Safety Status:
Trying to Conceive: SafePregnancy: Safe
Postpartum: Safe
What We Know: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing, manage pain, and balance energy flow. It is widely used for reproductive health concerns, pain management, and stress reduction.
For individuals trying to conceive, acupuncture is considered safe and is frequently used as a complementary treatment for fertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine acknowledges acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy that may benefit some patients during fertility treatments. Some studies show improved outcomes when acupuncture is used alongside fertility treatments, though results are not conclusive. Safety considerations include seeking practitioners experienced in fertility acupuncture who use sterile, disposable needles.
During pregnancy, acupuncture receives a “Safe” classification as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes acupuncture as a complementary therapy that may help manage pregnancy-related conditions such as nausea, back pain, and headaches when performed by qualified practitioners. Key pregnancy considerations include:
- Seeking acupuncturists specifically trained in prenatal acupuncture
- Using appropriate positioning for comfort and safety as pregnancy progresses
- Ensuring proper communication about pregnancy status and any complications
A 2018 systematic review in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine found that appropriately administered acupuncture during pregnancy showed no increased risk of adverse outcomes when performed by qualified practitioners.
For postpartum individuals, acupuncture is considered safe and may offer benefits for recovery. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of postpartum care protocols using acupuncture to support healing. Postpartum applications include managing pain, supporting lactation, addressing mood concerns, and helping with energy recovery. Research in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests acupuncture may help with postpartum depression, insufficient lactation, and post-cesarean pain management.
Safety considerations across all reproductive stages include:
- Seeking practitioners with specific training in reproductive health
- Ensuring use of sterile, disposable needles
- Disclosing all health conditions and medications
- Choosing licensed practitioners with appropriate certifications
- Communicating any discomfort during treatment
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee Opinion on Complementary and Integrative Therapies, American Society for Reproductive Medicine Position Statements, Acupuncture in Medicine Safety Studies, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Clinical Research, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on Acupuncture During Pregnancy