Does acupuncture combined with embryo transfer improve pregnancy rates for recurrent implantation failure?
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is when embryos repeatedly fail to implant after several IVF cycles. Acupuncture is sometimes used as an add-on therapy during embryo transfer to improve outcomes. Research suggests that adding acupuncture to embryo transfer can increase pregnancy rates in women with RIF, though the evidence comes mainly from studies that also used other treatments like hormone therapy or herbal medicine.
What the research says
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials involving 1,428 patients found that acupuncture plus embryo transfer significantly increased clinical pregnancy rates compared to embryo transfer alone (relative risk 1.73, 95% CI 1.51–1.99) 2. A 2024 study of 164 RIF patients reported that acupuncture combined with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) improved endometrial thickness and uterine blood flow, leading to higher clinical pregnancy and embryo implantation rates 6. A 2026 retrospective cohort study of 609 RIF patients showed that acupuncture with hormone replacement therapy resulted in higher live birth rates (28.0% vs. control) and clinical pregnancy rates (36.5% vs. control), along with better endometrial thickness and hormone levels 8. Another 2023 trial of 62 RIF patients found that acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine improved clinical pregnancy and embryo implantation rates compared to conventional treatment 7. While these studies support acupuncture's benefit, they often combined acupuncture with other interventions, making it hard to isolate acupuncture's effect alone. The meta-analysis 2 provides the strongest evidence, but the certainty of evidence was not rated as high across all outcomes.
What to ask your doctor
- Could acupuncture be a helpful addition to my next embryo transfer cycle?
- How many acupuncture sessions would be recommended and at what timing relative to transfer?
- Are there any risks or side effects of acupuncture during IVF that I should know about?
- Should I consider combining acupuncture with other treatments like hormone therapy or herbal medicine?
- What is the success rate for acupuncture in patients with my specific history of implantation failure?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about OB/GYN & Women's Health and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.