Fertility Decoded

Acupuncture

Fine needles at set body points, often timed around transfer, claimed to aid IVF success.

Written by Fertility Decoded. Reviewed by D R, MS (OBG), FRM. Review date: 31 August 2026.

The verdict

The traditional theory isn't scientifically supported, and rigorous trials show no live-birth benefit. Low-risk and fine for relaxation, but not a fertility treatment.

Who are these bodies?

HFEA
— UK fertility regulator; rates add-ons by evidence (traffic-light).
ESHRE
— European fertility society; evidence-based practice guidance.
NICE
— UK health-guidance body; what the NHS will and won't fund.
ISAR
— Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction; Indian expert consensus.
Cochrane
— Independent global reviewers of the underlying studies.

  • HFEA

    UK regulator

    Not on HFEA's rated list — chance of a baby

  • ESHRE

    European society

    Not recommended (research only)

    Not recommended; low-quality evidence.

    Source

  • NICE

    UK NHS guidance

    Not addressed

    Not addressed as an add-on.

  • ISAR

    Indian society

    No position

    Not addressed in the 2021 ISAR add-ons consensus.

  • Cochrane

    Evidence base

    No evidence of benefit for live birth around egg collection or transfer (an occasional clinical-pregnancy signal appears, but none robust and it doesn't carry through to live birth).

Typical cost in India

Low cost, widely available outside clinics.

Does acupuncture help IVF work?
No. Its traditional basis (qi and meridians) has no anatomical or physiological grounding, and sham-controlled trials show no benefit for live birth — the classic signature of a placebo effect. It is low-risk and fine for relaxation, but it is not a fertility treatment.

Sources

Take this further

Sources last reviewed .