FERTILITY & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Fertility Acupuncture in West Edmonton
The World Health Organization estimates that about 1 in 6 people experience infertility at some point in their lives. Many people trying to conceive, naturally or with IUI or IVF, look for support that helps them feel more in control. Acupuncture can be part of a supportive plan alongside the medical care recommended by your physician or fertility clinic.
Support from someone who understands fertility treatment
Dr. Frank Yeh has extensive experience working with patients going through fertility treatment, and he understands how stressful fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF can be. Between appointments, medications and waiting for results, it’s easy to feel that every small decision matters.
Patients often ask questions such as what to eat during IVF, which supplements to take, or whether exercise or coffee could affect their cycle. Many worry that one small thing might lead to a disappointing result. Frank takes the time to answer these questions, so you can go through treatment with more confidence and less second-guessing.
Fertility treatment can also be a heavy financial commitment, and the steady stream of clinic visits for blood tests, ultrasounds and procedures can be hard to fit around work and daily life. A weekly 30-minute acupuncture session can be an opportunity to slow down, feel supported, and make some time for yourself along the way.
If you are still unsure or have any questions, book a free meet and greet. Tell Frank where you are in your fertility journey, ask your questions, and decide whether acupuncture feels right for you, with no obligation to continue.
How acupuncture may help
Researchers have proposed several ways acupuncture might influence reproductive health: by affecting nerve signalling and hormone release (Stener-Victorin & Wu, 2010), blood flow to the uterus (Xu et al., 2022), and stress responses. Studies have reported improvements in endometrial thickness (Zhong et al., 2019) and, in polycystic ovary syndrome, in LH and testosterone levels and menstrual regularity (Zheng et al., 2013). A 2019 review of studies on the uterine lining (endometrium) also found higher pregnancy rates in women who had acupuncture (Zhong et al., 2019).
Acupuncture alongside IVF: what the research shows
Early studies were encouraging. In a 2002 trial of 160 women, 42.5% of those who had acupuncture before and after embryo transfer became pregnant, compared with 26.3% of those who did not (Paulus et al., 2002). A 2008 review that pooled 7 trials (1,366 women) found higher pregnancy and live birth rates when acupuncture was given around embryo transfer (Manheimer et al., 2008).
Later, larger studies have produced mixed results. An updated review of 16 trials (4,021 women) found that acupuncture was linked to higher pregnancy rates at clinics with lower baseline success rates, though not across all clinics (Manheimer et al., 2013). Other reviews and trials, including a 2018 trial of 848 women in Australia and New Zealand, found no clear difference in live birth rates between acupuncture and sham treatment (Cheong et al., 2013; Smith et al., 2018).
These trials are harder to interpret than they look. Many compared real acupuncture with “sham” needling, and a review found that common sham devices may not be completely inactive (Zhang et al., 2015), so these trials may underestimate the effect of real acupuncture.
Acupuncture also appears to help with the stress of IVF. In the 848-woman trial, women who had acupuncture reported less anxiety at embryo transfer than those who had sham treatment (Smith et al., 2019), and another trial found lower anxiety after four weekly sessions (Isoyama et al., 2012).
With encouraging results in several studies, benefits for stress, and a low risk of side effects, many patients choose acupuncture as part of their IVF plan. We coordinate sessions with your fertility clinic’s schedule, including treatment around embryo transfer.
Male fertility
Male factors contribute to a large share of infertility, and both partners are often assessed. A systematic review found some evidence that acupuncture may improve sperm concentration and motility, though study quality was limited (Jerng et al., 2014).
Your fertility plan at Healify
- A detailed intake covering your cycle, medical history, previous fertility treatment and lifestyle.
- A schedule built around your cycle or your clinic’s treatment dates.
- Where appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine, with care to avoid interactions with fertility medications. Always tell your fertility clinic about any herbs or supplements.
- Practical advice on sleep, stress and nutrition.
Working with your fertility clinic
Acupuncturists cannot perform a medical fertility assessment. If you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if you are 35 or older), or have irregular or absent periods, it is recommended that you see your doctor for a fertility assessment. The results of your assessment will inform your TCM diagnosis and treatment plan.
Common questions
When should I start acupuncture before IVF?
Many people start a few weeks to a few months before a cycle. We plan around your clinic’s timeline.
Is acupuncture safe in early pregnancy?
Tell us if you might be pregnant. Treatment is adjusted in pregnancy, and some points are avoided.
Do you treat both partners?
Yes. We are happy to see both partners.
References
- Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018;319(19):1990–1998. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.5336
- Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, et al. The effects of acupuncture on the secondary outcomes of anxiety and quality of life for women undergoing IVF: A randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2019;98(4):460–469. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13528
- Cheong YC, Dix S, Hung Yu Ng E, Ledger WL, Farquhar C. Acupuncture and assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(7):CD006920. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub3
- Isoyama D, Cordts EB, de Souza van Niewegen AM, et al. Effect of acupuncture on symptoms of anxiety in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a prospective randomised controlled study. Acupunct Med. 2012;30(2):85–88. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2011-010064
- Jerng UM, Jo J, Lee S, Lee J, Kwon O. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian J Androl. 2014;16(6):884. https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682x.129130
- Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336(7643):545–549. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE
- Manheimer E, van der Windt D, Cheng K, et al. The effects of acupuncture on rates of clinical pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2013;19(6):696–713. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmt026
- Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002;77(4):721–724. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(01)03273-3
- Stener-Victorin E, Wu X. Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture in the reproductive system. Auton Neurosci. 2010;157(1–2):46–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.006
- World Health Organization. Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021. 2023.
- Xu J, Zhao A, Xin P, et al. Acupuncture for female infertility: discussion on action mechanism and application. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3854117
- Zhang CS, Tan HY, Zhang GS, et al. Placebo Devices as Effective Control Methods in Acupuncture Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review. PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0140825. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140825
- Zheng Y, Wang X, Lai M, et al. Effectiveness of abdominal acupuncture for patients with obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(9):740–745. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2012.0429
- Zhong Y, Zeng F, Liu W, et al. Acupuncture in improving endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2472-1