How Acupuncture Supports your Luteal Phase and Progesterone for Fertility

What is the luteal phase and why is it important for fertility?

When you’ve successfully ovulated, the follicle that released the egg becomes the corpus luteum—a temporary gland that produces progesterone. This hormone is vital for a healthy luteal phase, which is the time between ovulation and your period. Ideally, your luteal phase should be lasting around 12–14 days to support successful conception.

Keeping the corpus luteum healthy matters, as it’s your main source of progesterone during this phase. Without enough progesterone, it can be harder for an embryo to implant or for early pregnancy to continue.

Signs of low progesterone or a short luteal phase

Progesterone raises your basal body temperature (BBT) by about 0.3°C to 1°C, so you’ll see higher temperatures for around 10–14 days before your period arrives. If your temperature stays high and your period doesn’t come, it could be an early sign of pregnancy.

But if your temperature doesn’t stay consistently raised, it may indicate weak ovulation or an anovulatory cycle—meaning ovulation didn’t happen and your body isn’t producing enough progesterone.

A luteal phase that’s consistently shorter than 11 days can be a red flag, making it more difficult for pregnancy to take hold.

How fertility acupuncture supports luteal phase health

I see signs of short luteal phases and low progesterone every day in my clinic. One of the most effective tools I use to support this is fertility acupuncture, alongside nutritional and lifestyle advice.

Acupuncture for fertility works by enhancing the circulation of oxygen-rich, hormone-laden blood through the smallest capillaries to the ovaries. This increased blood flow nourishes the developing follicles and supports healthy ovulation in future cycles (remember: follicles take 3 months to mature!).

It also improves the connection between your brain and ovaries - regulating the hormonal signals needed for a strong LH surge and optimal corpus luteum function.

Put simply: acupuncture is a fantastic tool to help your body produce and sustain progesterone more effectively, giving your luteal phase the support it needs.

How to track your luteal phase with BBT

I always recommend tracking your basal body temperature if you suspect low progesterone or you’re seeing irregular cycles.

Use a digital thermometer and take your temperature first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed, ideally at the same time each day. Link it to an app to help you monitor trends.

I always ask clients to share their charts with me so we can look at their luteal phase length, ovulation timing, and patterns in progesterone activity. It’s a simple but powerful way to start to really understand your cycle and what support your body may need.

Curious about how acupuncture can support your cycle? Learn more about fertility acupuncture here.

Updated May 2025