Holistic fertility treatments: complementary therapies, do they work?
‘How can I optimise my fertility?’ is a common question people ask when struggling to conceive. However, many factors play a role in fertility, so you might be wondering whether you can do anything to enhance it without medical intervention.
This blog post explains complementary holistic fertility treatments, highlighting how the science stacks up and whether they actually work. Learn all you need and more with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine.
What are holistic fertility treatments?
Holistic care encompasses the whole person, considering your physical and mental health to drive successful results. Holistic fertility treatments typically mean a complementary therapy that you either have alongside or in advance of traditional fertility treatments.
Fertility can be challenging, and there’s no guarantee when using holistic or other treatments. However, taking better care of your wellbeing before trying to become pregnant can be beneficial.
Types of holistic fertility treatments
There are many holistic fertility treatments that may or may not support fertility.
Some of the most well-known complementary therapies for fertility treatment include:
Yoga
Acupuncture
Herbal and vitamin supplements
Meditation and mindfulness
It’s important to note that you must make any changes to potentially support your fertility alongside your doctor and fertility specialist, especially when taking new supplements. Certain supplements are unsuitable for some people, so you should speak with a medical professional to confirm they’re safe.
At BCRM, we advise that everyone wishing to optimise their fertility should have a healthy diet, which is generally a varied rainbow diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruits and tries to reduce the intake of ultra-processed food.
It may be helpful to look at the Mediterranean diet. Eating a healthy, varied diet will help you to get most of the vitamins and minerals you need.
All women trying to conceive should take pre-pregnancy folic acid and vitamin D supplements.
Some supplements may be harmful to take while pregnant, so you should avoid them once you start trying to conceive. Those planning pregnancy should avoid any supplements containing vitamin A. If you're pregnant or thinking about having a baby, do not eat liver or liver products, such as pâté, because these are very high in vitamin A.
If you’re unsure which supplements you should or should not take, always check with your doctor. The BCRM team can also discuss specific supplements depending on your individual situation, e.g. PCOS, low ovarian reserve, male fertility issues.
Does science back up holistic fertility treatments?
Limited research into the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicines means that it’s difficult to know whether they boost fertility or not.
However, complementary therapies are unlikely to help ongoing fertility challenges as this generally indicates an underlying health problem or condition.
Nevertheless, some research into holistic fertility treatments has found better results than others.
Acupuncture: potentially a success
As a holistic treatment, acupuncture is very commonly used alongside fertility treatment (27% of respondents to the 2024 HFEA National Patient Survey used acupuncture alongside fertility treatment).
Although the largest meta-analysis to date has not shown evidence of benefit for the use of acupuncture when undergoing assisted conception treatment, the evidence is still somewhat unclear, and there is difficulty combining results of trials with different study designs.
Acupuncture may help with the stress of treatment and feeling in tune with your body, and one study did find those receiving acupuncture had reduced anxiety around the time of embryo transfer, but there was no difference in quality of life between the two groups. If you choose to have acupuncture, it is recommended that you check if the acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist or a member of a national acupuncture organisation:
Meditation: clearing your mind for fertility
Limiting stress and keeping anxiety under control can benefit you daily. However, no extensive research exists on whether meditation helps fertility.
One study discovered that meditation and mindfulness have no noticeable effect on pregnancy rates in women. However, a different study suggested that meditation and mindfulness may lower the risk of oxidative DNA damage (ODD) in sperm, as well as improve sperm quality and function.
Other complementary therapies, such as yoga and herbal remedies, do not have as much research or evidence to support them. So, while they may benefit some people, they may not benefit others, and there’s no definitive answer as to whether they can support fertility treatment.
As the evidence is limited (and conflicting), acupuncture, meditation and mindfulness cannot be considered effective holistic fertility treatments. However, they may play an important role in helping improve your general wellbeing by managing stress and can be useful adjuncts alongside fertility treatment.
Managing the emotional stress of the fertility journey and supporting wellbeing is a primary focus at BCRM. We have a team of specialist fertility support counsellors and a support app for use alongside treatment and will discuss managing the stress of fertility issues at every stage in your journey.
Are holistic fertility treatments worth it?
It is important to keep in mind that for most patients, having routine cycles of proven fertility treatment is effective without using any complementary or alternative therapies. Whether holistic fertility treatments suit you depends on your needs. Some women may benefit from things like acupuncture, while others may not.
Some aspects of holistic fertility care – like meditation and mindfulness – can also help relieve stress, which can help in all aspects of your life, not just fertility.
If you’re unsure about a holistic approach to fertility, make sure to discuss your questions and concerns with our team of fertility specialists. We’ll happily help you make the correct decision for your fertility journey so you can feel confident you’re doing right by your body.
Discover comprehensive fertility treatment at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine
Many factors play a role in your fertility (some of which are unavoidable), so using holistic fertility treatments may not prove effective when trying for a baby.
However, there is something to be said for trying to be as healthy as you can before conceiving. That way, you can help support your pregnancy and overall wellbeing throughout.
Contact us today to discuss your fertility and the various treatment options available. Our team will be happy to discuss your needs to help you optimise your fertility and start taking steps towards parenthood.