Fertility Blog

At a glance → Research links higher stress to lower IVF success rates. Reducing psychological burden, through acupuncture, therapy, or both, may positively influence outcomes → Acupuncture has strong evidence for reducing anxiety and stress during IVF, with measurable improvements in physiological markers like cortisol → Newer 2024–2025 meta-analyses show that acupuncture may improve pregnancy and live birth rates, particularly when timing and treatment frequency are considered → Research suggests acupuncture may be more beneficial when performed as a series of treatments rather than as a single session Millions of people going through IVF turn to acupuncture, but the question of whether it works is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this article, we'll break down what we know, what is still being investigated, and how acupuncture can support your fertility care plan.

At a glance → Ear seeds are small adhesive beads placed on pressure points on the outer ear → They are used as a needle-free form of auricular acupressure to support stress, sleep, pain, and overall regulation → During fertility treatment, ear seeds may help patients feel more grounded between acupuncture sessions → Ear seeds are supportive care, not a standalone fertility treatment, and should be placed by a licensed practitioner

At Illume, we are united by a shared mission: to provide cutting-edge, comprehensive care that supports every aspect of a patient’s journey. Our team's collective commitment to ongoing education and skill building is clear, as evidenced by the recent academic achievements of Illume acupuncturist Dr. Melissa Morone Sommer.

Navigating fertility and family building can be tough, but with the help of expert clinicians, a range of treatment options, and complementary therapies like acupuncture, you can still maintain balance throughout your journey. At Illume, many of our practitioners demonstrate their dedication to supporting patients through continued education and training.

Last updated August 21, 2025 Considering acupuncture on your fertility journey? Learn how it can help increase IVF success rates, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall wellness - straight from an expert acupuncturist.

I don’t wish infertility on anyone, but experiencing an embryo transfer is truly something special. This is my real, unfiltered perspective on this huge milestone in the IVF process - from start to finish.

It's true! Laser Acupuncture can increase implantation success rates by up to 15% when administered just before and immediately after an embryo transfer. Jump down in the article for acupuncture FAQs and all the study details straight from Illume Fertility's expert acupuncturists.