Why You Might Consider Acupuncture Before and During Your IVF Cycle
IVF Acupuncture in Westmead
If you’re preparing for IVF, you’ve probably already heard that acupuncture can be used alongside treatment. What’s less clear is who it’s actually helpful for, when it makes sense, and what it realistically does.
This article is for people who want a grounded, honest explanation — not hype, and not a deep dive into academic jargon.
We’ll talk about:
- how acupuncture may support IVF
- who tends to benefit the most
- when to start
- and when it may not be necessary
First — is acupuncture always necessary during IVF?
No. And that’s important to say upfront.
If you’re young, generally healthy, and doing IVF due to factors like blocked tubes or male factor infertility and you’re feeling calm and supported acupuncture may not change outcomes very much.
But IVF is rarely just physical.
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected from your body during the process, acupuncture often becomes more relevant.
That’s usually when people start looking for IVF acupuncture in Westmead.
How does acupuncture help fertility?
Acupuncture is commonly used to support fertility by helping the body regulate stress, circulation, and nervous system activity.
From a biomedical perspective, research suggests acupuncture may:
- influence blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- support nervous system regulation
- interact with neuroendocrine pathways involved in hormonal signalling
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, fertility is not viewed as a single diagnosis. Treatment is based on how your body is functioning as a whole including cycle patterns, stress response, digestion, sleep, and recovery.
How does acupuncture help with infertility?
Infertility looks different for everyone.
Some people are navigating unexplained infertility. Others are dealing with PCOS, endometriosis, age-related changes, repeated IVF cycles, or simply the cumulative stress of treatment.
Acupuncture doesn’t “fix” infertility. What it may do is support the body during a process that is physically and emotionally demanding.
Recent systematic reviews suggest acupuncture may be associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates in some IVF contexts, particularly when used across a cycle rather than as a one-off treatment (Smith et al., 2023; Maleki-Hajiagha et al., 2022).
IVF acupuncture: how does it actually work?
IVF acupuncture works best when it’s planned alongside your IVF cycle, not added at the last minute.
In clinical practice, acupuncture is often used:
- before stimulation begins
- during ovarian stimulation
- after egg collection
- around embryo transfer
- during the two-week wait
This approach reflects both clinical experience and newer research suggesting that timing and frequency matter more than a single session.
When should I start IVF acupuncture?
There’s no single “right” answer.
Many people start acupuncture 6–12 weeks before IVF if time allows. Others begin once stimulation starts, or even mid-cycle.
What matters most is:
- consistency
- realistic scheduling
- flexibility if your cycle changes
If you’re searching “when should I start IVF acupuncture?”, it usually means you’re trying to plan ahead which is sensible.
IVF acupuncture schedule: what does treatment usually look like?
A typical IVF acupuncture schedule might include:
- weekly sessions before IVF
- one to two sessions during stimulation
- a recovery-focused session after egg collection
- one or two sessions around embryo transfer
Some people continue during the two-week wait. Others don’t. Both can be appropriate.
The aim is support, not pressure.
IVF acupuncture points and protocols: is there a standard approach?
No.
Research trials often use fixed acupuncture points for consistency. Clinical care is different.
In practice, point selection is based on:
- how your body is responding to IVF medications
- symptoms like bloating, anxiety, sleep changes, or fatigue
- cycle history and prior IVF outcomes
- Chinese Medicine diagnosis
If you’re Googling “IVF acupuncture points”, what you’re really looking for is reassurance that there’s a plan. There is — it just isn’t one-size-fits-all.
What do I actually do during IVF acupuncture?
Very little.
You lie down. You rest. You breathe.
For many people, acupuncture sessions are one of the few moments during IVF where they’re allowed to stop and be supported.
That matters more than it sounds.
How does IVF acupuncture help IVF outcomes?
This is where honesty is important.
Some studies suggest acupuncture may support clinical pregnancy rates, particularly when compared with no additional care. Results are less consistent when compared with sham acupuncture, and evidence for live birth outcomes remains mixed (Smith et al., 2023).
That’s why we describe acupuncture as supportive care, not a guarantee.
For many patients, the benefits include:
- feeling calmer during stimulation
- improved sleep
- better emotional regulation
- feeling actively supported, rather than passive
Who tends to benefit most from IVF acupuncture?
Both research and clinical experience suggest acupuncture may be more helpful for:
- people over 37
- those with repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles
- those experiencing high stress or anxiety during treatment
- people preparing for frozen embryo transfer
For people with very high predicted IVF success and low stress, acupuncture may be less impactful — unless stress levels change.
How to choose an IVF acupuncture clinic in Westmead
If you’re looking for the best IVF acupuncture clinic in Westmead, here are practical things to consider:
- Do they understand IVF timelines and medications?
- Is treatment planned across your cycle, not just transfer day?
- Are they comfortable working alongside fertility clinics?
- Do they communicate clearly and realistically?
Our Westmead clinic supports patients undergoing IVF across Western Sydney, including those attending fertility services in and around Westmead and Parramatta.
A balanced takeaway
The research and our clinical experience suggest acupuncture can be helpful for some IVF patients particularly those with lower predicted success rates or higher stress levels.
If you’re going to use acupuncture, evidence suggests it may be most useful:
- before and during stimulation
- around embryo transfer if stress is high
- during the two-week wait for nervous system support
And if your specialist has told you your chances are already high? You don’t need acupuncture — unless you’re feeling stressed and want extra support.
References (selected)
- Smith CA et al. (2023). Acupuncture for assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- Maleki-Hajiagha A et al. (2022). Acupuncture and IVF pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Timing and Dose Effect of Acupuncture in IVF-ET (2024). Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- MacPherson H et al. (2014). Safety of acupuncture: prospective observational study.
About the Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic
The Acupuncture Pregnancy Clinic is a national network offering acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to support fertility, IVF cycles, pregnancy, and reproductive health.
You can find us in Westmead, Sydney CBD, Alexandria, Gosford, Melbourne, and Mornington.
