Womens Health
Supporting couples on their fertility journey is one of the most rewarding parts of my practice. In fact, around 50–60% of my work is dedicated to this deeply personal and important area of care. For over 20 years, I’ve specialised in treatments for both natural and assisted conception, as well as related challenges such as recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy complications.
Many couples come to the clinic hoping to conceive naturally—some are just beginning their journey, while others have already explored various options. Some are trying for their first child, while others may be facing secondary infertility. For female patients, Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a detailed look at the menstrual cycle to identify areas for improvement. This insight, combined with Western medical data such as blood tests and scan results, allows us to create a personalised and effective treatment plan. Similarly, for male patients, we assess overall health and its impact on sperm quality and production.
In practice, we often see a range of recognised fertility-related conditions, and acupuncture is frequently used as an adjunct to medical treatments like IVF. Many fertility clinics now recommend acupuncture alongside assisted conception due to its potential to improve implantation rates and support healthy pregnancies. It can also be beneficial during IUI and donor egg cycles.
Beyond its physical benefits, acupuncture offers emotional support during what can be an incredibly stressful experience. Our aim is not only to enhance fertility outcomes, but to help you feel supported, calm, and cared for throughout your journey.
Acupuncture and IVF
Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used complementary therapies alongside IVF and has become increasingly integrated into leading fertility clinics worldwide. Its growing popularity is supported by both clinical experience and scientific research.
A landmark study in 1992 reported a significant increase in conception rates among patients who received acupuncture—42.5% compared to just 26.5% in the non-acupuncture group. This promising finding led to further research, with subsequent trials showing similar outcomes. More recently, a comprehensive review published in the British Medical Journal analyzed data from over 1,300 patients and concluded that acupuncture can significantly improve IVF success rates, estimating one additional pregnancy for every ten IVF cycles performed.
How Acupuncture May Support IVF Success:Research suggests that acupuncture can enhance fertility and support IVF in several ways:
- Regulating stress hormones that may affect implantation
- Modulating hormone levels through the neuroendocrine systeM
- Improving blood flow to the uterine lining
- Balancing immune responses and cytokine activity
Whether you’re starting IVF for the first time or have been through previous cycles, acupuncture may offer both physical support and emotional grounding during your journey.
Xu M, Zhu M, Zheng C. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Mar;309(3):775-788. doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1. Epub 2023 Jul 12. PMID: 37436463 Review.
When to come for your fertility treatment in preparation for IVF/FET?
Acupuncture is used throughout the IVF process to support the health of the uterine environment, improve success of implantation, and reduce stress. In Chinese medicine, a healthy uterine environment is important to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
🔹 Preparation Phase
- Begins in the months leading up to IVF or as soon as you can
- Regulates menstrual cycles and supports regular ovulation
- Optimises hormone levels for improved egg quality and implantation
- May help lower FSH levels if elevated
- Sets a strong foundation for the IVF cycle
🔹 Pre-IVF and pre period
- Focuses on clearing the uterine lining efficiently
- Helps create an optimal environment for a fresh, healthy lining
- Can relieve side effects such as headaches, hot flushes, or mood swings
🔹 Stimulation Phase
- Medications stimulate follicle development and womb lining growth
- Acupuncture supports the thickness and quality of the endometrial lining
- Aims to improve blood flow and address specific issues, like a thin lining.
- Typically 1–2 sessions, with extras as needed
🔹 Embryo Transfer
- Acupuncture performed around embryo transfer as close as possible
- Increases blood flow to the uterus and reduces uterine spasms
- Regulates stress hormones and calms the nervous system
🔹 Two-Week Wait and Early Pregnancy
- Helps to reduce anxiety
- Can offer emotional support during a stressful time
- After a positive result, treatment is recommended until 12 weeks to maintain balance and support early pregnancy development