You’ve been on Google and you’ve done your research.
You now know that acupuncture is often used to help people enhance their fertility — and you’re interested in giving it a try. But you have questions. How does it work? Who should I see? How do I find them? How long should I be doing this for? What is a “TCM practitioner” anyway?
I’ve been asked every one of these questions — hundreds of times — over the course of my 25+ years working with fertility clients in Toronto. This guide is my attempt to answer all of them in one place.
I’ll be taking you step by step on how to get the most out of acupuncture for your fertility situation. From finding the right practitioner to understanding the science, knowing what a good treatment plan looks like, and the self-care habits that actually move the needle — this is everything I wish every client knew before walking through my door.
💡 How to use this guide: Each step builds on the last. Whether you’re just beginning your fertility journey or already mid-IVF, start at Step 1 — you may find something valuable you haven’t considered yet. And if you’re ready to skip ahead and just book in, you can do that here.
The Steps:
#1 When Should You Start Seeing an Acupuncturist?
#2 How to Find a Fertility Acupuncturist
#3 Getting the Plan You Need to Succeed
#4 Resources You Should Be Introduced To
#5 Treatment Options You Should be Provided
#6 The Science Behind it All
#7 Self Care “Must-Do’s”
Step 1 — When Should You Start Seeing an Acupuncturist?
People come to see me at all different points in their fertility journey. Some are just beginning to think about conceiving. Others are deep into IVF and looking for every possible advantage. Some have been told their situation is unexplained. Others have been let go from a fertility clinic and aren’t sure where to turn.
Which situation best describes you?
- You’re not quite ready for a fertility clinic — you’re interested in natural methods first
- You’re already working with a medical fertility clinic and want to enhance your IUI or IVF success
- Your transfer date is approaching and you’ve read that acupuncture may help
- You’ve been told your fertility issues are “unexplained”
- You’re dealing with a specific diagnosis — PCOS, low AMH, recurrent losses, male factor
- You’ve been let go from a fertility clinic and aren’t sure what’s next
Whatever your situation, there is almost certainly something valuable that a practitioner experienced in natural fertility can offer you.
As a general guideline — if you’ve been trying for one year without success, it’s time to start looking for answers. If either of you are over 35 and have been trying for six months, don’t wait. Start asking questions now.
A note for those who only want natural methods:
I always gently encourage clients who come to me wanting to avoid medical fertility clinics to keep an open mind. The tools we have in natural medicine are genuinely valuable — but we don’t have access to blood work, ultrasounds, or cycle monitoring technology. That information can be enormously helpful in guiding treatment. If an acupuncturist ever tells you not to see a medical fertility clinic, that’s a red flag. The best outcomes I’ve seen over 25 years almost always involve natural and medical treatments working together.
Key takeaway: There’s no single right time to start — but don’t wait longer than you need to. A good acupuncturist will work alongside your medical team, not instead of them.
Step 2 — How to Find a Fertility Acupuncturist
Most people searching for an acupuncturist start with Google — and that’s actually a great instinct. Practitioners who specialize in fertility should have a strong web presence and be writing about the topic regularly. Search for “your city + fertility acupuncture” (e.g. “Toronto fertility acupuncture”) rather than just “acupuncture” — you want someone for whom fertility is a primary focus, not an afterthought.
Once you have a shortlist, look for someone conveniently located near home or work — consistency of treatment matters, and inconvenience is one of the most common reasons people drop off.
Then send them an email. See how they respond. You’ll get a genuine sense of whether they’re the right fit from the tone and quality of their reply alone.
Useful directories to help your search:
- American Board of Oriental and Reproductive Medicine (ABORM) — aborm.org
- National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) — nccaom.org
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) — ctcmpao.on.ca
What your first visit should look like:
A good initial fertility acupuncture appointment covers far more ground than a standard acupuncture visit. You should be filling out an intake form with fertility-specific questions — this signals immediately that your practitioner knows this area.
In the room, expect detailed questions about your diagnosis (if you have one), your cycle length and regularity, your period (pain, colour, clotting, days of bleeding), ovulation timing, cervical mucus, libido, and more. Yes, it gets personal. But the more your practitioner knows, the more precisely they can treat you.
After the Western-style questions, a TCM practitioner will ask about things that may seem unrelated — body temperature, digestion, sleep, stress, appetite, sweating. These aren’t filler questions. They’re how we build your TCM diagnosis. If no one is asking you about these things, you are not being treated by a TCM practitioner.
Your first session should run 75-90 minutes. Needles are typically retained for 25-30 minutes in a warm, comfortable, private room. You should feel relaxed — not anxious.
Already in Toronto and ready to skip the search? Book a consultation with Drew directly here.
Step 3 — Getting the Plan You Need
After your initial consultation with me, you’ll receive a personalized Health Summary — something I’ve provided to every fertility client for over 25 years, and something I’m told is unlike anything most clients have received elsewhere.
It’s not a generic handout. It’s a 4-5 page document written specifically for you, covering:
- Your treatment plan — how frequently you should be coming in and why
- Supplement recommendations with specific dosages and trusted brands
- Dietary guidance tailored to your diagnosis and TCM pattern
- Lifestyle advice specific to your situation
- Links to resources relevant to your specific concern
- Attachments such as BBT charts where relevant
Many of my clients tell me it’s the most thorough, practical document anyone has given them throughout their entire fertility journey. It gives you something concrete to follow between sessions — because what you do between appointments matters just as much as the appointments themselves.
Want to experience this for yourself? Book your initial consultation here. Your Health Summary will be in your inbox within 24 hours of your first visit.
Step 4 — Resources You Should Be Introduced To
There is an overwhelming amount of fertility information online — and a lot of it is misleading, outdated, or simply not applicable to your situation. A good practitioner helps you cut through the noise and points you toward what’s actually useful.
In my practice, the resources I regularly share with clients include:
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting — temperature data helps me identify patterns and refine your TCM diagnosis over time
- Fertility support resources — therapists, support groups, reputable online forums, and articles that help people cope with the emotional weight of infertility
- Helpful products — sperm-friendly lubricants, ovulation predictor tests, cycle-tracking apps
- Dietary guidance specific to your diagnosis
- Book recommendations and links to current research
My suggestion: create a folder on your computer or phone and store all your fertility-related resources in one place. Easy access reduces overwhelm — and overwhelm is something you already have enough of.
Step 5 — Treatment Options You Should Be Offered
A well-rounded TCM practitioner should be offering more than just acupuncture. Here’s what a comprehensive approach looks like:
Acupuncture The foundation of what I do. For fertility support, weekly treatment is typically recommended — though the exact frequency depends on where you are in your cycle and your treatment plan. Acupuncture helps regulate hormones, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, and reduce the stress response — all of which matter for fertility outcomes.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Herbs are a powerful complement to acupuncture and in my experience, clients who incorporate herbal medicine often see the best results. They do represent an additional cost and are not typically covered by insurance — but for many clients they’re worth it. I’ll always let you know whether I think herbs are indicated for your situation.
Supplements The supplement world is overwhelming and guidance is essential. Not all supplements are created equal, and the right stack depends entirely on your specific situation — egg quality concerns, male factor, PCOS, lining issues, and so on. I have done extensive additional training in this area specifically so that I can give you evidence-based, precise recommendations rather than generic advice.
Dietary Guidance Food is medicine in TCM. You may be asked to add or avoid certain foods based on your TCM diagnosis — sometimes things that seem counterintuitive (raw, cold foods like salads are a common one). Dietary recommendations may also address inflammation, blood sugar balance, or specific research-backed guidance for your diagnosis.
A word on keeping all doors open: Many clients arrive wanting to pursue only natural methods — and I fully respect that. But I always let people know that if I feel medical intervention could help them, I’ll say so. The combination of natural and medical approaches is consistently where I see the best outcomes. Information is power on this journey, and I’d rather you have all of it.
Step 6 — Is There Science to Back It Up?
Most of my clients have already done enough Googling to know that something seems to be happening with acupuncture and fertility. What they’re often less clear on is the why.
Here’s what the research is actually saying, in plain English:
Electro-acupuncture and IVF outcomes A prospective, randomized controlled study found that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (a form of electro-acupuncture) significantly improved IVF outcomes. A separate randomized placebo-controlled study confirmed these findings — electro-acupuncture at specific frequencies appears to increase success rates for women undergoing embryo transfer.
TCM herbal medicine and female infertility A systematic review of studies on traditional Chinese herbal medicine found that taken over several months, herbs appear to meaningfully improve pregnancy outcomes in women with fertility challenges.
Whole-systems TCM and IVF Perhaps most compelling — research on using all facets of TCM together (acupuncture, herbs, diet and lifestyle guidance) found better IVF outcomes than acupuncture alone. This is why I don’t just do acupuncture. The whole picture matters.
Stress hormones and fertility Research has shown measurable reductions in cortisol and prolactin — both of which negatively affect fertility — following acupuncture during IVF stimulation cycles. The stress-fertility connection is real, and acupuncture addresses it directly.
The science is still evolving, but the evidence is strong enough that many of Toronto’s leading fertility clinics now recommend acupuncture as a complement to IVF and IUI. I work alongside several of them on a regular basis.
Step 7 — Self Care Must-Do’s
Exercise Movement reduces stress, helps regulate your cycle, supports healthy weight, and genuinely makes you feel better — all of which matter for fertility. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week. Walking counts, and it’s free. The one caveat: avoid very heavy lifting (deadlifts, heavy squats) particularly in your luteal phase, as increased abdominal pressure is something to minimize if there’s any chance you may be pregnant.
Patience — the hardest one Nobody wants to hear that this takes time. But it’s true, and I’d rather be honest with you than tell you what you want to hear. Sperm and egg cells each take approximately three months to mature — which means I ask clients to commit to at least three months of treatment before drawing conclusions. For some that feels manageable. For others, time feels like the enemy.
Here’s what I say to people who are waiting for a fertility clinic appointment: don’t waste that time. Start now. Use the window before your retrieval or transfer to optimize everything you can. You’ll arrive at that appointment in better shape than if you’d waited.
Cautious Optimism Fertility work is the most emotionally complex area of clinical practice I know. The cases that come through my door are genuinely difficult — not everyone gets the outcome they came for, even after months of dedicated treatment. I could have chosen to treat pain, where most clients feel better after a single session and we both go home happy. I chose fertility because I believe in what’s possible — and because the clients who trust me with this part of their lives deserve someone who takes it seriously.
Until there is a clear end to your fertility journey, hold onto hope. Be optimistic about the treatments you’re pursuing — natural and medical alike. And know that having a team around you who genuinely cares about your outcome makes a real difference.
I hope this guide has been helpful. It represents over 25 years of clinical experience and some of the things I’ve learned along the way.
— Drew