If you’re preparing for IVF, you’re probably doing everything you can to give it the best chance of working. You’re taking your supplements, watching your diet, following your clinic’s protocol carefully. And somewhere along the way, someone — a friend, a forum, maybe your own clinic — mentioned acupuncture.
So what’s it actually about? And does it genuinely help? 
As a fertility acupuncturist who works with IVF clients regularly here in Clapham, South London, I want to give you an honest, warm, and practical answer.
What does the research say?
A major 2023 meta-analysis published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics looked at 25 high-quality randomised controlled trials involving 4,757 women undergoing IVF. It found that acupuncture was associated with meaningfully improved pregnancy outcomes compared to controls. A 2025 systematic review also found that acupuncture may improve certain reproductive outcomes and help reduce pain and anxiety during IVF cycles.
The research is still evolving — as it is with many complementary therapies — but the direction is consistently encouraging. And in clinic, I see the difference it makes every week.
What IVF does to your body
IVF is a lot. The medications are powerful, the timeline is relentless, and the emotional weight is enormous. Your body is being asked to produce multiple eggs, respond to synthetic hormones, and stay calm enough to carry an embryo — all while you’re anxious, exhausted, and trying to keep it together at work and at home.
This is where acupuncture fits in beautifully.
How I support IVF clients at each stage
Before stimulation begins — ideally 2-3 months before
This is the most underestimated phase. In TCM, we think of the three months before IVF as the time to prepare the soil before planting. We work on improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, balancing hormones, supporting sleep, and reducing the background stress that so many of my clients are carrying. This phase is quiet, steady, and genuinely powerful.
During stimulation
Once your injections begin, acupuncture shifts to supporting your body’s response to the medication — reducing bloating, easing side effects, and keeping your nervous system as calm as possible. This is not the time for strong treatment; it’s gentle, targeted, and focused on keeping everything flowing smoothly.
Around egg collection
Acupuncture before and after egg collection can help with recovery, reduce discomfort, and support your body as it moves into the next phase. Many of my clients say this is when they feel most grateful for the sessions — it’s a moment to breathe, be held, and let your body recover.
Around embryo transfer — the most important moment
This is where I focus most carefully. Acupuncture on the day of transfer — or within 24 hours either side — is the most researched and widely used intervention. The aim is to relax the uterus, improve blood flow to the endometrial lining, and calm the nervous system at the moment it matters most. I often travel to support clients on transfer day when needed.
After transfer — the two-week wait
Honestly, this is the hardest part for most people. Acupuncture during the two-week wait helps manage anxiety, support progesterone levels naturally, and give you something constructive to do for your body when the waiting feels unbearable.
What a session with me looks like
Every client is different, and I never treat IVF as a one-size-fits-all protocol. At your first session, we’ll talk through your full history, your clinic’s plan, and where you are in your cycle. From there, I build a treatment plan that fits around your IVF timeline — not the other way around.
I work from The Light Centre in Clapham, with easy access from Brixton, Stockwell, Oval, Kennington and Battersea. I also offer a free 15-minute discovery call if you’d like to talk things through before committing to anything.
Ready to find out if acupuncture is right for your IVF journey?
Book a free discovery call or Book your first appointment online.
Silène Bricet is a specialist fertility acupuncturist based in Clapham, South London. Member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN). Advanced Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture. Treatments available in English and French.
English 
French