Is acupuncture safe with hormones, NSAIDs, blood thinners, pregnancy, or IVF?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when it’s performed by a properly licensed clinician using sterile, single-use needles. The most common side effects are temporary soreness, lightheadedness, or small bruises at needle sites, and these are usually mild.

If you’re taking hormones or NSAIDs, acupuncture typically doesn’t pose a specific safety conflict, but it’s still important that your acupuncturist knows your full medication list and bleeding history. With blood thinners, bruising or prolonged bleeding can be more likely, so gentler techniques and careful point selection may be appropriate. In pregnancy, many clinicians avoid certain points and approaches, so sessions should be planned with pregnancy in mind. During IVF, acupuncture may be used for comfort and stress support, but it hasn’t consistently been shown to improve live-birth rates—if you’re considering it, our team can help you think through safety and timing alongside your fertility plan.