What role do Chinese medicine and acupuncture play in supporting fertility and IVF? In this article, we explore the long history of Chinese medicine in addressing women’s health and hormonal balance. We’ll dive into research that highlights the potential benefits of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for natural fertility and IVF support. Additionally, we’ll discuss key dietary and lifestyle tips from a Chinese medicine perspective to help enhance your overall health and support your fertility journey.
Background on IVF
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) refers to a series of medical interventions designed to help individuals or couples successfully conceive a child. IVF is often needed due to prolonged difficulties with conception or an inability to carry a pregnancy to full term. Factors such as age, genetics, underlying health conditions, hormonal imbalances, and cycle irregularities can contribute to these challenges. IVF is particularly supportive for those with diagnosed conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and cancer, where conception might be more difficult. Additionally, IVF can be a treatment option for men facing reproductive issues, such as low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology, which may hinder successful fertilization.
Although IVF is widely recognised as the standard treatment for infertility, many couples who have undergone multiple rounds often find the process both emotionally and financially taxing. Consequently, many turn to adjunctive treatments like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support conventional IVF protocols. TCM offers complementary strategies which can help alleviate stress and support both natural fertility and IVF treatments.
What does Chinese medicine say about fertility?
Chinese Medicine has a rich history in treating women’s health concerns, grounded in empirical knowledge and increasingly supported by emerging clinical research. For centuries, dedicated Chinese medical texts have explored women’s reproductive health, including the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy-related conditions. One of the most notable texts, Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet (Han Dynasty, 25-220 AD), outlines numerous herbal formulas designed to regulate menstrual irregularities, manage PMS, and address pregnancy-related concerns such as nausea, reflux, threatened miscarriage, and spontaneous bleeding. According to modern Chinese medicine principles, these conditions arise from imbalances within the Five Elements, internal organ systems, and the body’s Yin-Yang balance.
In Chinese medicine, a wide range of diagnostic patterns are used to address women’s hormonal and fertility concerns. Common patterns seen in clinic include Liver Qi stagnation, internal Cold-Dampness, internal Damp-Heat, chronic Blood stasis, Kidney Yin and Yang deficiency, and Blood deficiency. These imbalances are often influenced by factors such as constitutional tendencies, diet, lifestyle, chronic stress, trauma, and prolonged emotional disturbances. Understanding these patterns allows for tailored treatment that addresses the root causes of reproductive health issues.
It is essential to consult a qualified practitioner of TCM who can carefully assess your symptoms through pulse and tongue diagnosis to determine the underlying Chinese medicine pattern contributing to fertility difficulties. After a thorough evaluation, your practitioner will provide an individualized acupuncture treatment plan or prescribe a tailored Chinese herbal formula. Additionally, specific dietary and lifestyle suggestions from a Chinese medicine perspective are key components of the overall treatment approach.
Acupuncture and IVF research
There is now emerging clinical evidence demonstrating that acupuncture can be an effective adjunct therapy for IVF. Much of the research to date has focused on standardised, non-individualised acupuncture treatments for patients undergoing IVF, as well as those not currently receiving medical intervention. A review published in the Acupuncture in Medicine journal analysed the existing research on acupuncture’s effects on in-vitro fertilisation outcomes. The authors reported,
“evidence suggests several acupuncture sessions improve endometrial thickness, reduce stress, and improve patient satisfaction. Observational studies suggest more sessions are associated with increases in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates”.
Hullender Rubin LE, Anderson BJ, Craig LB. Acupuncture and in vitro fertilisation research: current and future directions. Acupunct Med. 2018;36(2):117-122
A systematic review and meta-analysis in the Archives of Gynaecology and Obstetrics was conducted to explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of IVF. They assessed women undergoing IVF in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and specifically evaluated the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes. Their systematic review concluded that,
“Based on an analysis of the studies, acupuncture improves the clinical pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF.”
Qian Y, Xia XR, Ochin H, et al. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017;295(3):543-558
A cohort study in Reproductive Biomedical Online looked at the impact of whole systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on IVF outcomes. That is to say, whole Chinese medicine therapies were used, instead of isolating treatment to only acupuncture or only herbs for IVF. The authors concluded that,
“Overall, IVF with adjuvant Whole Systems-Traditional Chinese Medicine was associated with greater odds of live birth in donor and non-donor cycles. These results should be taken cautiously as more rigorous research is needed.”
Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Wiemer KE, Mist SD, Caughey AB. Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(6):602-612.
Chinese herbs for fertility and IVF support
Similar to the studies on acupuncture for IVF support, there is also promising research in the realm of Chinese herbal medicine for successful IVF outcomes. A systematic review in the journal of Complementary Therapies in Medicine was conducted to investigate efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility. This is what the authors had to say after conducting their review.
“Our review suggests that management of female infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 4 month period compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy or IVF. Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle, integral to TCM diagnosis, appears to be fundamental to successful treatment of female infertility”.
Ried K, Stuart K. Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2011;19(6):319-331.
A 2015 meta analysis of more than 4200 women taking Chinese herbal medicine, found a two-fold improvement of pregnancy rates over four months compared to Western medicine. Trials included women with endometriosis, PCOS, fallopian tube blockage, anovulation or unexplained infertility. Their conclusion was,
“Chinese herbal medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 3-6 month period compared with Western medical fertility drug therapy. In addition, fertility indicators such as ovulation rates, cervical mucus score, biphasic basal body temperature, and appropriate thickness of the endometrial lining were positively influenced by Chinese herbal medicine therapy, indicating an ameliorating physiological effect conducive for a viable pregnancy”.
Ried K. Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2015 Feb;23(1):116-28.
Lastly, an analysis in the journal Medical Acupuncture was used to investigate acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on assisted reproductive treatments, and assessed six cases and their clinical significance. The authors stated,
“These 6 cases demonstrated the positive effect of a combined approach, using acupuncture and herbs to reduce diminished ovarian reserve and regulate hormonal disorders, creating sustainable environments for conceiving and maintaining pregnancy, thus, translating into clinical success. Clinical observation of these cases sheds new light on designing future clinical trials and practice of TCM for practitioners who provide infertility treatments.”
Jiang D, Li L, Wan S, Meng F. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Effects on Assisted Reproductive Technology: Six Cases and Their Clinical Significance. Med Acupunct. 2019;31(6):395-406.
It must be noted that only a limited number of clinical studies have assessed the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for IVF support and fertility. While some trials have shown inconsistencies, likely due to various factors, there is great potential for future research to offer more clarity. As more rigorous clinical trials and systematic reviews are conducted, we can expect a deeper understanding of how these therapies work. Based on the current research and strong empirical evidence from clinical practice, TCM shows promise as an effective adjunctive tool for both natural fertility and IVF support.
Common acupuncture points
In the clinic, there are many points which we can use to target fertility. Common points chosen include Liver 3, Spleen 4, Conception Vessel 4 and Heart 5. These points can be easily located on yourself and stimulated using gentle acupressure for 5mins each day.
Liver 3:
This point is located between the 1st and 2nd toe and close to where both the bones meet. It clears Liver Qi Stagnation and is great for individuals who are chronically stressed, irritable, have menstrual irregularities or pre-menstrual symptoms, and are prone to digestive concerns when stressed. Please note that this point should not be stimulated during pregnancy.
Spleen 6:
Regarded as one of the quintessential points for all gynaecological disorders, Spleen 6 (SP6) is known as the “Three Yin Channel Crossing” point. It is a very commonly used in clinic for patients with menstrual irregularities, fluid retention, digestive concerns, chronic urinary disorders or UTI’s, and painful or interrupted periods. This point is located approximately 3-4cm above the inner ankle bone on most people, and for many women can feel a little tender to touch. Similar to Liver 3, this point should not be stimulated after successfully falling pregnant.
Conception Vessel 4:
This point is located approximately 2 centimetres above the pubic bone and is often used in fertility support due to its function to benefit the uterus, regulate menstruation, tonify the Kidney energy and assist conception.
Heart 5:
This is one of the points almost everyone requires in modern times! Heart 5 is located on the inner wrist approximately 1.5cm from the wrist crease. It is mainly used for emotional or stress related concerns. When assisting a woman through IVF, Heart 5 is often used post-embryo transfer to settle emotions. As the wait time for the hCG blood test is approximately 10-14 days, most patients will schedule 1-2 acupuncture treatments during this period to ease stress, anxiety and regulate sleep.
What else can you do?
In addition to working closely with an IVF specialist and allied health professionals, it is equally important to optimise your diet and lifestyle to enhance overall fertility outcomes. From a Chinese medicine perspective, many of the dietary and lifestyle recommendations provided can be beneficial not only for fertility but for a wide range of health conditions. These foundational practices are rooted in the principles of balance and harmony, aiming to support both physical and emotional well-being. Whether you’re seeking to improve reproductive health or simply enhance general wellness, these dietary-lifestyle considerations are considered essential for supporting health.
Exercise
It is recommended to exercise for at least 20-40mins a day to move the Qi and Blood and prevent emotional stagnation. This could be a gentle walk, weightlifting, swimming, yoga or Pilates, Tai chi or Qi Gong. But most importantly, find something that you enjoy and stick with this. If you haven’t regularly exercised, then start slow and build yourself up, and always consult your general practitioner if you have any health concerns which may affect your ability to perform certain exercises.
Sleep
Regarded as one of the cornerstones to good health, it is essential to regulate one’s sleep cycle. If you suffer from insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns, you can try some of these suggestions:
- Avoid screen use at least 45mins before bed and instead listen to some gentle music, read or listen to an audio book, meditate or do some self-care routine in low level lighting.
- To optimise sleep, try to make your room as dark as possible with no external light coming into your bedroom.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol for at least 3 hours before bed – although some individuals may use alcohol to help get to sleep, it often leads to decreased sleep quality, as well as having numerous other harmful effects on the body, including fertility.
- Try to sleep at regular times every night and wake at the same time each morning.
- Sleeping with your feet uncovered can be useful in regulating your core body temperature and allow for a deeper sleep.
- Clinical research indicates that magnesium may be an effective supplement to help reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Always consult your GP or trusted allied health professional before taking a new supplement.
Diet:
Listed below are some general considerations regarding diet which are very useful in regulating digestion and sustaining balance of the internal organs to assist with fertility, according to Chinese medicine principles.
- Eat seasonally – that is predominately consume vegetables and fruit which are grown in season.
- Consume your meals at regular times of the day and in a relaxed state.
- Avoid excessive intake of raw, cold foods such as cold smoothies and juices, raw salads, and dairy.
- Focus more on eating a rich variety of steamed or cooked vegetables, soups and healing broths.
- Try and aim for a balance of the Five Flavours according to Chinese Medicine, which are Sour, Bitter, Sweet (and Bland), Pungent and Salty. Avoid eating any one flavour to excess, which in most cases are the sweets foods!
- For Blood deficiency individuals who are prone to anaemia, cold hands and feet, aversion to cold, fatigue, pale complexion and low mood, it is best to consume more lamb, beef, pate’ and red coloured foods such as beetroots, cherries and tomatoes.
- Consume water on a regular basis to stay hydrated but avoid consuming fluids to an excess, unless otherwise specified by your general practitioner.
- If not suffering from histamine overload, daily bone broth consumption can be wonderful to tonify the Blood, Yin and Kidney energy which are critical for optimising fertility according to Chinese Medicine. You can read more about the benefits of bone broth + a basic recipe here.
Stress
Last, but certainly not least, is stress reduction. Stress is so often involved with fertility concerns in the clinic, especially as chronic stress and emotional disturbances can lead to Liver Qi Stagnation and disrupt the cycle. To help reduce stress, you can try some of these things.
- Exercise regularly
- Practice meditation or mindfulness
- Reach out to friends and family and talk about any worries or life stressors
- Speak with a counsellor or other professional if experiencing pronounced stress, anxiety or depression
- Practice an art form and find something that you connect with e.g. painting, drawing or pottery
- Use aromatherapy and music to help you relax
- Practice gratitude by listing three things every day that you feel grateful for
- Practice breath work
- Seek out an allied health professional who can help with stress reduction. This could be massage, acupuncture or energetic based work.
- Find things and people in life which inspire you or make you happy – slowly incorporate more of these aspects into your life
This article is certainly not an exhaustive look at the role of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for IVF and fertility, but hopefully it sheds light on how Chinese herbs, dietary & lifestyle factors, and acupuncture can be used as a adjunctive tool for current fertility medical interventions. If you feel you need assistance on your own health journey, it might be time to book in for a Chinese medicine assessment and see if this ancient form of medicine is right for you.
