Fertility Herbs to Aid in Conception

It is not uncommon for couples to have trouble getting pregnant. Infertility is the term that is most commonly used when a couple fails to conceive after having unprotected sex for a period of time that lasts anywhere from twelve to eighteen months. Most infertility treatments focus on the process of fertilization. Several factors such as stress, an underlying disease or illness, diet, and hormonal imbalances, can affect the course of fertilization.

Aside from conventional medicine there are many herbs that can help to increase the chances of conception taking place. Herbs can be used individually or as a blend and come in many different forms include tablets, capsules, and tinctures. Some will assist in the enhancement of fertility while others may help to remedy specific fertility issues. Most herbs can be used with minimal side effects but also have the potential to be dangerous when used improperly. It is important to always check with your doctor before using herbal tonics for any condition.

Dong Quai: Also known as Chinese Angelica, Dong Quai has been used for thousands of years in China and Japan to treat reproductive problems in women. It is known to regulate the female hormone estrogen and to improve the odds of implantation. It has also been called the "female ginseng" as its estrogen-like elements have proven to be effective in improving circulation and treating disorders such as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorreha (absence of menstruation) and menopausal symptoms. Because it contains these estrogen-like compounds, women that are already pregnant should not take Dong Quai as it can lead to premature uterine contractions and increase the risk for miscarriage.

False Unicorn Root: The application of this herb was inherited from the Native Americans and has been used for many years as a tonic to treat infertility, painful or irregular menstrual cycles, pelvic congestion, amenorreha (absence of menstruation), ovarian pain often related to ovulation, ovarian cysts, and venereal diseases, especially gonorrhea. Studies have shown False Unicorn Root to adjust and improve the production of the secretory response in the ovaries. Along with being a reproductive tonic for women it is also believed that this herb can be useful in treating male impotence.

Evening Primrose Oil: This plant is native to North America and contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. It has been used for decades to treat skin conditions and more recently also to help ease the symptoms of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Other uses have included soothing breast pain associated with having a menstrual cycle, reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause. It is one of the more popular remedies used to treat infertility. It helps by increasing the quality of the cervical fluid thereby preparing the uterus for implantation. Evening Primrose Oil has been known to cause uterine contractions and should be avoided by women who are already pregnant as it can lead to miscarriage.

Red Raspberry Leaf: Midwives have used this plant for thousands of years in Chinese medicine with great success. Red Raspberry Leaf has been used to treat disorders affecting the digestive system, sore throats, and the common cold. It is one of the safest herbal blends a woman can use when trying to become pregnant and, unlike many other herbs, it is also safe for use during pregnancy. It is known to help "tone" the uterus by increasing the flow of blood to this area. Improved circulation also helps to strengthen the lining of the uterus thereby lengthening the "luteal phase" of a woman's menstrual cycle. The luteal phase begins the day after ovulation and runs through the remainder of a full cycle. It is during this phase that a woman is most fertile and by strengthening the lining of the uterus, her chances of conceiving are significantly increased.

Vitex: This herb is native to Asia and Mediterranean countries and is also known by the names Monk's Pepper, Chaste Tree Berry, and Agnus Castus. It has been called the "female herb" as it regulates the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is thought to increase levels of progesterone by stimulating the pituitary gland and thus promotes fertility. It has been used to treat female infertility, premenstrual syndrome, cramping, headaches and breast tenderness associated with a woman's menstrual cycle, heavy menstruation, post-partum hemorrhage, and menopausal symptoms. Common side effects of this herb include nausea, increased heart rate, digestive irritation, skin rash and itching. Vitex has been found to increase the production of breast milk but in higher doses may have the opposite effect and reduce the production of breast milk. Because this herb affects the lactation process it is thought to pass into breast milk and should not be used by women who are nursing their newborns.

Sources

Ody, Penelope. Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill, 1999.

Baker, Jeannine P. Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal. Moab, Utah: Freestone Publishing Company, 1979.

Lewis, Randine. The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2004.

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center - Department of Labor & Delivery