Fertility acupuncture for IVF goals:
Boost ovarian response to improve your egg quality and follicle quantity
Support the uterine lining to increase implantation rates
Optimize your own baseline for a healthy and successful pregnancy
Reduce the side effects of the medication taken during the IVF cycle
1) Take the right supplements for IVF
Supplements can help increase both egg quality and quantity, which in turn improves IVF success. Ideally these are taken for a minimum of 3 months prior to the retrieval cycle. This is the time it takes for the eggs to mature.
As a general recommendation, to be customized for each patient:
CoQ10, 600 mg daily
Vitamin D, 5000 iu daily
Inositol, 3 grams daily
Melatonin, 3 mg at bedtime
Vitamin C, 1000 mg 3 x daily
Vitamin E, 800 iu daily
Resveratrol, 1800 mg daily
DHEA, 25 mg, 3 x day
2) Get acupuncture for IVF
Fertility Acupuncture is a powerful tool to include as part of an IVF treatment plan.
Research has shown that acupuncture significantly increases IVF success rates (1).
Benefits of acupuncture for IVF
Reduce stress and promote relaxation
Improve ovarian function
Increase blood flow to the reproductive organs
Enhance the uterine lining, leading to better implantation of the embryo
Minimize side effects of drugs during stimulation cycles
Read more here.
Treatment plan
A typical acupuncture for IVF treatment plan includes the following steps. A strict minimum of one session every 2 weeks is required for success. Herbs are strongly recommended too.
acupuncture once a week, ideally for 12 weeks (or more) prior to an IVF cycle
2 acupuncture sessions the day of transfer, one right before and one right after
acupuncture in the 2 weeks following transfer and beyond !
A minimum of 3 months is ideal
Eggs that will be retrieved during an IVF cycle have been maturing for 3-4 months. The benefits of acupuncture during this maturation process can improve the quantity and the quality of eggs.
The best results come from 12 or more acupuncture sessions prior to the IVF cycle.
3) Manage your stress
Going through infertility and IVF is stressful. So many doctors appointments, tests, shots and medications, hopes and disappointments, not to mention the cost... No wonder stress levels run high in fertility patients.
Scale back on work load if you can
Scale back on intense workouts
Consider restorative yoga
Get some acupuncture
4) Control your blood sugar levels
Abnormal blood sugar is a leading cause of fertility issues. High or low blood sugars will disrupt hormones, suppress egg maturation and interfere with the successful implantation of an embryo.
Keeping your blood sugar optimal:
Start with breakfast every day & Eat a meal or snack every few hours
Make sure you get plenty of protein
Limit carbs, such as grains
Avoid sugary foods and beverages
See our article about weight management for fertility here.
See our article about egg quality diet.
5) Get Enough Sleep
Sleep plays a critical role in fertility
Getting enough sleep – 8 hours a night – during an IVF cycle is important to balance your hormones and give your body the rest it needs while doing the hard work of making a baby.
Set a bed time that is the same everyday
Nap if you can !
Create a soothing 5-minute ritual before going to sleep
No screens 2 hours before bed
Cool down the bedroom
And finally... don't overthink. Any of these steps helps, but no need to overdo.
No matter where you are in your fertility, pregnancy & mothering journey,
if you need support, we can help.
In addition to our own team of fertility & women's health acupuncturists, we are well-connected within the Los Angeles- Pasadena area community to help you
find the right integrative and holistic care for you.
On our website, you can learn more about our services, and book an appointment.
If you have more questions please call our front desk, at 626-841-2991, or email us.
(1)Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes Lee E. Hullender Rubin,a Michael S. Opsahl,b Klaus Wiemer,b Scott D. Mist,c and Aaron B. Caugheyc