Embryo transfer is one of the most important stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF). During the procedure, an embryo is placed into the uterus with the goal of allowing it to interact with a receptive uterine lining and begin the implantation process.

Some patients incorporate acupuncture into their fertility care before and after embryo transfer. Treatment is generally scheduled close to the transfer and is designed as complementary care alongside the medications, monitoring, and procedures provided by the fertility clinic.

Acupuncture around embryo transfer may be used with several supportive goals, including:

• Supporting uterine and pelvic circulation
• Supporting the physiological environment of the endometrium
• Promoting a calm autonomic nervous-system state
• Reducing physical tension surrounding the procedure
• Supporting emotional well-being
• Helping patients manage the stress of embryo transfer and the waiting period

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Factors That May Influence Embryo Transfer Outcomes

Embryo transfer outcomes are influenced by many factors, and acupuncture is one possible component of supportive care.

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Embryo Factors

Embryo developmental competence and chromosome status are important determinants of implantation potential.

Even an embryo that appears morphologically normal may not necessarily implant.

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Uterine and Endometrial Factors

The uterus must provide an appropriate environment for embryo implantation.

Potential considerations include:

• Endometrial development
• Uterine anatomy
• Polyps or fibroids
• Adenomyosis
• Previous uterine surgery
• Hormonal preparation
• Progesterone timing

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Previous Fertility History

Previous embryo transfers, pregnancy history, embryo-development patterns, and unsuccessful IVF cycles may also influence future treatment planning.

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How Embryo Transfer Is Commonly Prepared

Embryo transfer may occur during a fresh IVF cycle or as part of a frozen embryo transfer (FET).

Fresh Embryo Transfer

A fresh transfer occurs shortly after egg retrieval and fertilization within the same IVF treatment cycle.

The uterine lining develops while the ovaries are being stimulated.

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Natural or Modified-Natural Frozen Embryo Transfer

Patients who ovulate regularly may use their natural cycle to prepare the endometrium.

The fertility clinic may monitor:

• Follicular development
• Ovulation
• Hormone levels
• Endometrial development

A trigger injection or progesterone may be added depending on the protocol.

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Medicated Frozen Embryo Transfer

In a medicated cycle, estrogen and progesterone are used to prepare the uterine lining and control the timing of transfer.

Patients should take these medications exactly as directed because embryo-transfer timing is coordinated with endometrial exposure to progesterone.

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What Research Says About Acupuncture Around Embryo Transfer

Several randomized controlled trials have compared patients who received acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer with patients who did not receive acupuncture or received a placebo-type acupuncture treatment.

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One of the earliest and most influential studies was conducted by Paulus and colleagues. In this study, women undergoing IVF were randomly divided into two groups. One group received acupuncture shortly before embryo transfer and again shortly afterward, while the other group underwent embryo transfer without acupuncture.

The researchers found that pregnancy occurred more frequently in the acupuncture group. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed in about 43% of patients who received acupuncture compared with26% of those who did not (Paulus et al., 2002).

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A later randomized study by Westergaard and colleagues examined a similar approach. Patients who received acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer were compared with patients who underwent embryo transfer without acupuncture.

Again, the acupuncture group had a higher pregnancy rate. Approximately 39% of patients receiving acupuncture achieved a clinical pregnancy compared with 26% of patients who did not receive acupuncture. The difference was also seen when researchers looked at pregnancies that continued beyond the early stages of treatment (Westergaard et al., 2006).

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Another important randomized study by Dieterle and colleagues looked at acupuncture during the period following embryo transfer. Instead of comparing acupuncture with no treatment, the researchers compared traditional acupuncture with a placebo-style acupuncture treatment.

The difference between the two groups was notable. About 34% of patients receiving traditional acupuncture achieved a clinical pregnancy, compared with approximately 16% in the placebo acupuncture group. Pregnancies that continued beyond the early stage of treatment were also more common in the acupuncture group (Dieterle et al., 2006).

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Taken together, these early randomized studies suggested that acupuncture provided around embryo transfer or during the early post-transfer period might have a supportive effect on pregnancy outcomes in some IVF patients.

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What Do Larger Studies Tell Us?

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 11 randomized controlled trials involving more than 3,500 women who received acupuncture around embryo transfer (Wang et al., 2025).

When patients receiving acupuncture were compared with patients receiving no acupuncture, the combined results showed a higher clinical pregnancy rate in the acupuncture groups. This supports the positive findings reported in several earlier studies.

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What This Means for Patients

Several randomized clinical trials have reported higher pregnancy rates among patients receiving acupuncture around embryo transfer, and a recent analysis combining multiple studies also found a benefit in clinical pregnancy when acupuncture was compared with no acupuncture.

For patients who choose acupuncture during an embryo-transfer cycle, its role is best understood as an additional form of supportive care that may support the reproductive environment and overall well-being while standard fertility treatment continues.

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Disclaimer

This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Whenever possible, patients are advised to seek professional care from a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation and treatment.

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References

• Dieterle, S., Ying, G., Hatzmann, W., & Neuer, A. (2006). Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. Fertility and Sterility, 85(5), 1347–1351.
• Paulus, W. E., Zhang, M., Strehler, E., El-Danasouri, I., & Sterzik, K. (2002). Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility, 77(4),721–724.
• Wang, Y., Ji, J., Duan, N., & Yin, Y. (2025). 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.
• Westergaard, L. G., Mao, Q., Krogslund, M., Sandrini, S., Lenz, S.,& Grinsted, J. (2006). Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: A prospective, randomized trial. Fertility and Sterility, 85(5), 1341–1346.