The research behind the outcomes
In recent years, interest has grown in holistic and manual therapy techniques that support reproductive health, especially for women navigating infertility or undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a gentle, non-invasive manual technique aimed at improving the flow of lymph and reducing tissue congestion and emerging evidence points to its potential role in supporting fertility.
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy?
MLD involves light, rhythmic strokes that stimulate the movement of lymph—a clear fluid that carries immune cells, waste products, and excess fluid—through the lymphatic system. By enhancing lymphatic circulation, this therapy supports detoxification, reduces inflammation, and helps regulate the autonomic nervous system. These effects can have far-reaching benefits for various organ systems, including the reproductive system.
Lymphatic and Manual Therapies in Fertility: A Look at the Evidence
1. Improving Natural Conception and IVF Success through Manual Physical Therapy
A pivotal 2004 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine investigated the use of a site-specific manual physical therapy (including techniques similar to LDT) for women with a history of infertility. The study by Wurn et al. involved 139 women, many with previous failed IVF attempts or diagnosed with mechanical infertility (e.g., blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or pelvic adhesions). The results were striking:
- 71% of the participants achieved pregnancy following the manual therapy regimen.
- Of the women with prior IVF failure, 43% became pregnant post-treatment without further IVF cycles.
The manual techniques targeted adhesions and restrictions in the pelvic region, including lymphatic pathways. The researchers proposed that improving circulation and reducing adhesions may normalize reproductive organ function and improve fertility outcomes Wurn et al., 2004.
Key takeaway: Manual therapies that mobilize lymphatic and soft tissues can potentially reverse infertility diagnoses by restoring normal pelvic and reproductive function.
2. Enhancing IVF Outcomes with Massage-Based Therapies
In a 2015 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers examined the impact of andullation therapy (a form of vibration massage that stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory systems) on IVF outcomes during frozen embryo transfers. Conducted in Germany, the study assessed 271 women undergoing cryo-embryo transfers:
- Pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the massage therapy group (45.6%) compared to the control group (28.5%).
- The therapy was administered during the pre-implantation phase and was associated with improved endometrial receptivity.
Though not purely MLD, andullation shares a common mechanism: stimulating lymphatic flow and improving microcirculation, both of which are vital for endometrial health and successful embryo implantation Reinhard et al., 2015.
Key takeaway: Non-invasive physical therapies that enhance lymphatic and vascular function may improve uterine environment and boost IVF success rates.
3. Improving Pregnancy Rates with Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Although dated and a small sample size, a 1983 study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology explored the effects of manual lymphatic drainage therapy on women with unexplained infertility. Conducted by Wesselius-De Casparis and colleagues, the preliminary report involved 20 women who had experienced difficulty conceiving, with many having undergone prior treatments without success.
The intervention consisted of lymph drainage therapy applied to the abdominal and pelvic regions, aiming to improve lymphatic flow, reduce tissue stagnation, and enhance pelvic organ function. Following the therapy series:
- 9 out of 20 women (45%) conceived within a relatively short follow-up period.
- None had received concurrent fertility medications or procedures during the treatment window.
The authors hypothesized that improving lymphatic circulation and relieving subclinical pelvic congestion may enhance the functional environment of the reproductive organs, supporting natural conception even in cases of long-standing infertility (Wesselius-De Casparis et al., 1983).
Key takeaway: Even a short course of targeted lymphatic therapy may significantly improve natural conception rates in women with unexplained infertility—offering a non-invasive and cost-effective adjunct or alternative to conventional fertility treatments.
How Might Manual Lymphatic Drainage Support Reproductive Health?
The mechanisms through which MLD and related manual therapies may benefit fertility include:
- Reduction of pelvic congestion: Poor lymphatic drainage in the pelvic area can contribute to inflammation, stagnation, and adhesions—conditions commonly seen in endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Hormonal balance: Lymphatic flow influences interstitial fluid homeostasis and may indirectly support endocrine function by improving toxin clearance and reducing systemic inflammation.
- Autonomic nervous system regulation: MLD has parasympathetic calming effects, which may reduce cortisol levels and stress-related fertility barriers.
- Tissue remodeling: Gentle manual techniques may help mobilize fascial and lymphatic restrictions, enhancing blood and lymphatic circulation to reproductive organs.
While more research is needed to fully elucidate the specific mechanisms of lymphatic drainage therapy in fertility, current evidence supports its potential role as a safe, adjunctive therapy for women with infertility or those undergoing IVF. The studies highlighted here show promise in using manual therapies—including MLD and massage-based interventions—to enhance pelvic health, reduce adhesions, and improve implantation rates.
As with any complementary therapy, it’s essential to work alongside qualified practitioners and integrate these treatments into a broader fertility care plan that may include medical, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions.
If you’re navigating fertility challenges—whether naturally or through IVF—know that you’re not alone, and that there are gentle, evidence-informed therapies that may help. At Longev, we offer fertility-focused lymphatic drainage treatments designed to support pelvic health, reduce inflammation, and create the optimal environment for conception.
Our experienced therapists, bring both compassion and clinical knowledge to every session, creating a calm, supportive space for you to reconnect with your body.
We’d be honoured to walk alongside you on this journey.
👉 Click here to book your fertility lymphatic drainage session at Longev
Learn more about:
Lymphatic Drainage for Female Reproductive Health
How Manual Pelvic Therapy May Help Restore Fertility in Women with Fallopian Tube Blockages
References
- Wurn BF, Wurn LJ, Perry MA, et al. (2004). Treating female infertility and improving IVF pregnancy rates with a manual physical therapy technique. Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;10(4):52-60. PubMed
- Reinhard J, Goeckenjan M, Toth B, et al. (2015). Massage (andullation) therapy improves in vitro fertilization outcome in patients undergoing blastocyst transfer in a cryo-cycle. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015:960251. PubMed
