Supporting Your IVF & IUI Journey
Treatment and Support Using the Wisdom from Ancient Healing Techniques and Herbal Medicines
Evidence suggests that acupuncture and Maya Abdominal Therapy are very safe, and when combined with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), they can significantly support women’s fertility and treatment outcomes.
These therapies work by enhancing blood flow, lymphatic drainage, nerve signaling, and energy balance in the pelvic and reproductive organs. They help create a calm, supportive environment for conception, improve uterine receptivity, and reduce stress on the body—providing gentle, complementary support alongside medical fertility interventions.
How We Support Your Fertility Treatments
Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Maya Abdominal Therapy help by making the entire process of going through ARTs more comfortable, less stressful, and by increasing your odds for success.
Regular acupuncture and Maya Abdominal Therapy sessions prior to IVF or IUI help reduce stress, increase uterine and ovarian blood flow, and prepare the body for conception. These therapies, along with herbal medicine when appropriate, can support hormonal balance, encourage healthy follicle development, and create optimal conditions for implantation.
In preparation for the embryo transfer phase, acupuncture and Maya Abdominal Therapy may further enhance uterine receptivity by promoting circulation, calming the nervous system, and lowering cortisol levels—the body’s primary stress hormone. This relaxed, well-nourished state can improve implantation and early embryo development.
Patients who incorporate these therapies throughout their fertility journey often experience more balanced hormone levels, improved responses to stimulation medications, higher fertilization and pregnancy rates, and reduced miscarriage risk. Treatment sessions will often be coordinated with each stage of the reproductive cycle to support the body’s natural rhythm. Preparation with acupuncture should be scheduled carefully to have the best chance of success.
Some studies show more than double the chances of conception for couples utilizing acupuncture alongside IVF. Click here or on the button below to read more about the research being done with acupuncture and ART.
Recent clinical studies suggest that acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments may:
balance reproductive hormones
improve sperm (count, morphology, & motility)
improve blood flow to the ovaries & uterus
increase implantation rates & pregnancy rates
enhance egg quality
increase ovarian response
increase uterine lining thickness and enhance uterine receptivity
reduce stress, anxiety, and depression associated with infertility
prevent miscarriage and early pregnancy loss
decrease western drug & medication side effects
Acupuncture and TCM herbal medicine help to mitigate side-effects from drugs and medication, as well as issues of circulation, inflammation, and other blockages (such elevated stress hormones) that may have been preventing you from conceiving and carrying to term in previous attempts at conception and pregnancy, whether naturally or using ART.
Before an IVF Cycle
Generally speaking, it is recommended to meet with both partners 1-2 times a week for at least 12 weeks prior to an IVF/IUI cycle, partly due to the fact that around 120 days is how long it takes for both an egg and sperm to go through an entire development cycle.
At Fertile Moon Integrative Medicine, we use a whole-systems TCM approach which is highly individualized, so the exact combination of interventions and the dosage of said interventions will be on a case-by-case basis. For couples with complex or especially challenging health situations, six months would be even better. Remember that important changes take time. During this time, we will focus on general health and wellbeing, increasing both partners’ reserves, and fine-tuning blood circulation. Starting treatment prior to fertility medications also opens up the possibility of utilizing herbal medicine alongside acupuncture, which can be crucial for some people.
Priming Phase
During the priming phase, it is generally recommended to continue weekly acupuncture, as well as regular Maya Abdominal Therapy sessions. For most cycles, women take medications to temporarily flare and/or suppress the ovaries in preparation for stimulation.
Stimulation Phase
Stimulating medications are used to enhance the growth of eggs in the ovaries, and during this time it is recommended to continue with weekly or twice weekly acupuncture, as well as regular Maya Abdominal Therapy sessions. This phase can vary in length from cycle to cycle and will be monitored closely.
1-2 days Prior to Retrieval
Once ovarian follicles are at the correct stage and size, you will be given a trigger to complete egg maturation in preparation for retrieval. Acupuncture at this time is very important to help with your eggs’ final maturation and should be done within the day or two prior to retrieval.
After Retrieval
After your eggs have been retrieved, you may feel some cramping, bloating, and discomfort from the procedure. The retrieval is an invasive procedure and acupuncture will be very useful to stimulate the healing process and prepare your uterus for implantation. At this time, acupuncture points (with or without moxibustion) will be used to relax the uterus, repair micro-trauma by increasing blood circulation and decreasing inflammation, and prepare your body for embryo transfer.
Before Transfer
It is strongly recommended to schedule a combined acupuncture and Maya Abdominal Therapy session 24–48 hours prior to your IUI or embryo transfer. These treatments work synergistically to enhance uterine blood flow, improve lymphatic and nerve function, and regulate the body’s stress response—creating an optimal physiological environment for implantation and early embryo development.
After Transfer
After your IUI/IVF procedure, it is usually recommended to follow up with 2-3 acupuncture treatments within the next 5-7 days post-transfer, in order to further assist implantation and embryo development. Maya Abdominal Therapy is usually not recommended at this time, unless modified by a professional. The evidence that we have suggests that acupuncture immediately prior to and after an embryo transfer may increase the odds of a successful pregnancy.
Beyond Transfer
After your IUI or embryo transfer procedure and at least through the end of the first trimester if there is a pregnancy, it is recommended to continue with weekly acupuncture to support a healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture treatments twice weekly for at least 12 weeks is ideal if there is a history of miscarriage or in an otherwise high-risk pregnancy. If the IUI or embryo transfer is unsuccessful, acupuncture and Maya Abdominal Therapy can offer valuable support for both the body and the heart. These therapies help regulate hormones, re-establish pelvic and uterine balance, and encourage healthy blood and lymph flow to clear stagnation and prepare the body for future cycles. Emotionally, they promote deep relaxation, stress relief, and nervous system regulation, helping you process disappointment and reconnect with a sense of grounding and hope.
What my patients are saying…
“In preparation for my upcoming IVF transfer, I had treatments from Monica. She was extremely knowledgeable, comforting, and experienced. What stood out was how she genuinely cared about my overall wellness, in addition to sharing the benefits of Chinese medicine. Monica spent time outside of our appointments researching holistic alternative for some other issues I wanted treated. I highly recommend Monica whether you are experiencing fertility issues or are embarking on the IVF journey or want to reap the benefits that acupuncture offers the mind/body/soul. I am a HUGE believer that acupuncture was a major reason our IVF transfer was successful; currently 15 weeks pregnant.”
— Kristen S.