Now in its seventh year, the Self Fertility Massage™ video has become one of the most popular ways to boost your fertility naturally. Along with a wide range of reproductive health benefits, comes questions, lots of questions…

Here are the wide range of common questions we receive about Self Fertility Massage:

1. Q: How long do I do the massage each session?
A: When first starting out, Self Fertility Massage is best applied in 30 – 45-minute sessions. This length of time is also good if you can only make time for the massage a couple times a week. If you plan on doing the massage daily, 15 minutes is best.

2. Q: How many times a day should I do the massage?
A: One time a day is best.

3. Q: Can I do Self Fertility Massage during an IVF stim cycle?
A: No, we don’t recommend applying this type of massage or any other type of abdominal massage during an IVF stim cycle. This is because the ovaries are being stimulated to mature many follicles at one time. Stimulation of multiple mature follicles is not typically natural to a normal follicle maturation cycle where only 1 to 2 follicles fully mature for ovulation in a cycle.

4. Q: When in my cycle do I apply Self Fertility Massage?
A: Self Fertility Massage should not be applied during your period (menses) or during pregnancy. For women who are actively trying to conceive, Self Fertility Massage may be done starting the day after your period ends, up to ovulation and not after, in case you may be pregnant. For women who are not actively trying to conceive, Self Fertility Massage may be applied any time in the cycle, except during menstruation.

5. Q: Should I continue the massage into pregnancy?
A: No, it is best to not apply this type of massage in pregnancy.

6. Q: In the video, I see you apply the acupressure points on only one of your feet, do I apply it on both feet?
A: Yes, you apply it on both feet.

7. Q: Can I use the leftover castor oil from the castor oil pack for the massage? Do I have to apply the castor oil pack prior to the massage, and do I have to use castor oil, or can I use another massage oil?
A: Yes, castor oil is fine to use for the massage, even if you don’t apply a castor oil pack prior to the massage. If you do apply the castor oil pack prior to the massage, you may want to wipe off any excess if there is too much oil still remaining on your abdomen. Or, you can add more if there is not enough castor oil left over from the castor oil pack.

We find that applying a castor oil pack prior to Self Fertility Massage softens the underlying tissues, enhances circulation, and results in natural detoxification to the area applied. That is why it is included in the video. It is completely fine to use another natural massage oil as an alternative to castor oil. Be sure you are using a natural massage oil and not mineral oil (baby oil) which is derived from petroleum and may be toxic to your health, counteracting the benefits of the massage. We love Radiant Womb therapeutic fertility massage oil.

8. Q: How hard should I press when doing the massage?
A: Only press as hard/deep as you can handle without hurting yourself. You should not feel pain because of how hard you are pressing. This type of massage is similar to a full body massage, only in a very special area. Keep in mind that the abdomen doesn’t contain any bones and that what you are massaging is only muscles, connective tissues, and organs – including your reproductive and digestive organs. Be gentle, especially at first, start off slow and increase pressure over time, and once you find a pressure that feels right for you, stay there and continue that same pressure over time.

If you feel a painful spot due to a reproductive organ health issue (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc.) massage around that area, not directly on it. Over time it should begin to feel better.

9. Q: I had my husband massage me following along with the video, later I began spotting, is this normal?
A: My first thoughts are questions for you. Do you have any fertility health issues that are known to cause spotting, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or adenomyosis that I should know about? Did you and your husband have intercourse after the massage, that may cause spotting? Have you ever experienced spotting during your cycle in the past? Are you about to begin your period? Any of these or a combination of them may cause spotting in the absence of menstruation.

While I am not sure why this would occur in relation to the fertility massage, the following are ideas I have as to why this may happen…

By nature, men tend to be stronger and may press harder than you would. Also, your husband cannot feel what you are feeling. It is best to apply Self Fertility Massage yourself, or have a licensed abdominal massage practitioner apply the massage. If you like the connection the massage gives you and your partner and you think the spotting may be from him pressing too hard, just communicate with him to ease up.

Another thought, it may be that during the massage you are becoming aroused, which increases circulation to the reproductive organs even more than just the massage alone.

It is not typical to experience spotting due to fertility massage. If you are worried and this continues to happen, it is best to stop performing the massage.

10. Q: I have been applying the Self Fertility Massage techniques all week and I am experiencing pain is that normal?
A: It is quite normal to experience some soreness when first beginning the massage techniques. Any time you stimulate an area of the body in a new way, you are likely to experience some soreness the next day. You are moving tissues that probably haven’t been moved in this way, ever. Massage is an excellent way to keep underlying tissues soft, flexible, supple and strong, kind of like a new exercise. Because of this, the area is bound to be a little sore until the body becomes used to it.

What is not normal is excruciating pain of any kind – throbbing, stinging, sharp, etc. If this is happening, it may be best to discontinue this type of massage.

11. Q: I heard that if you have ovarian cysts you should not do Fertility Massage, is that true?
A: In general, women with ovarian cysts should avoid massaging the area over the ovaries, especially on the side where the cyst is present. If the ovarian cyst is large, it would be best to avoid Self Fertility Massage. Why? Ovarian cysts are known to rupture and can be quite painful. Massaging an ovarian cyst may be too much for the delicate tissues of the ovary, which is already being stretched beyond its capacity.

12. Q: Can I get menstrual cycle shifts from fertility massage?
A: To be honest, I am not quite sure if fertility massage alone would cause a change in the timing of the menstrual cycle. Whether it be a change in overall length or timing of ovulation, there is no concrete evidence to show this is possible. I suppose theoretically the enhanced circulation and stimulation of the reproductive organs may temporarily shift the hormonal system and,in turn, slightly alter the timing of the menstrual cycle as a whole. This is not typical though and of the thousands of women who perform Self Fertility Massage, there are only a couple of women that have asked about this.

I think that it is likely contributed to something else, other than the massage. Most women performing Self Fertility Massage have also implemented diet and lifestyle changes and/or are likely taking herbs and supplements for fertility, which have been known to shift the menstrual cycle in the first months after the changes are implemented.

13. Q: How soon after a miscarriage can the massage be started? Is waiting until my menstrual cycle returns best? Or can it be used once miscarriage spotting is completely over?
A: Self Fertility Massage is fine to begin once bleeding, including spotting has stopped entirely. The time when this will happen will be different for each woman. You do not have to wait until your menstrual cycle returns. Just remember to not perform the massage during bleeding times.

14. Q: Is Self Fertility Massage anything like Maya Abdominal Massage?
A: A wide range of massage techniques are used in Self Fertility Massage. The creator of this massage video and our founder, Hethir Rodriguez, CH, CMT, tailored her knowledge of a variety of massage techniques for the Self Fertility Massage.

Self Fertility Massage™ incorporates Chi Nei Tsang (Asian organ massage), deep tissue massage, myofascial release, acupressure, reflexology and castor oil therapy. Maya Abdominal Massage may incorporate some of these techniques, but not all. To learn more about Maya Abdominal Massage click here…

15. Q: Can I do Self Fertility Massage after exercise?
A: Yes, if you have time that is fine and it may be a relaxing way to end an exercise routine. Remember, it will take 30 – 45 minutes to complete, so you will have to see what you can fit into your schedule.

16. Q: How long do I have to wait after eating a meal to do the Self Fertility Massage?
A: Never apply Self Fertility Massage directly after eating a meal, as this may cause digestive upset. It is best to wait at least 1.5 – 2 hours after eating a meal.

To learn more about Self Fertility Massage™ visit our article How to Use Self Fertility Massage™ to Boost Your Chances of Conception.

Dalene Barton-Schuster - Certified Herbalist, Birth Doula

Practicing natural health and herbalism since 2000, Dalene received her training and certification under the guidance of Lynn Albers at Yarmony Mt. Herbal College in Colorado. She went on to become a Certified Birth Doula at Birthingway College of Midwifery in Portland, Oregon in 2007.