IVF & Embryo Transfer Acupuncture in Calgary
IVF can be both a hopeful and demanding experience, with medications, frequent monitoring, and periods of uncertainty along the way.
Acupuncture provides individualized support throughout your fertility treatment, from ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer to the two-week wait. Each treatment is tailored to your needs and coordinated alongside your fertility clinic's protocols.
Why Integrate Acupuncture With IVF
Successful implantation depends on several factors, including embryo quality, endometrial receptivity, and the hormonal environment. Alongside medical treatment, acupuncture has been studied for its potential influence on reproductive physiology and its role in supporting patients through IVF.
Hormone Regulation
Acupuncture influences the neuroendocrine pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which helps regulate hormones.
Improved Blood Flow
Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow in the uterine and testicular arteries. Healthy circulation supports the uterine environment for implantation and plays an important role in sperm development.
Embryo Transfer Support
Many patients choose to incorporate acupuncture before and after embryo transfer to support treatment outcomes, reduce stress. Research has explored its potential role in improving pregnancy outcomes when used alongside IVF.
Stress Reduction
Acupuncture has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, providing valuable support during the emotional demands and uncertainty of fertility treatment.
Treatment Symptom Management
Acupuncture can help ease headaches, sleep, bloating, and other physical discomforts experienced during fertility treatment.
Booking Embryo Transfer Acupuncture
I work alongside a team of experienced fertility acupuncturists through the Calgary Fertility Acupuncture Group to provide on-site acupuncture at Regional Fertility Program.
To arrange treatment, please email our team as soon as you have an anticipated transfer date. We will do our best to coordinate acupuncture around your confirmed transfer time, subject to practitioner availability.
The Calgary Fertility Acupuncture Group is a team of experienced acupuncturists providing on-site acupuncture treatments at Regional Fertility Program in Calgary. Our role is to support patients on embryo transfer (ET) day with acupuncture before and after transfer, helping to:
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Optimize uterine blood flow
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Support implantation
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Reduce stress and anxiety during this milestone moment
More and more people are choosing to integrate acupuncture into their IVF care, and research suggests that transfer-day treatments may help improve pregnancy and live-birth outcomes when used as part of a comprehensive fertility plan.
IVF Acupuncture is tailored to your diagnosis, IVF protocol and goals, including:
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IVF stimulation cycles
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FET - Fresh Embryo Transfer
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Natural conception support
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Donor cycles
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IUI cycles support
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PMOS/Endometriosis fertility challenges
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Thin lining
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Repeated unsuccessful cycles
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Miscarriages and repeated pregnancy loss
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Regulate inflammation
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Reduce the negative effects of IVF drugs
A personalized approach to fertility support
1. Assess
A comprehensive review of your health, fertility/IVF history, menstrual cycle and goals.
2. Personalize
A tailored plan combining acupuncture, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to support your goals.
3. Adapt
Treatment is adjusted over time based on your progress or changes in fertility treatment.
Research on Acupuncture and IVF
was associated with:
25% higher relative clinical pregnancy rates
27% higher relative live birth rates
compared to IVF alone
(2026 review analysed 18 randomized controlled trails, involving 4873 people undergoing IVF to ICSI)
Acupuncture alongside IVF
was associated with:
25% higher relative clinical pregnancy rates compared with no acupuncture
2025 systematic review of 11 randomized controlled trials examining acupuncture around embryo transfer
Acupuncture on Embryo Transfer Day
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found:
76% higher odds of high-quality embryos reported in IVF patients receiving acupuncture compared with controls.
47% higher odds of fertilization with acupuncture alongside IVF.
Both findings were supported by moderate-certainty evidence, although improvements in live birth rates were not established.
2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials
Acupuncture and Embryo Quality
Research suggests acupuncture may support sperm health, with some studies reporting:
Improved sperm motility
Higher sperm concentration
2023 systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Findings are preliminary, and further high-quality research is needed.
Acupuncture & Male Fertility
I am a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (FABORM)
I have completed advanced training in both Western and Chinese reproductive medicine and passed a rigorous certification examination.
This specialized training supports an integrative, evidence-informed approach to fertility care, including collaboration with fertility physicians and clinics