The first time I was dealing with infertility, I waffled back and forth between trying acupuncture. For whatever reason, acupuncture always seems to conjure up thoughts for me of crystal balls, psychics, and horoscope readings. “Spiritual” things, but not Christian things, if you know what I mean? I have no idea why my associations with acupuncture were those completely unrelated things — maybe because like the former things, I was always a little skeptical. But I was also wary of it in some ways. A bunch of needles sticking in you? Moxa? Is this even research-based? Not to mention — what should I even expect from an acupuncture for fertility appointment?
I decided not to try it the first time around — mostly because I was still trying to tweak a lot of things with supplements and my diet, which eventually worked — but this time, I seem to have reached a dead end.
Over five months after my miscarriage, after getting an ultrasound back that showed no abnormalities at all and still undecided on whether or not I was going through with the D+C/hysteroscopy I had scheduled, I was kind of out of options.
Which is how I found myself at an acupuncturist’s office this afternoon.
If you’re wondering what to expect from an acupuncture for fertility appointment, read on.
My experience
When I walked in the old town hall converted acupuncturist office, the overwhelming smell of incense and presence of spindly wall plants and Himalayan salt lamps made me wonder if I had indeed made some sort of a mistake. But before I had time to bolt (not that I would’ve, I already paid the $175 up front), the doctor (are acupuncturists doctors?) came out. And while reviewing some of my intake forms I had already filled out, one of her first questions to me was: Why do you think you’re not getting pregnant?
And with that one question, I knew I was in the right place.
I forget how much I value the idea that I know my body best, and that my own intuition about things is often right. I forget how the conventional doctors I see want to fix the problem as soon as possible, offering medications and procedures without really taking the time to try to figure out what is going on with my body. Or placing any value on my own thoughts and opinions.
Why have I not tried acupuncture before?
Acupuncture for fertility: What to expect
Admittedly, I think acupuncture varies a lot depending on the practitioner. So it’s hard to say that this is exactly what to expect from an acupuncture for fertility appointment. Therefore, this may or may not end up being similar to your experience, but here is how my appointment went:
First the acupuncturist had me lie down on a comfortable bed. Then she felt my pulses — on both hands. I tried to follow, but there were several different pulses that meant different things. She told me of the one of fertility, and asked several times to be sure I wasn’t pregnant already (no, not possible, trust me). My pulse seemed to indicate that my body was already preparing for a pregnancy or already pregnant. I guess that’s a good thing? (Unless it still thinks it’s pregnant from my last miscarriage?)
As far as the acupuncture itself, she stuck several tiny needles in my legs, arms, stomach, and even on the top of my head! And then she left to tend to another patient in another room, leaving me to listen to the soothing music, feel the sunlight streaming in through the window, and look at the tapestry hung on ceiling tiles above me of a waterfall somewhere in the jungle. I thought she would be back in a few minutes; she returned 30 minutes later. I have to admit — I almost fell asleep! Although I really had no idea what to expect, I must say, the entire experience was quite relaxing.
When she came back in, she asked how I was feeling (good, a little pressure in my head). Then she placed a couple more needles in my hands. Then she came in with moxa, which is a strong-smelling form of burnt mugwort. She placed it near several different places on my body, which warmed it. Then she left me for another five minutes.
When she came back, she took the needles out, and I was free to go. She told me she’d email me any more recommendations she had, but seemed very optimistic. She told me to keep her posted on a pregnancy.
Do the needles hurt?
I wasn’t too nervous about this — given the amount of blood I’ve had drawn in the last several years — but this is always the question everyone asks.
The short answer is: not really.
The acupuncturist told me to tell her if it hurt at all or if I felt anything sharp — and although I told her I didn’t — I did feel a little pinprick when she inserted certain needles. It didn’t really hurt though — not anything even close to a shot or getting blood drawn. Just a tiny prick at first, and then nothing else.
Does it work?
I really did enjoy the experience and felt it to be quite calming and relaxing. At the same time, I have to admit that I am still somewhat of a skeptic.
Did the acupuncturist only tell me that I have a great pulse inviting pregnancy — or is that what she tells everyone hoping for a pregnancy? Is this whole thing really just a placebo effect?
Are the needles actually doing anything — or is it simply the act of laying down quietly for an hour in a comfortable bed with soothing music and the smell of incense forcing you to relax that really makes a difference in curing whatever is ailing you?
Contrary to what I would advocate, I researched acupuncture a little more after my appointment. Somewhat to my disappointment, the research I read really doesn’t seem to back up acupuncture for fertility too much. I’ve read things that say it’s more likely to work if you believe it will work (is wanting it to work the same thing?), and have found certain studies that do seem to back it up (I wrote about some of those studies before in a previous post here). But in a 2022 review of all of the current research on acupuncture, researchers concluded that, “The present findings suggest that true acupuncture does not affect female fertility outcomes.”
The interesting thing to me still, though, is that you will find so many stories of women who are convinced that acupuncture is what helped them get pregnant. (Again, is that just the placebo effect?) To be honest, I’m not convinced either way. It seems that there are so many different methods and styles of acupuncture that I just don’t know if any studies can be completely reliable when talking about acupuncture as a whole. Or maybe the truth is that I just really want it to work. I liked my acupuncturist, and she wholeheartedly believes in it. And I want her to be right.
Will I go back?
I’m kind of undecided on this. Upon leaving, she commented that sometimes it only takes one treatment to work. I couldn’t help but share her optimism. In the follow-up email I received later, she recommended 6-8 treatments, one per week, if I’m interested in continuing. But she also commented that I know my body best and can decide what I feel I need. At this point, I’m still undecided.
