Did anyone use acupuncture to help conceive?

[2025babyfever]

I’m thinking of trying it for a few months and see if it makes a difference- been ttc 18 months now
does anyone have any experience and if so what part of your cycle did you go and how often please?

I did! I conceived my first 2 children with no issues but then had treatment for breast cancer. 3 years later I wasn’t ovulation but still had really sporadic periods. I really wanted another baby so someone recommended acupuncture. I had 3 sessions and my periods because regular and we completed straight away! I put it down to that!

I didn’t go at all particular time in my cycle but went roughly fortnightly

good luck

There’s no credible evidence that acupuncture improves fertility. Research aside, if you use your logic, how would this even be possible? Don’t waste your money OP.

I used acupuncture alongside IVF, I went every week for a few weeks before transfer and then had a treatment directly after the transfer. I believe it helped as my first transfer was successful.

@Yellowcircle90 There have been studies that suggest acupuncture increases pregnancy rates for IVF patients with unexplained infertility. Whether that's because of a placebo effect or not, I still found it valuable in keeping me relaxed throughout a stressful and intense process. Infertility is very difficult and anything that might make it even a little bit easier is not a waste of money in my opinion.

I tried it when I had been struggling to conceive for almost 3 years and it didn't work for me. Please don't waste your money x

It's relaxing, which may help in some way but needles aren't doing anything specific. I liked it as a treat but if you don't have the money then I really wouldn't bother.

Unexplained fertility means nothing though does it. Its simply a lack of diagnosis. Acupuncture isn't helping any more than anything else which might help you stay relaxed

Forgot to mention, I did rate the reproductive reflexology that I had. Much cheaper than acupuncture and the lady I saw was really knowledgable on fertility issues. Again I don't think it worked on a scientific level really but it was pleasant and half the cost of acupuncture.

@Happydays2025 I was mentioning what the scientific studies said because the previous poster had rubbished the idea of trying acupuncture when there are actually multiple studies of increasing pregnancy rates in the case of IVF.

It sounds like we mainly agree with each other that a relaxing therapy can be helpful. In my area reflexology and acupuncture are the same price but acupuncture was more convenient for me. Infertility is hard and I thought the previous poster was unnecessarily harsh in their response. Maybe I'm too sensitive because of my own experience and I shouldn't click on these kind of threads.

I have family in the States and when you have IVF you automatically have acupuncture alongside it. Good luck. I've had great success with it for other health issues.

I started acupuncture after 8 months of ttc. The lady I went to was very knowledgeable about the use of acupuncture for fertility and was also able to give me good advice on supplements etc. I went twice a month, shortly before I was due to ovulate and shortly before my period was due. I can't say for sure whether it worked, or whether it was the relaxation or the supplements, but I conceived my second cycle. Weirdly she somehow knew I'd conceived before it came up on a pregnancy test.

I'm very scientific so am generally sceptical about alternative medicine, but I did enjoy it and don't regret spending my money on it.

Does it still help if you’re nervous / don’t like needles ? I tried it before and found it uncomfortable but I have my fourth FET coming up in April and with 4 years ttc and 3 failures behind me I’m desperate. Will
the stress counteract any benefit though as I really didn’t like it previously!

I tried it for 6 sessions without success, I stopped when they gave me some herbs that I didn't really understand (practitioner was Chinese and language barrier was an issue), I didn't want to take them. I remain open to it but would choose a practitioner I could communicate with.

The eastern system of medicine is based on us having a 'subtle body' of energies that flow as well as our gross fleshy body. I think it's really arrogant of us to decide in the west that we are the only system of knowledge about the body, when even our own drs and scientists would say they don't know nearly as much as people would like to think.

Yes, I did with pregnancy sickness. It stopped me feeling sick after 2 sessions. If you can afford it, you should definitely try it

@Fouryearsttc If it doesn't make you feel comfortable you could try some other kinds of relaxation therapy. Massage or reflexology could probably help similarly there just hasn't been the same research done on their efficacy.

I was really scared of needles but having to inject myself everyday for IVF made me get over my fear, I felt like a pincushion anyway so some expertly applied little needles seemed ok. My acupuncture practitioner is a very experienced older lady and she really made me feel at ease, so if you did want to try again maybe try a session with someone else in case you just didn't gel with the prior person. But not everything works for everyone, don't stress out if acupuncture isn't for you. Yoga or meditation might be more valuable for you. I did some online yoga targeted at relaxing the vagus nerve around the time of my transfer, I don't know if it had any effect but the feeling that I was doing my best was comforting for me.

Best of luck with your transfer.

I did. Was categorically told by consultant I would not be able to conceive or sustain a pregnancy. I was having acupuncture at the time and conceived that cycle and DS is now 17. As others have said: I was v stressed at the time and it might have been a de-stressing and self care practice that helped but either way, if you can afford find a good practitioner and give it a go.

I have my first acupuncture appointment booked for next week (11th March). I’m happy to let you know how I get on if you’d like?

I’ve just been told that fertility treatment isn’t an option unless we use an egg donor. Any attempt with my own eggs would be ‘futile’ and therefore not recommended according to the consultant we saw privately. My FSH was 27, AMH 0.7, and zero follicle count on both ovaries. Completely devastated. I just turned 36 last month. We went for a private assessment due to NHS wait times, but even after the results we received I saw my GP who was happy to refer us on the NHS for a second opinion.
I have RA but well controlled and my cycles are regular (27-29 days in length, bleeding for 4 days). Have positive results on ovulation test strips on day 11-13. BMI is 21.
Hoping we’ll get lucky naturally with the help of supplements and acupuncture.

It’s not too pricey where I am- £55 per session

I’ve booked for Saturday @MrsGLT to give it a go

I trained as an acupuncturist. Anecdotally I heard of several success stories. I would say give it three cycles. It might also be worth considering a practitioner that is qualified as a Chinese herbalist. I think acupuncture is like many alternative treatments, some people are really good responders, others are not. Good luck

I went after both my miscarriages to help with regulating my cycle. I got pregnant after my first miscarriage before a period, after my second (MMC) it took two months. I haven’t looked in too much details on studies but I know that most IVF clinics now recommend you have it to support egg retrieval as I think it is meant to be most helpful with stimulating egg release / regulating cycle etc. Obviously it won’t be able to help with all fertility issues it will depend what it is. Speak to your practitioner about when to go - I went weekly to get my cycles back on track, and then around ovulation after that. Depends on your circumstances.

I follow https://www.instagram.com/thefertility_suite?igsh=aHNjczM0bDM1cWdl - they are “fertility” acupuncturists in that they offer acupuncture but also they are very knowledgeable about what tests / investigations you should be asking for to investigate unexplained fertility issues. So mix a combination of easter

Anyway I’m glad you booked it OP, if nothing else I found it lovely and relaxing. I have it all the time now (can be very helpful for sleep too). Just please make sure that your acupuncturist is registered with the British Acupuncturist Council and have a look at their qualifications. As with anything, there are different areas of specialism for acupuncturists too.

Hi @MrsGLT and @2025babyfever how did you get on with acupuncture? I was about the start a new thread asking the same and saw this! I’ve just booked my first acupuncture session for fertility.

No idea if it worked. I had acupuncture for fertility issues (unexplained) 40 years ago and was recommended to go by my gp to a fellow gp who was an enthusiast! Don’t know if that did the trick as I also had Clomid but I have children and gc! I only went a few times though.

I’ve had 7 sessions now and due my last one next week
not pregnant yet but my periods have changed a doctor said it would be 2-3 months to see a difference!
will update if any news!

thats promising if you can see changes! 🤞🏻

Do you remember how long it took before you got pregnant?
I’ve been trying 2 years to conceive now

This is not true. I had IVF at Harvard medical school and they recommended against adding alternative therapies to your IVF because there is no good evidence they work.