I get this question a LOT from prospective patients, and the truth is, the amount of acupuncture you need is dependent on how you’re trying to get pregnant. I like to break this up into a few different categories:
- Trying to conceive on your own at home
- Trying to conceive with IUI
- Trying to conceive with IVF or frozen embryo transfer
In this article we’ll take a look at how much acupuncture is recommended for trying to conceive on your own or with an IUI cycle. (For questions about Acupuncture and IVF or FET cycles, check out this blog post)
Acupuncture While Trying to Conceive at Home or with IUI
Many patients are trying to conceive on their own, some with or without ovulation medications. At Austin Acupuncture Studio we’re familiar with the different medications that you may be taking, as well as the IUI process, and are ready to support you during this time with acupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine, and anything else in my toolbox.
During your initial consult, we’ll go over your fertility and health history to create your Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, which will be used to create your treatment plan* and pick your acupuncture points. My goal with your acupuncture treatments and your treatment plan is to get you as healthy as possible so your body can (and will!) better support your fertility.
Acupuncture recommendations for patients trying to conceive on their own at home, as well as conceiving with IUI, are the same since we’re following the natural cycle of the body.
Focus of treatment:
~ For female patients and people with a uterus, this means we’ll work to balance your hormones, regulate your cycle and ovulation, get rid of PMS symptoms, and get as close as possible to a pain-free period.
~ For male patients and people with testes, we’ll focus on balancing your hormones (especially testosterone and cortisol), improving blood flow to the pelvis and testes, improving sperm quality, and resolving other symptoms such as ED (erectile dysfunction).
~ For everyone’s overall health, we’ll incorporate improving digestion, energy, sleep, and any aches or pains that you have. I always say if your body is feeling better, then there’s more resources available for your fertility!
Recommended Acupuncture Frequency
While trying to conceive**
~ Acupuncture 1x/week, for 3 months
During pregnancy
~ Pregnant patients are moved to a healthy pregnancy plan, which you can read about here.
~ Patients with pregnant partners no longer require fertility acupuncture treatments (yay!), but are welcome to continue acupuncture for overall health and wellness. (Once you’re a patient, you’re always welcome at my clinic!)
Ready to move forward with a consultation?
Female patients preparing for conception at home with or without fertility medications, or an IUI cycle should book the following:
- Fertility Program Consultation (Virtual); followed up by Existing Patient – Acupuncture Treatment
- Initial Consultation + Acupuncture Treatment (In-person)
Male patients preparing for conception at home with or without fertility medications, or an IUI cycle should book one of the following:
- Male Patient – Consultation (Virtual)
- Male Patient – Initial Consultation + Acupuncture Treatment (In-person)
*Treatment plans will be sent to the patient within 2 business days of their consult and will include dietary, supplement, acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
**Since it takes about 3 months for sperm to go through the whole spermatogenesis process, and the most changes happen to eggs in the 3 months before you ovulate them, Misty recommends 3 months of weekly sessions for maximum results. This means that while some patients do conceive during the first 3 months of treatment, Misty isn’t expecting to see conception occur until after the initial 3 months of treatment. After 3 months of treatment, Misty will also perform a case manager meeting, which is a longer acupuncture session, where she assesses what has improved, what still needs improvement, and if the frequency of treatment can be decreased without losing progress.
