IVF/IUI & Acupuncture Supports

A Brief Introductory Guide

Understanding the Challenges of IVF/IUI and the Benefits of Acupuncture.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are common assisted reproductive technologies (ART) used by couples struggling with infertility. While these procedures offer hope to many, they are not without challenges. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of IVF and IUI can be overwhelming, often leaving individuals feeling anxious, stressed, and exhausted. Acupuncture, a holistic therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has gained recognition as a valuable complementary treatment for individuals undergoing IVF or IUI, helping to enhance reproductive health, alleviate stress, and improve overall outcomes.

The Wellspring Integrative Approach

Women’s Health during all stages of conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is our specialty here at Wellspring Health.

It takes a village to raise a child, but before that, it takes a team to make a baby. You can’t do it alone and we at Wellspring Health are privileged to be a member of your team. Wellspring Health uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine) and Conventional medicine in an integrative approach. This combination can enhance treatment outcomes, manage the side effects of conventional treatments (like chemotherapy), and provide additional support for chronic or complex conditions. We love science and we love working with conventional medical Doctors. This approach combines the strengths of both systems, offering a broader range of treatment options and emphasizing the prevention of disease as well as the treatment of existing conditions.

Reproductive Endocrinologists & Gynecologist Support During Fertility & Pregnancy: We enjoy collaborating with physicians and have extensive experience working with a large network of specialists in Manhattan. We can provide recommendations and referrals for every stage of the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey.

Doula Support: We frequently work with doulas throughout all stages of pregnancy and delivery, providing integrated care and support to enhance the birthing experience.

Below is a comprehensive introductory guide to how Wellspring & TCM can support you throughout every stage of your journey. Feel free to jump to any specific section that best suits your needs.

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Challenges Associated with IVF & IUI:

  1. Hormonal Fluctuations and Side Effects of Medications:
    During IVF or IUI, women are often prescribed fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries and regulate hormonal levels. These medications can cause a range of side effects, including mood swings, headaches, bloating, and fatigue. Hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to emotional instability and heightened anxiety, making it difficult to cope with the physical demands of treatment.

  2. Emotional Stress and Anxiety:
    The uncertainty surrounding IVF and IUI can create significant emotional stress. The pressure to achieve a positive outcome, fear of failure, and constant monitoring of hormone levels and follicle development can cause anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Couples may also experience stress related to the financial burden of treatment, leading to further emotional strain.

  3. Physical Discomfort and Fatigue:
    Many women experience physical discomfort during IVF or IUI due to the effects of hormone stimulation, egg retrieval, or insemination. Bloating, cramping, and abdominal tenderness are common, making it challenging to feel physically comfortable throughout the process. Fatigue is also a frequent complaint, which can hinder one’s ability to stay positive and engaged during treatment.

  4. Impact on Relationship and Self-Esteem:
    Fertility treatments can place a strain on relationships, as couples navigate the highs and lows of the process together. Feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy may arise, affecting self-esteem and interpersonal dynamics. The emotional impact of treatment can lead to tension and communication challenges, further complicating an already stressful situation.

  5. Managing the Two-Week Wait and Uncertainty:
    The period following an IVF or IUI procedure, known as the “two-week wait,” is often the most emotionally challenging. The uncertainty and anticipation of waiting to find out if the procedure was successful can lead to intense stress and anxiety. Managing expectations and maintaining emotional stability during this time is difficult, as individuals oscillate between hope and fear.

From Our Clients

"I worked with Kirsten over the course of a couple of years and found her to be incredibly talented, knowledgeable and kind.  Her office space has the same feeling of warmth and serenity that Kirsten herself embodies.  She has a lot of experience working with women through various stages of their fertility journeys, and I think my time with her contributed to a successful IVF cycle and pregnancy."

-Emily H.

“One of the absolute best investments and decisions I've ever made! Kirsten is an angel and becomes an essential part of your medical team. The entire team is heavenly to work with, the office is so warm and inviting, scheduling is easy and the results are tremendous and life-changing.”

- Jennifer S

Team was professional, flexible, and the acupuncture worked. My IVF results were in the top 2% of the world, and I credit a lot of this to Wellspring. 

- Rachel V

Benefits of Acupuncture for IVF and IUI Support:

Acupuncture has emerged as a valuable tool for supporting women and couples undergoing IVF and IUI. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture helps regulate the flow of Qi (vital energy), improve blood circulation, and promote overall balance. Here are some of the key benefits of acupuncture for those undergoing IVF or IUI treatments:

  1. Regulates Hormonal Balance:
    Acupuncture can help regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in hormonal balance and reproductive health. By supporting the body’s natural hormonal rhythms, acupuncture can help reduce side effects associated with fertility medications, stabilize mood, and create a more receptive environment for conception.

  2. Enhances Blood Flow to the Uterus and Ovaries:
    Acupuncture increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, improving oxygen and nutrient supply to the uterus and ovaries. This enhanced circulation helps optimize the quality of the uterine lining, making it more receptive to embryo implantation. Better blood flow to the ovaries can also support follicle development and improve egg quality, boosting the chances of a successful outcome.

  3. Reduces Stress and Promotes Emotional Well-Being:
    The emotional stress of IVF and IUI can negatively impact treatment outcomes. Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the body’s stress response. This helps lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional well-being, allowing individuals to feel more at ease and emotionally balanced throughout the process.

  4. Improves IVF and IUI Success Rates:
    Research suggests that acupuncture performed before and after embryo transfer during IVF can improve implantation and pregnancy rates. Acupuncture helps relax the uterus, reduce uterine contractions, and increase blood flow, creating an optimal environment for implantation. It also supports the body’s natural reproductive processes, improving the likelihood of a positive outcome.

  5. Manages Physical Discomfort and Side Effects:
    Acupuncture can alleviate common physical discomforts associated with IVF and IUI, such as bloating, cramping, and headaches. By promoting circulation and reducing inflammation, acupuncture helps the body cope with the physical demands of fertility treatments, making the process more comfortable and manageable.

  6. Supports the Body During the Two-Week Wait:
    Acupuncture can provide emotional and physical support during the challenging two-week wait period. By calming the nervous system, acupuncture helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and promote relaxation. This support can help individuals stay grounded and positive while awaiting the results of their IVF or IUI procedure.

Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum We Treat With TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic and individualized approach to supporting women’s health through all stages of fertility, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. By addressing imbalances in the body and promoting harmony between the physical and emotional aspects of health, TCM can enhance reproductive health, support a healthy pregnancy, and aid in postpartum healing. With its long history and integrative methods, TCM continues to be a valuable option for women seeking a natural and comprehensive approach to wellness and maternal care.

  • Female Infertility: Improving ovarian function and egg quality, balancing hormones, supporting Uterine Health, blood flow, nervous system, emotional support, and stress management.

  • Stress Management, Nervous System Supports & Pregnancy: Regulate stress response, stimulate endorphins, balance cortisol, sleep, muscle tension, pain relief, emotional support, a place to relax, let go and get some care.

  • IVF/IUI: Support pre- and post-embryo transfer, reducing IVF-related stress and anxiety, and managing hormonal fluctuations during IUI/IVF.

  • Egg Freezing: Optimizing ovarian reserve, preparing the body for egg retrieval, managing side effects of hormonal stimulation, and post-egg retrieval recovery.

  • Pain & Pregnancy: Relieving back pain, pelvic pain, sciatic and joint pain.

  • Labor Prep, Delivery & Induction: Promote cervical ripening and softening, supporting natural and assisted labor induction, pain relief, and breech babies.

  • Prenatal & Trimester Support: Nausea and fatigue, fetal development support, breech presentation and positioning, insomnia and stress.

  • Post Partaum: Emotional supports balancing hormones, stress response, lactation support, activating parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation.

  • Lactation: Enhancing milk supply and flow, addressing blocked milk ducts and mastitis, balancing hormones, reducing stress, and improving milk quality.

  • Recurrent Miscarriage: Strengthening uterine health, immunological factors, managing stress and anxiety.

  • Male Infertility: Improving sperm quality and motility, varicocele, hormone, and libido imbalance.

Parting Thoughts:


The journey through IVF and IUI can be physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing. Acupuncture offers a gentle, holistic approach to supporting individuals during this challenging time by balancing hormones, improving reproductive health, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being. By integrating acupuncture into an IVF or IUI treatment plan, individuals can increase their chances of success and experience a greater sense of calm and resilience throughout their fertility journey.

Resources & Links to Learn More

Acupuncture has been studied for its potential benefits in enhancing the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Here are five clinical studies highlighting its positive effects:

  1. Effects of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: This comprehensive review analyzed multiple randomized controlled trials to assess acupuncture's effectiveness in improving IVF outcomes. The findings suggested that acupuncture significantly increased clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing IVF. (link.springer.com)

  2. Acupuncture Performed Around the Time of Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: This study examined the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as an adjunct to embryo transfer in IVF treatments. The findings indicated that acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer was associated with increased clinical pregnancy rates. (rbmojournal.com)

  3. Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In-Vitro Fertilization Outcomes: This study evaluated the effects of integrating traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, with IVF treatments. The results showed that patients receiving combined treatments had higher live birth rates compared to those undergoing IVF alone. (rbmojournal.com)

  4. Acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization: A Retrospective Chart Review: This retrospective study assessed the impact of acupuncture on IVF outcomes. The analysis revealed that women who received acupuncture had higher pregnancy rates compared to those who did not, suggesting a beneficial role of acupuncture in IVF treatments. (fertstert.org)

  5. Acupuncture for Infertility: Is It an Effective Therapy?: This review explored the role of acupuncture in treating infertility, including its use alongside IVF and IUI. The findings indicated that acupuncture might improve reproductive outcomes by reducing stress, regulating menstrual cycles, and enhancing blood flow to reproductive organs. (fertstert.org)

These studies suggest that acupuncture may offer benefits in enhancing fertility outcomes, particularly when used in conjunction with IVF and IUI treatments.