The use of herbs to treat a variety of medical conditions is increasing in popularity. Sometimes, though, herbal preparations have not been proven effective. Occasionally, taking herbal medications can actually work against your intentions to treat a condition. Fertility treatment may be one such case.
Unconventional, or Alternative, Medicine
In most cases, conventional Western medicine does not use herb preparations to treat health conditions. On the contrary, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practitioners use a wide variety of herbs regularly to treat patients. Besides the fact that herbal use is not taught in conventional medical school, many Western physicians are wary of prescribing treatments that are unproven. More importantly, the regulation of dietary supplements, including herbals, is less strict than for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that manufacturers of dietary supplements are not required by the Food and Drug Administration to prove safety or effectiveness prior to marketing their product. Still, many conventional physicians will consider prescribing herbal medications in conjunction with traditional treatments, so long as safety is not an issue.
Fertility Over 40
The human body naturally becomes less fertile as middle age approaches. Women, in particular, see a marked decline in their ability to conceive as they enter their mid-30s. In fact, the average woman in good health who is 40 has a statistical chance of around 5 percent each month of getting pregnant, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. While men's fertility generally stays relatively more intact well into their older years, they can also experience age-related declines, especially if their lifestyle -- diet, exercise and toxin intake -- is less than optimal to overall health.
Age-Related Fertility
Once a woman is in her late 30s, some fertility experts recommend she consider a baseline fertility evaluation if pregnancy is her goal. The reason: At that point in the lifespan, if there are any pre-existing fertility problems, the chances that fertility treatment will work diminish rapidly as the woman ages. For women over 40, experts advise diagnostic fertility evaluation at the onset of trying to conceive. The more time that passes, the lower the chances that treatment will result in pregnancy.
Fertility Drugs
Experts in advanced reproductive medicine may prescribe a number of medications, from tablets to injectables, depending on the cause of infertility. Not all patients being treated for low fertility will benefit from fertility drugs. Some patients want to try herbal medications to boost their fertility before trying conventional medication, often because of fears about reported side effects. All medications, including herbals, carry some risk of adverse side effects. Their effectiveness varies widely.
Fertility Herbs
Dr. Mary Gallenberg of the Mayo Clinic lists the following supplements as having been studied for effects on fertility: L-carnitine, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, folic acid and vitamin C. She also states that due to scant research, conventional treatment is a better choice. Breea Johnson, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., nutritionist at Pulling Down the Moon, says that she rarely recommends herbs to patients over 40 years of age, "because most of them are undergoing a medicated cycle." She describes how one well-known herb, chasteberry, may be helpful for women with low progesterone during the luteal phase of their ovulatory cycle, but that it might interfere with other fertility medications.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Age and Fertility, A Guide for Patients
- MayoClinic.com: Fertility Herbs: Do They Enhance Fertility?
- Breea Johnson, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.; Pulling Down the Moon; Chicago
