Fertility Blog

Fertility Blog by Illume Fertility

Everything you need to know about reproductive health, fertility testing, fertility treatment (like IUI and IVF) and how to navigate fertility challenges.

Acupuncture | Wellness | IVF | Mental Health | Research

Acupuncture for IVF: What the Research Actually Says

By: Dr. Amy Matton, DACM, L.Ac.
May 8th, 2026

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.

Infertility | PCOS | Genetic Testing | Research

The Genetics of Ovulatory Dysfunction: What’s Next for Fertility Care?

By: Dr. Erin DiPietro, Senior Embryologist
August 7th, 2025

Ovulatory dysfunction is one of the most common causes of infertility — yet its genetic roots remain largely unexplored. In this article, Senior Embryologist Dr. Erin DiPietro shares what inspired her to investigate this topic and what her research reveals about the intricate role genetics can play in reproductive health.