Acupuncture for IVF in Sheffield
At Life + Lemons, we honour the journey of each of our fertility patients. Be it a process you’re embarking on with a partner, solo or with a donor, we empathise and respect how difficult this decision or process can be.
Acupuncturist and Clinic Director, Kimberley Shepherd, has gained a wealth of experience in acupuncture and IVF throughout her career, and has extensive knowledge of IVF protocols, medications and expectations. She would be delighted to provide support through your IVF journey with compassion, kindness and knowledge to help you feel calm and empowered on your road to conception.
IVF can often feel mechanical, overwhelming and isolating. But Life + Lemons Clinic offers a space for you to disconnect in from the mechanics of your IVF journey and lean into a sense of well-being.
After all, fertility is a journey of creativity, flow and stepping into your greatest power as Woman.
Fertility Success Statistics
Transforming lives
From our analysis of 2025, Life + Lemons has a 61% conception rate. This has increased from 56% in 2023, and 59.6% in 2022.
This year we’ve also supported more same-sex couples, solo IVF journeys, and male fertility patients than ever before. In line with the previous years, we also continued to welcome and support patients from all walks of life—some conceiving naturally, others moving from natural conception to clinical fertility support, and many who had been through one or multiple unsuccessful IVF rounds before finding us.
At Life + Lemons in Sheffield, we combine acupuncture, nutrition, and evidence-based holistic therapies to support fertility at every stage—naturally and alongside medical treatment.
Your Fertility Treatment Pathway
STEP 2
Initial Consultation + Treatment
A 90-minute appointment where our Clinic Director Kimberley will listen to your story, review your personal and family medical history, your planned IVF cycle, previous IVF cycles outcomes where appropriate , understand your goals, and begin your acupuncture treatment.
STEP 3
Personalised Plan
Together, we’ll decide whether you’d benefit most from acupuncture-only care, extra support alongside acupuncture, or our most comprehensive programme with nutrition included for a full, 360 support programme, in order to give you the best chance of success from your fertility treatment.
3 Levels of Support
Acupuncture-Only. For those who just want treatment without the extras. Perfect if you’re already working with other practitioners or consultants. £75 per session or £560 for a package of 8 treatments. Recommended as a course over several weeks or months.
Bloom & Balance Packages. For those who want or require extra guidance and support beyond the treatment room.
Bloom (Fertility): Designed for couples or individuals trying to conceive.
Balance (Women’s Health): Focused on menstrual and hormonal health.
What’s included:
Acupuncture sessions tailored to your cycle
Expert advice on fertility and hormone testing, functional testing, and support reviewing your results
GP referral letters where needed
Links to trusted specialists and discounts on private testing
Educational resources and ongoing support between treatments
- Access to “Fertile Foundations” online course
Flow Package. For those who want the most comprehensive support.
This includes everything in the Bloom & Balance packages PLUS:
- Women’s Health + Fertility Nutritional Therapy sessions for a personalised nutrition, lifestyle and supplement plan
- A complete plan that connects acupuncture, food, supplements, and lifestyle to give your body the best chance to thrive
Download your free IVF acupuncture treatment plan
There are specific times of your IVF cycle that you should receive treatment. We have compiled an example treatment plan of what your pre-conception plan and support through IVF would look like, whilst receiving acupuncture.
This is a compilation of evidence based research to help offer you clarity about what we are doing and when.
To receive your very own IVF acupuncture treatment plan then please complete the form below and we will send it straight through to you by email.
Or alternatively, if you have a specific questions regarding IVF preparation and acupuncture treatment, please reach out to us directly.
IVF Acupuncture Treatment Plan
Download your free acupuncture for fertility treatment plan and find out how acupuncture supports you at each phase of your fertility treatment journey. This is a treatment protocol giving you the best advice based on the most up to date research, but if you’d like more specific personalised advice then please reach out to schedule a free initial consultation.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for IVF + Fertility
Acupuncture offers a whole body approach through its ability to regulate your mental state of being by down regulating recipients into their relaxation response, but research also indicates it increases blood flow to the uterus thereby improving chances of implantation. In this sense, Kimberley provides a mind, body, spirit treatment plan.
IVF + Acupuncture
Research into the benefits of acupuncture to support IVF treatment is growing. Kimberley has developed a specific protocol to compliment your IVF treatment, based on this research and clinical experience. Please get in touch for more information.
Pre-conception Care
Kimberley recommends pre-conception care to all her fertility patients. By creating the healthiest and most vibrant internal environment through acupuncture, nutrition, herbs and lifestyle, we create the fertile soil for a child to thrive!
What to look out for?
- A regular cycle is between 28 to 30 day cycle. When in good health there will be no premenstrual symptoms.
- Improving cervical mucous. This is extremely important as it aids the sperm to swim into the fallopian tubes. Without it sperm will die before arriving at their destination.
- Regular Ovulation. Acupuncture can help regulate ovulation if you are early or late in your cycle.
- A healthy menstrual bleed. In traditional Chinese medicine the menstrual bleeding reflects the quality of the uterine lining. In your acupuncture treatment, Kimberley therefore aims to increase the thickness and quality of this lining. It does this through promoting corpus luteal function (which in turn produces progesterone) and through its documented action of increasing blood flow to the uterus (Human Reproduction 11:1314-1317).
- Clinically, it also appears possible to influence the integrity of the eggs released following acupuncture treatment. This may be due to increasing the blood supply to the developing follicles or by increasing the nutritional supply to the egg via the fluids that surround and nourish it.
Stimulation Phase
Egg Collection
Following egg collection, Kimberley recommends that you receive treatment to support any local tissue trauma, pain, bloating or bleeding.
2 week wait + Beyond
After transfer day, Kimberley recommends receiving treatment 4 days after, around implantation. After which, weekly treatments are suggested during your follicular phase. This is based on a growing body of research indicating acupuncture may assist with stablising and supporting the uterus. It is beneficial in bringing the body into a state of rest and repair, calming the nervous system and therefore creating a happy, healthy internal environment for embryo to thrive.
About your Practitioner
Kimberley Shepherd is a registered TCM (Traditional Chinese Medical) Acupuncturist, passionate about helping women reclaim their feminine edge. After graduating with a First Class Honors in York, she has undertaken specialist training in the area of natural conception, IVF support, menopause + pelvic pain (endometriosis/dysmenorrhea).
It is her passion to help women uncover their unrelinquishing potential by helping build a foundation of strength, wholeness and balance in hormonal health.
Through her study and clinical experience, she has now developed a protocol to work with women through their IVF cycle. This however begins 3 months before, at the conception of your follicles. We work together over this 3 months to ensure the growth and health of these follicles, preparing your body and optimising your health prior to starting IVF.
Acupuncture for IVF
FAQs
We’ve included below answers to the most common questions we receive from our patients. If you still have questions, please get in touch via email at [email protected].
What is acupuncture for IVF?
Acupuncture for IVF is a complementary therapy used alongside in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or other ART modalities, to support fertility, improve reproductive health, and enhance the chances of a successful pregnancy. It involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body to promote blood flow, reduce stress, balance hormones, and improve the overall uterine environment.
Supporting Study: A review published in Frontiers in Public Health found that acupuncture alongside IVF can improve clinical pregnancy rates compared with no treatment, especially when timed around embryo transfer (source: An Overview of Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture for Infertile Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer).
How does acupuncture help with IVF success?
Acupuncture can improve IVF outcomes by:
Increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
Reducing stress and anxiety, which can affect hormone balance
Supporting hormonal regulation for ovulation and implantation
Enhancing egg quality and endometrial receptivity
Several studies suggest women receiving acupuncture around embryo transfer may have higher pregnancy rates.
Supporting Study: A study published in Fertility and Sterility found that acupuncture can enhance ovarian blood flow, contributing to better egg quality and higher pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (Source: The Impact of Acupuncture on Uterine Artery Impedance and Egg Quality in Women Trying to Conceive).
When should I start acupuncture treatment for IVF?
Acupuncture is most effective when started before IVF treatment and continued during the IVF cycle. Our Common recommendations include:
Before IVF: 1-3 months prior to improve fertility and prepare the body.
During IVF: Key points include days of stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.
After embryo transfer: To support implantation and reduce stress in the two week wait.
Supporting Study: A study published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture in IVF patients and found that starting acupuncture prior to IVF could improve pregnancy rates (source: The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilisation)
How often should I have acupuncture during IVF?
Frequency varies depending on individual needs and treatment protocols. Typical recommendations:
Pre-IVF preparation: 1 session per week for 6-12 weeks
During IVF stimulation: 1-2 sessions per week
Embryo transfer day: A session before and after transfer is common
- Two week wait: Continuing sessions during the two-week wait and early pregnancy can support implantation and reduce the risk of miscarriage, alongside supporting mental health.
Supporting Study: A study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that frequent acupuncture (2–3 times per week) during IVF cycles improved clinical pregnancy rates, especially around the time of embryo transfer (source: The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilisation)
Can acupuncture improve egg quality?
Whilst, there is currently no single clinical marker to directly measure egg quality. Instead, fertility specialists use indirect indicators such as antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and ovarian blood flow. Acupuncture may support these factors by:
Enhancing ovarian blood flow.
Reducing oxidative stress.
Balancing reproductive hormones.
While acupuncture cannot change the genetic makeup of eggs, it may optimise the environment in which eggs develop, creating more supportive conditions for healthier oocytes during IVF.
Supporting Study: A study published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology reports that acupuncture and electro-acupuncture improved ovarian reserve markers in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) undergoing IVF, showing increased AFC and AMH, and reduced FSH levels and suggesting a supportive effect on oocyte quality (source: Clinical efficacy of acupuncture for diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials).
Is acupuncture safe during IVF?
Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a trained, licensed practitioner.
Risks are minimal but may include mild bruising at needle sites, and/or temporary soreness or fatigue.
Always inform your acupuncturist about your IVF protocol, medications, or any medical conditions.
Supporting Study:
Study: A review in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine confirmed that acupuncture is safe in IVF patients, with only mild, short-lived side effects such as temporary soreness (source: Safety of Acupuncture in Fertility Treatment).
Can acupuncture reduce IVF side effects?
Yes. Acupuncture can help manage common IVF side effects, particularly stress and anxiety, and many people also report benefits for sleep, digestion and mood as their nervous system settles across the cycle.
Supporting Study: A multi-centre trial in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that women receiving acupuncture during IVF had significantly lower anxiety on the day of embryo transfer compared with placebo (source: The effects of acupuncture on the secondary outcomes of anxiety and quality of life for women undergoing IVF: A randomised controlled trial).
How soon can I expect results from acupuncture?
Many people notice early benefits, such as calmer mood or better sleep, within the first few sessions.
For IVF-specific outcomes, research shows benefits can appear with as few as three sessions delivered around embryo transfer. Some trials also report improvements with a single session on transfer day, but multi-session protocols tend to show better results.
Supporting Study: A study published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture in IVF patients and found that starting acupuncture prior to IVF could improve pregnancy rates (sources: The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilisation; Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilisation).
Can acupuncture be used alongside other fertility treatments?
Absolutely, acupuncture is a complementary therapy and can be safely combined with:
IVF and IUI (intrauterine insemination).
Fertility medications.
Nutritional and lifestyle interventions.
Acupuncture is most effective and yields the best results when used as part of a comprehensive fertility plan.
Supporting Study: A study evaluating acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF reported no serious safety concerns across included trials and described its use specifically alongside IVF cycles (source: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF cycles in China and the world).
How do I find a qualified acupuncturist for IVF?
Look for a licensed acupuncturist with experience in reproductive health. Certifications from recognized bodies, such as the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), indicate professional standards. Personal referrals and online reviews can also guide your choice.
