IVF Acupuncture in West Hollywood & Los Angeles
Supporting egg quality, sperm health, embryo transfer, and implantation with personalized IVF acupuncture in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles.
Fertility Acupuncture for IVF
We specialize in IVF Fertility Acupuncture in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills supporting both women and men through every stage of the IVF process.
Our approach is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and informed by modern reproductive science, with a focus on improving egg quality, optimizing sperm health, regulating hormones, and creating the most supportive environment for implantation and pregnancy.
IVF can be physically and emotionally demanding. Acupuncture provides consistent support throughout each phase, helping the body respond more optimally to treatment while reducing stress along the way.
For patients planning IVF, we recommend beginning treatment 3–6 months prior to your cycle whenever possible.This timeframe is essential because both egg and sperm development occur over several months, meaning changes made during this window can directly impact IVF outcomes.
During this phase, treatment focuses on:
Improving egg quality and ovarian function
Supporting sperm quality, motility, and morphology
Regulating hormone balance
Reducing inflammation
Strengthening digestion and nutrient absorption
Treatment typically includes:
Weekly or biweekly acupuncture
Customized Chinese herbal medicine
Targeted supplement therapy based on your labs and health history
Cupping and adjunct therapies to support circulation and detoxification
This foundational work helps prepare both partners for the most successful IVF cycle possible.
IVF Preparation: 3–6 Months Before Your Cycle
Acupuncture During an IVF Cycle
Ovarian Stimulation Phase
Acupuncture is recommended during the stimulation phase to:
Support follicle development
Improve blood flow to the ovaries
Help regulate the body’s response to medications
Reduce side effects such as bloating, headaches, and mood changes
Between Retrieval and Embryo Transfer
Support uterine lining development
Promote recovery after retrieval
Maintain hormonal balance
Acupuncture for Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture before and after your embryo transfer supports implantation and improves IVF outcomes
Treatment is performed:
Approximately 20 minutes before embryo transfer
Approximately 20 minutes after embryo transfer
This protocol has been shown in clinical research to support:
Improved blood flow to the uterus
Reduced uterine contractions
Increased relaxation and nervous system regulation
Improved pregnancy and live birth outcomes
Whenever possible, we coordinate care to provide acupuncture on-site at your fertility clinic or as close to transfer timing as possible.
Supporting Male Fertility Before IVF
Male factor fertility plays a significant role in IVF outcomes, yet it is often overlooked.
We work with male patients to support:
Sperm count
Motility (movement)
Morphology (shape)
DNA integrity
Treatment may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and targeted supplementation and lifestyle changes to improve sperm quality in the months leading up to IVF. Optimizing male fertility can significantly improve fertilization rates, embryo quality, and overall success.
WHO WE WORK WITH
You might be the right fit if any of this sounds familiar
Preparing for a first IVF cycle and want to give it the best possible chance
Experienced a failed cycle and want to understand and address the underlying factors
Freezing eggs and want to optimize your response and yield, especially with DOR or elevated FSH
Dealing with thin lining or poor endometrial response and preparing for a frozen embryo transfer
Managing endometriosis, PCOS, or autoimmune factors alongside your ART protocol
Overwhelmed by the emotional and physical demands of fertility treatment and needing grounded support
Your want to build an integrative layer that complements, not conflicts with, your reproductive endocrinologists protocol
Recurrent pregnancy loss with no clear Western explanation, and seeking a deeper pattern-level assessment
THE TCM LENS
What Chinese medicine sees that labs don't capture.
Western reproductive medicine is exceptional at structure but Traditional Chinese Medicine adds a functional layer. Pattern diagnosis reveals systemic imbalances that contribute to poor outcomes but don't always show up on bloodwork.
Common TCM patterns I see in fertility patients:
Kidney Yin or Yang deficiency : frequently underlying diminished ovarian reserve, poor response, poor egg or sperm quality, low hormones or hormonal dysregulation
Liver Qi stagnation: shows up in stress, irregular cycles, pain, and endometriosis-related patterns
Spleen Qi deficiency: often connected to thin lining, fatigue, and poor nutrient absorption
Blood stasis: a central pattern in endometriosis, fibroids, blood clotting disorders, immune related issues and implantation failure
Damp-heat in the Lower Jiao : associated with inflammation, immune related issues,PCOS, and pelvic infections such and endometritis
Heart-Kidney disconnect: reflects HPA axis dysregulation, anxiety, and the nervous system burden of fertility treatment
These patterns don't replace your lab results, they sit alongside them, giving us a fuller picture of what your body needs to respond well to treatment.
An Integrative Approach to IVF Support
Each IVF journey is unique, and treatment is tailored to your specific body, diagnosis, and protocol.
Your plan may include:
Phase-specific acupuncture treatments
Chinese herbal medicine for egg and sperm quality
Personalized supplement protocols
Nutritional and lifestyle guidance
Nervous system support to reduce stress and improve outcomes
This integrative approach allows for deeper, more individualized care throughout the IVF process.
FAQs
When should I start acupuncture before my IVF cycle?
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Ideally, 3-6 months before egg retrieval. Folliculogenesis takes approximately 90 days, so this window allows meaningful influence on egg quality and the overall ovarian environment. If you have diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, PCOS or autoimmunity 6 months is ideal. That said, starting even 4–6 weeks out is valuable, and if you're days from transfer, come in. The pre/post-transfer session still matters.
Will acupuncture interfere with my medications or protocol?
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No, we do not use Chinese herbal medicine during active IVF stimulation only during the months leading up to an egg retrieval, post-retrieval or Frozen Embryo transfer prep. Acupuncture itself has no interaction with injectable medications, oral medications, or any standard IVF protocol.
Do you offer the Paulus protocol during embryo transfer day Acupuncture?
Yes, we offer onsite pre and post-embryo transfer sessions coordinated around your clinic's transfer time. We aim to schedule acupuncture for 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after the embryo transfer at your fertility clinic. There is also an option to come in our office for acupuncture either before or after your embyro transfer
What if I'm doing egg freezing, not a transfer cycle?
How many sessions per week do I need?
The approach for egg freezing is essentially IVF stimulation support without the transfer component, with a strong emphasis on maximizing follicular response, egg quality, and post-retrieval recovery. This is especially relevant for patients with DOR, elevated FSH, or those doing multiple freeze cycles to bank eggs and embryos over time.
It depends on where you are in your cycle. Pre-cycle foundation work is typically once weekly or twice weekly. During stimulation, twice weekly is often ideal. Transfer day is a specific session before and after embryo transfer. During FET or embryo transfer prep, twice weekly is ideal We'll map out a realistic cadence that works for your schedule and budget.
Our practice is founded and led by Michelle Malloy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner, and a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (FABORM) a distinction held by a select group of acupuncturists with advanced training in reproductive endocrinology and integrative fertility care.
Michelle specializes in fertility and women’s health, with a focus on supporting patients through IVF, hormone balance, digestive health, and autoimmune conditions. Her approach combines the depth of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a modern, Integrative functional Medicine understanding of the body.
Each treatment is personalized to your unique health history and goals, ensuring that every session is deeply supportive throughout your fertility journey. We work closely with patients undergoing treatment at fertility clinics throughout Los Angeles to align care with each phase of the IVF process.
Meet the Acupuncturist
Our Clinic in West Hollywood
Our clinic in West Hollywood has a cozy and calm atmosphere designed to put your mind and body at ease. Our patients receive:
A personalized integrative health treatment plan crafted to meet your unique health goals
Guidance on lifestyle and dietary adjustments to enhance the benefits of your holistic health journey
Maintenance schedule to maintain the benefits of your treatment
