How to Safely Increase your IVF Clinical Pregnancy Rate

If you are living with infertility, you carry a weight that is hard to put into words. Many of my patients describe the two week waits, the clinic phone calls, and the rollercoaster of hope and uncertainty as some of the most intense moments of their lives. You deserve care that is compassionate, calming, and evidence based. Fertility acupuncture helps facilitate exactly that. It is a non pharmacological therapy used alongside natural conception and assisted treatments such as IUI and IVF, with a growing body of research that helps explain how and when it can make a difference.

What the newest evidence says:

A recent peer reviewed review pulled together one of the largest collections of clinical trials on acupuncture in assisted reproduction. Across 145 randomized controlled trials with over 25,000 participants, adjunctive acupuncture was associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate compared with controls. Relative to those that received sham (fake) acupuncture or no acupuncture the treatment group receiving actual fertility acupuncture had a 21% higher chance for clinical pregnancy, which means a meaningful increase in the chance of seeing a heartbeat on ultrasound when acupuncture was added to standard care. The benefit appeared stronger when treatments were timed during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and there were improvements reported in endometrial features and biochemical pregnancy rates during frozen embryo transfer cycles.

How acupuncture may help:

Modern research helps us understand why many patients feel better and sometimes do better with acupuncture during fertility care:

• Blood flow and implantation support: Targeting specific points can improve uterine blood flow and support a receptive lining, two factors that matter for embryo implantation.

• Stress regulation and nervous system balance: Treatments can reduce anxiety and shift the body toward a calm state, which may modulate the hypothalamus pituitary ovarian axis and support hormone balance during stimulation and transfer.

• Ovarian function and egg quality: Studies describe changes in cellular signaling that are linked with oocyte maturation and embryo quality, particularly relevant for people with insulin resistance or polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Endometrial receptivity: Some trials show favourable changes in endometrial pattern and thickness and in the molecular signals that help the lining welcome an embryo.

  
  

When to consider acupuncture in your timeline:

Acupuncture can be integrated at different points. A plan is always individualized, but common entry points include:

• Several weeks before IVF stimulation to support general health, menstrual cycle quality, stress resilience and support egg quality

• During controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation when some studies suggest stronger associations with positive outcomes

• In the days around embryo transfer to promote relaxation and support uterine receptivity

• During frozen embryo transfer preparation where benefits in biochemical pregnancy and endometrial features have been observed

  
  

Your plan may also include sessions during natural or medicated cycles when you are trying to conceive without IVF.

What a typical session looks like:

Appointments are calm and unhurried. Very thin, single use sterile needles are placed at selected points on the body. You rest comfortably for up 25 minutes. Many patients feel deeply relaxed or even drift into a light sleep. Frequency varies by goal and timing, but research protocols often use one to three sessions per week for two to three menstrual cycles, with adjustments around stimulation and transfer days. Your personal plan will reflect your diagnosis, treatment schedule, and how you respond.

Who might benefit:

• People planning IVF who want to optimize the environment for egg development and implantation

• Those with a history of implantation failure or repeat IVF cycles

• Individuals with thin or erratic endometrial lining patterns

• Patients with high stress, anxious mood, or sleep disruption during treatment

• People with PCOS or insulin resistance or who are working to improve egg and embryo quality

Safety and comfort:

Adverse effects in trials are uncommon and usually mild, such as temporary lightheadedness, sleepiness, or local soreness. Treatments should be delivered by a trained professional who is experienced in reproductive care, uses pregnancy safe points, and coordinates with your medical treatment plan. If you have a bleeding disorder, are on anticoagulants, or have other medical concerns, we will tailor the plan accordingly.

Many patients share that acupuncture became the calm hour in a week otherwise filled with appointments and decisions. They leave feeling grounded, sleeping better, and more in control of a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

If you would like to explore whether fertility acupuncture is a good fit for you, we would be honoured to support you. You can book an appointment if you live in Ontario or Quebec. Together we will build a plan that is compassionate, personalized, and aligned with your treatment timeline.

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Book a consultation to explore your symptoms and history in more depth. Together, we can create a targeted, compassionate, and proactive strategy to support your reproductive health.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before starting any new supplement, especially during fertility treatments like IVF.