Femoral Artery Massage

This exercise increases blood flow to pelvic organs, providing nourishment to the uterus and ovaries. A partner may more effectively perform this massage.

1. Compress (by applying pressure with your fingertips) the large artery just beneath the crease in your groin between your thigh and lower abdomen. This is the femoral artery, which comes from the iliac artery. The iliac artery has branches that supply blood to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The ovaries have an additional Blood supply, which branches off the arterial section that supplies the kidneys.

2. You should be able to feel with your fingertips when the pulsation of the artery stops. Hold the pressure for 30 to 45 seconds. The blood is now backing up and increasing the pressure in the iliac arteries, forcing more blood into the pelvic arteries and flooding the pelvic organs with blood.

3. Release the pressure and let the blood flow normally. When the hold is released, you should feel a sensation of warmth rushing down your leg as the blood supply returns to the lower extremity.

4. Repeat on the opposite side. Perform this femoral artery massage sequence three times in a row, twice a day, up to ovulation (or the day before embryo transfer but not beyond).

NOTE: Do not perform this exercise if you are or might be pregnant. If you have high blood pressure, or a history of strokes or detached retinas, do not practice this technique.