Fertility & IVF Acupuncture in New York City
The path to parenthood can be both exciting and challenging. For centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been utilized to enhance fertility, support healthy pregnancies, and prepare the body for birth.
Supporting Your Journey to Conception in NYC
Today, our Fertility & IVF Acupuncture service integrates these time-honored principles with contemporary fertility knowledge to help individuals and couples optimize their chances of conceiving, whether naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
TCM views fertility not just as a function of the reproductive organs, but as a reflection of the body's overall balance and vitality. Our approach focuses on creating the optimal internal environment for conception to occur.
What is Fertility & IVF Acupuncture?
This specialized service uses acupuncture, and sometimes adjunct therapies like electro-acupuncture or herbal medicine, to support reproductive health and enhance fertility outcomes.
Hormonal Regulation
Specific acupuncture points are chosen to help stabilize menstrual cycles, support ovulation, and fine-tune crucial hormone levels (like FSH, estrogen, progesterone).
Stress Alleviation
The fertility journey can be incredibly stressful, which can negatively impact hormones and conception. Acupuncture is known for its profound ability to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation.
Improved Blood Flow
Techniques aim to increase vital circulation to the uterus and ovaries, supporting healthy follicle development and promoting a thick, receptive endometrial lining crucial for implantation.
Enhanced IVF Outcomes
Research and clinical experience suggest acupuncture can be beneficial at various stages of an IVF cycle. Treatments are often timed around key events like ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and particularly before and after embryo transfer to support implantation.
Even when conventional medical tests don't pinpoint a specific issue ("unexplained infertility"), TCM offers a framework for optimizing overall wellbeing and addressing subtle imbalances that might be hindering conception.
How Can Acupuncture Support Your Fertility?
Fertility acupuncture can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals and couples, addressing conditions such as:
IVF/ART Support: Including fresh and frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles & Ovulatory Disorders: Helping to regulate the cycle and promote predictable ovulation.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Assisting with cycle regulation and hormonal balance.
Endometriosis: Helping manage pain and inflammation associated with the condition.
Pelvic Pain & Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea): Reducing discomfort and improving quality of life.
Unexplained Infertility: Addressing potential subtle imbalances from a TCM perspective.
Hormonal Dysregulation: Including thyroid imbalances or luteal phase defects.
Male Factor Infertility: Specific protocols may help improve sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology).
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Supporting uterine health and hormonal balance (as part of a comprehensive approach).
Optimizing Your IVF Cycle with Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be strategically integrated into your IVF protocol to provide support during each critical phase:
Follicular Phase (Stimulation)
Treatments aim to encourage healthy follicle development, improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, support endometrial lining growth, and manage stress during injections. Mild electro-acupuncture may sometimes be used.
Ovulation Period / Egg Retrieval
Sessions around this time focus on supporting final follicle maturation and alleviating discomfort or swelling post-retrieval.
Luteal Phase / Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture sessions immediately before and after embryo transfer are commonly recommended. The goal is to relax the uterus, calm the nervous system, and support implantation.
Two-Week Wait (TWW)
Acupuncture during this often-anxious period can help alleviate stress, promote mental calm, and support the body's hormonal balance while awaiting pregnancy test results.
Addressing Your Fertility Journey Concerns
We understand that pursuing fertility treatment comes with questions and anxieties. Common concerns include:
Effectiveness: Does acupuncture really work for fertility or improve IVF success?
Timing: How does acupuncture fit into my specific natural cycle or complex IVF schedule?
Needles: Will the treatment be painful or uncomfortable?
Emotional Strain: Can acupuncture help manage the significant stress and emotional toll of fertility challenges?
We address these concerns through:
Expertise & Transparency: We openly discuss our qualifications, specialized training in fertility acupuncture, and share information about relevant research findings and realistic expectations.
Gentle Approach: We explain the process, use sterile, single-use, hair-thin needles, and ensure your comfort throughout the session.
Integrative & Holistic Care: We emphasize that acupuncture is part of a broader strategy including stress reduction techniques, lifestyle adjustments, and nutritional guidance tailored to fertility.
Collaboration: We coordinate care with your fertility specialist or OB-GYN when appropriate, ensuring an integrated approach.
Your Fertility Acupuncture Visit: What to Expect
Our goal is to provide a supportive and effective experience tailored to your unique fertility journey.
Initial Intake & Assessment
Your first visit involves a detailed review of your medical history, menstrual cycle patterns, any previous fertility treatments, lifestyle factors, and personal goals. We also perform a TCM evaluation, including observing your tongue and checking your pulse, to identify potential imbalances relevant to fertility.
Developing a Treatment Strategy
Based on the assessment, we'll discuss a recommended treatment plan, including the frequency of acupuncture sessions aligned with your natural cycle or specific ART protocol. We will also determine if adjunct therapies like electro-acupuncture might be beneficial for you.
Acupuncture Session
During the treatment, sterile, single-use needles are gently inserted at specific acupoints chosen based on your diagnosis and current cycle phase or IVF stage. You will then rest comfortably for about 20-40 minutes, allowing the needles to work while you relax, often with calming music.
Follow-Up & Adjustments
Subsequent visits involve checking on your progress, discussing any changes in your cycle or symptoms, adjusting the treatment strategy and point selection as needed, and providing ongoing support regarding nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle choices to enhance fertility.
Treatment Frequency
While individual responses vary, a general guideline for fertility acupuncture, especially alongside IVF, includes:
Preparation Phase (Ideally 1-3 months before ART): Weekly or bi-weekly sessions to regulate the cycle, balance hormones, and reduce stress.
During IVF Ovarian Stimulation: Often 1-2 sessions per week.
Post-Egg Retrieval: Typically 1 session within 1-2 days after retrieval to aid recovery and reduce discomfort.
Embryo Transfer: Crucial sessions scheduled immediately before and after the transfer procedure (often on the same day).
Two-Week Wait (TWW): 1-2 sessions during this period can help manage anxiety and support potential implantation.
Some individuals notice benefits like reduced stress or improved sleep relatively quickly, while addressing deeper hormonal or cycle irregularities may take consistent treatment over several weeks or months.
Our Integrative Fertility Approach
We offer a unique blend of care by:
Combining Knowledge: Integrating traditional TCM wisdom with insights from modern reproductive medicine.
Customizing Protocols: Tailoring treatments specifically to your cycle phase, IVF stage, and individual constitution.
Focusing on the Whole Person: Addressing not just the physical aspects but also the crucial emotional and mental components of the fertility journey, incorporating stress reduction and lifestyle counseling.
Collaborating with Your Team: Working in coordination with your fertility doctors and other healthcare providers when beneficial.
Fertility Acupuncture in the Financial District & Upper East Side
Our specialized fertility and IVF acupuncture services are offered at both our Financial District (FIDI) and Upper East Side (UES) locations in NYC. Please note that acupuncture treatments require in-person visits. We may offer virtual consultations for initial discussions or supplementary herbal/lifestyle guidance where appropriate.
Meet Your Acupuncturist: Yaeji Suh, L.Ac., DACM
Yaeji Suh is a NYS Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist holding a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and a Masters of Science in Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (DAcCHM) from the Pacific College of Health and Science. With advanced training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Classical Acupuncture, and Kiiko Matsumoto Japanese Acupuncture, Yaeji brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to her sessions.
She has a deep passion for women’s health, reproductive wellness, digestive health, hormonal balance, and psycho-emotional well-being. Yaeji is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care that addresses the root causes of health imbalances, empowering her patients on their wellness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what ways can acupuncture aid conception?
By working to regulate hormones, reduce stress, improve blood flow to reproductive organs, and address underlying imbalances, acupuncture helps create a more favorable internal environment for fertilization and implantation.
Should I try acupuncture if I’m already doing IVF?
Yes, acupuncture is often used alongside IVF as a complementary therapy. While starting treatment a few months prior to an IVF cycle is ideal to prepare the body, benefits may still be gained by incorporating sessions during ovarian stimulation or specifically around the time of embryo transfer.
Does fertility acupuncture hurt?
Most people experience minimal sensation. The needles are extremely fine. You might feel a tiny pinch upon insertion, followed by a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation. Many patients find the sessions very calming.
How frequently do I need acupuncture sessions?
This depends on your individual situation (natural cycle vs. ART). Generally, weekly or bi-weekly sessions are recommended for overall regulation. During an active IVF cycle, frequency increases, with specific timing around egg retrieval and embryo transfer being key.
What if my fertility challenges are unexplained?
Traditional Chinese Medicine excels at identifying and addressing subtle energetic imbalances (Qi flow, Yin-Yang harmony) that may not show up on standard medical tests. By focusing on optimizing your overall constitution and reproductive health, acupuncture can offer valuable support even when the exact cause is unclear.
Starting From $225
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Starting From $225 ♡
