| Description: Inability to become pregnant due to a problem in the woman’s reproductive system.
Cause: May be hormonal or caused by blockage within the reproductive system.
Useful Supplements: Iron, PABA, Vitamin E.
Useful Herbs: Dong Quai, Licorice, Red Clover, Vitex.
Further information: Infertility is characterized by an inability to become pregnant after a long period (six months to a year) of unprotected intercourse. Infertility has a large number of causes, many of which require direct medical intervention (such as blocked fallopian tubes, which prevent ova from being released). While the suggestions in this section may be helpful in enhancing fertility, any concerns about infertility should be discussed with a health care professional.
Several health and lifestyle choices may be helpful in encouraging fertility. High caffeine intake – more than two cups of coffee daily – has been connected with endometriosis, which can lead to infertility.1 Even one cup of coffee daily may cut fertility by as much as 50%.2 Caffeine in other forms – tea, soda, chocolate – is equally likely to cause fertility problems; however, coffee is the most caffeine-rich, and should be the first thing removed from the diet.
Even decaffeinated coffee may not be safe – one study has linked it to spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).3
Women who wish to conceive should also avoid smoking. In addition to the harm that smoking can cause to the fetus, it may suppress fertility.4
Alcohol consumption has been linked to increased infertility in at least one study.5
Weight may also effect fertility. Both overweight and underweight women may experience a lack of ovulation.6 A balanced diet and proper weight loss or gain may help restore fertility and regular menstrual cycles.
The following supplements and herbs may be effective in improving female fertility:
Deficiency of any vitamin or mineral may suppress fertility. Taking a regular multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can increase fertility.7
Iron supplements often help women to regain fertility if an iron deficit exists.8
PABA supplementation appears to increase the ability of some infertile women to become pregnant.9
Vitamin E deficiency leads to infertility in animals.10 Taken in a dose of 100 to 200 IU daily, it has been shown to increase fertility in humans.11
Dong Quai is effective in treating a weak uterus by promoting better metabolism.12 It may also help regulate hormonal shifts and regularize the menstrual cycle.13
Licorice can improve menstruation in women with irregular cycles. It may also help to restore hormonal balance in women with low estrogen.14 Licorice should not be used by women with heart conditions.
Red Clover blossom may act as a fertility enhancer. It contains several estrogen-like compounds which may promote fertility in estrogen-deficient women.15
Vitex is often used to help infertility caused by a luteal phase defect (a shortening of the post-ovulatory part of the menstrual cycle). Women taking Vitex for three months appear to have more success at becoming pregnant.16 However, Vitex use should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy occurs.
References:
1Grodstein F, Goldman MB, Ryan L, Cramer DW. Relation of female infertility to consumption of caffeinated beverages. Am J Epidemiol 1993;137:1353–60.
2Wilcox A, Weinberg C, Baird D. Caffeinated beverages and decreased fertility. Lancet 1988;ii:1453–6.
3Fenster L, Bubbard A, Windhan G, Hiatt R, et al. A prospective study of caffeine consumption and spontaneous abortion. Am J Epidemiol 1996;143 (11 suppl);525 [abstr #99].
4Howe G, Westhoff C, Vessey M, Yeates D. Effects of age, cigarette smoking, and other factors on fertility: findings in a large prospective study. BMJ 1985;290:1697–9.
5Grodstein F, Goldman MB, Cramer DW. Infertility in women and moderate alcohol use. Am J Public Health 1994;84:1429–32.
6Green BB, et al. Risk of ovulatory infertility in relation to body weight. Fertil Steril 1988;50:621–6.
7Czeizel AE, Metneki J, Dudas I. The effect of preconceptional multivitamin supplementation on fertility. Internat J Vit Nutr Res 1996;66:55–8.
8Rushton DH, Ramsay ID, Gilkes JJH, Norris MJ. Ferritin and fertility. Lancet 1991;337:1554 [letter].
9Sieve BF. The clinical effects of a new B-complex factor, para-aminobenzoic acid, on pigmentation and fertility. South Med Surg 1942(March);104:135–139.
10Thiessen DD, et al. Vitamin E and sex behavior in mice. Nutr Metabol 1975;18:116–9.
11Bayer R. Treatment of infertility with vitamin E. Int J Fertil 1960;5:70–8.
12Zhu, D. Dong Quai, Am J Chinese Med, XV (3-4): 117-125, 1986.
13Zhiping, H., et al. Treating amenorrhea in vital energy-deficient patients with Angelica sinensis. J Trad Chin Med, 6 (3): 187-190, 1986.
14Yaginuma, T., et al. Effect of traditional herbal medicine on serum testosterone levels and induction of regular ovulation in hyper-androgenic and oligomenorrheic women. Nippon Sank Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, 34(7):939-944, 1982.
15Duke, J. A. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs: 489. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985.
16Propping D, Katzorke T. Treatment of corpus luteum insufficiency. Zeitschr Allgemeinmedizin 1987;63:932–3.
|
