There is no single “perfect” time to begin fertility acupuncture. If you’re trying to conceive naturally, you can start at any point in your menstrual cycle. Working together across several cycles can also give us time to observe your cycle patterns and adjust treatment as they change.

If you’re preparing for IUI or IVF, you can begin before treatment starts or once your cycle is already underway. Acupuncture can be adapted around your fertility clinic’s timeline, medications, monitoring appointments, and procedures.

Treatment frequency depends on your individual needs, menstrual cycle, fertility goals, and whether you're undergoing fertility treatment.

Depending on your goals, I may recommend weekly or every-other-week treatments. During an IUI or IVF cycle, appointments may be scheduled differently around monitoring, medications, egg retrieval, or embryo transfer.

We’ll discuss a treatment schedule at your initial visit and adjust it as your cycle, symptoms, or fertility treatment plan changes.

Yes! I provide fertility acupuncture care for both female and male patients, whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or undergoing fertility treatment such as IUI or IVF.

For male fertility, care may focus on overall health and factors related to sperm health, alongside individualized lifestyle guidance. When both partners are receiving care, each treatment plan is tailored to the individual.

*A note on terminology: When “female” or “male” is used on this website, it refers to sex assigned at birth where clinically relevant to reproductive health. I recognize and respect gender diversity, and these terms are not intended to describe or assume a person’s gender identity.

Of course! Acupuncture can be incorporated as supportive care during an IUI or IVF cycle and coordinated with your fertility clinic’s treatment plan.

Your acupuncture treatment protocol may be adjusted depending on where you are in your cycle, including medication use, monitoring, ovulation or trigger timing, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. Please keep me updated on any changes to your medications, monitoring results, and treatment dates so your care can be adjusted accordingly.dates so your care can be adjusted accordingly.

Chinese herbal medicine may be appropriate during some fertility treatment cycles, but it is not recommended for everyone. If you’re taking fertility medications or undergoing IUI or IVF, I’ll review your medications, treatment protocol, and where you are in your cycle before recommending any herbs.

Depending on your fertility clinic’s protocol and your individual circumstances, Chinese herbal medicine may be modified, paused, or avoided during certain stages of treatment. Please keep me updated on your medications, supplements, and any instructions provided by your fertility clinic.

Absolutely! Acupuncture can continue during pregnancy, with treatment adapted to your stage of pregnancy, symptoms, and individual needs.

During the first trimester, care may focus on concerns such as nausea, fatigue, sleep changes, and other pregnancy-related symptoms. As your pregnancy progresses, treatment can be adjusted based on your needs, with labour preparation acupuncture offered from around 36 weeks when appropriate.

Please let me know as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test so your care can be adjusted accordingly.

We’ll review your health history and use traditional TCM assessments, including pulse and tongue diagnosis and gentle palpation, to identify patterns related to Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, and the organ systems.

From there, we’ll discuss your treatment priorities and a plan that may include acupuncture, other TCM modalities, Chinese herbal medicine when appropriate, and practical diet and lifestyle guidance.

Please bring a list of any medications and supplements you’re taking, along with relevant recent test results. Having a light meal before your appointment is also recommended.

Depending on your individual needs, your treatment may include acupuncture, electroacupuncture (e-stim), auricular (ear) acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and practical diet and lifestyle guidance.

Not every modality is used at every visit. Your treatment is tailored based on your current symptoms, TCM assessment, menstrual cycle, and, when applicable, your fertility treatment plan.

Acupuncture is generally well tolerated, and many people feel little to no discomfort. Acupuncture needles are very thin, and you may feel a brief pinch or mild sensation when a needle is inserted.

You may also notice sensations such as heaviness, warmth, tingling, or a dull ache during treatment. These sensations can be normal, but treatment should always remain comfortable. If anything feels uncomfortable, please let me know so I can adjust the treatment.

Many people feel relaxed after acupuncture, while others may notice subtle changes in areas such as sleep, energy, digestion, pain, or overall well-being. Responses vary from person to person and may also change from one treatment to the next.

Occasionally, you may experience temporary mild effects such as soreness at a needle site, light bruising, fatigue, light-headedness or a mild headache. These are generally short-lived. Having something to eat before your appointment, staying hydrated, and allowing yourself some time to rest afterward can help you feel comfortable.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang are foundational concepts used to understand how the body functions and maintains balance.

Qi refers to the body’s vital activity and functional energy, while Blood nourishes and supports the tissues and organs. Yin represents the cooling, nourishing, and restorative aspects of the body, while Yang represents warmth, movement, and activity.

In TCM, health is understood through the relationship and balance among these systems. Your individual pattern helps guide how your treatment is approached.