Why are so many women turning to acupuncture for fertility support?
- Andrea Osvold, M.Ac., L.Ac.
- Nov 12, 2025
- 4 min read
As a licensed acupuncturist, female infertility is one of the most common conditions that I treat. I have to admit, when I first started my career as an acupuncturist I had no interest in treating infertility. Fresh out of school I was more interested in treating mental health and pain conditions, but within my first couple years of practicing, I started to get more and more patients who were struggling with infertility. I honestly had no idea how impactful this condition could be on a person's life and I soon realized that this was an area of practice where I could make a huge difference and really help people. A decade later it has become my specialty and the part of my practice that I am most passionate about.
Struggling to get pregnant is not uncommon. It is a painful subject for those who are going through it, which is probably why it isn't talked about as much as it should be (in my opinion).
More and more women are looking for alternative therapies, supplements and other treatments to help improve their chances of getting pregnant.
Here are the top reasons why acupuncture has become a popular choice for women who are trying to conceive:
Acupuncture helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and balance hormones.
Regulating the menstrual cycle increases the likelihood of conception. Underlying conditions such as PCOS can cause menstrual irregularities and anovulation making it harder to get pregnant. Acupuncture can be used to help balance hormones to promote regular menstruation and more frequent ovulation. It also helps to reduce period cramps and premenstrual symptoms such as bloating, irritability, headaches and food cravings that occur due to hormonal fluctuation.
Acupuncture reduces inflammation and improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries.
Chronic inflammation is often associated with conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis and can be a contributing factor to infertility. Acupuncture is a commonly used therapy to reduce inflammation in many areas of the body. This is why it is so effective for treating pain.
Acupuncture also improves circulation and can be used to direct blood flow to the reproductive organs. Increased blood flow to the ovaries and uterus can help to improve egg quality, stimulate ovulation and encourage a more receptive uterine lining for successful implantation.
Acupuncture promotes stress reduction and can improve emotional and physical well-being.
Many people seek out acupuncture for stress reduction and relaxation. Patients who come in for this reason are often surprised to find that after just a few sessions many other areas of their health start to improve. Stress plays a huge role in overall health and wellness. A high level of stress creates imbalance within the body leading to poor sleep, digestive issues, anxiety, depression, pain, and you guessed it, infertility. Managing stress plays a vital role in improving the chances of conception and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Acupuncture helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system, getting patients out of their chronic "fight or flight" state. Studies have found that regular acupuncture can increase HRV (heart rate variability) which is associated with improved stress management and positive health outcomes. Low HRV is often an indicator of chronic stress, poor sleep and less than optimal physical health.
Fertility doctors are recommending acupuncture to their IVF patients.
I am finding that many of my patients are being referred by their medical doctors for fertility. Many MDs are hearing about their patients' positive experiences with acupuncture and recommending it for added support during fertility treatment. There is also a growing body of research that suggests acupuncture may improve IVF outcomes.
The IVF process can cause an increase in emotional and physical stress for patients. IVF medication can cause side effects such as bloating, mood swings, nausea and headaches. Acupuncture can be used to reduce stress and relieve the severity of these side effects to promote a greater sense of well-being.
It is recommended to start acupuncture three to six months before starting the IVF process if possible. Many patients who have successful transfers will choose to continue treatment through the first trimester of pregnancy to help with nausea, fatigue and anxiety.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for infertility and a variety of women's health concerns. The approach is holistic and side effects are minimal. If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit my website.
I would be honored to support you as you go through your fertility journey.
Sources
1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO
Effects of TCM on polycystic ovary syndrome and its cellular endocrine mechanism
The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation
Effect of Acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer: A Single Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Does Acupuncture Reduce Stress Over Time? A Clinical Heart Rate Variability Study in Hypertensive Patients
Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial