5 Months Before Trying to Conceive
or IUI / IVF


1 acupuncture treatment every week plus herbs or as many treatments as necessary to reach 8 consecutive treatments before transfer/IUI

For best results start 5 months before starting to try to conceive or IUI/IVF for both men and women. The health of both parents before and at the time of conception, and the mother's health during the early stages of her pregnancy have an direct influence on the health of the baby. It is optimal to treat for at least 5 months before conception to properly regulate the menstrual cycle, balance hormonal activity, and to optimize egg quality. Women’s follicles are recruited in the 3-5 months before being chosen for ovulation. Therefore, the quality of your eggs are actually determined during the 3-5 months before conception. This is why it is recommended to allow adequate time during the preconception phase to "Cultivate the soil before planting the seed" and allow for at least 5 months for your treatments and healthier life style habits to take affect.

As well, research shows* that the blood flow to the uterus increases dramatically after the 8 Th. acupuncture treatment and stays that way for at least 10- 14 days after the last acupuncture treatment. Therefore if a woman has not already had 8 acupuncture treatments in the month or so leading up to the embryo transfer or IUI then we will try to schedule the treatments to make that happen to maximize the chance of a successful implantation and embryo growth.


* Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture

Elisabet Stener-Victorin[1.4], Urban Waldenström[2], Sven A. Andersson[3] and Matts Wikland[2]
[1]Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology [2]Fertility Centre
Scandinavia. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and [3]Department of Physiology University of Gothenburg.
S-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden

[4]To whom correspondence should be addressed: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Kvinnokliniken Sahlgrensh sjukhuset, S-413 45 Golhenburg, Sweden

Source: European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology