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?

It took us two years for my first, about a year for the second. I think I may have had a couple of chemicals, but as you didn’t test till you missed the second period it was just assumed to be a late period then. It’s so long ago but I think I got pregnant within about 6 months of acupuncture but I also had Clomid (I think anyone with no identifiable issues got Clomid then). Best of luck, I think trying anything non harmful can make you feel you’re doing something to help. If you haven’t been through it you have no idea how all consuming it can be.

Ok, it's not true. Better?

Good luck OP just came on to say I used it to help me conceive DC1 and found it really helpful. Who knows if that’s what made the difference but I really valued the calm positive and reassuring style of the sessions - the guy I used was such a refreshing antidote to the NHS pessimism about my chances .
It was like a little bubble of me time to allow me to feel positive about my chances.
I conceived naturally and had a second DC.

I went to a few sessions when I was having IVF.

It was relaxing and enjoyable, but I don't believe it really does anything other than that, so it just depends if you think you'd like it really.

The limited evidence shows that it might have a small positive effect on fertility, but if it does, it is likely only because of relaxation and stress reduction.

Whatever form of relaxation you enjoy would have a similar result - massage, yoga, taking time to focus on yourself and your hobbies etc.

Acupuncture is just one of many ways of reducing stress and making time for yourself, so I find it a bit strange that it has this reputation amongst people having fertility difficulties - but it's unlikely to do any harm so whatever works for you!

It can help emotionally when you are going through fertility difficulties to have a space that feels positive and empowering, whatever that looks like.

It worked for me. I had a number of miscarriages then did a course of acupuncture and quite quickly afterwards conceived. Absolutely no way of knowing whether the acupuncture was the reason for it, but for me it felt really successful and I’d be happy to recommend it to others.

I’ve been having weekly sessions for the last 8 weeks - this is my second full cycle of having acupuncture, and my period is currently 3 days late.
I’m too scared to take a test in case it’s a BFN.

Since we received our assessment results from the private fertility clinic we went to I have been struggling with anxiety and depression. My GP actually said my feelings were akin to PTSD. Hardly surprising given that I was told that there was no point in me even trying fertility treatment because it would be “futile” and my only option was to use an egg donor. My partner’s SA showed a high count and above average motility, but morphology was 1% so there are issues on his side of things too (not that the consultant was concerned about this - she said it was fine and he could still father a child).

Will update again next week - we have an appointment with another fertility clinic in a couple of days (this time via an NHS referral).

I was going to but the high cost and commitment to several sessions put me off

I fell pregnant a couple of months after enquiring (I'd been ttc for 20 months), so if I had gone ahead, I'd probably think it had helped!

I did! I was worried about a short luteal phase. I started about the time my period started. After a couple of treatments, I felt a sensation approx where one ovary is that evening. I conceived that month. I then continued with sessions for the first 3 months of pregnancy.

One thing that may be interesting is that the acupuncturist treated my morning sickness too. Definitely helped.

I may have conceived anyway that month, I don’t know. But that’s my honest experience.

There was an acupuncturist in Ibiza in the 1980's who had a lot of success with it.

I think it's a wonderful mode of healing.

Oh gosh that sounds really hard, I hope you’re doing ok and hope the appt goes well. I’ve got my first acupuncture this week, hoping it will help

The appointment didn’t go as hoped. Was told again the only option is donor eggs. I’m not ready for that. Continuing with acupuncture and praying for natural conception. My cycle has lengthened from 25 days to 31 days this time, will continue to monitor.
My acupuncturist today told me about PRP ovarian rejuvenation so have been researching that option. It’s not offered in the UK as it’s a relatively new treatment, have been recommended a clinic in Crete. Would rather try that than donor eggs at this stage.

My periods were all over the place after having a missed miscarriage and D&C. Friend suggested acupuncture as she has hormonal issues and found it regulated her cycle. Only went for a couple of sessions but my periods did return to a normal pattern shortly after, which then led to pregnancy. No idea if it was linked or not! I had the cash and time to spare back then so no regrets about trying it, might think about it more carefully now. Sorry you're going through this journey and really hope it all works out for you

I’m sorry to hear that - the ovarian rejuvenation definitely sounds worth exploring!!

I had my first acupuncture session yesterday - one of the things I’ve struggled with is very light periods, and amazingly today my period started (was due today) and it seems much more “normal”. Could be total coincidence, but I’m really hoping acupuncture helps

Fingers crossed for you!

Has anyone else’s acupuncturists recommended herbs alongside treatment?

I went to acupuncture at 38 as I was just starting to TTC and the amount of people telling me I was too old / you should have freezed your eggs during my 30’s etc I was fairly convinced I would not fall naturally. I even had one woman at work when I was 33 say ‘tick-tock’ to me as I was single. Makes me quite angry on reflection. Even had some people tell me ‘children are not for everyone do not worry’ 🤣. So I planned my conceptions around this - high dose vitamins, enzyme q 10 etc.

I think I had two sessions one week apart - I was pregnant that cycle, first time having unprotected sex at 38. So far completely boring pregnancy 🤣

I did and it worked for me, twice. Can’t explain why but it did

I’m still having it but not pregnant yet.

i do sometimes find the needles a bit painful going in, makes me flinch!
and I get weird about my legs, feel like I can’t fully relax them so I’m a bit tense - does anyone else have them? Like when the needles go in I feel like my legs are relaxed but then my muscles go weird, and i feel like I’m tensing to stop them flipping sideways. Maybe I need to ask my acupuncturist about this but it sounds silly 🙈