UK's Leading Fertility and IVF Acupuncture Expert
IVF Acupuncture in London
Acupuncture for IVF and other assisted reproductive treatments from a specialist IVF acupuncture clinic in Central London founded by an Award-winning, internationally renowned Fertility Acupuncturist, Lecturer and Author, Irina Szmelskyj.
20+
Years of IVF
Acupuncture
Experience
76%
Ongoing
Pregnancy and Live
Birth Rate*
10+
Years of Teaching
Fertility and IVF
Acupuncture
76% Ongoing Pregnancy and Live Birth Rate*
How We Achieve Exceptional IVF Acupuncture Success Rates
Over the years, we have fine-tuned our comprehensive, holistic approach to fertility acupuncture treatment. Here is how we achieve extraordinary IVF outcomes for our fertility and IVF patients.
Our clinic blends expert care with an unwavering commitment to your well-being, dedicated to assisting you on your journey to parenthood.
What We Do: We conduct an in-depth analysis of lifestyle factors known to impact fertility, including diet, exercise, stress, alcohol, smoking, exposure to chemicals and pollution, and intercourse patterns.
Why It Matters: If not addressed, these factors can diminish the effectiveness of our acupuncture treatments.
How We Do It: We constantly update our knowledge with the latest research on lifestyle factors affecting fertility, ensuring our advice is essential, relevant, and effective.
What We Do: We meticulously review your previous fertility tests and recommend additional ones if needed. For patients without prior tests, we may suggest specific tests to discuss with your doctor.
Why It Matters: Tailoring your acupuncture treatment based on accurate medical diagnosis significantly enhances its effectiveness.
How We Do It: Our lead acupuncturist, Irina Szmelskyj, brings her extensive research and lecturing experience on reproductive medicine to ensure a comprehensive understanding of fertility-related medical conditions and their treatments.
What We Do: If relevant, we review your pregnancy history to identify any factors that may affect future fertility and pregnancies.
Why It Matters: Understanding your past pregnancies helps us predict and manage potential fertility issues.
How We Do It: We handle this sensitive information with the highest degree of respect, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
What We Do: We analyse your past IVF treatments for potential areas of improvement and provide first-time IVF patients with evidence-based guidance on treatment options and clinic choices.
Why It Matters: Fine-tuning IVF treatments and choosing the right IVF clinic can substantially increase success rates.
How We Do It: With over 20 years of clinical experience, a decade of experience in lecturing about acupuncture and IVF, and as a co-author of a best-selling textbook on the subject, Irina Szmelskyj offers advice that is both evidence-based and practically grounded.
What We Do: We carry out a thorough evaluation of your body to identify any imbalances affecting your fertility.
Why It Matters: Detecting and correcting subtle imbalances is crucial for enhancing fertility through acupuncture.
How We Do It: We take into account every symptom, no matter how small, to develop an accurate acupuncture diagnosis.
What We Do: We design a bespoke acupuncture treatment plan for you, incorporating optimal timings, frequency, lifestyle advice, and medical referrals.
Why It Matters: A personalised treatment plan maximises your chances of a successful fertility outcome.
How We Do It: We use the comprehensive data gathered as part of your intake to create a plan that is unique to your fertility needs.
What We Do: We implement a tailored acupuncture treatment regimen adhering to the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Our holistic approach factors in the best timings and suitable frequency. Where necessary, we coordinate with your medical reproductive treatments to ensure acupuncture is integrated with your overall healthcare.
Why It Matters: Acupuncture can significantly enhance fertility and increase IVF success rates. However, success depends on the skill of the practitioner and the correct delivery of treatment.
How We Do It: Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of reproductive health. Each treatment is meticulously planned and executed with precision, using sterile, single-use needles to ensure your absolute safety. Throughout your treatment, we continually assess progress and make adjustments as needed, always aiming for the optimal therapeutic effect.
What We Do: We provide continuous email support to address any of your concerns or questions.
Why It Matters: Navigating the fertility journey is often stressful; having a source of emotional support can offer immense comfort and may even enhance your treatment response.
How We Do It: We offer empathetic, understanding, and comforting support, ready to guide and listen whenever you need us.
* Based on a clinical audit of Irina Szmelskyj’s Cambridge clinic, 76% of patients who presented to the clinic between Jan 2021 and Jun 2023 and completed at least seven acupuncture sessions experienced ongoing viable pregnancies or live births. However, as with all treatments, success is not guaranteed, and individual results may vary.
Our Specialist Acupuncture For IVF and Assisted Reproduction Services
Complement your IVF cycle or assisted reproduction treatments with acupuncture. Designed to enhance the efficacy of these treatments, acupuncture can reduce stress, improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and increase the chances of successful implantation. Some studies show that acupuncture can even improve egg quality.
Acupuncture Support for IVF
Increase the chance of your IVF treatments working with specialist acupuncture treatment designed to support you through the IVF process.
Acupuncture for Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Optimise your chances of success with FET through acupuncture. Our approach prepares the body for embryo transfer, supporting implantation and early pregnancy health.
Acupuncture for Pre- and Post-Embryo Transfer
Prepare for and recover from embryo transfer with specialised acupuncture. Our pre- and post-transfer treatments focus on reducing stress, calming uterine contractility and improving circulation.
Acupuncture Alongside IUI Treatment
Complement your IUI procedure with acupuncture. Our treatments focus on creating a conducive environment for insemination and increasing the likelihood of conception.
Acupuncture for Ovulation Induction (OI)
Enhance ovulation induction outcomes with acupuncture. Our targeted approach aims to improve ovarian response, aiding in successful ovulation for fertility treatments.
Acupuncture for Repeated Implantation Failure
Reduce the risk of further implantation failures with targeted acupuncture treatments focused on factors known to affect implantation.
Acupuncture for Managing Low Ovarian Reserve
Improve outcomes for low ovarian reserve with acupuncture. We focus on enhancing ovarian function and egg quality, crucial for assisted reproductive treatments.
Acupuncture for Poor Response to Stimulation
Boost your body’s response to stimulation with acupuncture. We focus on increasing the ovarian sensitivity to stimulation medication, thus enhancing ovarian response.
Acupuncture for Increasing Endometrial Thickness
Improve uterine lining for fertility treatments with acupuncture as thicker lining is associated with higher rates of implantation and lower miscarriage rates, demonstrating the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes.
Acupuncture for LGBTQ+ Family Planning
Support LGBTQ+ family planning with inclusive acupuncture services. We cater to diverse family-building needs, adapting our fertility treatment to a diverse range of patients’ needs.
Acupuncture for Egg Donation and Surrogacy Support
Facilitate successful egg donation and surrogacy processes with acupuncture. Our treatments are designed to support donors, recipients, surrogates, and intended parents on these often challenging journeys.
The Clinic Founder-
Expert Fertility Acupuncturist
Irina Szmelskyj DipAc, MSc, MBAcC, MBMAS, MAAC
- Over 20 years of clinical experience
- National Award Winner
- 76% success rate
- Internationally renowned fertility acupuncture lecturer
- Co-author of no.1 textbook on Fertility Acupuncture and IVF
- Ad hoc peer reviewer for The Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Awards
- 2004 Recipient of The National Research Excellent Award, London, UK
- 2018 Nominated for The NCA Acupuncture Hero Award, York, UK
- 2021 Recipient of The Micro Business of the Year Silver Award, Huntingdonshire District Council, UK
Main Academic Publications
- Szmelskyj, I., & Aquilina, L. (2014). Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction: An Integrated Approach to Treatment and Management (A. O. Szmelskyj, Ed.). Elsevier Ltd. ISBN 978-0702050107
- Szmelskyj, I. (2015). Acupuncture in Assisted Reproduction. In J. Bold & S. Bedford (Eds.), Integrated Approaches To Infertility, IVF And Recurrent Miscarriage. Singing Dragon. ISBN 978-1848191556
- Szmelskyj, I., & Szmelskyj, A. (2017). Acupuncture for infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome. JAMA – Journal of the American Medical Association, 318(15), 1501
Irina Szmelskyj is a co-author of the most comprehensive international best-selling textbook on Fertility Acupuncture and IVF
The book ‘Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction’ (ISBN 978-0702050107) reached No1 best-seller ranking in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, India.
Professional Book Reviews
“A must have for the bookshelf of any acupuncturist who is ever called upon to treat fertility issues – if you have room for one book this surely must be it.” Reviewed by Martin Dean, The Acupuncture Fertility Centre, March 2015
“Practitioners of all levels of experience and TCM students should find it compelling reading and an invaluable companion to their learning.” Reviewed by Stephen Clarke, Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, May 2015
“Only Irina Szmelskyj and Lianne Aquilina, however, really do justice to the complexities involved in integrating acupuncture with IVF and ART.” Reviewed by David Frederick Mayor, Acupuncture in Medicine, February 2015
“This book is extremely well re-searched and referenced.” Reviewed by Danny Maxwell (London Acupuncture Clinic) on behalf of the Journal of Chinese Medicine, February 2015
“The authors confidently evince the TCM acupuncture approach as an effective adjuvant ART treatment and present a well-researched, clinically relevant text for new and seasoned fertility acupuncturists alike.” Reviewed by Lee Hullender Rubin, The American Acupuncturist, Winter 2015
Topics Covered
- Physiology of reproductive health, menstrual cycle, and anatomy of the reproductive organs
- Infertility tests and investigations
- Fertility support by reducing the impact of lifestyle barriers to fertility
- Management of patients diagnosed with blocked tubes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, anovulation, endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency, unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, male fertility
- Acupuncture as an adjunct to medical fertility treatment, including embryo transfer IVF protocols and other assisted conception treatments
- Management of patients diagnosed with blocked tubes, PCOS, anovulation, endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency, unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, male infertility
- Support of patients with a history of recurrent miscarriages
- Treatment of patients during early pregnancy after infertility
- Fertility acupuncture ethical considerations
“Irina has successfully prepared my body for two IVF babies, pregnancy and birth. She has an amazing knowledge and understanding of women’s health, expertise in acupuncture and such a high level of care. I continue to come for treatment for general well-being and migraines and have recommended Irina to many friends over the years.”
S.V.
IVF Acupuncture: FAQs
Acupuncture and IVF success rates: what is the evidence?
A recent meta-analysis study analysed 25 high-quality RCTs with 4,757 participants and found that acupuncture increased IVF live birth rates by 33.8%. Patients receiving acupuncture had a live birth rate of 38.0% compared to 28.7% for those who did not. The clinical pregnancy rate was also higher, at 43.6% versus 33.2% in the non-acupuncture group. Few IVF adjunctive treatments have similar proven success rates.
How many sessions of acupuncture do you need before IVF?
A recent meta-analysis study found that patients who had at least 4 acupuncture sessions alongside their IVF treatment had significantly higher live birth rates compared to those who did not. Therefore, as a minimum, we recommend four acupuncture sessions.
However, patients with a lower prognosis, such as those with a history of repeated implantation failures, low ovarian reserve, or other conditions like advanced maternal age, severe endometriosis, or poor egg quality, may require more intensive treatment.
During your initial consultation, we will work together to develop a treatment plan that is both effective and achievable, tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
When is the best time to have acupuncture for IVF?
If your case is straightforward and only a few sessions are needed, the best time to have acupuncture is around the time of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer.
However, if you have a lower prognosis, such as a history of repeated implantation failures, low ovarian reserve, advanced maternal age, severe endometriosis, or poor egg quality, a more intensive treatment plan is recommended. In these cases, it’s beneficial to begin acupuncture treatment 2-3 months before starting your IVF treatment to address underlying issues and optimise your body’s readiness for IVF.
How does acupuncture help IVF?
Acupuncture helps IVF by improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, regulating hormones, and reducing stress, which enhances the body’s overall response to IVF treatment. Some research studies also show that acupuncture may improve egg quality and increase the thickness of the uterine lining, thereby enhancing the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy for women undergoing IVF.
Do you use sterile single-use needles?
Absolutely. The safety and well-being of our clients are our top priorities. We use single-use, sterile, disposable needles for every acupuncture session. These needles are manufactured, packaged, and sealed under strict health and safety standards. Each needle is opened from its sterile packaging in front of the patient at the beginning of a session and is immediately disposed of in a medical-grade sharps container after a single use. This process ensures complete sterility and allows patients to see both the opening and disposal of needles, ensuring peace of mind regarding their safety.
Have Another Question?
Send us a message.
Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproductive Treatments in London
“I can’t recommend Irina highly enough for the help and support she gave through my IVF journey. We had been trying to conceive for nearly 4 years and suffered ectopics and a miscarriage before being told we could start our IVF journey. Before I started I went to see Irina and from that first meeting she couldn’t do enough for me from phone calls to late night emails throughout my IVF treatment. We now have a beautiful 2 year old that is more incredible than we could have ever have dreamed of. It is very clear to see how much Irina loves what she does and has so much compassion and dedication in the treatment she provides.”
K.A.
Acupuncture for IVF in London
Our central London IVF acupuncture clinic is easily accessible, just a 2-minute walk from NCP London Bloomsbury Square parking and within a short walk of Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, and Russell Square London underground stations.
The clinic is also easily accessible for IVF patients from the Marylebone district and Harley Street, where many London IVF and fertility clinics are located.