IVF Support Protocol
Acupuncture at every
phase of your IVF cycle
3 Months Before Retrieval — Egg Quality Phase
The most impactful phase. Egg development takes approximately 90 days, so weekly acupuncture during this window directly influences egg quality, mitochondrial health, and hormonal environment. Herbal medicine is often prescribed to support this phase between sessions.
During Stimulation — Side Effect Support
Weekly sessions during ovarian stimulation help manage bloating, mood swings, headaches, and discomfort from the hormonal medications. Acupuncture also supports follicle development and maintains the calm nervous system state that benefits the developing eggs.
Egg Retrieval Day — Recovery Support
A session the day before or after retrieval supports recovery, reduces inflammation, and helps your body prepare for the transfer phase. Many patients notice faster physical recovery when acupuncture is included around retrieval.
Embryo Transfer Day — Strongest Evidence
This is where the research is most compelling. A session 30–60 minutes before and/or after embryo transfer is the single most well-studied acupuncture intervention for IVF, with multiple randomized controlled trials showing significantly improved implantation and pregnancy rates.
After Transfer — Early Pregnancy Support
Weekly sessions in the two weeks following transfer (the "two-week wait") reduce cortisol, improve uterine blood flow, and support implantation. If a positive result is confirmed, treatment continues through the first trimester to support the pregnancy.
The clinical evidence for IVF acupuncture
A landmark study in the British Medical Journal — one of the most cited in reproductive medicine — found that acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates compared to no acupuncture.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis analyzing over 30 randomized controlled trials found improved live birth rates when acupuncture was included alongside IVF, particularly when sessions were timed around transfer.
For the egg quality phase, studies on electroacupuncture have shown improved ovarian response, higher numbers of mature eggs retrieved, and better fertilization rates in women undergoing IVF who received pre-cycle acupuncture.
After Failed IVF Cycles
Janice works with many patients who come to her after one or more failed IVF cycles. Failed cycles are often the moment patients most benefit from a thorough Chinese medicine assessment — subtle patterns in pulse and tongue diagnosis often reveal underlying disharmonies that lab work doesn't capture. A tailored treatment course addressing these patterns can meaningfully change outcomes in subsequent cycles.
If you've had a failed cycle, book a consultation before your next one. The earlier you start, the more we can do.
IVF Acupuncture Combined with Herbs
For patients in the egg quality phase, Janice often prescribes Chinese herbal medicine alongside acupuncture. Formulas are carefully selected to nourish Kidney Yin and Yang, build Blood, and improve the hormonal environment for developing eggs. All herbs are pharmaceutical-grade, free of common contaminants, and reviewed against your IVF medications and supplements.
Working with Your Reproductive Endocrinologist
Janice works collaboratively with REs throughout the Los Angeles area. Many fertility clinics in LA now actively recommend acupuncture alongside IVF, and Janice is experienced at coordinating timing with retrieval and transfer schedules. She is happy to communicate directly with your RE's team as needed.