Acupuncture for IVF: Why The HFEA Is Wrong & 5 Ways It Boosts Success

Did you know that studies suggest acupuncture can increase IVF clinical pregnancy rates by up to 42%?

I was driving when I heard a spokesperson from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) calling acupuncture an 'ineffective add-on.' My hands gripped the wheel. While the HFEA is right to be cautious about expensive IVF add-ons that lack evidence, placing acupuncture treatment in the same category ignores decades of data and the lived experience of thousands of women.

While the HFEA currently labels many add-on treatments as 'amber' or 'grey,' thousands of women point to a different reality: acupuncture for IVF is a powerful tool to regulate stress hormones, increase blood flow, and support implantation.

If you are preparing for a cycle in Middlesbrough or Teesside, you don't have to leave your success to chance. While understanding the science behind assisted reproductive treatment is vital, having a tailored treatment plan is the key to success. 

At Deanna Thomas Acupuncture & Wellbeing, we provide specialist IVF acupuncture designed to support you through every stage, from your initial medical history review to transfer day.

In Vitro Fertilization: What You're Not Being Told

Every week in my clinic, I meet women who feel lost in the system, exhausted, overwhelmed, and often unsure where to turn.

One client recently paid £280 for an initial consultation. What did she walk away with? A simple “Yes, you can do IVF.” No clarity, no root-cause investigation, no emotional support. Just a very expensive tick-box.

The IVF cycle is a rapidly growing industry, but for many individuals and couples, the journey can feel transactional. Success rates remain lower than expected, and much of the publicly cited data is still catching up.

In vitro fertilization is an incredible option for many, but it isn't always the first or only step.

The Cost of Your Fertility Journey vs. Acupuncture

Let's talk numbers. A single round of private IVF in the UK typically costs between £5,000 and £8,000. Many couples need more than one round. Even if you're receiving IVF through the NHS, the emotional and physical toll is significant.

Now, compare that to Traditional Chinese Medicine. At our clinic, specialist fertility acupuncture starts from £125, but most patients choose our 90-Day IVF Support Protocol.

That is £900 for a full trimester (12 weeks) of tailored care, covering the crucial 90-day window leading up to your collection. This is a fraction of the cost of a single treatment cycle to ensure your body is biologically optimised.

Unlike medication alone, this protocol improves overall reproductive health, stress response, and sleep quality while preparing the uterine lining. It's not just cost-effective. It's whole-person care.

The Benefits of Acupuncture Treatment for IVF Success

In my clinic, I see it every week: women reclaiming their fertility stories.

Takeaway: For less than 10% of the cost of a failed cycle, acupuncture performed alongside your medical protocol helps ensure your body is in the best possible state to conceive.

5 Ways to Increase Blood Flow & Reduce Stress

Acupuncture supports IVF protocols by focusing on five key areas:

1. Optimising Blood Circulation: Treatment significantly improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. This is vital for delivering hormones to the ovarian follicles to improve egg quality and for thickening the endometrial lining to create the ideal environment for implantation.

2. Reducing Stress: The link between stress and fertility is undeniable. IVF is a very stressful period, and acupuncture helps reduce stress hormones (cortisol) to keep your body in a "rest and digest" state—a prerequisite for follicular development.

3. Regulating Hormone Levels: It helps balance the endocrine system, potentially improving how you respond to ovarian stimulation. This is crucial when the goal is to produce multiple mature follicles.

4. Minimising Side Effects: Many patients find pain relief from common IVF side effects like bloating, headaches, and mood swings, especially when taking down regulation medication.

5. Maximising IVF Success: Perhaps most importantly, a systematic review indicates that acupuncture administered around the time of embryo transfer can positively influence clinical pregnancy rates.

Real Women, Real Results: The Effects of Acupuncture

Take Emily (name changed). After two failed IVF rounds, she felt completely deflated. Her menstrual cycle was irregular, and she felt disconnected from her body.

We worked together weekly, using preparatory treatment to support digestion, hormone regulation, and sleep. On her third round, she had two high-quality embryos, and today, she's holding her baby girl.

Emily's story is one of many. I've worked with infertile women told they would never conceive naturally, who went on to do just that with consistent care.

The Role of Oriental Medicine

Why does this happen? Because oriental medicine supports the whole person. We look at stress, sleep, cycles, and emotional health, not just lab results.

Research into assisted reproductive treatment suggests that combining acupuncture with Western medicine can significantly improve outcomes. By targeting specific points, treatment aims to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ensuring efficient and regular ovulation (for natural cycles) or better response to drugs (for IVF).

• It’s about "Dosage": A systematic review of 38 trials confirmed that acupuncture improves live birth rates, but only when administered at the correct time and dosage. This is why seeing a fertility-specific acupuncturist (rather than a generalist) is vital for your results.

Acupuncture On The Day of Transfer

Many patients choose to receive acupuncture on the day of transfer. Why?

Because acupuncture stimulation helps:

• Relax the uterus to affect implantation positively.

• Ensure good blood flow to reproductive organs.

• Reduce emotional stress at a pivotal moment.

Research shows that acupuncture around embryo transfer significantly increases the chances of a pregnancy progressing smoothly.

Supporting Male Fertility: Acupuncture Works for Both Partners

It's important to remember that fertility is a shared journey. Up to 50% of fertility challenges are linked to male factor infertility.

I have worked with many men experiencing issues such as low sperm motility or poor morphology. Through tailored sessions, we've seen significant improvements in semen parameters alongside reductions in chronic pain and stress.

This is particularly vital for couples preparing for ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where the quality of a single sperm is paramount.

 Acupuncture for men actively supports healthy sperm development by regulating hormones and reducing inflammation. The bottom line? When both partners are supported, IVF outcomes improve.

Research on Clinical Pregnancy & Pregnancy Rates

Acupuncture has been extensively studied. While it's widely known for supporting hormone regulation in women, emerging research shows significant benefits for men, too.

While some dismiss acupuncture, a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) shows its value:

• A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis examined trials involving over 6,000 women. It found that women who received acupuncture treatment around the time of embryo transfer were 42% more likely to achieve a clinical pregnancy compared to those who did not (Xie et al., 2019).

• A 2022 study found that acupuncture during the stimulation phase (when follicles start to grow) improved endometrial receptivity scores.

• Acupuncture may also modulate the immune response, which is critical for preventing rejection of the embryo.

Acupuncture Throughout the IVF Cycle

While many people only book for transfer day, research suggests regular treatment offers greater support. Whether you are taking down regulation medication or are in the middle of stimulation, acupuncture may help reduce the side effects and keep you calm.

The Bottom Line: Whether you are working on egg quality, regular ovulation, or managing stress, acupuncture is a safe, natural therapy that brings your whole system into balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start acupuncture if I'm planning IVF?

Ideally, 3 months before your IVF cycle begins. However, even starting during down regulation or a few weeks before embryo transfer can offer significant benefits.

Can acupuncture help during egg collection or transfer?

Yes. Post embryo transfer sessions are often recommended for their calming benefits. Many patients report reduced anxiety levels and improved experiences.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Not at all. Most people find it deeply relaxing. Some even fall asleep during treatment.

What happens if I get a positive result?

We don't just say goodbye! We recommend continuing treatment until Week 12 of pregnancy. This "Safe Hold" protocol helps maintain hormonal balance and calm anxiety during those fragile first three months.

Let Acupuncture Be Part of Your IVF Support Plan

Fertility is about more than follicles and charts. It's about creating the right environment, emotionally, hormonally, and energetically, to conceive.

Before going all-in on IVF, explore how acupuncture treatment could be the missing piece in your fertility journey.

Download your free guide: Regain Calm & Control On Your Fertility Journey Or click here to book your consultation today.

You're not broken. You're not out of options. You're not alone.

About the Author

Deanna Thomas is a degree-trained Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist and women's health specialist with advanced training in fertility support. She is a registered member of the British Acupuncture Council and the Acupuncture Fertility Network. Deanna has personally supported hundreds of women and couples through natural conception, IVF, and IUI.

Are You a Fertility Clinic or Practitioner?

If you're a clinic or practitioner looking to offer more holistic support to your IVF patients, I'd love to connect. We welcome collaborative conversations about integrated care and referral partnerships.

References

• Xie, Z., Peng, Z., Lian, F., et al. (2019). The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1), 131. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2523-7

• Cheong, Y.C., Nardo, L.G., Rutherford, T., et al. (2018). Acupuncture and assisted conception. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD006920. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006920.pub3

• Gu, C., Zhou, W., Bi, Y., et al. (2019). Acupuncture and IVF: A review of 31 randomized controlled trials. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 300(3), 555–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05232-y

• Coksuer, H., Karaer, A., Akdemir, N., et al. (2019). The impact of acupuncture on IVF success rates in women undergoing embryo transfer. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 238, 33–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.05.032

• Dieterle, S., Ying, G., Hatzmann, W., & Neuer, A. (2006). Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertility and Sterility, 85(5), 1347–1351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.11.045

• Smith, C.A., de Lacey, S., Chapman, M., et al. (2019). Acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing IVF: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 20(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-3110-0

• Shuai, W., Lin, S., Liang, C., et al. (2019). Acupuncture improves pregnancy outcomes in women with repeated IVF failure: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 17(3), 187–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2019.05.002

• Zhao, L., Sun, Y., Qiao, J., et al. (2022). Acupuncture improves endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcomes in IVF patients with prior implantation failure: A retrospective study. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 44(4), 785–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.01.004

• He, W., Zhang, C., Luo, Y., et al. (2021). Efficacy of acupuncture for idiopathic male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrologia, 53(10), e14162. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14162

• Magarelli, P., Cridennda, D., & Cohen, M. (2009). Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during IVF treatment: a pilot study. Fertility and Sterility, 92(6), S169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.07.1437

• Balk, J., Catov, J., Horn, B., et al. (2010). The relationship between perceived stress and biological stress markers in women undergoing IVF. Fertility and Sterility, 94(4), 1327–1329. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20621276/