Resources
Understand Your Fertility Treatment
Clear explanations for a more informed fertility journey.
Fertility care can introduce unfamiliar terms, tests, and decisions. Understanding the basics can help you follow conversations with your medical team and ask questions that matter to you.
Whether you are considering treatment or already in a cycle, start with the topics most relevant to you.
IVF, IUI & FET: What Is the Difference?
These terms describe different procedures.
IUI — Intrauterine Insemination
Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. Fertilization, if it occurs, happens inside the body.
IVF — In Vitro Fertilization
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized in a laboratory. An embryo may then be transferred into the uterus or frozen for a later transfer.
FET — Frozen Embryo Transfer
An embryo previously created through IVF and frozen is warmed and transferred into the uterus. FET is a transfer stage following IVF, rather than a separate method of fertilization.
Acupuncture appointments can be considered alongside these treatments, with timing adapted to your medical schedule and how you feel.
Explore Embryo Transfer Support →
From Ovarian Stimulation to Embryo Transfer
IVF involves several stages. The timing and approach depend on your treatment plan and how your body responds.
1. Ovarian Stimulation
Medications encourage multiple follicles to develop. Ultrasound examinations and blood tests help your fertility team monitor their progress.
2. Egg Retrieval
Eggs are collected during a procedure timed according to follicle development and your clinic’s instructions.
3. Fertilization & Embryo Development
Retrieved eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, and the developing embryos are observed.
4. Embryo Transfer or Freezing
An embryo may be transferred during the same treatment cycle, or embryos may be frozen for a later transfer. Not every retrieval leads to a transfer; information from each stage helps guide the next decision.
For egg freezing, retrieved eggs are frozen without being fertilized.
Explore Egg Freezing & Egg Retrieval Support →
Explore Support During Ovarian Stimulation →
Fertility Terms to Know
Here are plain-language explanations of terms you may hear during appointments or when reviewing test results.
Term Meaning
Follicle A small, fluid-filled structure in the ovary where an egg develops.
Ovulation The release of an egg from an ovary. Endometrium The tissue lining the inside of the uterus.
Embryo An early stage of development following fertilization and the beginning of cell division.
Cryopreservation Freezing and storing eggs, sperm, or embryos for possible future use.
AMH — Anti-Müllerian Hormone A hormone used as one indicator of ovarian reserve. An AMH result alone does not determine egg quality or the likelihood of pregnancy.
AFC — Antral Follicle Count The number of small antral follicles visible in the ovaries during an ultrasound examination.
ICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection A fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
PGT — Preimplantation Genetic Testing A group of tests used to assess embryos for certain genetic or chromosomal findings before transfer. Different types of PGT answer different questions.
Test results need to be interpreted alongside your age, medical history, and other findings. Your fertility team can explain what each result means in your circumstances.
Making Sense of Acupuncture Research
Look beyond the headline.
When a study reports that acupuncture “works,” it is important to understand what was measured. Relief from pain or anxiety is a different outcome from pregnancy or live birth.
What improved?
Check whether researchers measured pain, sleep, anxiety, pregnancy, live birth, or another outcome.
What was acupuncture compared with?
Results may differ depending on whether the comparison was usual care, no treatment, or sham acupuncture.
Who participated?
Consider whether the participants’ ages, diagnoses, and treatment stages were similar to your own.
How reliable are the findings?
Study size, research methods, and whether other studies report similar results all matter.
Was the improvement meaningful?
A statistically significant difference does not always mean a change large enough to notice in everyday life.
Understanding these distinctions can help you consider where acupuncture may offer useful support and where uncertainty remains.
Explore Dr. Michiko’s Approach →
Bring Your Questions to Your Care Team
You do not need to understand everything at once. Keep a note of unfamiliar terms and questions as they arise, and bring them to your appointments.
Understanding your treatment can help you communicate your preferences, discuss concerns, and take part in decisions about your next steps.
Clear explanations for a more informed fertility journey.
Fertility care can introduce unfamiliar terms, tests, and decisions. Understanding the basics can help you follow conversations with your medical team and ask questions that matter to you.
Whether you are considering treatment or already in a cycle, start with the topics most relevant to you.
IVF, IUI & FET: What Is the Difference?
These terms describe different procedures.
IUI — Intrauterine Insemination
Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. Fertilization, if it occurs, happens inside the body.
IVF — In Vitro Fertilization
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized in a laboratory. An embryo may then be transferred into the uterus or frozen for a later transfer.
FET — Frozen Embryo Transfer
An embryo previously created through IVF and frozen is warmed and transferred into the uterus. FET is a transfer stage following IVF, rather than a separate method of fertilization.
Acupuncture appointments can be considered alongside these treatments, with timing adapted to your medical schedule and how you feel.
Explore Embryo Transfer Support →
From Ovarian Stimulation to Embryo Transfer
IVF involves several stages. The timing and approach depend on your treatment plan and how your body responds.
1. Ovarian Stimulation
Medications encourage multiple follicles to develop. Ultrasound examinations and blood tests help your fertility team monitor their progress.
2. Egg Retrieval
Eggs are collected during a procedure timed according to follicle development and your clinic’s instructions.
3. Fertilization & Embryo Development
Retrieved eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, and the developing embryos are observed.
4. Embryo Transfer or Freezing
An embryo may be transferred during the same treatment cycle, or embryos may be frozen for a later transfer. Not every retrieval leads to a transfer; information from each stage helps guide the next decision.
For egg freezing, retrieved eggs are frozen without being fertilized.
Explore Egg Freezing & Egg Retrieval Support →
Explore Support During Ovarian Stimulation →
Fertility Terms to Know
Here are plain-language explanations of terms you may hear during appointments or when reviewing test results.
Term Meaning
Follicle A small, fluid-filled structure in the ovary where an egg develops.
Ovulation The release of an egg from an ovary.
Endometrium The tissue lining the inside of the uterus.
Embryo An early stage of development following fertilization and the beginning of cell division.
Cryopreservation Freezing and storing eggs, sperm, or embryos for possible future use.
AMH — Anti-Müllerian Hormone A hormone used as one indicator of ovarian reserve. An AMH result alone does not determine egg quality or the likelihood of pregnancy.
AFC — Antral Follicle Count The number of small antral follicles visible in the ovaries during an ultrasound examination.
ICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection A fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
PGT — Preimplantation Genetic Testing A group of tests used to assess embryos for certain genetic or chromosomal findings before transfer. Different types of PGT answer different questions.
Test results need to be interpreted alongside your age, medical history, and other findings. Your fertility team can explain what each result means in your circumstances.
Making Sense of Acupuncture Research
Look beyond the headline.
When a study reports that acupuncture “works,” it is important to understand what was measured. Relief from pain or anxiety is a different outcome from pregnancy or live birth.
What improved?
Check whether researchers measured pain, sleep, anxiety, pregnancy, live birth, or another outcome.
What was acupuncture compared with?
Results may differ depending on whether the comparison was usual care, no treatment, or sham acupuncture.
Who participated?
Consider whether the participants’ ages, diagnoses, and treatment stages were similar to your own.
How reliable are the findings?
Study size, research methods, and whether other studies report similar results all matter.
Was the improvement meaningful?
A statistically significant difference does not always mean a change large enough to notice in everyday life.
Understanding these distinctions can help you consider where acupuncture may offer useful support and where uncertainty remains.
Explore Dr. Michiko’s Approach →
Bring Your Questions to Your Care Team
You do not need to understand everything at once. Keep a note of unfamiliar terms and questions as they arise, and bring them to your appointments.
Understanding your treatment can help you communicate your preferences, discuss concerns, and take part in decisions about your next steps.
Clear explanations for a more informed fertility journey.
Fertility care can introduce unfamiliar terms, tests, and decisions. Understanding the basics can help you follow conversations with your medical team and ask questions that matter to you.
Whether you are considering treatment or already in a cycle, start with the topics most relevant to you.
IVF, IUI & FET: What Is the Difference?
These terms describe different procedures.
IUI — Intrauterine Insemination
Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. Fertilization, if it occurs, happens inside the body.
IVF — In Vitro Fertilization
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized in a laboratory. An embryo may then be transferred into the uterus or frozen for a later transfer.
FET — Frozen Embryo Transfer
An embryo previously created through IVF and frozen is warmed and transferred into the uterus. FET is a transfer stage following IVF, rather than a separate method of fertilization.
Acupuncture appointments can be considered alongside these treatments, with timing adapted to your medical schedule and how you feel.
Explore Embryo Transfer Support →
From Ovarian Stimulation to Embryo Transfer
IVF involves several stages. The timing and approach depend on your treatment plan and how your body responds.
1. Ovarian Stimulation
Medications encourage multiple follicles to develop. Ultrasound examinations and blood tests help your fertility team monitor their progress.
2. Egg Retrieval
Eggs are collected during a procedure timed according to follicle development and your clinic’s instructions.
3. Fertilization & Embryo Development
Retrieved eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, and the developing embryos are observed.
4. Embryo Transfer or Freezing
An embryo may be transferred during the same treatment cycle, or embryos may be frozen for a later transfer. Not every retrieval leads to a transfer; information from each stage helps guide the next decision.
For egg freezing, retrieved eggs are frozen without being fertilized.
Explore Egg Freezing & Egg Retrieval Support →
Explore Support During Ovarian Stimulation →
Fertility Terms to Know
Here are plain-language explanations of terms you may hear during appointments or when reviewing test results.
Term Meaning
Follicle A small, fluid-filled structure in the ovary where an egg develops.
Ovulation The release of an egg from an ovary.
Endometrium The tissue lining the inside of the uterus.
Embryo An early stage of development following fertilization and the beginning of cell division. Cryopreservation Freezing and storing eggs, sperm, or embryos for possible future use.
AMH — Anti-Müllerian Hormone A hormone used as one indicator of ovarian reserve. An AMH result alone does not determine egg quality or the likelihood of pregnancy.
AFC — Antral Follicle Count The number of small antral follicles visible in the ovaries during an ultrasound examination.
ICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection A fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
PGT — Preimplantation Genetic Testing A group of tests used to assess embryos for certain genetic or chromosomal findings before transfer. Different types of PGT answer different questions.
Test results need to be interpreted alongside your age, medical history, and other findings. Your fertility team can explain what each result means in your circumstances.
Making Sense of Acupuncture Research
Look beyond the headline.
When a study reports that acupuncture “works,” it is important to understand what was measured. Relief from pain or anxiety is a different outcome from pregnancy or live birth.
What improved?
Check whether researchers measured pain, sleep, anxiety, pregnancy, live birth, or another outcome.
What was acupuncture compared with?
Results may differ depending on whether the comparison was usual care, no treatment, or sham acupuncture.
Who participated?
Consider whether the participants’ ages, diagnoses, and treatment stages were similar to your own.
How reliable are the findings?
Study size, research methods, and whether other studies report similar results all matter.
Was the improvement meaningful?
A statistically significant difference does not always mean a change large enough to notice in everyday life.
Understanding these distinctions can help you consider where acupuncture may offer useful support and where uncertainty remains.
Explore Dr. Michiko’s Approach →
Bring Your Questions to Your Care Team
You do not need to understand everything at once. Keep a note of unfamiliar terms and questions as they arise, and bring them to your appointments.
Understanding your treatment can help you communicate your preferences, discuss concerns, and take part in decisions about your next steps.
Before Your First Visit
Please complete our fertility intake form before your first appointment so Dr. Michiko can review your health history and fertility goals.
Before Your First Visit
Please complete our fertility intake form
before your first appointment
so Dr. Michiko can review
your health history and fertility goals.
Complete Fertility Intake Form