Acupuncture for IVF
Our dedicated team of acupuncturists are highly experienced in treating women who are having IVF
Supporting IVF treatment with Acupuncture
Here at the Zita West Clinic, we focus on all aspects of the body when it comes to IVF treatments. We pride ourselves on giving individualised plans and looking holistically at how we can help you in your fertility journey.
Acupuncture can promote relaxation and relieve stress, both of which can be beneficial when going through treatments like IVF. It is typically performed during the lead-up to an IVF cycle and immediately before and after embryo transfer, at times when your body will benefit the most from being fully relaxed.
Evidence suggests that the mind has a strong impact on the body. Our personalised and holistic approach to fertility helps you make the most of this, and may be one of the reasons behind our above average levels of IVF success.
Does acupuncture help increase IVF success chances?
There are many studies that have looked at how acupuncture helps improve fertility, conception and pregnancy. However, as with most research related to complementary treatments, there isn’t enough to definitely prove (or disprove) its efficacy.
A 2019 meta-analysis on 27 different studies that looked at the effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes showed that acupuncture did have a positive influence, but notes that more data from larger scale studies with more robust measurement strategies was needed to validate these findings.
It’s clear that more well-designed and large prospective studies are needed into the use of acupuncture in supporting fertility before any substantive claims can be made. However, thousands of women and men who have it certainly believe they benefit from the treatment, not least because it helps them to feel proactive, relaxed, acknowledged and nurtured through what can be a very stressful time.
Who is acupuncture for?
Acupuncture can be beneficial for both men and women during the fertility process by helping you relax and improving your general wellbeing. For men, acupuncture may be considered when going through ICSI treatment.
For women, research has been conducted into its use in the following areas:
- Regulating the menstrual cycle
- Helping to counteract stress levels
- Improving blood circulation to the pelvic organs, including the ovaries and uterus
- Helping to support ovulation dysfunction in some women
All of this may have a part to play in the fertility process.
When is acupuncture recommended during IVF
For women we may advise on having acupuncture sessions at various key times during the IVF process:
- In the lead up to your cycle
- Before and after embryo transfer
- The Two-Week Wait
During the two-week wait, which is often an anxious time, we offer women a very gentle acupuncture treatment for stress and relaxation between days 7 and 10. These are very comforting sessions which help to support your body and relieve tension whilst you await your pregnancy result.
We will work with you to create a highly individualised plan to see if acupuncture could be beneficial to your unique situation and fertility journey.
Our Expertise in Acupuncture
Our dedicated team of acupuncturists are highly experienced in treating women who are having IVF. Our team carries out over 3,000 sessions of fertility-focused treatments each year, and we consistently update our methods by consulting the latest research as part of fertility treatment.
Zita West herself has over twenty years’ experience as an acupuncturist, and heads up our team of practitioners. They always have access to Zita for advice on acupuncture, as well as to a whole medical team of highly experienced doctors and midwives at the clinic.
“We have an amazing team of acupuncturists, Eva, Valeria and Josephine, all of whom have been with me for over 10 years. They offer an amazing framework of support and advice to anyone coming through the clinic.”
Zita West
We are also part of the BAC British Acupuncture Council, the leading self-regulatory body for acupuncture in the UK. Members of this are on a register that is regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, an independent body accountable to the UK Parliament.
Why choose the Zita West Fertility Clinic for Acupuncture?
Our acupuncturists have vast experience in the area of fertility and IVF and work closely with the rest of our team, allowing our practitioners to ask questions on behalf of their clients.
We offer a package of acupuncture sessions which provides the ideal support for your situation. You also don’t have to be a client of the Zita West Clinic to access our acupuncture services. We are open to everyone, making sure this service is accessible to anyone who feels they may benefit.
What should I expect in an acupuncture session?
In our experience, women and men are often slightly anxious on their first visit, especially if they have never had acupuncture before. The sensation you experience is quite personal, and can be experienced initially as very pleasant dullness or tingling around the insertion site. Once this feeling settles down you ease into a very restful state, making the session deeply relaxing and enjoyable.
Our National Network of Affiliated Acupuncturists
If you cannot make it to the Zita West London IVF Clinic for an acupuncture appointment, we have developed an extensive network of affiliated acupuncturists throughout the UK and Ireland who specialise in providing acupuncture for fertility, as well as all aspects of female and male reproductive health.
All our affiliates have received training in Zita’s unique holistic approach to achieving optimum reproductive health, as well as the diagnostic processes and treatment protocols followed at our London clinic.
How to book an acupuncture appointment
We operate a same day booking service for Acupuncture at our London Clinic. Please call our reception team and, although availability cannot be guaranteed, we will do everything possible to accommodate you.
You do not have to be a client of the Clinic to access our acupuncture services and, if you can’t make it to our London Clinic, then you can find a Zita West Affiliated Acupuncturist near you through our postcode search in our acupuncture directory.
Latest news
Fertility Clinic Services
The Zita West Acupuncture Network Directory
Contact Us
New Patients: 0808 196 4060
Existing Patients: 020 7224 0017
Where to Find Us
Zita West Clinic
37 Manchester St
London
W1U 7LJ