WHEN SHOULD I COME IN FOR ACUPUNCTURE?

AcupunctureFertility

Feb 1

Written By Nicole Lange

One of my most frequent FAQs.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve asked one of the most common questions in fertility acupuncture:

“Nicole, when should I come in for acupuncture?”

For a quick(ish) answer, scroll down to “Best Timing IVF Acupuncture During IVF”, or even better, read on for a more holistic perspective and some amazing science!

So before we get to frequency, let’s talk about some of the big things we’re working on when doing fertility work.

Five ways acupuncture improves fertility.

1. Acupuncture Regulates Your Nervous System & Balances Hormones

Certain types of acupuncture calm the nervous system. This shifts you out of fight-or-flight mode, and into rest, digest, and reproduce mode. Acupuncture can:

Lower heart rate and improve heart rate variability
Improve respiratory function
Decrease stress hormones
Quiet brain activity for a much needed reset and rest — check out this BBC documentary explaining it (skip to 49:30 if your time’s limited)
Shift brain waves from Gamma and Beta “thinking and alert” waves, to Alpha and Theta “deep relaxation and calm” waves
Regulate digestion and immune function
Enhance endocrine function for better reproductive health
Regulate the HPO axis which controls ovulation and fertility hormones — read about acupuncture and HPO function if you’re nerdy like me

In short, acupuncture is a bit like closing all the tabs and restarting your computer, only for your nervous system and all the connected systems it controls. And a super bonus? A calmer, more centered brain and nervous system help you make better decisions.

2. Acupuncture Boosts Blood Flow to Reproductive Organs

Improved circulation, especially with electro-acupuncture, can:

Deliver hormones and fertility medications to the reproductive organs more effectively
Build a healthy uterine lining for more robust implantation
Support placental development for a better pregnancy

3. Acupuncture Reduces Stress and Protects Mental Health

It’s proven that while unrelenting excessive stress negatively affects fertility outcomes, acupuncture can:

Lower cortisol (the stress hormone)
Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, and PTSD symptoms — you can learn more about acupuncture and anxiety, depression, and how anxiety and depression decrease fertility
Reduce PTSD symptoms during fertility struggles
Support a healthier pregnancy and postpartum recovery

Research shows that high stress is associated with:

20% fewer eggs retrieved and 19% fewer eggs fertilized
Lower pregnancy rates for both people trying to conceive naturally and those undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Premature IVF treatment drop-out rate
Higher number of IVF cycles and longer treatment in order to achieve pregnancy

4. Acupuncture Promotes Cell Regeneration and Stem Cell Activation

Emerging research suggests acupuncture:

Activates uterine stem cells, improving implantation rates — check out this link about optimizing stem cells with acupuncture
Supports endometrial health similar to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments in IVF

5. Acupuncture Regulates Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can affect fertility, especially with conditions like endometriosis and autoimmune disorders. Acupuncture helps by:

Reducing harmful inflammation while maintaining immune balance
Supporting implantation and embryo development via inflammation regulation

These ways all improve placental health too.

Gah! Don’t get me started on how important the placenta is!
There’s more — the ripples these 5 factors make also are so great for placenta development and health
Okay, last one — placentas are the key y’all

Fun side note! Obstetrics and gynecology are the oldest specialties in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and the first books about treating pregnant people were from 1500 BC. Infertility treatments can be dated as far back as 476 BC!

So, when should you come in for acupuncture?

If You’re NOT Doing IVF

Starter Sessions: It’s great if you can do 2 - 4 starter sessions weekly, biweekly, or as close as you can based on your budget. This will allow us to dive into more education and trouble-shooting more quickly, and hit the ground running.

If you can’t come in very often, I recommend The Baby You Want online course plus whatever acupuncture does make sense for you. This way you’ll still get the important education sooner rather than later!

Ongoing Sessions: After the first 1 - 3 months of more frequent sessions you can usually space visits out further. If you aren’t pregnant, we can do a reassessment around three months too.

If You ARE Doing IVF

Before Your Cycle: It’s great to prepare your body for 1 - 3 months prior to starting IVF. If you can add visits (once a week max) that’s fabulous. If not, that’s okay, just do what you can.

I highly recommend my in-depth IVF Insider online course plus whatever acupuncture works for you.

During Stim and Retrieval Cycles: Acupuncture weekly or biweekly during stimulation is SO helpful — this is an intense time and regular acupuncture will support both you and your IVF outcomes!

During FET Cycles: Having completed 8 sessions prior to an embryo transfer has some research behind it, but if this requires more than one session a week I think it’s best to do less.

On Embryo Transfer Day: I’ve got a whole page about this for you!

During the Two-Week Wait: I usually suggest one session about 5 - 7 days after your embryo transfer — this is when peak freak-outs tend to happen.

If You Get Pregnant

First Trimester: Weekly or biweekly sessions that focus on placental support and anxiety reduction are fan-tastic!

Second and Early Third Trimester: Whatever is most appealing and makes the most sense for you.

Final 6 - 8 Weeks of Pregnancy: Resume weekly or biweekly sessions to prepare for labor, postpartum recovery, and lactation.

Postpartum and Beyond: As-needed for whole body healing and emotional support.

Most importantly, always consider your own unique factors.

There’s no perfect fertility acupuncture plan or schedule — only what works for your unique factors. I encourage you to sit with the scientific evidence, your clinic recommendations, and your own personal needs, budget, and preferences. Whenever you can come in, I know we can do great work!

And the truth is, fabulous fertility acupuncture resets your systems, but the biggest and best benefits come from integrating that reset into daily life. So my approach will always emphasize:

✔ Education — so you feel informed and empowered.

✔ Sustainable self-care — NEVER opt for overwhelming treatment plans, pressure, or immoderate lifestyle suggestions.

✔ A personalized plan — based on your unique journey and factors, including likes, dislikes, time, budget, and so much more.

If you have questions, let’s chat — I’m so honored to support you on this journey!

Nicole