A Cycle-Based Fertility Care

Fertility care in Chinese Medicine is grounded in understanding the menstrual cycle as a reflection of overall health. Rather than applying the same treatment at every visit, acupuncture and herbal therapy are adapted to align with the body’s shifting needs throughout each phase of the cycle.

To support fertility, I treat according to phases of your menstrual cycle:

Menstrual phase (Days 1–5):

Treatments support healthy uterine shedding, alleviate pain, regulate menstrual flow, and reduce inflammation.

Goals:
•to support the emptying of the uterus during the period to provide a nice clear layer for the next endometrium to grow on

•to reduce period pain in the abdomen, low back or inner thighs

•to lengthen short period (1-3 days) or shorten long periods (longer than 5-6 days)

Research insight: Acupuncture has been shown to modulate prostaglandin levels and improve uterine blood flow, which can reduce dysmenorrhea and enhance endometrial receptivity (Smith et al., Fertility and Sterility, 2011).


Post-menstrual phase (Days 5–8):

Focus shifts to nourishing blood to rebuild the endometrial lining.

Goals:
•to nourish blood & build uterine lining at end of/after period to provide a healthy uterine lining for the next cycle

•to boost hormones in the after period time

Research insight: Herbal formulas targeting blood nourishment have demonstrated improvements in endometrial thickness and FSH regulation (Zhang et al., Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2019).


Pre-ovulatory phase (Days 12–16):

Acupuncture supports ovulation and cervical mucus quality by influencing LH surge timing and improving pelvic blood flow.
Goals:
•to support & enhance ovulation

•to increase amount and ideal consistency of ovulation or cervical mucous

•to boost libido

Research insight: Trials show acupuncture can improve ovulation rates in women with anovulatory cycles through modulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis activity (Stener-Victorin et al., Human Reproduction, 2010).


Post-ovulation phase (After Ovulation to Period):

This phase focuses on calming the nervous system, supporting implantation, and maintaining early pregnancy if conception occurs.
Goals:
•to support & build hormones in the second part of the cycle

•to calm the mind in the waiting time between ovulation and period /pregnancy

•to assist holding a pregnancy if there is one

•to assist early fetal development if there is a pregnancy

Research insight: Acupuncture’s effect on reducing cortisol and sympathetic activity may positively impact luteal phase function and implantation outcomes (Anderson et al., Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 2012).



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At Blossom Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, we help women regulate their period cycles, become pregnant and stay healthy during pregnancy. Our fertility approach begins with a detailed conversation about your fertility history, your recent period cycles and any other health issues. We want to reveal any underlying reasons that may be preventing you from conceiving or holding a healthy pregnancy.

Female Infertility Conditions

We treat you specifically for any imbalances or conditions you may have that are affecting your fertility, including:

  • anemia

  • advanced maternal age

  • ammenorrhea (no period)

  • hypothyroid (low functioning thyroid)

  • irregular cycles

  • low egg quality

  • endometriosis

  • elevated FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)

  • luteal phase deficiency

  • miscarriage (or recurrent miscarriage)

  • poor ovarian reserve

  • PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)

  • thin uterine lining

  • stress

Supporting Egg Freezing, IUI & IVF and Donor Outcomes

Acupuncture is also widely used alongside reproductive treatments to support emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and promote uterine blood flow during:

  • IUI (intrauterine insemination)

  • IVF (in vitro fertilization)

  • donor egg cycles

  • donor sperm cycles

Evidence summary: Meta-analyses suggest that appropriately timed acupuncture — especially around embryo transfer — may enhance IVF success rates by improving endometrial receptivity and reducing uterine contractility (Lee et al., BMJ, 2018).


If you would like to get fertility support before pregnancy or during reproductive treatments, give us a call at Blossom Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, 778.877.9460. We look forward to supporting you on your fertility path.

Jen Cherewaty

BSc, RAc, RTCMP

Fertility & Women's Health

Vancouver & North Vancouver

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If you have had success using acupuncture or chinese medicine to boost your fertility please share your story below. If you know someone who is struggling with infertility or doing an IVF or IUI cycle and could use support please share this article. Thanks so much!