflect how acupuncture is delivered in clinical practice, nor does it match what the research now suggests is most effective.

More recent data, including meta-analyses and cohort studies, shows that a higher dose of acupuncture before and during IVF cycle (stimulated or frozen embryo transfer cycles). Much of research highlights while Embryo transfer acupuncture may be beneficial for some patients (see below sub groups) least four sessions associated with significantly better clinical pregnancy rates (CPR),  and some while studies look at higher dose acupuncture treatments 9–12 highlight increase in live birth outcomes.

Clinical Pregnancy and Live Birth Rates by Treatment Dose

To help interpret results clearly, we’ve separated clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) from live birth rates (LBR) and grouped them by number of acupuncture treatments. Not all studies reported both outcomes.

Clinical Pregnancy Rates (CPR)

Live Birth Rates (LBR)

Key Insight: Acupuncture is most effective when delivered regularly throughout the IVF process—not just on the day of embryo transfer.

When Should You Start Acupuncture for IVF?

To support IVF effectively, acupuncture should be timed with each phase of the cycle. Here’s a typical schedule based on both evidence and clinical experience:

Embryo Transfer Day Acupuncture: What to Know

Embryo transfer-day acupuncture has been widely studied. Some early trials showed benefit, but more recent meta-analyses (Smith et al., 2018) found that this approach alone does not consistently improve outcomes across all patients.

That said, it does seem to help specific groups:

• People with elevated stress
  
• Those with multiple failed IVF attempts
  
• Patients at clinics with lower-than-average success rates

For these groups, even 1–2 sessions around transfer can help calm the nervous system, improve endometrial receptivity, and boost emotional stability.

For best results, transfer-day acupuncture should be done on-site or within 24 hours. Continuing during the two-week wait is also recommended for stress and sleep support.

What About the Two-Week Wait?

This is often the most emotionally intense part of the cycle. Continuing acupuncture during this time can:

• Help reduce anxiety and emotional fluctuations
  
• Promote parasympathetic nervous system activity
  
• Support endometrial receptivity during implantation
  

Even though research on this phase is more limited, clinical experience and patient feedback strongly support acupuncture’s value here—especially for emotional resilience.

How Might Acupuncture Work?

Modern research has uncovered several mechanisms that explain how acupuncture may support IVF success. For healthcare professionals, these mechanisms offer a framework for understanding physiological effects; for patients, they help explain how acupuncture works and why timing and frequency matter.

Does Acupuncture Help with IVF-Related Anxiety?

Yes. Repeated findings show acupuncture can significantly reduce state and trait anxiety—particularly during emotionally intense moments like embryo transfer and the two-week wait.

Acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping shift the body from a ‘fight or flight’ state to a more relaxed ‘rest and digest’ state. Studies have shown it modulates levels of cortisol and adrenaline, while increasing calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins.

For IVF patients, this can translate to:

• Fewer emotional fluctuations across the cycle
• Better coping with uncertainty and medical procedures
• Improved sleep and mood regulation

A 2018 RCT found that acupuncture administered around embryo transfer significantly lowered anxiety scores compared to control groups (Smith et al., 2018). Hullender Rubin et al. (2015) also evaluated psychological well-being in their large cohort and found that women receiving acupuncture reported lower anxiety and better general health. Specifically, the acupuncture group showed improved scores on the MOS SF-36 general health domain (MD 2.6, 95% CI 0.5–4.7, P=0.01). Although the benefit was not sustained at 14 weeks, it was clearly present post-embryo transfer but three months reduction is still worth noting!!

IVF patients often tell us acupuncture is the one part of their treatment that helps them feel calm and emotionally steady—regardless of the outcome.

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Deep Dive: The Hullender Rubin Study (2015)

The Hullender Rubin study reported both clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR), giving a clearer picture of how acupuncture may support IVF success.

This retrospective cohort study analysed over 1,000 IVF cycles. The live birth rates were:

• IVF alone (usual care): 48.2%
• IVF + embryo transfer-day acupuncture: 50.8%
• IVF + whole-systems TCM: 61.3% The WS-TCM group received 9–12 acupuncture sessions, dietary and lifestyle advice, and Chinese herbal medicine where appropriate. This approach mirrors how care is delivered at The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic.

That’s a relative increase of: ≈ 27% higher live birth rate with Whole Systems Chinese medicine  (61.3% vs. 48.2%)

This is a meaningful difference, particularly given that both groups were undergoing IVF, and the only major variable was the inclusion of WS-TCM—highlighting the potential value of consistent, individualised integrative care.

These findings support the importance of:

• Treating according to individualised TCM diagnosis
• Offering whole-person care (not just focused on the uterus or ovaries)
• Providing a consistent treatment schedule aligned with the IVF cycle

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What is Whole Systems TCM?

At our clinics, IVF acupuncture is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. We offer:

• Tailored acupuncture plans aligned with your IVF stage
• Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis
• Herbal medicine and supplement advice where appropriate
• Dietary and lifestyle recommendations
• Integration with your IVF team’s timeline

We practice as part of an integrative care model, meaning we work alongside your fertility specialist, GP, and any other healthcare providers involved in your care. We regularly communicate with IVF clinics and medical teams to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support for each patient.

We also use electro-acupuncture and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as part of standard care for IVF patients. 

Choosing the Right Fertility Acupuncturist

At The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic, all our practitioners are:

• AHPRA registered Chinese Medicine practitioners
• Extensively trained in IVF and fertility acupuncture 
• Continuously mentored in-house by senior leaders in the field

Our founder, Jane Lyttleton, is recognised internationally as a leader in Chinese Medicine fertility care. Her textbook Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine is used worldwide and often referred to as a key reference for acupuncturists working in reproductive medicine.

Jane also developed our clinic training manuals, which are continually updated with the latest research. Every practitioner working at our clinic completes her fertility-specific coursework and ongoing internal education, ensuring consistency, quality, and depth of IVF-related knowledge across all locations.

To ensure safe, effective IVF acupuncture care we suggest to choose:

• AHPRA Registered: Only see practitioners registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia
• Fertility-Trained: Ask if they have postgraduate training in reproductive health or IVF support
• Experienced: Look for someone experience
• Integrative: Look for Acupuncturist who is also familiar with your IVF clinic / health care team and IVF schedule.

What About Chinese Herbal Medicine?

A 2020 meta-analysis by Kwon et al. suggests that Chinese herbal medicine may enhance IVF outcomes when used appropriately. Learn more in our Chinese Herbal Medicine and IVF blog.

Final Thoughts

Acupuncture isn’t a substitute for IVF – but it can enhance it.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture isn’t a replacement for IVF. But when delivered consistently and as part of a whole systems approach, it may:

• Improve uterine receptivity and follicular development
• Lower stress and improve emotional resilience
• Support implantation and pregnancy maintenance

We work in partnership with your fertility clinic to offer care that is individualised, evidence-informed, and deeply supportive.

Our team provides IVF acupuncture care across Sydney CBD, Inner West, Alexandria, Central Coast, Melbourne, and Mornington, offering integrative fertility support built on research and real-world results.

About the Author

Amy Forth BHSc (Chinese Medicine), MGHDS

Amy Forth is a Chinese Medicine practitioner, researcher, and educator with over 18 years’ experience in integrative fertility, IVF, and reproductive care. She is the Clinical Director of The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic Alexandria and Managing Director of The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic Group – a network of established clinics across NSW and Victoria. Amy has contributed to IVF and PCOS acupuncture trials, and her postgraduate research explored how biomedical culture influences GP engagement with complementary care. She is known for her evidence-based, patient-first approach.

Visit the Sydney East – Alexandria Clinic.