Tag Archive for: IVF

IVF and Anxiety: How Mindfulness Supports IVF Treatment

March 26, 2026/in Fertility, IVF/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

Mindfulness ≠ fluff. It’s a practical set of tools you can use every day to calm the nervous system, sleep better, think more clearly, and show up more effectively for injections, scans, retrievals and embryo transfer. Lokahi pairs mindfulness with acupuncture and bodywork to get the body truly calm at key windows to help support IVF treatment.

Why this matters

Anxiety drives sympathetic arousal (fight/flight) and raises stress hormones — not ideal at retrieval/transfer. Mindfulness shifts you toward parasympathetic rest-and-repair.
Lower anxiety = better sleep, clearer decisions, more consistent medication adherence — all practical ways mindfulness helps IVF.
Evidence: mindfulness programs reliably reduce anxiety and distress for fertility patients.

How to use it — the quick playbook

Start now. Begin daily practice during cycle preparation — even 5 minutes/day helps.
Short beats occasional. 5–15 minutes every day > one long practice a week.
Use micro-tools at the clinic: 3-minute grounding breath before scans, injections or transfer; 2–5 minutes of a loving-kindness or grounding script in the waiting room.
Pair it. Combine mindfulness with acupuncture or fertility massage on transfer day for stronger parasympathetic impact — Lokahi coordinates these supports.

Clinic-tested practices

1) 3-minute grounding breath — before scans or injections

Sit upright. Inhale 4 counts → exhale 6 counts.
Repeat 6–8 times.
Finish: name 3 sounds, 2 body sensations, 1 sight.

2) 10-minute body-scan — evening or pre-procedure

Lie down. Slowly move attention from toes → head, noticing sensations.
When the mind wanders, gently bring it back. Let muscles soften on each exhale.

3) R.A.I.N. for intrusive worry

Recognize the thought/feeling
Allow it without fighting
Investigate with curiosity (Where in the body is the tension?)
Nurture with a kind sentence (“This is hard — I’m doing my best.”)

4) 2–5 minute loving-kindness

Silently repeat: “May I be safe. May I be peaceful. May I be kind to myself.” Extend to a loved one.

Practical Tips & Troubleshooting

Make a tiny habit anchor. Practice right after teeth brushing or morning coffee.
Use recordings. Guided 5–10 minute audios make consistency easy.
Group classes help. Peer support normalizes the IVF rollercoaster and increases adherence.
If you miss days, restart. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Measure it. Track anxiety with a simple daily 0–10 scale so you and the clinic see progress

When mindfulness alone isn’t enough

Get specialized care if you have panic attacks, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming avoidance — mindfulness is helpful but not a substitute for psychiatric care.
Combine with therapy/medication when needed: many patients do both and improve faster.

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IVF Add-Ons Explained

March 12, 2026/in Fertility/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

IVF Add-Ons Explained — What’s promising, what’s clear, and how to decide

IVF is powerful, but it’s also complicated — and that complexity breeds a market for “add-ons”: extra tests, procedures, supplements, and therapies offered on top of standard IVF cycles. Some IVF add-ons are promising in specific situations, some are clearly supported by good evidence, and many fall somewhere in between.

At Lokahi, we help patients sort the signal from the noise and choose only what’s likely to help their individual cycle. Below is a plain-language guide to the most common add-ons, what the evidence and clinical practice currently suggest, and a practical decision framework you can use with your clinic.

What do we mean by “IVF add-ons”?

“IVF add-ons” are optional, usually out-of-pocket interventions offered alongside standard IVF care — for example, preimplantation genetic testing, embryo selection technologies, endometrial tests, immunotherapies, intrauterine injections, or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle programs.

Professional groups (for example, ESHRE- the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) and clinics have emphasized the need to evaluate add-ons ethically and scientifically because evidence varies widely and some interventions are costly or experimental.

Quick orientation: three buckets

When you evaluate an add-on, it helps to think in three buckets:

Promising/Supported for some patients — interventions with consistent evidence in specific groups or clear biological rationale backed by trials or high-quality observational data.
Unclear or mixed evidence — plausible interventions where randomized trials are inconsistent, small, or show benefit only in subgroups. Use cautiously and expect clinical tailoring.
Not proven / experimental / not routinely recommended — interventions with little high-quality evidence, contradictory results, or safety/ethical concerns; often best limited to clinical trials.

Below, I summarize common IVF add-ons into those buckets and then give you a reproducible way to decide.

Promising / Supported (in specific situations)

1. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)

What it is: testing embryos for chromosome abnormalities and transferring only euploid (genetically viable) embryos.

When it helps: PGT-A can be useful for older patients, patients with recurrent pregnancy loss or recurrent implantation failure, or when multiple embryos are available, and selection is needed. It reduces the risk of transferring aneuploid embryos and can shorten the time to a likely viable pregnancy in selected situations.

It is not a universal fix —the benefits depend on patient age, the number of embryos, lab quality, and the testing platform — and it carries an extra cost and lab handling. Discuss candidacy with your fertility team.

2. Targeted, evidence-backed adjunctive care (acupuncture, coordinated lifestyle & herbs at specialist clinics)

What it is: Integrative programs that combine acupuncture, personalized herbal/ nutritional plans, and lifestyle medicine.

Why it’s promising: High-quality meta-analyses and large pooled studies now show signals that well-delivered adjunctive care — especially when timed properly around stimulation and transfer and embedded in a coordinated program — can improve implantation and pregnancy outcomes.

Clinics with rigorous outcome tracking (like Lokahi) use these data to refine timing and technique and to deliver reliable, repeatable benefits in routine referrals. Recent pooled analyses report meaningful increases in implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth in trials that included transfer-day and cycle-long acupuncture strategies. Clinics also use evidence to optimize when and how such care is given.

3. Blastocyst culture & vitrification (laboratory best practices)

What it is: Extended culture to blastocyst stage and modern cryopreservation (vitrification).

Why it’s standard: These are laboratory improvements rather than “optional extras” in many centers — they improve embryo selection and preservation and are part of standard modern IVF practice.

Unclear or mixed evidence (use selectively)

1. Time-lapse embryo imaging

What it is: Continuous embryo monitoring to select embryos based on morphokinetics.

Evidence: Technology is attractive and may help embryologists, but randomized trials show mixed results. Some clinics use it for extra information; it’s not universally proven to increase live birth rates.

2. Assisted hatching

What it is: Creating a small opening in the embryo’s outer shell (zona) to help hatching.

Evidence: May help in some subgroups (e.g., older women, previously failed cycles), but high-quality trials show inconsistent benefit. Consider only for specific indications.

3. Hyaluronan “embryo glue”

What it is: Adding a hyaluronic acid–based medium at transfer to help embryo adhesion.

Evidence: Some randomized trials show small increases in implantation in certain settings; other trials are neutral. Many clinics use it when there’s a history of implantation problems, but the magnitude of benefit is moderate.

4. Endometrial Receptivity Assay (ERA) and endometrial timing tests

What it is: Molecular tests to define the “window of implantation.”

Evidence: ERA proponents argue it helps time transfers in difficult cases. But trials are mixed — ERA may help a small subgroup with repeated implantation failure, but routine use for all patients is not supported. Use only after careful counseling.

5. Endometrial scratching

What it is: A mechanical injury to the endometrium thought to improve implantation.

Evidence: Early small studies suggested benefit, but later large randomized trials were negative. Overall, evidence does not support routine scratching.

Not proven / experimental / not routinely recommended

1. Most immunotherapies for implantation (IVIG, intralipid, steroids) outside trials

Immune-based treatments are widely marketed but lack consistent, high-quality evidence of benefit in unselected IVF patients. They also carry costs and potential harms. Most specialists reserve them for research settings or for carefully selected patients with documented, treatable immunologic problems.

2. Intrauterine injections such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma)

Some small, early studies report improved endometrial thickness or implantation, but evidence is preliminary and inconsistent. Consider experimental until larger randomized trials confirm safety and efficacy.

3. Routine use of growth hormone, questionable supplement “stacks”, or unvalidated sperm selection techniques

Some interventions (growth hormone for poor ovarian responders; certain sperm selection methods) have limited or contradictory evidence. Randomized trials and meta-analyses are uneven; these therapies should be discussed only when the benefit is plausible, the cost is acceptable, and alternatives are exhausted.

Practical examples

PGT-A — If you’re 40 and have several blastocysts, PGT-A may meaningfully reduce miscarriage risk and speed time to a viable pregnancy. If you’re 30 with one blastocyst, PGT-A is unlikely to help and adds cost and embryo biopsy risk.
ERA — If you have recurrent implantation failure after high-quality embryos, ERA might be worth discussing; for most first-line patients, it’s not routinely supported.
IVIG / intralipid — Because evidence is weak and risks/costs exist, reserve for clinical trials or for very specific, documented immune diagnoses under specialist care.
Acupuncture & well-delivered integrative programs — When administered by experienced fertility teams (like Lokahi) and timed correctly around stimulation and transfer, these programs have clinical evidence backing modest to meaningful improvements and low risk.

Final thoughts — balancing hope, evidence, and ethics

IVF add-ons are tempting, especially after a failed cycle. The right approach is not “never use add-ons” or “use every add-on,” but rather a disciplined, individualized, evidence-informed strategy:

Use IVF add-ons when evidence supports benefit for your specific clinical situation or when the intervention is low-risk and high-value for wellbeing (e.g., stress reduction).

Avoid or restrict experimental therapies to clinical trials unless you and your team fully understand and accept the uncertainty, cost, and potential risks.

Choose a clinic that discusses both evidence and local experience transparently; that way you’re making an informed decision and the clinic can continue to learn which add-ons actually move the needle. Professional bodies and fertility teams emphasize ethical selection when evidence is mixed.

Lokahi Acupuncture
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Maya Abdominal Massage for Fertility

March 5, 2026/in Fertility, Massage Therapy/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

Fertility is influenced by far more than hormones alone. Optimal reproductive function depends on adequate pelvic blood flow, balanced nervous system regulation, tissue mobility, and inflammatory balance.

As part of our integrative fertility care model at Lokahi, we are introducing a new signature Fertility Massage that includes Maya Abdominal Massage, a specialized form of abdominal and pelvic bodywork designed to support reproductive physiology through gentle, targeted manual therapy.

This article outlines what Maya abdominal massage is, the physiological rationale behind it, and how it may complement natural conception and assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF, IUI, egg retrieval cycles, and frozen embryo transfer (FET).

What Is Maya Abdominal Massage?

Maya abdominal massage (as taught through the lineage of Dr. Rosita Arvigo and her teachers before her) is a non-invasive, external manual therapy focused on the abdomen, pelvis, sacrum, and surrounding musculature.

The technique aims to:

Improve pelvic and uterine blood circulation
Reduce myofascial restriction in the lower abdomen and hips
Support lymphatic drainage
Encourage optimal uterine positioning
Improve parasympathetic nervous system tone
Unlike deep tissue abdominal work, this therapy is gentle and specific, designed to influence circulation and fascial mobility without discomfort.

Why Pelvic Circulation Matters in Fertility

Adequate uterine and ovarian blood flow is critical for:

Follicular development
Endometrial lining growth
Hormonal signaling
Embryo implantation

Several studies have shown that uterine artery blood flow and endometrial thickness correlate with IVF outcomes. Impaired uterine perfusion has been associated with lower implantation rates and thinner endometrial lining.

Manual therapies that increase local circulation may theoretically:

Enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery
Support endometrial development
Improve ovarian responsiveness
Assist in clearing inflammatory byproducts

While more large-scale trials are needed specifically on abdominal fertility massage, research on massage therapy broadly demonstrates increased local blood flow and improved microcirculation in treated tissues.

Myofascial Restriction and Reproductive Function

The uterus is supported by ligaments, fascia, and muscular structures that connect to the sacrum, pelvis, and abdominal wall. Chronic tension in these tissues can result from:

Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
Cesarean birth
Endometriosis
Chronic pelvic pain
Digestive disorders
High stress states
Sedentary posture patterns

Fascial restriction may contribute to altered pelvic biomechanics and reduced tissue mobility.

Gentle abdominal and sacral bodywork may help:

Improve tissue glide and mobility
Decrease pelvic floor overactivity
Reduce low-grade tension patterns
Support structural alignment of the uterus

Manual therapy has been shown in other areas of the body to reduce fascial adhesions and improve mobility — principles that are applied in fertility-focused abdominal work.

The Nervous System–Fertility Connection

Stress is one of the most researched contributors to reproductive dysfunction.

Chronic sympathetic activation (fight-or-flight mode) can:

Disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis signaling
Alter ovulatory patterns
Impact progesterone production
Reduce uterine receptivity

Massage therapy has been shown to:

Reduce cortisol levels
Increase parasympathetic activity
Improve heart rate variability
Lower anxiety scores in patients undergoing IVF

For patients navigating assisted reproductive treatments, nervous system regulation is not just emotional support — it is physiological support.

Fertility massage is designed not only to address pelvic tissues but to shift the body into a parasympathetic state that supports hormone balance and reproductive function.

Our Fertility Massage Offerings at Lokahi

To support different levels of need, we offer two fertility-focused massage options.

Standalone Maya Abdominal Massage

A focused session dedicated to:

Uterus-centered abdominal therapy
Pelvic circulation support
Gentle sacral balancing
Lymphatic encouragement

This option is ideal for patients seeking targeted reproductive support or cycle regulation.

Signature Fertility Massage (90 Minutes)

Our comprehensive fertility session includes:

Maya abdominal massage
Focused low back and sacral work
Soothing heat therapy
Hot stone application along fertility-supporting meridian pathways
Deep nervous system regulation

The Signature session is particularly supportive for patients:

Preparing for IVF stimulation cycles
Between egg retrieval and transfer
Prior to FET
During ovulation induction cycles
Seeking integrated care alongside acupuncture

The addition of sacral and lumbar work is intentional, as these regions influence pelvic nerve supply and vascular flow to the reproductive organs.

Integration with Acupuncture and Reproductive Medicine

At Lokahi, fertility massage is often integrated with acupuncture for a synergistic effect.

Acupuncture research has demonstrated:

Improved uterine artery blood flow
Increased endometrial thickness
Reduced stress markers during IVF cycles
Improved pregnancy rates in some patient populations

Massage and acupuncture together address:

Circulatory pathways
Nervous system regulation
Tissue mobility
Emotional grounding

Importantly, fertility massage is not positioned as a replacement for reproductive endocrinology care. Rather, it serves as a complementary modality that supports physiological readiness and stress resilience.

Who May Benefit

Fertility massage may be appropriate for individuals who are:

Trying to conceive naturally
Experiencing irregular cycles
Recovering from miscarriage
Preparing for IVF, IUI, or FET
Seeking improved pelvic circulation
Looking for integrative, adjunct fertility support

As with any therapeutic intervention, timing during assisted reproductive cycles matters, and our team provides guidance on when sessions are most appropriate.

A Whole-Person Approach to Fertility

Reproductive health is influenced by vascular, structural, hormonal, and neurological factors. Supporting these systems through gentle, intentional bodywork may help create an environment more conducive to conception.

At Lokahi, our goal is to bridge the gap between evidence-informed care and compassionate support.

Fertility massage — whether as focused Maya abdominal therapy or our Signature Fertility Massage — is designed to support circulation, reduce tension, regulate the nervous system, and complement medical fertility treatment within a holistic care plan.

If you’re exploring ways to support your fertility journey, we’re here to help you determine whether this approach aligns with your needs.

Fertility massage is intended as a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical fertility treatment. Patients undergoing assisted reproductive procedures should consult with their reproductive endocrinologist regarding timing and integration of adjunct therapies.

If you’re looking for fertility massage in San Jose, Maya abdominal massage, or acupuncture for IVF support, Lokahi offers integrative care designed to support uterine blood flow, nervous system regulation, and whole-body reproductive health.

Support your body. Regulate your nervous system. Prepare for pregnancy with care that complements your fertility journey.

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How Acupuncture Supports IVF During Embryo Transfer

March 3, 2026/in Acupuncture Treatment, Fertility, IVF/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

At Lokahi, acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle medicine work — and our local IVF partners know it. Local IVF clinics routinely refer patients to Lokahi because our real-world results and patient outcomes show that an integrative fertility program meaningfully improves implantation and pregnancy outcomes. We use published research to confirm and refine our approach, not to decide whether it’s worth offering.

Acupuncture Supports IVF At Embryo Transfer

At Lokahi we treat embryo transfer as a critical, time-sensitive window. Our integrated approach — transfer-day acupuncture combined with targeted herbs and lifestyle support — consistently achieves results in our internal data. In practice, acupuncture at transfer does three things we see make a difference every day:

Calms the nervous system and creates a receptive state. Our transfer sessions are designed to switch the body from fight/flight into deep parasympathetic relaxation so uterine contractility and stress-related physiology are minimized. This nervous-system regulation is central to our protocol.
Optimizes pelvic and uterine circulation. Clinically we aim to improve uterine blood flow and local tissue health so the endometrium is prepared to receive and nourish an embryo — a core goal of our fertility protocols.
Integrates with herbs and lifestyle for sustained benefit. Acupuncture is one pillar of a coordinated program: herbs and individualized lifestyle changes (sleep, nutrition, stress-management) amplify the effect of transfer-day care and improve the uterine environment over the cycle.

Because of this integrated model and the strong outcomes we track, many local IVF clinics routinely refer their patients to Lokahi for transfer support; they know our team’s expertise is reliable, consistent, and tailored to IVF timing and needs. They also know that acupuncture supports IVF. Our clinical team’s fertility focus and experience is a central reason clinics send patients our way.

What Does a Lokahi Transfer Visit Look Like?

We design transfer visits to be practical, protective, and focused:

Brief, purposeful sessions. Pre-transfer and post-transfer visits at Lokahi are intentionally concise and highly focused on relaxation, circulation, and gentle regulation. Post-transfer appointments are short by design so patients can return home and rest promptly as recommended by IVF teams.
Comfort-first technique. Needles and point selection are chosen to maximize calming and pelvic support with minimal discomfort. The goal is not an intensive treatment but an immediately therapeutic, restful state at the moment of implantation.
Coordinated with the clinic. We schedule around IVF clinic timing, brief the patient on post-transfer rest, and communicate with referring teams when appropriate so care is seamless. Our team’s clinical integration is part of why clinics rely on us for transfer support.

How acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle together increase success

From our clinical standpoint, the combination works because it addresses the biological and physiological factors that support implantation:

Immediate regulation at transfer (acupuncture): creates the calm, low-contractility uterine environment embryos need at the moment they are placed.
Optimized endometrial receptivity over the cycle (herbs + lifestyle): nutrition, targeted herbal formulas, and circulatory support build tissue health in the days and weeks leading up to transfer.
Reduced physiologic stress and inflammation: an integrated program lowers systemic stress signals and supports balanced immune signaling — factors that matter for implantation and early pregnancy.

We’ve seen this combination produce reliable, repeatable gains in implantation and pregnancy across a wide range of patients in our practice, which is why the majority of our referral partners count on Lokahi for transfer-day care and cycle preparation.

Practical Tips for Patients – Our Recommendations

Tell your IVF team you’re coming to Lokahi. We coordinate timing with many local IVF clinics so your transfer and post-transfer rest are seamless.
Plan for a short post-transfer session and immediate rest. We keep post-transfer visits brief and advise patients to go home and rest afterward. Bring a blanket, arrange transport, and prioritize quiet for the remainder of the day.
Follow the full program. For best outcomes, combine transfer-day acupuncture with the herb protocol and lifestyle recommendations your practitioner gives — that coordinated approach is what drives the strong results we track.
Choose an experienced fertility team. Ask about experience with IVF timing, embryo transfer protocols, and integrative herb plans; our fertility team’s training and history working with IVF patients is a reason clinics refer to Lokahi.
Keep expectations positive and pragmatic. We know this model works in our practice and among our referral partners; research confirms and helps us refine timing and technique (see below).

The research — what confirms what we see in clinic

We rely on research to validate and sharpen our approach. Large systematic reviews and meta-analyses now support what Lokahi’s internal data and referral patterns have shown for years: acupuncture performed with IVF (including around embryo transfer) is associated in pooled studies with higher implantation, clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates. A recent, large meta-analysis reported roughly a 28% increase in implantation and ~33% increases in clinical pregnancy and live birth across pooled trials, reinforcing the clinical impression we document in our outcomes.

Those analyses also examine trial design closely (for example, whether sham controls are physiologically inactive), and when trials with problematic control methods are accounted for the signal of benefit remains — which is exactly the kind of nuance we use to refine Lokahi’s protocols.

In short: research confirms our clinical results; it helps us optimize timing, needle technique, herbal choices, and lifestyle prescriptions so patients receive the highest-value care.

Final word from Lokahi

We don’t offer transfer-day acupuncture because it’s trendy — we offer it because our internal outcomes, the trust of local IVF clinics that refer patients to us, and the accumulation of clinical research all tell the same story: a targeted, integrated program of acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle support improves the uterine environment and patient readiness for implantation.

We bring decades of fertility experience, careful coordination with IVF clinics, and outcome tracking to every cycle — and patients and referring clinicians see the difference.

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Low Ovarian Reserve - Female Reproductive Model

Can Acupuncture Help Low Ovarian Reserve?

March 18, 2025/in Fertility/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

Struggling with low ovarian reserve can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re eager to explore options to improve your fertility. One approach gaining attention is acupuncture, leading many to wonder: Can acupuncture help with low ovarian reserve?

In this blog, we’ll explore what we know about acupuncture, how it may support ovarian function, and the potential benefits it offers.

Key Highlights to Keep in Mind:

Acupuncture might support hormonal balance and boost blood flow to your reproductive organs, which can play a role in ovarian health.
Studies suggest acupuncture could help improve markers like AMH levels and Antral Follicle Count (AFC), showing promise as part of fertility care.
Personalizing your acupuncture plan—like choosing the right acupoints and structuring sessions—can maximize benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at what low ovarian reserve means and how acupuncture could play a role in your fertility path.

What Does Low Ovarian Reserve Mean?

Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs you have left in your ovaries. A naturally lower number of eggs as we age is expected, but some people experience a more significant decline, known as “diminished ovarian reserve” (DOR). This can affect fertility and how well certain treatments work.

Reproductive specialists usually diagnose DOR using markers like:

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): ≥10 IU/L
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): <1.1 ng/mL
Antral Follicle Count (AFC): Fewer than 5 to 7 follicles

Many factors can contribute to DOR, from natural aging to conditions like PCOS or past medical treatments. For women undergoing fertility treatments, this can mean fewer eggs retrieved and potentially more challenges during procedures like IVF. But don’t lose hope—understanding your options, such as exploring acupuncture, opens the door to additional support.

How Acupuncture Could Support Fertility

Acupuncture is a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that focuses on balancing the body’s energy, or “Qi.” It’s increasingly being used alongside fertility treatments to promote physical and emotional well-being. But how does it work?

1. Hormonal Harmony

Acupuncture helps regulate important hormones like FSH, which can enhance the environment needed for healthy ovarian function.

2. Blood Flow Boost

Better circulation to the ovaries and uterus means your reproductive system gets the nourishment it needs to function at its best.

3. Stress Relief

Infertility can bring a lot of stress and emotional strain. Acupuncture is known for calming the mind, reducing anxiety, and improving overall well-being—all essential when you’re on a fertility journey.

By providing these benefits, acupuncture complements treatments like IVF, boosting your chances of success.

Can Acupuncture Help Low Ovarian Reserve?

Acupuncture targets the reproductive system in several key ways, blending modern science with traditional techniques. Here’s how it works to support ovarian function specifically:

Improved Blood Flow

Targeted acupuncture points increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, promoting healthier ovaries and egg quality.

Hormone Balancing

It works with the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which controls reproductive hormones. This regulation optimizes ovarian function naturally.

Impact on Cellular Health

Research suggests acupuncture could influence cellular pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, vital for ovarian health and egg development.

Some studies even link acupuncture to increases in AMH levels, a promising marker for ovarian reserve. While more research is always welcome, this is an exciting area of fertility care to explore.

What Do the Studies Say?

Clinical studies investigating acupuncture and fertility have shown some encouraging results for women with low ovarian reserve. For example, meta-analyses suggest acupuncture may improve AMH and AFC levels—both key indicators of ovarian health.

Even though studies vary in their quality, the overall findings suggest acupuncture’s potential to support ovarian function and complement fertility treatments like IVF. Doctors and researchers are increasingly integrating acupuncture into fertility protocols, especially for women with lower ovarian response.

Tailored Acupuncture Plans Are Key

Acupuncture is not a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s most effective when customized. A well-structured treatment plan typically involves 16 sessions over a few weeks before ovulation induction. Here’s what to expect:

Specific Acupoints: Areas like CV3, CV4, and SP6 are common for improving reproductive health.
Treatment Enhancements: Infrared irradiation during sessions can amplify results.
Personalized Care: Treatments are tailored to your unique needs to get the best possible outcomes.

By personalizing the process, acupuncture ensures you’re addressing your specific barriers to fertility.

Holistic Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture doesn’t just support physical health—it helps on an emotional level, too. Fertility struggles often come with stress, and studies show acupuncture reduces anxiety and depression in people facing infertility.

Feeling more relaxed and emotionally balanced can positively impact your body’s readiness for conception. By supporting your mental health, acupuncture creates a positive environment that goes hand-in-hand with physical fertility treatments.

Many women even report better menstrual cycles, which is a positive indicator of reproductive health.

Combining Acupuncture with IVF

When combined with IVF, acupuncture can enhance your chances of success. It supports the process from beginning to end, from improving ovarian response during stimulation to increasing embryo implantation rates.

Research shows that acupuncture post-embryo transfer may improve pregnancy outcomes. Fertility specialists often recommend acupuncture to their patients, particularly those over 37 or dealing with poor ovarian response.

This integrated approach helps maximize every opportunity for conception, giving couples hope during the IVF process.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Generally, acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. Side effects, such as mild pain or bruising at needle sites, are usually minimal and short-lived.

During fertility treatments, it’s important to discuss acupuncture with your provider to ensure it fits seamlessly into your care plan. Knowing the risks—like those associated with ovarian stimulation or egg retrieval—helps you make informed decisions.

You deserve treatment that feels safe and supportive from start to finish.

A Holistic Approach to Fertility

Acupuncture offers more than just physical benefits; it’s a way to nurture your emotional and mental well-being while improving reproductive health. By boosting blood flow, balancing hormones, and enhancing your IVF cycles, it gives you a comprehensive approach to overcoming low ovarian reserve.

If you’re feeling ready, speak with a fertility specialist or acupuncturist to see how this natural therapy could support your path to parenthood. With dedication, care, and the right blend of treatments, your dreams may be closer than you think.

Your fertility story is uniquely yours, and hope is always on the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)?

DOR means having fewer eggs in the ovaries than expected for your age, often impacting fertility. Key markers like AMH and AFC help diagnose this condition.

How can acupuncture improve ovarian health?

Acupuncture may enhance ovarian health by improving blood flow, balancing hormones, and promoting egg quality. These changes make a positive impact during fertility treatments.

Does acupuncture work alongside IVF?

Yes, it’s a great complement. Acupuncture can boost IVF success through better ovarian response, increased embryo implantation, and reduced stress for hopeful parents.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today to explore how Lokahi Acupuncture can help you on your fertility journey.

Lokahi Acupuncture
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A Brief History of the Relationship Between Acupuncture and IVF

June 11, 2024/in Fertility/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

Introduction

In the journey to parenthood, many couples and individuals explore various methods to enhance their fertility. Two such methods, acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), have become increasingly intertwined over the years.

While IVF is a marvel of modern medical technology, acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. Together, they form a holistic approach that many fertility seekers find both effective and reassuring.

Historical Background

Acupuncture dates back thousands of years and is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow, known as “Qi.” For centuries, acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fertility issues. Ancient texts document its use in regulating menstrual cycles and enhancing reproductive health.

In the early 2000s, the medical community began to recognize the potential benefits of combining acupuncture and IVF treatments. Acupuncture was found to help alleviate some of the side effects associated with fertility medications, such as thinning of the endometrial lining, which is crucial for successful embryo transfer. This integration marked the beginning of a significant partnership between the two methods, providing hope to many seeking to expand their families.

Acupuncture and IVF in the Early 2000s

As IVF became more refined in the early 2000s, the role of acupuncture evolved alongside it. Initially, acupuncture was used to support the administration of early medications for egg priming. Patients undergoing fresh embryo transfers found that acupuncture could mitigate side effects, making the process more comfortable and potentially more successful.

During this period, acupuncture was not just an adjunct treatment; it became a vital component of the fertility journey for many. Its ability to enhance blood flow to the reproductive organs, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being made it a popular choice among those undergoing IVF.

Fertility specialists frequently observed that patients who incorporated acupuncture into their IVF treatment “just did better,” experiencing higher success rates and fewer complications.

The Shift to Frozen Transfers

As IVF technology advanced, frozen embryo transfers (FET) became more common. Although the process shifted, the benefits of acupuncture remained relevant. Acupuncture continued to play a crucial role in:

Increasing blood flow to the ovaries: This support enhanced the growth of eggs and improved ovarian function.
Calming patients: Reducing anxiety is essential for a successful IVF cycle, and acupuncture’s calming effects were invaluable.
Mitigating medication side effects: Patients often experienced fewer adverse reactions when combining acupuncture with their IVF protocol.

Reproductive endocrinologists (REs) consistently noted that their patients who received acupuncture alongside IVF treatments exhibited better outcomes, reinforcing the importance of this combined approach.

Acupuncture and Fertility: How It Works

Acupuncture impacts the body’s systems in several ways, which can be particularly beneficial for fertility:

Hormonal Balance: Acupuncture can help balance hormones by regulating the endocrine system, which is critical for ovulation and implantation.
Improved Blood Flow: Enhanced circulation to the reproductive organs optimizes their function and creates a more conducive environment for embryo implantation.
Stress Reduction: Managing stress levels is crucial during fertility treatments. Acupuncture promotes relaxation and reduces cortisol levels, improving overall mental and physical well-being.

These physiological benefits make acupuncture a valuable ally in supporting IVF processes.

Evidence and Studies

Research on the combined approach of acupuncture and IVF has yielded promising results. Key findings include:

Studies have shown increased pregnancy rates among women who received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer compared to those who did not.
Research indicates that acupuncture can improve ovarian response to stimulation, leading to better-quality eggs and embryos.
Some studies highlight the reduction in miscarriage rates and improved live birth rates among acupuncture patients.

While these findings are encouraging, it’s essential to acknowledge the limitations. Not all studies show significant differences, and individual responses to acupuncture can vary.

However, the overarching trend suggests that acupuncture can be a beneficial complement to IVF treatments.

Conclusion

The relationship between acupuncture and IVF is a testament to the power of integrating ancient wisdom with modern science. This holistic approach offers a beacon of hope and a pathway to enhanced fertility for many individuals and couples. By understanding the history and benefits of this combined method, you can make informed decisions about your fertility journey.

If you’re considering IVF, explore the potential benefits of incorporating acupuncture into your treatment plan with professional guidance. Consult with your fertility specialist and an experienced acupuncturist to tailor a program that supports your unique needs.

Embark on a journey that balances the best of both worlds and opens new horizons in your pursuit of parenthood. For more insights and personalized advice, reach out to our team and discover how acupuncture and IVF can work together for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.

Lokahi Acupuncture
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5 Essential Tips for Preparing for IVF Egg Retrieval

February 27, 2024/in Fertility/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

by Susannah Lee, LAc

Embarking on the journey of preparing for an IVF egg retrieval calls for a compassionate and empowering approach, one that embraces your well-being at every step.

As you prepare for this significant phase, here are five essential tips to guide you through the process with resilience, care, and hope.

5 Ways to Prepare for IVF Egg Retrieval

1. Embracing Loving Kindness: Understanding the Power of Hormones

The journey of hormone therapy leading up to an IVF egg retrieval can be a powerful and impactful experience. It’s essential to cultivate loving kindness toward yourself and recognize the profound influence of hormones on emotions.

By gaining awareness of this influence, you can navigate your stimulation cycle with a greater sense of understanding and self-compassion, fostering emotional well-being as you prepare for this transformative stage.

2. Acknowledging the Surgical Nature: Planning for Post-Retrieval Care

An egg retrieval is a surgical procedure that warrants thoughtful planning and consideration. It’s crucial to designate a supportive individual who will accompany you to and from the procedure, allowing for rest and recovery following surgery.

Additionally, preparing comforting and nourishing foods in advance, as well as potentially taking time off from work, can provide the post-surgery support needed to promote healing and rejuvenation.

3. Empowering Through Preparation: Engaging with Your Injection Schedule

Reviewing your injection and medication schedule is a pivotal step in your preparation for the IVF egg retrieval. It’s important not to hesitate in asking questions and seeking clarity from your healthcare team.

Familiarizing yourself with the schedule, the process, and the medications can instill a sense of empowerment, offering you a comprehensive understanding of the journey ahead.

Furthermore, determining who will be administering the injections—whether it’s you, your partner, or a hired healthcare provider — aligns with proactive preparation and support.

4. Nurturing Resilience: Cultivating Support During the Waiting Period

Following the surgery, there will be a period of waiting to receive results, calling for thoughtful consideration of self-support during this time. Planning in advance for ways to nurture and uplift yourself is essential.

Whether it involves daily visualizations, seeking solace in a special place, or arranging quality time with loved ones, these intentional actions can provide the emotional sustenance needed as you await the next steps in your journey.

5. Embracing Holistic Support: Harnessing the Benefits of Acupuncture

Receiving acupuncture leading up to the surgery holds the potential to offer holistic support for both your physical and emotional well-being. This practice can contribute to nurturing egg quality, balancing stress, and preparing your body for the upcoming procedure.

Furthermore, it has the potential to support recovery, aligning with your comprehensive preparation for the IVF egg retrieval.

As you embrace these essential tips, remember that you are not alone in this journey.

Your proactive approach, along with the care and support you invest in yourself, paves the way for a journey fueled by hope, resilience, and the unwavering strength within you. By aligning with these practices and embracing the support available to you, you are nurturing the foundation for a transformative and empowering IVF egg retrieval experience.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.

Lokahi Acupuncture
408.279.9001
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Acupuncture for Fertility: What You Should Know

July 28, 2023/in Fertility, IVF/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

Facing infertility and fertility struggles can be a daunting and prolonged journey.

Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to couples seeking to conceive. Acupuncture, both as a standalone therapy, and in conjunction with Western medicine, is one approach to enhance the effectiveness of fertility treatments.

In this blog post, we will explore the role of acupuncture in addressing fertility challenges, its mechanisms, and essential considerations before embarking on this treatment path.

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves the use of needles to stimulate specific points on the body.

The practice has been around for thousands of years and is known for its ability to promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture for fertility involves the insertion of needles into specific points of the body, with the aim of improving reproductive function.

Studies have found that acupuncture can increase the success rate of fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI, and hormone therapy. Acupuncture also helps alleviate side effects associated with these treatments, including pain, nausea, and fatigue. Furthermore, acupuncture is non-invasive, painless, and low-cost, thus making it an attractive complement to modern fertility procedures.

It is important to note that fertility is a journey, and we highly recommend that both partners undergo acupuncture treatment.

This helps reduce stress and anxiety, enhances the overall experience, and increases the chances of a successful outcome. We believe that acupuncture can be a helpful adjunct to modern fertility treatments, and we’re dedicated to helping our patients achieve their dream of starting a family.

Acupuncture for fertility is a safe, painless, and low-cost complement to modern fertility treatments.

It works by stimulating specific points on the body to improve reproductive function and increase the success rate of fertility treatments.

At Lokahi Acupuncture, we take a comprehensive approach to fertility treatment, examining every aspect of our patients’ lives to develop an actionable treatment plan. We believe that a holistic approach to fertility treatment improves the overall experience and the chances of a successful outcome.

Research:

“The status and future of acupuncture mechanism research” – This study explores the mechanisms of acupuncture and its potential benefits in enhancing the success of IVF treatments. Source
“The role of acupuncture in the management of subfertility” – This research reviews studies on the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes and discusses its potential role in improving fertility. Source
“Acupuncture and in vitro fertilization research: Current and future directions” – This article examines the current use of acupuncture alongside IVF cycles and highlights its long-standing history in supporting fertility. Source
“Use of acupuncture in female infertility and a summary of recent acupuncture studies related to embryo transfer” – This study summarizes recent research on the effects of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer and its impact on pregnancy rates. Source
“Development of a fertility acupuncture protocol: defining an acupuncture treatment protocol to support and treat women experiencing conception delays” – This research focuses on developing a consensus among acupuncture fertility specialists to establish an effective treatment protocol for women experiencing conception delays. Source

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further inquiries or concerns or schedule a free consultation here.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
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Top IVF Questions -- Ask the Reproductive Endocrinologist

Ask the Reproductive Endocrinologist: Top IVF Questions

January 10, 2023/in Fertility, IVF/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

IVF can be a confusing process to navigate, and our patients often think of questions to ask their IVF doctors after their visit.

We asked reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Gaya Murugappan of Spring Fertility Silicon Valley to answer some of our most frequently asked questions about IVF.

Q: Why are birth control pills part of my IVF medications?

For some patients, your doctor may recommend birth control pills as part of preparation for an IVF cycle to synchronize the growth of your follicles.

Q: I’m not ready to have kids now – is egg freezing really a viable option?

If you are not ready for pregnancy, egg freezing is a treatment that may increase your chance of pregnancy at a later time. The success of egg freezing, or your chance of having a baby using frozen eggs, varies based on each patient’s age and clinical history.

Q What about airline travel around transfers?. How long should I wait after transfer until I can travel and how far is it ok to travel?

There is no evidence that air travel impacts success rates after an embryo transfer.

If you choose to travel, we recommend staying well hydrated and stretching your legs intermittently. We also recommend familiarizing yourself with options for medical care at your destination should you require an evaluation in early pregnancy.

Q: How many blastocysts is good to have if I plan on having two children?

Each euploid or chromosomally normal blastocyst has a 65% chance of resulting in a baby after transfer. We recommend 2 euploid blastocysts per desired child.

Q: Why does my doctor not remove my cysts before the embryo transfer?

Ovarian cysts are very common and the majority resolve without any intervention. If you have a cyst, this will be evaluated on an individual basis by your physician to determine the impact, if any, on your fertility treatment.

Q: Is 35 really too old to try and conceive naturally?

Approximately 50% of women who are 35 years old will conceive naturally after trying for 6 months.

Q: Would my RE change my medication protocol every time I do an egg retrieval?

After every treatment cycle, your doctor will evaluate and make modifications if necessary.

Q: Is OHSS really a concern?

The risk of OHSS, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, depends on your age, number of follicles, number of eggs retrieved, and whether or not you will be undergoing a frozen embryo transfer. Your physician will tailor your medication doses and IVF protocol to minimize your risk of OHSS.

At Lokahi Acupuncture, we have more than 20 years of experience working with local IVF clinics and reproductive endocrinologists. If you have additional questions you’d like answered, please let us know and we would be happy to reach out to local RE’s.

Anna Rudel
San Jose Acupuncturist
408.279.9001
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Nutrition for IVF

July 12, 2022/in Fertility, IVF/by Lokahi Acupuncture San Jose

3 Nutrition Goals when Pursuing IVF

Prior to and during an IVF cycle, there are 3 major goals when it comes to nutrition.

Replenish with key nutrients
Support stable blood sugar
Reduce inflammation

Attention to nutrition offers best possible IVF outcomes due to the impact on egg quality, sperm health, uterine lining, hormone signaling and more. The benefits impact you beyond IVF. You also maintain mom’s future health throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and lay the foundation for a healthy baby.

It’s a great idea to be conscientious about your nutrition at least 3 months before starting fertility medications. Then throughout the IVF cycle, each of the 3 nutrition goals must be addressed: replenish key nutrients; support stable blood sugar; and reduce inflammation.

Replenish with key nutrients

In the weeks leading up to egg retrieval, replenishing key nutrients tops the list of the 3 nutrition goals. While a good-quality prenatal supplement is a good idea, also focus on nutrients from fresh food.

Amp up your diet by including:

A wide diversity of vegetables helps to ensure you’re getting a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to prepare your body for the nutrient-intensive journey to come. Make it a goal to incorporate dark leafy greens and seasonal produce every day.
Omega-3 fats from cold-water fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring), oysters, flaxseeds, chia seeds and pastured eggs.

Some key nutrients come from animal sources, so if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, we suggest seeking the support of a nutritionist.

Reduce inflammation

Leading up to and through transfer is the time to place extra attention on reducing inflammation in the body. Excess, chronic inflammation leads to high output of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol disrupts hormone balance, egg maturation, as well as implantation.

In addition to actively incorporating a diversity of seasonal vegetables and sources of omega-3 fats:

Avoid processed and fried food as much as possible. Packaged food is an unfortunate source of chemical additives and industrial vegetable oils, and fried food also delivers a dose oftrans fats. Cooking at home or selective sourcing of meals is the best way to avoid these inflammatory ingredients.
Reduce refined sugar. Excess sugar is known to be inflammatory for anyone, and not only problematic for those with metabolic conditions like PCOS or diabetes. Instead, experiment with including a portion of sweet whole foods into your meals. For example, sweet potato, beets, carrots, butternut squash and seasonal fruit.
Reduce gluten and dairy. They’re known to be inflammatory for many, and while you may not need to remove them entirely, you can benefit from minimizing them on your plate. For example, instead of a sandwich, toss the same fixings on a bed of quinoa and leafy greens. If you had cheese on the sandwich, add vitamin and mineral-rich avocado instead.

Support stable blood sugar

Blood sugar that stays relatively stable throughout the day is optimal for health, especially during an IVF cycle. Otherwise, extreme dips and spikes in blood sugar negatively affect IVF outcomes, in part due the impact on hormone balance and inflammation which have implications on egg quality and implantation.

A couple key principals do wonders to help keep blood sugar relatively stable:

Eat regular meals. An IVF cycle is not the time to skip meals. Rather, have breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up or soon after morning physical activity. Eat a satiating meal midday and again in the evening at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. If there’s longer than 6 hours between meals, be sure to have a snack as well.
Fill your plate with PFF, that’s protein, healthy fats and fiber. These combine to slow the impact of higher-glycemic foods on your blood sugar. Protein can come from animal or plant sources. Healthy fats include avocado, olives, coconut, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds and organic dairy. For fiber, think about adding a plant, especially a vegetable to your plate. Each time you eat, do a check for PFF.

If you are interested in nutrition support for IVF, but have more questions, we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation with Bonnie at Burgess Wellness. Bonnie is a holistic functional nutritionist who specializes in women’s health, and a trusted partner of Lokahi Acupuncture.

Bio:

Bonnie is a holistic functional nutritionist who specializes in women’s health and fertility including patients undergoing ART. She uses a “food first” approach to determine individual nutritional needs coupled with lifestyle modifications and possible nutrient supplementation. Bonnie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she serves an international client base through a 100% virtual consultancy at Burgess Wellness.