Pregnancy Quick Start Logo
fertility / conception preperation / planning diet / nutritionfitness / exerciseemotions / support

Fertility / Conception

Can Herbs Boost Fertility?

Many women experiencing infertility would prefer trying more natural remedies before attempting prescription therapy or invasive procedures for dealing with infertility. There are many natural treatment alternatives that may help stimulate fertility in women having trouble conceiving. More commonly used alternatives include use of herbs to help boost fertility. There are many herbs that have both estrogenic and progesterone like properties that may help regulate cycles and improve fertility in some women. Still others help tone the glands responsible for producing hormones and help regulate a woman's cycle.

Prior to using herbs most health care specialists would suggest that women experiencing infertility see a specialist to determine why they are having problems conceiving. There are many underlying problems that can contribute to infertility that herbs may not address. Among the more common problems including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, presence of uterine fibroids or other structural irregularities. All of these problems may make conceiving more difficult.

Herbs To Boost Fertility

Many women have difficulty conceiving simply because their ovulatory cycles aren't regular. Some women with hormonal problems will experience greater fertility by using certain herbs. Among the more common herbs used to help regulate menstrual cycles and ovulation include black cohosh, vitex. Agnus castus and false unicorn root. Each of these have specific properties that can help tone and regulate the reproductive system.

Some women may find herbs that help regulate stress, inflammation and even thyroid problems including mild hypothyroidism may also help boost fertility. Multiple lifestyle factors including decreased immunity, poor health, and inadequate nutrition and over use of alcohol, tobacco or caffeine may all contribute to infertility. It is important that you address any lifestyle factors that may impeded your fertility in addition to taking tonifying agents to help promote your health and well being.

Your best bet is probably to seek out the advice of a qualified herbal practitioner. An herbalist can help you determine the best herbs for addressing your unique health history and fertility problems. In some cases use of herbs may also be helpful for males experiencing fertility problems due to environmental factors or low sperm count. A qualified practitioner may suggest that you and your partner detoxify before starting an herbal regimen. Common herbs prescribed to men experiencing fertility problems include Siberian ginseng, damiana and saw palmetto, all useful for boosting fertility and regulating male hormones.

It is important that you talk with your health care provider before trying herbal therapy. Many herbs will take several weeks or months of use before their efficacy is documented. Some herbs will need to be discontinued after pregnancy is successfully achieved because they may prove harmful for your growing fetus. It is important that you understand the benefits and risks of herbal therapy before using any natural therapies to address your infertility. This is even more the case if you are taking other medications that may interfere or interact with herbal therapy.

Yet another alternative some women find effective is use of progesterone cream to help regulate hormonal cycles. When used prior to ovulation, progesterone cream may impede fertility. When used during the second half of a woman's cycle however, progesterone may help lengthen a short luteal phase, which can promote greater odds of implantation and a successful pregnancy. Some women prefer to try natural progesterone cream before resorting to prescription medication to correct a luteal phase defect. Other supplements that are effective or helpful for luteal phase problems include vitamin B6. Talk with your doctor about your unique situation to determine what supplements, herbs and vitamins may be beneficial for helping you conceive. If you find your doctor is not open to natural treatments, you might consider trying a midwife experienced in herbal therapy.

Copyright 2006 © PregnancyQuickStart.com