Day: June 4, 2025

Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, bringing emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer hope, but they also come with high costs, demanding protocols, and variable success rates. While these advanced treatments are often necessary, many couples overlook an important complementary option that could significantly support their fertility journey: acupuncture. Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to promote balance and healing. Over the last two decades, it has gained increasing scientific recognition for its role in reproductive health. What makes it particularly valuable is how and when it’s used. Why Timing Matters Too often, couples wait until their hormone levels—such as AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) or FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)—have already declined significantly before seeking alternative support. By that stage, egg quality, ovarian response, or uterine receptivity may already be compromised, making it harder for even the most advanced treatments to succeed. Incorporating acupuncture early in the fertility process can improve key reproductive parameters before couples even reach the point of needing IUI or IVF. This early intervention may lead to better outcomes—and in some…

Infertility affects approximately 16% of couples worldwide (1), and the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is becoming increasingly common. However, IVF is an invasive, expensive, and emotionally taxing process, with success rates that range between 25–35% per cycle depending on factors like age and hormone levels. Given these realities, exploring complementary approaches before committing to IVF could be a valuable strategy, particularly when hormonal imbalances are still manageable. One promising complementary method is acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving the insertion of fine needles at specific points in the body. Multiple studies have suggested that acupuncture can positively impact fertility by improving blood flow to reproductive organs, regulating hormone levels, and reducing stress—all crucial factors in conception. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Healthcare  (2025) found that Asian traditional medicine, particularly acupuncture, appears to be a safe and effective complementary therapy that can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies outcomes. Another study in Fertility and Sterility (2002) reported that acupuncture performed before and after embryo transfer increased IVF success rates from 26.3% to 42.5%. Importantly, many couples wait until their hormone levels—such as AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) or…