At Aurum Acupuncture, we remind patients that fertility is supported not only by treatments, but also by the foods you eat. Both research and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) show that some foods build balance and vitality, while others create disruption. If you’re trying to conceive, remember this simple truth: food is medicine!

🌱 Top 3 Foods to Support Fertility

1. Oily Fish (Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel)

Research: Rich in omega-3s, linked with better egg quality, reduced inflammation, and improved hormone balance.
TCM: Nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence (Jing), the foundations of reproductive energy.

2. Beans and Lentils

Research: Plant-based proteins improve implantation rates and sperm quality.
TCM: Strengthen Spleen Qi and build Blood, which supports the uterus.

3. Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard)

Research: High in folate and iron, essential for ovulation and uterine lining health.
TCM: Enrich Liver Blood, ensuring smooth menstrual cycles and nourishment for conception.

⚠️ Top 3 Foods to Limit for Fertility

1. Trans Fats and Fried Foods

Research: Linked to ovulatory infertility and poorer sperm quality.
TCM: Create Dampness and Phlegm, blocking healthy flow in the reproductive channels.

2. Red and Processed Meats

Research: Associated with hormone disruption and lower fertility outcomes.
TCM: Cause Stagnation and Dampness, making circulation sluggish.

3. Sugary Snacks and Refined Carbs

Research: Disrupt insulin balance, which can interfere with ovulation.
TCM: Weaken Spleen Qi, leading to Damp accumulation and less nourishment for the womb.

For a fertility-friendly diet, lean toward whole, seasonal, and nutrient-rich foods that support Yin, Blood, and Qi. Minimize overly processed, greasy, or overly sweet foods that tax digestion and create imbalance. If you are seeking support while trying to conceive, also consider trying acupuncture with Aurum!

References

Fertility treatment is a deeply personal experience—one that can bring up hope, uncertainty, resilience, and everything in between. At Āurum Acupuncture in Memphis, we offer evidence-based, whole-person care to support patients through every phase of the fertility process. Whether you’re just beginning, prepping for retrieval, or navigating the emotional intensity of transfer day, acupuncture can play a powerful role in both physiological outcomes and emotional well-being.

🥚 Before and During Egg Retrieval

In the weeks leading up to retrieval, acupuncture supports the body in preparing for ovarian stimulation. It helps optimize blood flow to the ovaries, which may improve follicular development and oocyte quality. By regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, acupuncture helps stabilize hormone signaling and may reduce side effects of fertility medications.

📚 A study published in Gynecological Endocrinology (2011) found that acupuncture during ovarian stimulation improved the number of retrieved oocytes and embryo quality in women undergoing IVF (PubMed).

🤍 Embryo Transfer & Implantation Support

Transfer day can feel like everything is riding on one moment. Acupuncture around this time can help relax the uterus, increase endometrial receptivity, and modulate the immune response to support implantation. It also helps calm the nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and promoting parasympathetic activity—key for allowing the body to move into a receptive state.

📚 In one of the most cited studies on the subject, Paulus et al. (2002) found that IVF patients who received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer had significantly higher pregnancy rates compared to those who did not (PubMed).

🌀 Emotional Support & Cycle Monitoring

Between appointments, blood draws, and two-week waits, fertility treatment can feel like a full-time job. Regular acupuncture sessions provide a rhythmic point of grounding, where patients can process what’s happening, ask questions, and receive care that’s as much for the nervous system as it is for the reproductive system.

We’ve been there. One of the most valuable things you’ll find at Āurum Acupuncture is someone who understands this process intimately—someone you can ask about cervical mucus, transfer timing, lining thickness, or how to breathe when the wait feels unbearable. You don’t have to go through it alone.

🌱 Ongoing Cycle Support & Beyond

We continue to support patients during the luteal phase, the early weeks of pregnancy (if achieved), or in preparing for the next cycle with a sense of resilience. Acupuncture has also been shown to support progesterone levels, reduce inflammation, and regulate the immune system—all important factors in sustaining pregnancy.

📚 A meta-analysis in Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019) concluded that acupuncture can enhance IVF outcomes and also reduce anxiety and depression in patients undergoing fertility treatment (PubMed).

At Aurum, You’re More Than Just a Protocol

We take an integrative, trauma-informed approach to care—combining the wisdom of Chinese medicine with the practical knowledge of modern fertility protocols. Whether you’re trying naturally or navigating advanced reproductive technology, we meet you where you are.

We’re here to help your body feel safer, stronger, and more supported—no matter where you are on your path to parenthood.

Ready to start? Let’s build a care plan that supports your fertility, your health, and your peace of mind. 🖋️ Book your fertility consultation today