Frequently Asked Questions
Fertility, Pregnancy & Women’s Health Acupuncture in San Francisco
General FAQs
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Blue Ova Health is a women-owned integrative health center in San Francisco specializing in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal, hormone balancing and pain managment care. Our services include:
Acupuncture
Functional medicine
Herbal and nutritional support
Fertility coaching
Prenatal and postnatal care
LED light therapy
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Blue Ova Health is an out-of-network provider. We are happy to provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We recommend checking with your plan about coverage for out-of-network acupuncture. See more on our Fees page.
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You can book online or call us at (415) 795-3900. Our front office team is happy to help you schedule the right type of visit.
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Yes. We offer virtual herbs and supplement consults, virtual functional medicine consults, virtual fertility coaching, and nutritional counseling. These are great options for clients outside San Francisco or those who prefer remote care.
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We are located in Noe Valley the heart of San Francisco. Our clinic has five private treatment rooms and a calming, welcoming environment
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Absolutely! While many of our clients are focused on fertility and pregnancy, we also work with women and men seeking general wellness, hormonal balance, menopause support, and stress relief. Our approach is individualized and holistic, no matter your stage of life.
Fertility Support FAQs
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Acupuncture can support fertility by improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, balancing hormones, reducing stress, and supporting ovulation and implantation. It's beneficial whether you're trying to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies like IUI or IVF.
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Yes—research increasingly supports the use of acupuncture as a complementary therapy during IUI and IVF. Acupuncture can play a valuable role in supporting your IUI or IVF journey both physically and emotionally.
Acupuncture may help by:
Improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
Supporting the hormonal balance needed for egg development and implantation
Reducing stress and anxiety, which can positively impact IVF outcomes
Supporting a healthy endometrial lining
A number of studies suggest that acupuncture performed in conjunction with IVF may improve success rates. A 2018 meta-analysis published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online found that acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer was associated with increased clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates. Some studies report a 30–60% improvement in IVF outcomes when acupuncture is used alongside treatment.
At Blue Ova, we specialize in acupuncture for fertility and IVF support, and we tailor each treatment to your specific cycle stage. Whether you’re preparing for egg retrieval, embryo transfer, or managing the two-week wait, our goal is to support your body and mind every step of the way.
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Yes! We recommend treatment starting at 3 - 4 months before conception takes place as it takes about that long for an egg to mature. During that time it is important to create healthy follicles and better egg quality; balance hormones and regulate your menstrual cycle; and get your body as a whole in the best condition for conception to occur.
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While we recommend a 3–4 month prep period to optimize fertility and overall health, we understand that timing isn’t always ideal. At Blue Ova, we can still support you wherever you are in your journey. Whether you’re planning to start trying immediately or are already in the process, or have an embryo transfer tomorrow, we’ll tailor your care plan to your unique timeline—addressing stress, cycle tracking, hormone balance, and nutritional support to help you feel empowered and ready.
Every bit of preparation helps, no matter when you begin.
Pregnancy FAQs
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Yes, when performed by licensed and experienced practitioners like those at Blue Ova. We specialize in pregnancy acupuncture and tailor treatments to each trimester.
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We commonly treat:
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Back and hip pain
Headaches
Stress and anxiety
Sleep issues
Gestational Diabetes
Placental Issues
Breech positioning
Labor preparation
Postpartum & Menopause Support FAQs
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We offer acupuncture and nutritional counseling to support recovery, hormone regulation, milk supply, mood, and overall well-being during the postpartum period.
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We recommend booking a postpartum session as soon as you feel ready—often within the first few weeks. We provide gentle care tailored to your recovery pace.
We want women to stay home and rest as long as they are able post birth, but as soon as they are leaving the house, we encourage you to come in for a postpartum visit.
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Yes. Acupuncture and herbal support can be very effective in relieving hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, and hormonal imbalance associated with menopause and perimenopause.
Treatment & Visit Logistics FAQs
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Treatment frequency depends on your health goals. Fertility clients often come twice weekly, while others may benefit from weekly or biweekly sessions. Your practitioner will recommend a plan during your initial consult.
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Yes, if appropriate. We may recommend custom herbs or nutritional supplements to support your care. We offer guidance on high-quality, evidence-based options.
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Acupuncture treatments at Blue Ova are approximately 45 minutes. Each session begins with a 10–15 minute intake where your practitioner will check in with you. After the intake, you’ll relax on the treatment table with needles in for the remainder of the session.
During this time, your acupuncturist will step out to give you space to rest, with music on if desired, but you’ll be provided with a buzzer in case you need anything. Our goal is to create a calming, supportive environment where you can fully relax and let the treatment do its work.
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It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about needles, especially if it’s your first time trying acupuncture. Rest assured, our practitioners use a, extremely gentle needling technique designed to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin—about the size of a strand of hair—and most people feel little to nothing when they are inserted. You might feel a quick pinch, a tingling sensation, or a gentle heaviness in the area, and most clients find the experience relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.
If you ever feel uncomfortable at any point, your practitioner will adjust to make sure you’re at ease. Your comfort and care are our top priorities.