As more couples explore fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI, many are turning to acupuncture for fertility in Eau Claire for complementary, whole-body support. Whether they’re trying to conceive naturally or preparing for assisted reproductive treatments, we can help.
At Eau Claire Acupuncture, we pair a clinical understanding of infertility with an evidence-informed Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective to help regulate cycles, balance hormones, and prepare the body for conception.
Our commitment to women’s health often begins with regulating cycles, treating cycle-related pain, and supporting vaginal microbiome health.
Let’s break it down so it’s easier to understand how and why acupuncture plays such a powerful role in fertility outcomes.
Understanding Common causes of infertility
Let’s start with one of the most common challenges: egg quality. Poor oocyte (egg) quality is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, especially as we age (Xu et al., 2022). As we get older, the follicles that protect and nourish the eggs before ovulation begin to decline. And when follicular health is compromised, egg quality is, too.
But age isn’t the only factor.
In today’s world, things like environmental toxins, poor diet, and chronic stress are increasingly affecting our reproductive health. All of these can contribute to oxidative stress, which puts even more pressure on the delicate environment of the ovaries and eggs (Canipari et al., 2020). And since follicles are closely tied to mitochondrial function (basically, how your cells create energy), any disruption there can make it harder to conceive.
Hormone health is another big piece of the puzzle. Conditions like adrenal fatigue or other endocrine disorders can throw off your monthly hormone rhythm, the natural rise and fall that prepares the body to release an egg and support implantation.
When hormone levels are out of balance, ovulation might not happen regularly, or the uterine lining may not be ideal for a fertilized egg to implant.
When IVF or IUI Is Recommended
Fertility doctors often recommend IVF (in vitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination) when there are:
- Problems with egg production
- Blockages or structural issues in the reproductive tract
- Difficulty with implantation or early embryo development
- Lifestyle, age, or immune-related factors (Anderson et al., 2007)
- “Unknown” or “unexplained” reasons for infertility
And while these treatments can be powerful, they also place physical and emotional stress on the body, which is why supporting your health through integrative care like acupuncture can make such a difference.
Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or preparing for IVF or IUI, we take a whole-body, evidence-informed approach. That means we look at your full health history, not just one lab result or diagnosis, and support your reproductive system from the ground up.
We often begin with regulating cycles, supporting egg quality, and improving vaginal and uterine health so your body is truly ready to conceive and carry.
How does acupuncture address infertility?
Let’s start with the eggs themselves. Acupuncture can directly support egg maturation and implantation, as shown in IVF-related research (Kusuma et al., 2019). But it also works behind the scenes by improving something called mitochondrial function, which is the energy centers of your cells (Chen et al., 2023).
Think of mitochondria as little engines that power the development of healthy eggs. Electroacupuncture has even been shown to trigger a process called mitochondrial biogenesis—that’s just a fancy way of saying it helps your body make more of these energy-supporting cells (Sun et al., 2021). And when those systems are functioning well, your reproductive processes get a boost, too.
1. Improving the Uterine Environment (Endometrial Health)
Another key to a successful pregnancy is a healthy endometrium, the lining of the uterus where a fertilized egg implants.
Studies have found that acupuncture can increase endometrial thickness, making the uterus more receptive to implantation (Li et al., 2021). But it doesn’t stop there.
It also supports:
- Better endometrial structure (morphology)
- Improved uterine blood circulation
- Balanced hormone secretion
(Fan et al., 2022; Zhou et al., 2024)
All of this creates a more welcoming, stable environment for an embryo to implant and grow, improving the chances of a full-term pregnancy.
2. Reducing Stress (and Why That Matters)
Trying to conceive can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’re going through IVF or IUI. And stress isn’t just an emotional issue; it has real effects on the body, especially the hormones involved in reproduction.
Acupuncture has been shown to lower stress levels, ease anxiety, and support emotional well-being, which are all important for fertility success (Rooney & Domar, 2019).
You might be wondering how? It activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for “rest and digest” mode. This helps you move out of chronic “fight or flight,” lower cortisol levels (your main stress hormone), and support hormone balance overall.
In fact, in a recent meta-analysis, women going through IVF who received both acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine reported less pain, less stress, and less anxiety during their treatments (Lu et al., 2025).
From improving the environment in your uterus to helping you feel calmer and in control, acupuncture works on multiple levels to support your fertility journey.
Whether you’re just getting started or already in the middle of treatment, this kind of support can make a world of difference, and we’d love to help guide you through it.
How does PCOS relate to fertility and how can acupuncture treatment help?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormone related causes often related to infertility in women. It often disrupts ovulation, menstrual regularity, and hormone balance, all of which play a key role in your ability to conceive.
At Eau Claire Acupuncture, we address both PCOS and infertility, often integrating a comprehensive treatment plan for both, rather than treating them as separate issues.
Non-random studies have shown acupuncture to improve hormone levels and menstrual patterns in women with PCOS (Stener-Victorin et al, 2000; Mo et al., 1993).
Here’s how it works:
When acupuncture needles are placed at specific points, they trigger signals through your nervous system, and those signals then influence the organs that regulate your hormones (Johansson & Stener-Victorin, 2013).
In other words, acupuncture doesn’t just work locally; it helps reset the body’s internal communication system.
One of the main systems impacted is the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which controls your cycle, ovulation, and overall reproductive hormone function. Electroacupuncture, in particular, has been shown to positively affect this axis (Chen & Yu, 1991).
If you’re dealing with PCOS, acupuncture can help:
- Improve communication between your brain and reproductive organs
- Regulate hormone production and signaling
- Support more consistent ovulation and menstrual cycles
- Increase your chances of natural conception, OR prepare your body for IVF/IUI
In short, acupuncture helps recalibrate the system so your body can function more rhythmically and predictably, giving you a stronger foundation for fertility success.
Why does acupuncture improve IVF / IUI outcomes?
IVF is a choice therapy for many experiencing infertility because it overcomes many of the biological reasons why an individual may not be able to get pregnant. For example, IVF directly fertilizes the egg outside the body, prepares the uterus for implantation, and can boost egg production.
IUI does the same, and can often be less invasive and expensive for individuals with less complex infertility-related concerns, such as male factor infertility or cervical abnormalities.
Acupuncture can help create optimal conditions in the body for IVF and IUI procedures to be successful.
There are multiple mechanisms (ie. the biological reason) acupuncturists and scientists are studying to explain the success of acupuncture with IVF and IUI.
These include (Anderson et al., 2007):
- modulating neuroendocrinological factors
- reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
- increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
- modulating immune factors, especially cytokines
Let’s break it down:
Modulation of hormones is beneficial for anyone, especially individuals that may have hormone related conditions, or whose hormone balance has been impacted by lifestyle factors such as stress, chemical exposure, poor sleep or diet. Proper hormone balance is essential to successful ovulation and pregnancy retention (Kapper et al., 2024).
Both stress and hormone modulation can be tied to successful reproduction. Exposure to repetitive stress on the body can impact non-essential processes such as reproduction.
Acupuncture takes your body out of fight or flight, and therefore, decreases the physiological impact that stress plays on the body’s nervous system and endocrine (hormone) health.
Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the ovaries and uterus, which supports healthier egg development, thicker endometrial lining, and better chances for implantation.
In a healthy pregnancy, the immune system should function in a balanced, more tolerant state. Modulating the immune system response keeps your immune cells responding and communicating correctly to ensure the correct inflammatory response. If you’d like to dive deeper into how acupuncture can specifically enhance IVF and IUI success rates, check out our full post: Acupuncture and IVF/IUI: Integrative Fertility Support in Eau Claire.
Begin your fertility journey at Eau Claire Acupuncture
Whether you are considering IVF or IUI, looking for general fertility support, or have a condition like PCOS you are managing alongside fertility, your specific needs and goals will be met by trusted fertility experts with evidence-informed practices.
Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our specialized, integrative approach to fertility!
If you still have more questions, call (715) 575-1220 to speak with one of our clinic representatives!
References
Anderson, B. J., Haimovici, F., Ginsburg, E. S., Schust, D. J., & Wayne, P. M. (2007). In vitro fertilization and acupuncture: clinical efficacy and mechanistic basis. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 13(3), 38-49.
Canipari, R., De Santis, L., & Cecconi, S. (2020). Female fertility and environmental pollution. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(23), 8802.
Chen B-Y, Yu J. (1991). Relationship between Blood Radioimmunoreacttve Beta-Endorphin and Hand Skin Temperature during the Electro-Acupuncture Induction of Ovulation. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, 16(1), 1–5.
Fan, S., Yang, H. S., Fang, Y. G., et al. (2022). Application status and thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for assisted reproductive field in the United States. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 42(2), 237–240.
Johansson, J., & Stener-Victorin, E. (2013). Polycystic ovary syndrome: effect and mechanisms of acupuncture for ovulation induction. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013(1), 762615.
Kapper, C., Oppelt, P., Ganhör, C., Gyunesh, A. A., Arbeithuber, B., Stelzl, P., & Rezk-Füreder, M. (2024). Minerals and the Menstrual Cycle: Impacts on Ovulation and Endometrial Health. Nutrients, 16(7), 1008.
Li, M., Liu, Y., Wang, H., Zheng, S., Deng, Y., & Li, Y. (2021). The Effects of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes of Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2021, 6661235.
Lu, R., Rodgers-Melnick, S. N., Flyckt, R., Kim, S. T., Srinivasan, R., Dusek, J. A., & Kaiser, C. M. (2025). Clinical Delivery of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine and Impacts Upon Patient Reported Outcomes During IVF. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, 14, 27536130251349116.
Mo, X., Li, D., Pu, Y., Xi, G., Le, X., & Fu, Z. (1993). Clinical studies on the mechanism for acupuncture stimulation of ovulation. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 13(2), 115–119.
Rooney, K. L., & Domar, A. D. (2018). The relationship between stress and infertility. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 20(1), 41–47. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/klrooney.
Sun, S., Jiang, T., Duan, N., Wu, M., Yan, C., Li, Y., … & Wang, Q. (2021). Activation of CB1R-dependent PGC-1α is involved in the improved mitochondrial biogenesis induced by electroacupuncture pretreatment. Rejuvenation Research, 24(2), 104–119.
Xu, J. Y., Zhao, A. L., Xin, P., Geng, J. Z., Wang, B. J., & Xia, T. (2022). Acupuncture for female infertility: Discussion on action mechanism and application. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022(1), 3854117.
Zhou, Q., Song, L., Ma, J., Tang, D., Qi, Q., Sun, H., … & Wang, L. (2024). Acupuncture and Bushen Quyu decoction improved endometrial receptivity, hormone secretion, and uterine artery blood flow for repeated implantation failure patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 18(6), 362–367.
