Home › Conditions treated › Fertility & acupuncture
Women’s health · Fertility & IVF
Fertility and acupuncture:
natural support and IVF support
Whether you are hoping to conceive naturally, preparing your body for IVF or going through assisted reproduction in the best possible conditions, acupuncture can play a part.
RME & ASCA accredited · May be covered by supplementary insurance · First appointment within 48h
Two situations, one logic
Preparing the ground, whether naturally or medically
Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or going through IVF, the underlying question is the same: how can we give the body the best possible conditions?
Natural fertility support
You want to conceive naturally and give yourself every chance. Acupuncture can help you:
—
Regulate irregular or long cycles
—
Support hormonal balance (FSH, LH, progesterone)
—
Improve the quality of the uterine lining
—
Reduce stress — a direct factor in disrupted ovulation
IVF / assisted reproduction support
You are going through IVF, IUI or another form of assisted reproduction. Acupuncture can fit into your protocol to:
—
Prepare the ground before ovarian stimulation
—
Support endometrial receptivity around the transfer
—
Reduce the side effects of hormonal stimulation
—
Offer emotional to support throughout a journey that is often exhausting
Acupuncture does not replace medical care
If you have not yet seen a fertility specialist and have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months (or 6 months if you are over 35), a medical assessment is recommended beforehand or alongside. Acupuncture is a support, not a substitute for a necessary medical diagnosis.
How it works
What acupuncture actually does for fertility
Several physiological mechanisms have been documented. They apply both to natural fertility and to assisted reproduction.
Uterine blood flow
Acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus, supporting the thickening and receptivity of the endometrium, an essential condition for implantation.
Hormonal axis
Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis: more balanced stimulation of FSH, LH and progesterone, which supports a regular ovulatory cycle.
Stress and cortisol
Chronic stress disrupts ovulation and can compromise implantation. Acupuncture modulates the autonomic nervous system and may reduce biological stress markers, with a documented effect on cortisol.
Scientific evidence — IVF
Acupuncture and IVF: the numbers
This is where the evidence is strongest and most recent.
Two large systematic reviews published in 2024 analysed the effect of acupuncture alongside in vitro fertilisation, with consistent and encouraging results.
Xu et al. 2024 · Arch Gynecol Obstet · 25 RCTs · 4,757 participants
43.6% vs 33.2%
Clinical pregnancy rate
Acupuncture vs control
38.0% vs 28.7%
Live birth rate
Acupuncture vs control
The effect is significant for both clinical pregnancy and live birth (RR = 1.33, p < 0.00001). Heterogeneity is zero for the primary live-birth outcome, reflecting remarkable consistency across studies.
Wang et al. 2024 · J Integr Complement Med · 38 RCTs · 5,991 participants
RR = 1.20
Fresh cycle, clinical pregnancy
RR = 1.58
Frozen embryos, clinical pregnancy
Separate analysis of fresh cycles and frozen embryo transfers: benefits are present in both, with a particularly marked effect for frozen transfers (RR = 1.78 for live birth).
What this means in practice
These figures are not a guarantee of pregnancy; no approach can offer that. They show that acupuncture, when integrated into IVF, is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth.
The Chinese medicine perspective
Fertility as a reflection of overall balance
In Chinese medicine, fertility is not a switch to turn on or off, it reflects the body’s overall balance.
Chinese medicine reads fertility through the state of the Kidney meridian and organ (as understood in Chinese medicine), which governs deep reserves, reproductive potential and vital essence, and through the Blood, whose quality and circulation determine the vitality of the endometrium and the progression of the cycle. An imbalance of the Liver (stress, Qi stagnation) or a weakness of the Spleen (Blood production) can disrupt the whole reproductive axis.
Recommended duration
For natural support: ideally 3 months before conception, matching a full cycle of follicle maturation. For IVF: in line with your medical calendar, starting 6 to 8 weeks before the protocol if possible.
Frequently asked questions
What our patients ask us
Can acupuncture really improve fertility?
The available evidence is encouraging. For natural fertility, acupuncture can help regulate cycles, support hormonal balance and reduce stress. For IVF, a 2024 systematic review of 25 trials and 4,757 participants reports a significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rates (43.6% vs 33.2%) and live birth rates (38.0% vs 28.7%) in the acupuncture group. These are not guarantees, but they are solid data.
When during IVF should I start?
Current evidence shows benefits at different stages, with no single timing clearly superior. Ideally, starting 6 to 8 weeks before the protocol begins helps prepare the ground. Analyses suggest that acupuncture during ovarian stimulation is particularly beneficial in fresh cycles. For frozen embryo transfers, the benefits are even more marked, whatever the timing.
Is acupuncture helpful for PCOS?
Yes. Electroacupuncture in particular has shown beneficial effects on androgen regulation and the return of ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome. Several randomised controlled trials document improvements in cycles and hormonal markers in patients with PCOS. It does not replace gynaecological or endocrinological care, but it can usefully complement it.
Should I tell my doctor or gynaecologist?
Absolutely. Let your medical team know you are having acupuncture. And tell your TCM practitioner about your treatments, stimulation protocols and transfer dates so your care can be adapted. Working in parallel is what makes the support consistent and safe.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance during IVF?
In Switzerland, acupuncture can be covered by supplementary insurance when the practitioner is RME and ASCA accredited. Nour Chaabane holds both accreditations. Check the terms of your policy or contact your practitioner.
Can acupuncture help after a failed IVF cycle or a miscarriage?
Yes, on two levels. Physically, to support hormonal recovery and prepare the body for the next cycle. Emotionally, because a difficult IVF journey or a pregnancy loss leaves its mark, and acupuncture can help through its action on the nervous system. It is not a promise of success next time; it is concrete support to get through it and rebuild.
Fees & insurance
All sessions may be covered by Swiss supplementary insurance, depending on the terms of your policy. RME & ASCA accredited practice.
Your journey deserves support that matches what it means to you.
First appointment within 48h in Geneva or Veyrier. The first consultation takes the time to understand your full situation (cycle, history, current treatment) before building a tailored plan.
RME & ASCA accredited · May be covered by supplementary insurance ·
76 rue de Carouge in Geneva & 97 Ch. des Rasses in Veyrier