If you’re trying to conceive, you may have heard fertility acupuncture recommended by a friend, fertility clinic or even come across it while searching for ways to support your fertility on ChatGPT. But what does fertility acupuncture actually involve - and is it simply a case of having a few needles inserted once a week?
In my clinic in Oxted, Surrey, fertility acupuncture is much more than the acupuncture treatment itself.
I take an integrative approach, combining the principles of traditional Chinese medicine with an understanding of modern fertility testing and treatment. This means looking at your menstrual cycle, general health, lifestyle and fertility history as a whole, while working alongside any investigations or treatment you may be receiving from your GP or fertility clinic.
Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, preparing for IVF or another assisted fertility treatment, the aim is to provide individualised support for both your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Your first fertility acupuncture appointment
Your first appointment allows us to build a detailed picture of your health and fertility journey.
We may discuss your menstrual cycle, including cycle length, bleeding, ovulation and any premenstrual symptoms, alongside previous pregnancies or pregnancy loss where relevant.
I’ll also ask about areas such as sleep, digestion, stress, energy levels, exercise and nutrition, as these can all form part of the bigger picture.
If you have already had fertility investigations, we can also discuss information such as AMH, FSH, thyroid results, semen analysis or ultrasound findings, and where appropriate your IVF protocol and medications.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, I will also use traditional diagnostic techniques including pulse, body and tongue diagnosis.
What happens during the acupuncture?
The acupuncture itself is usually a very calm and gentle part of the appointment.
Very fine, sterile, single-use needles are inserted into carefully selected acupuncture points. These might be on your legs, feet, hands, arms, abdomen, back or head.
There isn't one standard set of “fertility acupuncture points”.
Everyone’s fertility journey is different and your treatment reflects this. Treatment is adapted according to you.
Treatment also changes according to where you are in your cycle. So, a follicular phase treatment may be different from the treatment around ovulation or during the luteal phase. Likewise, someone preparing for egg collection during IVF may receive a different treatment from someone preparing for a frozen embryo transfer.
Once the needles are in place, you simply relax. Many of my patients find this part of their week gives them much needed time to switch off from an emotionally demanding process. A lot of my patients have a little snooze 😊
Fertility acupuncture isn't just about needles
One of the things I particularly want patients to understand is that an appointment with me isn't simply “having acupuncture”.
Education and fertility support are an important part of treatment.
Depending on your individual circumstances, we may discuss:
understanding your menstrual cycle and recognising ovulation
fertility tracking and what your results may be telling us
nutrition and lifestyle factors that may support reproductive health
sleep, stress and exercise
supplements
preparing for IVF, ICSI or frozen embryo transfer
questions you may want to discuss with your fertility consultant
PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis or other conditions affecting fertility
male fertility and sperm health
I like to implement an integrative approach to fertility that allows Chinese medicine to work alongside current reproductive medicine practises.
What does the research say about acupuncture and fertility?
Research into acupuncture and fertility continues to grow, with some encouraging findings for both those trying to conceive and those undergoing assisted fertility treatment.
A systematic review of 20 randomised trials involving more than 1,600 women trying to conceive without assisted reproductive treatment found significantly higher pregnancy rates in the acupuncture treatment groups. More recently, a 2025 review brought together 42 trials involving 7,400 women undergoing IVF and found acupuncture was associated with higher clinical pregnancy rates, as well as reduced anxiety and pain.
While research in this area is continuing and findings between studies do vary, these results add to a growing body of research exploring the role acupuncture may play as part of an integrative approach to fertility care.
When should I start fertility acupuncture?
There isn't a “one size fits all” answer, and it is never necessarily “too late” to benefit from support.
Ideally, I like to start working with patients around three months before they plan to start trying to conceive or begin fertility treatment. This gives us time to look at your menstrual cycle, general health, nutrition and lifestyle, and to consider whether there are any appropriate supplements that may support your fertility.
The three months before conception are particularly relevant because the development and maturation of an egg takes place over a period of several months. Starting early therefore gives us time to put appropriate nutritional and lifestyle support in place during this important preconception period, rather than making changes just as you begin trying to conceive.
Where supplements are appropriate, starting them at this stage also allows time for nutritional status to respond before conception or fertility treatment.
That said, if you are already trying to conceive or your IVF cycle is approaching, please don't feel you've missed your opportunity. We can simply start from wherever you are in your fertility journey.
What about stress?
If you've been trying to conceive for a while, chances are someone has told you to “just relax and it will happen.”
You won't hear that from me.
But stress is worth paying attention to. Fertility struggles, investigations and treatment can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and supporting your wellbeing matters.
Acupuncture can provide a regular opportunity to slow down, switch off and take some time for yourself - while we also look at sleep, lifestyle and practical ways to help you manage stress.
It's not about telling you to relax so you'll get pregnant. It's about looking after you while you're trying.
Fertility acupuncture in Oxted, Surrey
I offer fertility acupuncture in Oxted, Surrey, supporting individuals and couples who are trying to conceive naturally as well as those undergoing IVF, ICSI and frozen embryo transfer.
My approach combines acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine with practical fertility education, lifestyle guidance and, where appropriate, supplement advice.
Most importantly, your treatment is individual to you.
Your fertility history isn't identical to anybody else's, and your acupuncture treatment shouldn't be either.
If you're considering fertility acupuncture and would like to know whether it might be appropriate for your circumstances, you're very welcome to get in touch or book an appointment with The Acupuncture Faculty in Oxted.