Fertility Blog

At a glance → Around 40% of women experiencing infertility meet criteria for depression or anxiety, and many partners do too, even when they do not show it → The hardest emotional terrain often lives in places no one talks about, like the two-week wait, unnamed grief, and the slow erosion of who you used to be → Stress and anxiety can affect treatment adherence and quality of life, which is why mental health support is part of fertility care, not a separate concern → Illume Fertility’s Integrated Fertility & Wellness program connects patients with vetted therapists who specialize in fertility treatment, grief, and uncertainty In this guide, you will find validation, clarity, and practical strategies for navigating the psychological impact of a fertility journey, from a therapist who frequently works with individuals and couples who are trying to conceive.

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

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.

Boosting your fertility starts with what’s on your plate! Whether you’ve been referred to a nutritionist or just want to take control of your health, knowing what to expect can make all the difference. This guide explores how a fertility nutritionist can help you, what your first visit will look like, and why personalized nutrition is a game-changer on your path to parenthood.

What are the positive impacts of yoga for fertility and overall wellness? The founder of Fertile Yoga explores the benefits of fertility yoga, ways to modify yoga poses for your needs, yoga mistakes to avoid, and why she believes in the power of getting on the mat.

Whether you choose to expand your family through fertility treatment, surrogacy, adoption, or fostering, each path to parenthood requires an extraordinary amount of patience and adaptability. Here's how to take back some control throughout the process.

Inherent in infertility is disappointment. In fact, the process is steeped in disappointment. Seeing the evidence every month that it hasn’t happened is a visual reminder that once again, no pregnancy.