Sue G
Aug 2022
You can’t help but feel a good vibe at Sprout Natural Health. Both Conor and Hannah are professional, caring and understanding in a relaxed environment. I feel like I’m in good hands.
View on GoogleFertility Acupuncture · Paradise Point
Fertility Acupuncture Gold Coast
At Sprout Natural Health, we offer fertility acupuncture at our Paradise Point clinic on the Gold Coast, supporting women through natural conception, IVF, IUI, and FET cycles.
The basics
How acupuncture can support fertility
Acupuncture has been used in reproductive health for thousands of years, and modern research is only now starting to look properly at how it works.
In a session, the points we use are chosen with a few things in mind:
- Improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which may support follicle development and endometrial lining
- Helping to regulate menstrual cycles and support ovulation
- Reducing the stress response and calming the nervous system, which can affect hormonal balance
- Supporting your body’s natural hormonal rhythms without synthetic intervention
- Complementing conventional fertility treatments like IVF, IUI, and FET
Every person’s fertility journey is different, so what we do in a session depends on where you’re at in your cycle and what protocol you’re on, and we adjust from there rather than running everyone through the same thing.
Assisted cycles
Supporting IVF, IUI and FET cycles
If you’re going through assisted reproductive treatment, acupuncture can work alongside your fertility specialist’s plan.
Before egg collection or transfer
Weekly sessions in the lead-up, with the points and the timing adjusted to where you’re at in your cycle and whatever protocol you’re on.
On transfer day
Acupuncture before and after embryo transfer is one of the most researched applications of fertility acupuncture, one session before you go in and one after, both kept quiet and gentle.
During the two week wait
Gentle sessions with the focus on nervous system support, because the anxiety and stress that come with the process are real.
We work around your clinic’s schedule and can move appointment times to fit your cycle, and if you’d like us to coordinate with your fertility specialist we’re happy to do that too. We know how much is riding on each cycle, so we do our best to make this part of it feel a bit easier.
The evidence
What the research shows
Fertility acupuncture is a growing area of research, and we want you to have the full picture rather than just the good bits.
Stress and cortisol
Research has shown that acupuncture may help reduce cortisol levels and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Given the impact of chronic stress on reproductive hormones, this is relevant for fertility support.
Blood flow
Studies using Doppler ultrasound have shown that acupuncture may improve blood flow to the uterus, which matters for endometrial lining development and embryo implantation.
IVF outcomes
Some clinical trials have found improved pregnancy rates when acupuncture is used alongside IVF.
Who it’s for
Who fertility acupuncture is for
- Trying to conceive naturally and want to support your body
- About to start or currently going through IVF, IUI, or FET
- Dealing with irregular cycles, PCOS, or endometriosis and want complementary support
- Looking for ways to manage the stress and emotional weight of trying to conceive
- Wanting to support your partner’s fertility too (we treat male factor fertility as well)
- Recovering from a loss and preparing for the next step, whenever you feel ready
If you’ve got questions about any of this, just ask, we’re happy to talk it through.
There’s no right or wrong time to start, some women come to us months before they plan to conceive, others are already mid-cycle with their fertility clinic, and either way we just pick it up from there.
And once you’re pregnant, we keep supporting you. Have a look at pregnancy acupuncture for what care looks like through each trimester.
A combined approach
Combining acupuncture with naturopathy
You also have the option of working with our naturopath Hannah Ward alongside your acupuncture sessions. Hannah has a Master’s in Reproductive Medicine, works online Australia-wide, and runs our fertility naturopathy service.
- Acupuncture works on blood flow, nervous system regulation, and hormonal support through specific acupuncture points
- Naturopathy looks at nutrition, herbal medicine, and functional testing to understand what’s happening internally
You don’t have to do both, some women prefer acupuncture on its own, others combine the two, and it’s totally up to you, we’re happy to help you work out what makes sense for your situation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have acupuncture for fertility?
We generally recommend weekly sessions for at least 3 months, mainly because the egg maturation cycle is roughly 90 days, so three months gives you a full cycle to work with. For IVF we may change the frequency around key dates like egg collection or embryo transfer.
When should I start fertility acupuncture?
Ideally, 3 months before you plan to conceive or start an assisted cycle. That said, starting at any point is still worthwhile, even if you’re already mid-cycle.
Can my partner have acupuncture too?
Yes. Male factor fertility is involved in roughly 40-50% of couples having difficulty conceiving, so it makes sense for both of you to be looked after. We see men for fertility acupuncture as part of this too, and the stress side of it is often just as real for your partner.
Is fertility acupuncture safe during IVF?
Yes. Acupuncture is gentle and non-invasive and it sits alongside whatever plan your fertility specialist has you on. We work around IVF timelines all the time and are happy to coordinate with your clinic.
What if I’ve been told everything is “unexplained”?
A lot of the women we see have been told their fertility issues are unexplained, and that is a really frustrating thing to be told, you’re left with no answer and nothing obvious to work on. We can’t promise an answer either, but we can support your body and nervous system through a time that often feels pretty uncertain.
Google Reviews
Rated 5.0 from 40 reviews
Ready when you are
Appointments are booked online or by phone, or start with a free 10-minute call.