Acupuncture for Fertility In Farnham & Godalming
Fertility is one of the most challenging journeys that couples may face together. Whether it's trying to conceive naturally or you want to go through IVF treatments, it can take such a physical and mental toll on your body. Every process is all-consuming, pressured by timelines, and can begin to feel incredibly overwhelming.
Luckily, acupuncture has been used for centuries to support our health. More recently, fertility acupuncture has become increasingly popular because of the research that backs its success. Not only is it proven by research to have better outcomes, but we see it in the clinic every week in terms of successes and how much better patients feel in themselves.
Acupuncture for Fertility Success
Fertility is one of the most challenging journeys that couples may face together. Whether it's trying to conceive naturally or you want to go through IVF treatments, it can take such a physical and mental toll on your body. Every process is all-consuming, pressured by timelines, and can begin to feel incredibly overwhelming.
Luckily, acupuncture has been used for centuries to support our health. More recently, fertility acupuncture has become increasingly popular because of the research that backs its success. Not only is it proven by research to have better outcomes, but we see it in the clinic every week in terms of successes and how much better patients feel in themselves.
The Fertility Journey
Fertility journeys are often complex, influenced by a mixture of both physical and emotional challenges, and can frequently feel isolating. Common challenges include:
Often, there are ‘unexplained’ factors, concerns about age, and so much more. It really is hard to understand where things are, juggling the medical appointments, emotional highs and lows, the demands of medication, and so on. It can be so hard to feel like you are standing on solid ground or well supported. That's where acupuncture can be so helpful.
“I came to see Josh while undergoing my 3rd embryo transfer. He was patient, kind, knowledgeable and very understanding of the situation. He really helped keep me calm during the process and I do really believe it helped after trying everything else as I am currently 30 weeks pregnant!”
— Pippa
How Acupuncture Improves Fertility Rates
Research has been proven to help fertility outcomes. This includes research proving how acupuncture can increase the chances of IVF success, live birth rates, and so much more. This is one of the reasons why acupuncture is so commonly used in fertility. These are some of the ways it helps:
Acupuncture helps regulate the menstrual cycle by optimising the follicular phase and balancing many key hormones. This ensures more consistent timings of ovulation and a healthier transition into the luteal phase, creating a regular, less painful cycle that is better prepared for conception.
Enhances follicular development and oocyte (egg) quality by improving pelvic microcirculation. By directing nutrient-rich blood flow specifically to the ovaries and uterine lining, acupuncture helps reduce oxidative stress, supporting the mitochondrial function essential for healthy egg maturation.
Improves the quality of the endometrial lining, which is critical for both natural conception and successful embryo transfer. Acupuncture helps regulate the local immune response within the uterus, increasing the chances of successful implantation and supporting the body through the vital first weeks of pregnancy.
Promotes emotional stability by reducing systemic inflammation caused by chronic stress. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system helps balance the body’s stress hormones, ensuring that the nervous system is supportive of, rather than a barrier to, successful conception and implantation.
Acupuncture supports male fertility by improving sperm quality, motility, and morphology. This process can take several months, but studies have shown how much of a difference it can make.
Complements IVF and ART by increasing relaxation, supporting embryo transfer, and helping the body respond more positively to treatment.
Moreover, acupuncture supports people in every aspect of their daily lives. It’s really about helping people be the best versions of themselves, so they are healthy and happy and have the best environment to have a baby.
What to Expect During Your Fertility Acupuncture Treatments
- Deep consultations explore your fertility journey, including your menstrual history, lifestyle factors, and everyday life. It’s often in the small details, in how you perceive your fertility health, that can improve your success rates and ensure you are getting the best guidance.
- Holistic assessments help us examine your overall wellbeing, stress levels, diet, and other health factors. This allows us to create tailored treatment plans, depending on whether you suffer from digestive issues or mental health issues, to ensure you are getting unique treatments based on your personal situation. We are making you the best version of yourself and optimising your fertility chances.
- Every treatment is different. We often use a series of 4-10 needles to support your fertility and general health, with treatments differing from one session to the next. It's about utilising the full range of over 365 points to tailor each treatment depending on how you are feeling and where you are in your cycle.
Many patients notice better cycle regularity, reduced stress, and greater balance and wellbeing within the first few sessions. Promising results show this, and it isn't just the fantastic feedback we receive from patients.
What to Expect During Your Treatments
Deep consultations explore your fertility journey, including your menstrual history, lifestyle factors, and everyday life. It’s often in the small details, in how you perceive your fertility health, that can improve your success rates and ensure you are getting the best guidance.
Holistic assessments help us examine your overall wellbeing, stress levels, diet, and other health factors. This allows us to create tailored treatment plans, depending on whether you suffer from digestive issues or mental health issues, to ensure you are getting unique treatments based on your personal situation. We are making you the best version of yourself and optimising your fertility chances.
Every treatment is different. We often use a series of 4-10 needles to support your fertility and general health, with treatments differing from one session to the next. It's about utilising the full range of over 365 points to tailor each treatment depending on how you are feeling and where you are in your cycle.
Many patients notice better cycle regularity, reduced stress, and greater balance and wellbeing within the first few sessions. Promising results show this, and it isn't just the fantastic feedback we receive from patients.
Why Our Farnham & Godalming Acupuncture Clinics Can Help Your Fertility Journey
Specialist training in fertility and reproductive health acupuncture
Experienced in supporting patients through both natural and IVF cycles
Sessions that provide you with the time, space, and care for you to receive the support that you need, both physically and emotionally
A holistic blend of different acupuncture styles such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Five Element Acupuncture, Stems and Branches, and more. This is on top of training that looks at fertility-specific treatments, protocols and research-backed approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fertility Acupuncture
Can acupuncture really help with fertility?
Acupuncture has been used for a long time to support reproductive health. Not only is it written about in our classical texts, but modern research also has backed up this approach, which is one of the reasons why fertility acupuncture is so frequently used. Many patients use acupuncture alongside natural conception, IVF, or IUI to improve their chances of pregnancy. This is both due to it’s physical effects on the body but also the clinic offering a calming space throughout an often emotional journey.
How long does it take for acupuncture to improve fertility?
Typically, I recommend patients coming for up to three months. This is because it can take around 90 days for egg development. However, every patient is different so it can take differing amounts. I’ve had patients who have had immediate success and others who have taken a lot longer based on their symptoms. Often, people notice some immediate improvements to things like their cycle regularity, ovulation, pain, and many other symptoms.
How often should I have acupuncture when trying to conceive?
Most of my patients begin with one session per week, for a shorter period of time, and then starting to space things out afterwards. This is idealist, in some ways, but a lot of patients do try to stick to this. However, it really depends, as we can time it based on different phases of your menstrual cycle, and we can always tweak it depending on the financial aspects as well as timetables. During IVF cycles, treatments may be more frequent to support stimulation, egg retrieval and embryo transfers.
Can acupuncture improve IVF success rates?
Acupuncture has been research-proven to help IVF success rates. There have been multiple studies conducted and the general consensus is that it can increase chances from anything between 12% to 30%. This is because it has been shown to support blood flow to the uterus, helps the body to be at it’s optimal, and also it helps to manage emotional responses.
When should I start acupuncture if I’m planning IVF?
Anything from 2 to 3 months before IVF will be great to support egg quality and hormonal balances. This is the ideal but not the only answer. Starting during stimulation, and even just the embryo transfer, still offer benefits. I’ve worked with patients who have come at the last minute, and ones who have come up to six months beforehand, so it’s really a full spectrum. Generally though, the earlier the better.
Does Fertility Acupuncture Hurt?
It should not hurt. The needles themselves are incredibly thin, smaller than a hair, and my approach is very gentle. Sometimes you can feel the needle go in, which is more common, but once they are in there should be mo sensation. Sometimes it can feel a little discomfort for the first ten seconds but generally it dissipates and you feel nothing.
I tend to use as few needles as possible, typically between 3 to 8, and with gentle needling techniques.
What happens during a fertility acupuncture appointment?
Your first session generally takes an hour and a half. This covers your full medical history covering your cycles, fertility history, and everything else. I spend a lot of time looking at things like your pulse and tongue which help me to create my diagnosis before we put the needle in. We can place them in various parts of the body and they are left for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Follow up sessions are generally an hour and follow a similar format.
Get Dedicated Support throughout Your Fertility Journey
Fertility challenges can feel overwhelming, but the good news is that you don’t have to face them alone. Acupuncture provides a supportive, holistic approach to balance your body, calm your mind, and give you the best possible chance of conceiving.
