Integrating TCM for Fertility Treatment Support
Many women and couples reach a point in their fertility journey where they start considering IVF or IUI. It may come after months of trying naturally, or after being told that ovulation, egg quality, sperm quality, or hormonal balance needs support. It is very normal to feel uncertain, hopeful, and anxious at the same time.
At Wo.men Matters, we believe that fertility support should be gentle, personalised, and rooted in understanding the body as a whole. Whether you are preparing for IVF, exploring IUI, or trying naturally, there are ways to support your reproductive health with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) alongside medical care.
IUI is a treatment where sperm is washed and placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It is often used when:
It is less invasive, has a lower cost, and is often a first step before IVF.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is a more complex process which involves retrieving eggs, fertilising them in a lab, and transferring the embryo into the uterus. IVF is often recommended when:
IUI advantages:
IUI is typically approached as a multiple-cycle treatment, with most pregnancies occurring within the first 3-4 attempts if the procedure is going to work.
IVF is more complex than IUI, involving multiple stages over approximately 4 weeks from start to pregnancy test, unless a suppression shot was given 2 weeks before the stimulation begins. Understanding each phase helps you prepare.
A single IVF cycle from start to pregnancy test takes approximately 4-6 weeks. However, most women require preparation time before starting and may need multiple cycles.
From a TCM perspective, the focus before a transfer is:
Why prepare 3 months prior to your IVF cycle?
Even when AMH is low or FSH is elevated, the environment in which eggs mature can still be optimised. TCM promotes good egg quality through:
This might or might not lead to a reversal of AMH levels, but it does improves egg quality, which influences fertilisation, embryo grading, blastocyst formation and ultimately leading to a successful pregnancy.
Successful embryo implantation requires a receptive endometrium (uterine lining) with adequate thickness, appropriate structure, and good blood flow.
TCM supports endometrial development through:
The stress of infertility and fertility treatment itself can interfere with reproductive success through multiple pathways. TCM helps promote calmer cycles by regulating stress pathways.
Regular weekly acupuncture sessions, typically starting 2 to 3 weeks before stimulation, are crucial for optimising your body for treatment. These sessions work by regulating menstrual cycles, enhancing egg quality through improved blood flow and reduced stress, building endometrial thickness and quality, and naturally balancing hormones.
This is paired with our Traditional Chinese Medicine pills and syrup which strengthen the Kidney essence (constitutional reproductive energy), nourish Blood for egg quality and uterine lining, regulate Liver Qi to balance hormones and emotions, and strengthen Spleen to improve nutrient absorption and energy.
Continued weekly acupuncture treatments support your body’s response to medications, reduce side effects such as bloating and mood changes, maintain emotional equilibrium during the demanding medication phase, and optimise follicle development.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is typically paused to avoid any interactions with fertility medications.
Acupuncture shortly before retrieval reduces anxiety, supports final egg maturation, and helps manage discomfort. Post-retrieval treatment addresses bloating, promotes recovery, and maintains uterine blood flow during the critical implantation window.
Acupuncture 1 day before the day of embryo transfer may improve pregnancy rates. Treatment immediately before and after transfer reduces uterine contractions, improves endometrial receptivity, enhances blood flow to the uterus, and calms the nervous system for optimal conditions.
Acupuncture during this anxious period supports early implantation, maintains progesterone support naturally, reduces stress and anxiety, and provides emotional support during the waiting period. We usually recommend conduct 3 acupuncture sessions within the first 5 days following embryo transfer, as this is the critical window for promoting implantation.
We communicate with your fertility clinic when appropriate, respect your medical protocol timing and restrictions, adjust TCM treatment to complement not interfere with medications, and provide continuity of care throughout treatment cycles.
At Wo.men Matters, we specialise in integrating TCM with assisted reproductive technology, providing comprehensive support throughout your fertility treatment journey.
What we do differently:
Rather than generic “fertility support,” we provide individualised treatment based on your specific TCM pattern (Kidney deficiency, Blood deficiency, Qi stagnation, Cold, Damp, Heat, or combinations).
Your pattern is determined through comprehensive assessment including pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, menstrual history and characteristics, fertility test results, general health and symptoms, and emotional state.
Treatment addresses your unique presentation, not a one-size-fits-all approach. This personalisation is fundamental to our philosophy at Wo.men Matters.
Your first TCM consultation at Wo.men Matters typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, allowing you to be fully heard.
This includes
Current symptoms, menstrual history, medications, past treatments, lifestyle factors
Your energy levels, digestion, sleep, temperature preferences, emotional state
Pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and abdominal palpation if required
Yes, many couples try to conceive naturally or with less invasive treatments (IUI) before moving to IVF, unless there are clear indications that simpler approaches won’t work (such as blocked fallopian tubes or severe male factor). However, age considerations matter. Women under 35 can typically afford more time trying naturally or with IUI. Women over 37 may benefit from moving more quickly to IVF to maximise chances of conceiving before further age-related decline. This is especially critical for couples who wish to have 2 or more children. At Wo.men Matters, we support your conception journey naturally, regardless of the path you choose.
Pursuing IVF or IUI represents both hope and vulnerability. You’re taking active steps toward parenthood whilst navigating medical procedures, emotional ups and downs, and financial considerations.
Combining the advanced technology of assisted reproduction with the holistic support of TCM offers comprehensive benefits: optimising your body’s response to treatment, enhancing the conditions necessary for implantation and successful conception, managing the stress inherent in fertility treatment, and supporting your overall health and wellbeing throughout the process.
At Wo.men Matters, we are very focused on supporting women and couples through IVF and IUI treatment. Our experienced TCM physicians understand both the medical protocols of assisted reproduction and the traditional medicine principles that promote fertility. We provide personalised, evidence-based care that complements your fertility clinic’s treatment whilst honouring your body with natural wisdom.
