Frequently Asked Questions
- Getting Started and Booking
- The Yinstill Fertility Method™
- Acupuncture and Fertility
- Frequency, Timing, and Treatment Planning
- IVF and IUI Support
- Herbs, Supplements, and Safety
- Partners and Inclusivity
- Complex Journeys and Loss Support
- Program Pricing, Policies, and Logistics
- Broader Reproductive and General Health
Getting Started and Booking
When is the best time to start treatment?
There is no wrong time to begin. Ideally, many people start about three months before trying to conceive or starting IVF/IUI (to align with the 90-day egg/sperm development cycle). That said, starting during an IVF cycle can still offer meaningful support for regulation and wellbeing.
Can I book online? Why can’t I cancel my appointments myself online?
Yes – you’re welcome to book most follow-up acupuncture or naturopathic visits online. Initial consultations can be booked online, by emailing office@yinstill.com, or by calling
604.863.9355. Our Care Coordinators will help ensure your questions are answered and you’re booked with the right practitioner.
Our system does not allow self-cancellations online. Please call or email for changes so your care team stays fully updated and connected to your plan.
The Yinstill Fertility Method™
What is the Yinstill Fertility Method™?
The Yinstill Fertility Method™ is our comprehensive, integrative framework informed by more than 20 years of clinical experience supporting thousands of individuals and couples on their fertility journeys. Rooted in the understanding that meaningful change unfolds through phases – not isolated treatments – it offers a clear, supportive structure for navigating the physical, emotional, and energetic aspects of fertility care.
Each of the three phases reflects a natural stage of growth in the body, mind, and spirit. Together, they create a compassionate, organized path that helps people feel more regulated, resourced, and grounded—whether preparing naturally or integrating medical treatments.
Through evidence-informed acupuncture, personalized Chinese and naturopathic medicine, nutrition, lifestyle guidance, and collaborative care with your medical team (including MDs,
OB-GYNs, and IUI/IVF specialists), our goal is to support your body to shift and transform into a more balanced, receptive, and regulated state – one that aligns with your overall health and fertility goals.
How is the Yinstill Fertility Method™ different from general acupuncture?
Reproductive health is the centre of our work. Each practitioner brings specialized training in fertility medicine – both Chinese and Western-informed – along with a grounded, attuned approach to care.
For more than 20 years, we’ve walked alongside thousands of people on their family-building journeys. Our protocols and clinical reasoning are shaped by that experience to meet the specific, nuanced needs of fertility support.
Acupuncture and Fertility
How does acupuncture help with fertility?
Research suggests acupuncture can support the body through fertility-related phases by encouraging healthier blood flow, more regulated hormonal rhythms, and a calmer nervous system – creating an internal environment that becomes increasingly supportive over time. Research suggests acupuncture may help:
- improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus support more balanced reproductive hormones reduce stress and calm the nervous system support egg and sperm quality
- support implantation and pregnancy rates when used alongside IVF/IUI
Your practitioner tailors care for your phase, physiology, and medical timeline.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people find acupuncture very comfortable and describe it as virtually painless. You may feel a brief pinch, tingling, heaviness, or warmth as points settle. If anything feels sharp or uncomfortable, your practitioner can adjust immediately.
What should I expect during an acupuncture session?
Sessions are designed to support your current phase of care – regulation, strengthening, or timing/alignment. You can expect:
a calm, grounding environment
thin, sterile needles placed gently at specific points
25–40 minutes of rest while your nervous system settles
Many people describe the experience as deeply calming and supportive.
Frequency, Timing, and Treatment Planning
How often should I get acupuncture for fertility?
Frequency is shaped by where you are in your journey.
During the Shift Phase (0–3 months), most people come weekly to help regulate cycles, support nervous-system balance, and establish the foundational patterns that set the stage for fertility.
As you move into the Transformation Phase (4–6 months), the focus is on steady, ongoing consistency. The cumulative momentum from the Shift Phase continues here, helping support the natural renewal period of egg and sperm development (which spans roughly 90 days) and encouraging healthy change at the cellular level.
The Manifestation Phase (7–12 months) aligns your treatment rhythm with the natural timing of your cycles or with IVF/IUI protocols. Staying committed through this phase helps create the most supportive conditions for conception — whether naturally or alongside assisted reproductive technologies. This is also the season in which we see pregnancy.
Your practitioner will help you understand which phase you’re in and what pace feels sustainable for you.
Staying consistent with your care can make a real difference in how you feel throughout your fertility journey. Keeping a steady rhythm with your appointments helps regulate your nervous system, support hormonal balance, improve blood flow, and stay aligned with your TCM or naturopathic treatment plan. Many of our patients who pre-book their sessions share that they feel more supported, more organized, and more in flow with their care — and they tend to stay on track and experience smoother progress along the way.
Here are some general guidelines we recommend for frequency:
- Preconception/trying naturally: 1–2 times per week for about 3 months
- IVF/IUI support: weekly leading up to your cycle, with additional visits around retrieval and transfer to help the body and nervous system stay regulated during those key points
- Pregnancy: weekly in the first trimester, then adjusted based on how you’re feeling and what your body needs for support as you move through each stage
Your acupuncturist will always personalize the frequency based on your health picture, cycle patterns, and treatment goals so everything feels paced, sustainable, and aligned with where you are in your journey.
How long will it take before I see results?
Fertility is gradual and cyclical. Because eggs and sperm each develop over roughly 90 days, many people choose to begin with at least three months of consistent care to allow regulation and early response to emerge. Some people notice shifts earlier, while others benefit from longer-term support depending on age, health history, and whether they’re using assisted reproductive technologies.
Your practitioner will help you understand your current phase and what a grounded, sustainable timeline could look like for your situation.
IVF and IUI Support
Can I do acupuncture during IVF or IUI?
Yes. Acupuncture is commonly used alongside IVF and IUI to support regulation and resilience during key points of the cycle. Research suggests it may help support:
- pelvic blood flow and ovarian response
- uterine lining development and overall circulation
- stress regulation and medication side-effect management steadiness through retrieval and transfer windows
We can coordinate timing with your fertility clinic when appropriate.
We are thinking about IVF. What IVF clinic do you recommend?
We work closely with and confidently recommend PCRM, and many of our patients also receive excellent care through Olive Fertility, Twig, and Grace Fertility. We support integrating your acupuncture plan with your IVF/IUI protocol so timing feels cohesive and aligned.
Herbs, Supplements, and Safety
Is it safe to use herbs and supplements while trying to conceive?
Yes – when prescribed by a licensed practitioner trained and experienced in reproductive health. We select formulas and supplements thoughtfully and adjust as needed if medications change, IVF begins, or pregnancy occurs.
What else can I do at home to support fertility?
We offer practical, evidence-informed strategies you can weave into daily life, such as: prioritizing restorative sleep balanced, nourishing meals (and reducing alcohol/sugar as appropriate) stress regulation (breathwork, meditation, gentle movement, time in nature) regular movement (strength + cardio in supportive amounts) reducing exposure to common endocrine disruptors/toxins where appropriate supportive connection and relational steadiness
Do you have resources I can use at home between treatments?
Yes. We offer a Patient Hub and Orientation Pages that support you between visits with clear, phase-based guidance and practical tools you can use at home.
What’s included:
- phase-based education aligned with the Yinstill Fertility Method™ cycle-aware guidance and timing support
- supplement and lifestyle foundations (sleep, nutrition, movement, environmental considerations)
- nervous-system regulation tools (grounding practices, guided exercises, and supportive routines)
- curated resources to help you stay organized and consistent between appointments The Yinstill Fertility Method book (paperback copy)
Access to the Yinstill community (podcasts, coaching, education, resources, challenges) and select partner supports (preferred access or pricing where available)
Included within most care programs, or available as a one-time purchase if you are not enrolled in a program.
Your practitioner or Patient Care Coordinator can guide you toward what’s most supportive for your current phase of care and ensure you have access.
Partners and Inclusivity
Do both partners need treatment?
Fertility is shared physiology, and sperm health plays a meaningful role in reproductive outcomes. Male-factor issues contribute to a significant portion of fertility challenges, and sperm quality influences conception, embryo development, and early pregnancy.
We encourage partners to be assessed and supported – not only for medical reasons, but because shared involvement often creates steadiness, connection, and clearer
decision-making.
Do you support men’s reproductive and general health?
Yes. We always recommend men receive treatment to support sperm health, libido, sexual function, stress, sleep, and hormonal regulation, as well as overall health & wellbeing.
Our care is designed to support both partners in the fertility journey and to acknowledge the physical, emotional, and relational impacts that reproduction can have on men, too.
Do you support LGBTQ2S+ families, including surrogacy or donor conception?
Absolutely. We welcome and support all individuals and families, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, partnership structure, or pathway to parenthood.
Whether you’re using donor conception, reciprocal IVF, known or anonymous donation, gestational surrogacy, or exploring options, your practitioner will meet you with affirming, inclusive care and tailor support to your specific pathway.
Complex Journeys and Loss Support
What if I’ve already tried IVF or had multiple failed cycles?
We often support patients who have been through physically and emotionally demanding fertility experiences, including unsuccessful cycles. Our approach focuses on tending the whole system – supporting physiology, regulation, and the internal environment for egg and sperm development, while also supporting steadiness through key decision points and treatment windows.
Do you provide care after miscarriage or pregnancy loss?
Yes. We offer attuned support following miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Care may include acupuncture, nutritional or herbal guidance when appropriate, and support for nervous system regulation and physical recovery. We move at your pace and honour both the emotional and physiological impact of loss.
Program Pricing, Policies, and Logistics
How much do care programs cost?
Care programs begin at $900 per month.
After your consultation, your practitioner will recommend a 3-, 6-, or 12-month program based on your physiology, timeline, and goals. Your Patient Care Coordinator reviews rates, billing schedule, and logistics before care begins.
Can I pay monthly instead of paying in full?
Yes.
Programs are billed every 4 weeks. You may also choose to pay in full (when available), but the payment method does not change the program structure or policies.
Is there a pricing benefit for pay-in-full?
When available:
6-month program: 5% discount
12-month program: 10% discount
Are programs refundable?
Care programs are non-refundable once paid for.
Programs represent reserved clinical capacity, continuity of care, and structured oversight – not visit-by-visit services.
In rare situations (such as a significant medical contraindication or if care cannot safely continue), exceptions may be reviewed with practitioner approval.
What happens if I need to pause my program?
Programs are designed for continuity.
If a significant life or medical event arises, pauses may be reviewed case-by-case in coordination with your PCC and practitioner.
Unused visits roll forward as credit during an active program relationship. Longer pauses may require reassessment before resuming care.
What if I become pregnant during my program?
If pregnancy occurs, care transitions naturally into pregnancy-support within the same program container.
If certain elements are no longer indicated, they may be reallocated appropriately. Care is recalibrated – not refunded.
Do you take insurance? Do you direct bill?
Care programs are not direct-billed.
You will receive a receipt after each attended appointment and may submit it to your extended health provider. Receipts reflect completed visits only and are never issued in advance.
Non-visit components of program care (planning, coordination, communication) are not receipted.
What happens if I miss or cancel an appointment?
Appointments require advance notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations are subject to a 50% fee.
No-shows or cancellations within 1 hour are subject to a 100% fee. Missed visits are not receipted.
Is everything included in the monthly program rate?
Programs include structured clinical care delivered within the Yinstill Fertility Method™ framework.
Some elements may be recommended but are not included in program pricing, such as: Supplements or herbal formulas
Laboratory testing
Medications or fertility clinic services
External coordination requiring extended time
Any additional recommendations are reviewed with you in advance.
Can I book and cancel online?
Most follow-up appointments can be booked online.
For cancellations or changes, please contact the clinic directly so your care team remains aligned with your plan.
Do I need to see the same practitioner?
We encourage continuity with one primary practitioner whenever possible.
If transitions are needed, all practitioners chart within a shared system to maintain seamless care.
Broader Reproductive and General Health
What other reproductive health concerns do you support?
In addition to fertility care, we support menstrual irregularities, painful periods, PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause, menopause, pelvic pain, and cycle regulation concerns. Care is individualized, collaborative, and grounded in steadiness and regulation.
Do you do general health support as well?
Yes. While fertility is our primary focus, we also support stress, sleep, digestion, pain, hormonal transitions, menopause, and overall wellbeing. Many patients continue care after pregnancy because they find treatment grounding and supportive long-term.
