Can Acupuncture and Therapy Help with Infertility: A Holistic Approach
- Pauline Walfisch, LCSW & Andy Kaplan, M.S., LAc.
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
Discover how acupuncture and mental health support can work hand-in-hand to ease the stress of infertility, balance your body, and offer a holistic path to healing.
Building your family isn't always as easy as a fun sex-filled night. In fact, for 1 in 6 couples sex alone just doesn't work. That’s right, 1 in 6 couples are diagnosed with infertility. A diagnosis that can shatter the expectations of how you thought you would get pregnant. A diagnosis of infertility really changes how you experience the journey to build your family.
We are fortunate to live in a state that mandates some coverage for fertility treatments, and here on Long Island- we have many options available to seek fertility treatment. The medical services are pretty accessible but what about the parts of us that aren't treated with hormones, shots, sonograms and pelvic exams. What about the emotional impact of a diagnosis of infertility? The ongoing traumatic stress of multiple cycles has an impact on the whole person.
I truly believe that to be treating infertility, we have to recognize not just the physical impact, but the impact on mind, body and spirit. That’s why Andy & I believe in creating a supportive fertility care team that recognizes the impact on you as a whole person. Over the years we have shared many clients. Clients who have used acupuncture to improve their fertility, improve their sleep, reduce pain and reduce anxiety. When we get to collaborate it's always great, and it's incredible when we get to see what the combination of psychotherapy and acupuncture can do.
Why Therapy for Infertility Can Help
When someone is going through the experience of infertility, it's often like time stands still while the world continues to rotate around you. And yet, you feel like you are not allowed to stand still. You still have to show up every day. Go to work, be a friend, support your sister, pay the bills, and sometimes the hardest thing is just getting out of bed. It's groundhogs day, but on a monthly pattern.
Your parts are confused. Parts? Think of it this way – Have you ever said to yourself, a part of me wants Chinese food for dinner and a part of me wants pizza? It's like that…For all of us, our mind and thoughts can be broken down into different parts of us that have been built over time. So there is a part of you who is really happy for your friend who just announced her pregnancy, and a part who wants to crawl back in bed and cry. A part of you that is excited to try IVF, and a part that is angry you can't just make a baby “like everyone else”. A part of you who is enjoying being a newlywed, and a part who desperately wants to make your little family 3 instead of 2. A part who wants a chance to be in the game, and a part who thinks it will just be easier to give up now. Now just imagine all of these parts trying to figure out how to make decisions, how to get by day to day, or month to month. It's hard, and confusing, and overwhelming. You don’t have to do this alone.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has recommended guidelines for therapists who are working in reproductive mental health and recognizes that not all therapists are trained to help folks with challenges related to infertility.
Finding someone with the right training and experience matters. A good therapist, who has advanced training in reproductive mental health, can help you understand all the different parts of this experience, and make it easier for you to navigate this roller coaster of emotions and experiences.
How Acupuncture Can Help with Infertility: Benefits for Hormones, Stress, and IVF
When you’re navigating the ups and downs of trying to conceive, you want every bit of support you can get. While modern medicine plays a powerful role in fertility treatment, many people are turning to acupuncture as a complementary approach — and with good reason. Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, and today research suggests it may help fertility in several ways.
Acupuncture, a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and promote healing. According to TCM principles, health is a state of harmonious balance between opposing forces: yin and yang, and the smooth flow of energy, or qi, through pathways called meridians. Western medicine explains acupuncture’s benefits by noting that needling points can stimulate the nervous system, triggering the release of chemicals such as endorphins (natural painkillers), serotonin (mood regulator), and oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”).
Studies suggest that acupuncture can influence levels of cortisol, estrogen, and prolactin which are all critical for reproductive health.
So here are some ways that acupuncture can help:
1. Boosting Blood Flow
Acupuncture can improve circulation, including blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Why does this matter? A healthy uterine lining makes it easier for an embryo to implant, and good blood supply to the ovaries may support egg health.
2. Balancing Hormones
Fertility is all about rhythm and balance. Acupuncture may help regulate the body’s hormonal signals — especially the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (that’s the communication system between your brain and your reproductive organs). For people with conditions like PCOS, acupuncture has been studied as a way to encourage more regular ovulation.
3. Calming Stress
The emotional rollercoaster of fertility struggles is real. High stress levels can interfere with ovulation and sperm health.
Reduces stress hormones: Acupuncture naturally lowers cortisol (the “stress hormone”) and helps the body shift into a more relaxed state. Many clients say they leave a session feeling calm, centered, and more hopeful.
Eases anxiety and low mood: Acupuncture can help calm racing thoughts and lift some of the emotional weight that shows during fertility treatments.
Supports better sleep: By calming the nervous system, it can make it easier to rest. Better sleep means improved mood, sharper thinking, and better physical recovery.
4. Supporting IVF and Other Treatments
Some fertility clinics even recommend acupuncture immediately before and after embryo transfer. Research is mixed, but some studies suggest that acupuncture at key points in the IVF process may improve outcomes by reducing uterine contractions and supporting implantation. Even beyond the physical effects, the calming nature of acupuncture can help make the process feel more manageable.
5. Helping Men, Too
Fertility is a team effort. Acupuncture isn’t just for women — studies show it may improve sperm motility, quality, and overall reproductive health in men.
The Takeaway: You Don’t Have To Do This Alone
Acupuncture and psychotherapy aren't cure-alls for the treatment of infertility, but they can be a valuable part of a holistic fertility plan. Whether it’s reducing stress, supporting hormone balance, or simply giving you an hour to breathe and care for yourself, acupuncture and therapy offer gentle, time-tested ways to support both your body and your heart as you move through your fertility journey.
Andrew Kaplan M.S., LAc. is a NCCAOM board certified acupuncturist who has been serving residents of Nassau County since 2001 and currently has an office in Rockville Centre, NY. Most recently he is also providing his service through Northwell Health Wellness Center. Read more at https://acupuncture4today.com
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