At Joy Wellness in Phoenix, AZ, we support women undergoing IVF and IUI with a personalized integrative care plan designed to improve response, embryo quality, uterine receptivity, and implantation outcomes — using the best of Eastern medicine and functional medicine.
Why Start Preparing 3 Months Before IVF or IUI? The Research Behind Whole-Systems Chinese Medicine
A groundbreaking study by Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin and colleagues (2015) revealed that women who began whole-systems Traditional Chinese Medicine at least three months prior to IVF had more than double the live birth rate compared to those who only started treatment around the time of embryo transfer.
The Results:
- Women who received whole-systems TCM care for 3+ months had a
60.9% live birth rate - Those who received only day-of-transfer acupuncture had a
50.8% live birth rate - Women who had IVF alone (no acupuncture/TCM) had a
only 32.8% live birth rate
Hullender Rubin, L., Opsahl, M., Wiemer, K., & Ackerman, D. (2015). Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on IVF outcomes: a retrospective cohort study. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 30(6), 602–612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.02.004
What Is Whole-Systems TCM?
Whole-systems TCM means we don’t just offer acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer. Instead, we provide an integrative, multi-layered protocol over 3+ months, including:
- Weekly (and later, twice-weekly) E-Stim acupuncture
- Customized Chinese herbal medicine tailored to each phase
- Functional labs and targeted supplementation
- Nutrition, movement, and lifestyle coaching
- IV nutrient therapy for mitochondrial and hormonal optimization
- Red light therapy to support egg quality and uterine blood flow
This natural IVF preparation mirrors how Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced for centuries — holistically and rhythmically, not reactively.
What to Expect: Your IVF/IUI Support Intake
Your journey with natural IVF preparation begins with a 90-minute initial consultation, where we explore the full picture of your fertility health and IVF/IUI timeline.
During this visit, we:
- Review your full menstrual, fertility, and IVF/IUI treatment history
- Conduct a pulse and tongue diagnosis (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
- Review labs, supplement protocols, stimulation cycle medications, and transfer timing
Craft a phase-based roadmap aligned with your clinic’s schedule, including acupuncture, herbs, IVs, red light, nutrition, and stress support
Phase-Based Acupuncture & E-Stim Plan
Research shows acupuncture significantly improves blood flow, hormone signaling, and uterine receptivity during assisted reproductive cycles. Our protocol includes E-Stim acupuncture, which has been shown to:
Increase follicle count, improve endometrial thickness, and boost live birth rates.
During IVF Stimulation (Days 1–12):
- 2x/week E-Stim acupuncture to enhance ovarian blood flow and follicular development
- Focus on reducing medication side effects and supporting egg maturation.
Stener-Victorin et al., 2003 – E-Stim improved ovarian blood flow during gonadotropin stimulation.
Embryo Transfer Phase (ET or FET Cycle):
- 2x/week E-Stim acupuncture for at least 2 weeks prior to embryo transfer
- Sessions continue day before or day of transfer for optimal receptivity.
Paulus et al., 2002 – Acupuncture on day of transfer significantly increased pregnancy rates.
Post-Transfer Support (Weeks 1–2 after transfer):
- 1–2 calming acupuncture sessions to reduce uterine contractions and support implantation
- Gentle herbs and lifestyle guidance focused on holding and nourishing the pregnancy
Red Light Therapy for IVF & IUI
Red and near-infrared light therapy supports:
- Mitochondrial energy production in eggs and endometrial tissue
- Ovarian and uterine blood flow
- Implantation success and embryo quality
Use 660nm + 850nm red light therapy 3–4x/week, especially during:
- Stimulation phase
- Luteal phase before transfer
- The two-week wait post-transfer
Yoshimura et al., 2021 – Red light enhanced embryo development and implantation in ovarian-aged models.
IV Therapy for IVF/IUI Support
Administered by our Nurse Practitioner, IV therapy is timed to support each IVF/IUI phase:
During Stimulation:
- Mitochondrial IV with CoQ10, B-complex, glutathione
- Reduces oxidative stress, supports follicular energy, and enhances oocyte quality
Pre-Transfer:
Uterine Receptivity IV with arginine, magnesium, and vitamin C to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation
Herbal & Natural Medicine Support
While some herbs are paused during stimulation, we use gentle constitutional formulas in pre- and post-transfer phases to:
- Tonify Qi and Blood
- Calm the nervous system
- Support progesterone and implantation
With natural IVF preparation, we also provide egg quality supplementation (ubiquinol, inositol, NAC) prior to stimulation, and implantation support nutrients (vitamin D, magnesium, L-arginine, CoQ10) as appropriate.
Nutrition & Lifestyle for IVF/IUI Success
- Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich nutrition to support egg/embryo development
- Low-glycemic, blood sugar-balanced meals to stabilize hormones
- Mind-body coaching to reduce anxiety during the two-week wait
- Sleep, hydration, and movement strategies to optimize implantation conditions
Start Your IVF or IUI Cycle with a Whole-System Support Plan
Our integrative IVF/IUI protocols are backed by research and personalized to your exact cycle timing. You’ll be supported at every phase — emotionally, physically, and hormonally — so you feel confident and cared for throughout your fertility journey.
Book your 90-minute IVF/IUI support consultation today.
- Initial consultation and treatment: $175
- Follow ups: $88-$95 (depending on practitioner)
- Packages: $450 for 5 sessions
