Acupuncture for Fertility
A Guide to Acupuncture for Fertility
Exciting. Nerve-wracking. Vulnerable. Expensive. Trying to conceive is a lot of things. But when you’re trying to get pregnant and nothing’s happening? More than anything, it’s stressful.
And, while acupuncture can’t treat fertility issues, it can absolutely relieve stress, reduce pain and discomfort in your body, and support your mental health. And when you’re trying to get pregnant, those three things matter a lot!
Keep reading to learn all about fertility acupuncture—who it’s for, what it does, and how it can support you as you try to conceive.
Fertility Acupuncture in the Greater Vancouver Area
Capria Care Collective offers therapeutic care for all parents—including parents-to-be. Conveniently located in the heart of Coquitlam, our clinic has tons of 5-star reviews.
Our acupuncturists are mindful, conscious, and understanding. And we would love to help take care of you while you navigate fertility.
Prefer to skip the reading and just get our support?
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine. The goal is to promote health and healing by increasing blood flow, relaxing your nervous system, and reducing stress. It’s most commonly used for treating pain, but cosmetic acupuncture and fertility acupuncture are popular, too.
During treatments, trained acupuncturists intentionally and carefully place hair-thin needles on specific points of the body, called “acupuncture points.” There are many acupuncture points on the body, and which ones your acupuncturists chooses will depend on your health concerns and goals. This is what makes each treatment unique! It’s also why, during your first appointment, your acupuncturist will ask you a lot of questions, collect your medical information, and spend time getting to know you.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Fertility
When you’re trying to get pregnant, anything you can do to reduce stress and take care of your body is worthwhile.
And while acupuncture can’t treat fertility problems, it does relieve stress—which is a big deal because, as one study found, people who identify as women feel as stressed about their infertility as they would about a breast cancer diagnosis. And, because stress doesn’t exactly have positive impacts on the body, we want to reduce that for you as much as we possibly can.
(Pro tip: Pair massage therapy with fertility acupuncture for maximum stress relief!)
Beyond reducing stress, acupuncture treatments can increase blood flow to certain areas of your body—including your uterus. And, research suggests that it may also support your body in regulating hormones and, as a result, menstrual cycles. All of these things can promote overall health. This is likely why, at least anecdotally, we often hear people crediting acupuncture with helping them conceive.
So if you plan to start trying soon, you’re already TTC, or you’re undergoing fertility treatments like IVF or IUI, acupuncture is a safe way to support your body during the process.
Fertility Acupuncture for IVF and IUI
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intra-uterine insemination (IUI) are pretty all-consuming. Money, energy, time, body—whichever process you undergo, odds are you’re putting everything you have into it. And that can take a toll on you!
Fertility acupuncture is a great way to take care of your mind and body during what may be a very stressful time. By relieving stress and helping you relax, fertility acupuncture can keep you in a positive mental state. By increasing blood flow to your uterus, it can support your body as it tries to conceive. And, by reducing pain, swelling, and nausea, it can counter some of the side effects from your fertility treatments and medications.
Acupuncture for Male Fertility
Fertility acupuncture isn’t just for people with uteruses. Sperm-producers can benefit, too.
The quality of sperm and semen is a factor in many cases of infertility. And some research suggests that fertility acupuncture can improve sperm quality. So if you’re trying to conceive, it’s worth noting that everyone involved can benefit from acupuncture.
The Risks of Acupuncture While Trying To Conceive
Let us start by saying that acupuncture is completely safe. The most common risk or downside is soreness or redness from inserting a needle—but that’s only if it’s placed too deep.
There are several “contraindicated acupuncture points”—but acupuncturists are trained not to use them, so they never will.
If you’re interested in learning more about those acupuncture points, ask your acupuncturist. They are fully informed about the contraindications and would be happy to explain why they’re off-limits.
FYI: At Capria, our acupuncturists are…
Mindful, socially conscious practitioners
Registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists (always)
Trained to integrate traditional acupuncture with modern wellness techniques
Educated on pain management, hormonal health, and fertility.
And, above all else, they will put your comfort and trust first. Our practitioners are held accountable to incredibly high standards. You will never be touched, poked, or treated without your consent.
If you have questions about our training, certifications, or process, reach out and we’ll get you the answers you need.
What To Expect During Your Acupuncture Treatment
Booking your first appointment can be intimidating. If you decide to book with us at Capria, there are a few things we want you to know:
Before you arrive, every touchpoint in your room will be sanitized.
During your first appointment, your acupuncturist will ask you a series of questions to get to know you and understand your general state of well-being. They might also look at your tongue, check your radial pulses, and assess any areas of pain or concern.
The needles we use are hair-thin, single-use, and sterile—so you know you're safe.
Needles are optional! If you don’t like needles, that’s okay. Our acupuncturists are trained in needle-free techniques—like cupping, gua sha, and ear seeds—which all offer similar benefits.
Support Your Body With Fertility Acupuncture
Our knowledgeable practitioners are standing by and ready to help you have the best acupuncture experience possible.
Complete the form below to book your first (or next) fertility acupuncture appointment. Or email us with any questions you have. We’re here for you!
