Fertility · Acupuncture
Fertility acupuncture: does it work, and what can you expect?
Fertility acupuncture is one of the things I'm asked about most. Here is what the research shows, what it doesn't show, and how a visit with me works in Östermalm.
Research so far doesn’t show that acupuncture makes it more likely that you have a baby if you have PCOS or are going through IVF.[1][2][4] For people trying on their own, there isn’t enough research to say. Some studies suggest it may ease anxiety and pain during IVF.[3] I offer fertility acupuncture as one part of a wider plan, in parallel with your doctor or clinic, and I won’t promise you a result.
I know this may not be the answer you hoped for. But trying to conceive costs time, money and a lot of hope, and I’d rather you decide with the full picture in front of you.
What people mean by fertility acupuncture
“Fertility acupuncture” isn’t one fixed method. It usually means acupuncture sessions while you’re trying to conceive, in the months before you start, or alongside fertility treatment at a clinic.
People come to me at very different points:
- you’ve been trying for a while and want to do something yourself
- your cycle is irregular or hard to read
- you’ve been told you have PCOS or endometriosis
- you’re going through IVF and want somewhere calm to land between clinic appointments
- you want to prepare before you start trying
Each of these is a different situation, and the research looks different for each.
What the research shows
Alongside IVF
The largest and most careful trial included 848 women at 16 IVF centers in Australia and New Zealand.[1] Half had acupuncture and half had sham acupuncture, with needles that didn’t go into the skin. Live births were 18.3% with acupuncture and 17.8% with sham, a difference so small it could be chance. The authors concluded that their results don’t support acupuncture to improve live birth rates in IVF.[1]
Reviews give a more mixed picture. A 2025 review of 11 trials of acupuncture on embryo transfer day found higher clinical pregnancy rates compared with no acupuncture, but not compared with sham acupuncture, and no effect on live birth rate.[2] Another 2025 review of 42 trials found higher pregnancy rates with acupuncture, less pain during procedures and less anxiety. It also found more early miscarriages in the acupuncture groups, and its authors say this warrants caution and that further rigorous trials are needed.[3]
I go through the IVF studies in more detail in acupuncture and IVF: what the research says.
With PCOS
A Cochrane review updated in 2025 looked at 9 trials with 1,606 women with PCOS who rarely or never ovulate.[4] Compared with sham acupuncture, it found no clear difference in ovulation, live birth, miscarriage or regular periods. The evidence was of low certainty, and side effects were probably somewhat more common with acupuncture.[4] The authors say the effect remains uncertain and that larger trials are needed.
When you’re trying on your own
For people trying to conceive without treatment, I haven’t found a large, careful review that answers the question. So I can’t tell you what acupuncture does or doesn’t do here, and I won’t guess.
So why do people still choose it?
Most people I see don’t come because they expect needles to decide the outcome. They come because trying to conceive is stressful, and they want an hour where someone listens and their body gets to rest.
The UK fertility regulator, the HFEA, describes complementary therapies in the same way: something people may use for relaxation or general wellbeing during fertility treatment. The HFEA doesn’t regulate these therapies or rate them as a way to improve results.[5]
That’s also how I see acupuncture. It can be one part of your plan, next to sleep, food, stress and, if needed, lab tests. You can read more about that wider plan on fertility support.
How fertility acupuncture works with me
I mainly use Japanese-style acupuncture. The needles are thin, sterile and single-use, and many people find it gentler than they expected. You’ll find more about the needles and what a session feels like on the acupuncture page.
At your first visit, I ask about your cycle, periods, sleep, stress, food and what you’ve already tried. If you’re going through IVF, tell me your clinic’s dates and which medications you take. Your clinic is in charge of your IVF, and questions about medications and timing go to them.
How often we meet varies. Often it starts with 1–3 visits 1–2 weeks apart, then about twice a month, and later once a month if needed.
Safety
Serious or long-lasting complications after acupuncture are uncommon.[6] According to 1177, Sweden’s public health information service, small bruises where the needles were are common. Some people feel tired, thirsty, dizzy or nauseous afterward, while others feel alert.[6]
Acupuncture may not be suitable if you:[6]
- take blood thinners or have an increased bleeding risk
- have a pacemaker or lymphedema
- are allergic to nickel or chromium
- are in weeks 0–13 of pregnancy
When you’re trying to conceive, you may not know yet whether you’re pregnant. So tell me if there’s a chance, and we’ll talk about what fits.
Cost and practical details in Stockholm
The clinic is at Kommendörsgatan 9 in Östermalm, on the corner of Grev Turegatan, at street level with its own entrance. The nearest metro stations are Stadion and Östermalmstorg. Visits are in English or Swedish.
- First visit, acupuncture only, 50 minutes: 1,750 SEK
- Acupuncture follow-up, 50 minutes: 1,150 SEK
- First visit with the full picture (cycle, food, sleep, herbs, lab tests), 60 minutes: 3,500 SEK
Receipts for follow-ups are marked friskvård, while the first visit isn’t. Your employer decides whether it counts. You’ll find every option on prices, and what happens at the first appointment on your first visit. If you’re not sure where to start, you can book a free 15-minute call on Tuesdays 13:00–14:00.
If you’re over 40, you may also want to read trying to conceive at 40.
When to see a doctor
Fertility assessments are done in regular healthcare: at your vårdcentral (local primary care clinic), a gynecology clinic, a women’s clinic or a fertility clinic. You can call 1177 for advice on where to go.[7]
Contact your vårdcentral or 1177 if:
- you’ve tried to conceive for a year without success[7]
- your periods are rare or absent, or you’ve been told you have PCOS or endometriosis; 1177 says to seek care sooner in these cases[7]
- you’ve had complications after abdominal surgery, for example surgery for an ectopic pregnancy[7]
- you’re 35 or older and unsure whether to wait a full year; 1177 notes that conceiving often gets harder from about 35, and much harder after about 40, so ask your vårdcentral what applies to you[7]
- you have severe pelvic pain, very heavy bleeding, or new, severe or unclear symptoms
If you have trouble breathing or chest pain after an acupuncture session, seek care right away.[6] In an emergency, call 112.
Sources
- Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture on Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.5336
- Wang Y, Ji J, Duan N, Yin Y. Acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy on embryo transfer day: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2025.1673144
- Fu QW, Zhu SM, Chen J, et al. Acupuncture for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2025.105097
- Zhang GS, Lim ECN, Cheng NCL, Lim CED. Acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007689.pub5
- Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Treatment add-ons. https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/treatment-add-ons/
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- Ofrivillig barnlöshet. https://www.1177.se/barn--gravid/barnloshet/ofrivillig-barnloshet/
Common questions
Does fertility acupuncture work?
Research hasn't shown that acupuncture makes a live birth more likely. In the largest IVF trial, results were almost the same with real and sham acupuncture. A 2025 Cochrane review of women with PCOS found no clear difference compared with sham either. Some studies suggest less anxiety and pain during IVF. Many people use acupuncture to rest and feel supported, without expecting it to change the outcome.
How much does fertility acupuncture cost in Stockholm?
With me, a first visit for acupuncture only is 50 minutes and costs 1,750 SEK. Acupuncture follow-ups are 50 minutes and cost 1,150 SEK. If you also want to look at food, sleep, herbs or lab tests, a full first visit is 60 minutes and costs 3,500 SEK. Receipts for follow-ups are marked friskvård, and your employer decides whether they count.
How often should I have acupuncture when trying to conceive?
It varies, and we decide together. Often it starts with 1–3 visits 1–2 weeks apart, then about twice a month, and later once a month if needed. If you're going through IVF, we plan around your clinic's dates. Let me know where you are in your cycle when you book, so we can choose the timing.
Is acupuncture safe when you're trying to conceive?
Serious complications are uncommon. According to 1177, small bruises and feeling tired, dizzy or thirsty afterward are common. Acupuncture isn't suitable if you take blood thinners, have an increased bleeding risk or a pacemaker, among other things. 1177 also lists weeks 0–13 of pregnancy, so tell me if you might be pregnant.
Want to know how I can help?
Book your first visit with me in Östermalm, or start with a free 15-minute call.