If you haven't been able to conceive within a year of unprotected sexual intercourse, fertility experts say it's time to seek assistance. Your choice of practitioner can vary from the conventional -- a family practice doctor, an OB/Gyn or reproductive endocrinologist -- to holistic healers and traditional Chinese medicine physicians on the alternative side of medical care. Herbal fertility medications, long used by alternative health care providers, are becoming more accepted by Western medicine professionals in the United States.
Word of Caution
Dr. Randine Lewis, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and author, doesn't usually recommend herbs to patients during a medically stimulated fertility treatment cycle. She may prescribe them for use in between cycles, but only after a thorough diagnostic evaluation. Dr. Lewis adds, "I also recommend that all herbs be prescribed by a licensed Chinese herbalist who works closely with a reproductive medicine specialist." Because each woman's fertility cycles are slightly different, individualization is crucial. Herbal medicines, like all medications, should not be randomly used without professional oversight. Dr. Lewis uses the example of variations in cycle length: "If your cycles are short, you will need a very different herbal prescription than if your cycles are long." She further cautions patients to pay close attention to how their bodies respond to herbs.
How Herbs Can Help
Herbs that stimulate ovarian function include Helonias or false unicorn root, Vitex or Chaste tree berry, Epimedium or horny goat weed, and Eucomia. Dr. Lewis specifies, "Herbs which enhance ovarian function generally will not help if your follicle stimulating hormone -- FSH -- is high, your cycles are short, your estrogen is low, your periods are short and cervical fluid is scanty. In such cases, you may benefit from Dang Gui or Angelica, or an individually prescribed cooling tonic like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan." Zhi Bai di Huang Wan nourishes the reproductive process while it clears excess heat, as with hot flashes and night sweats. Xiao Yao San can ease PMS and help the body detoxify after a hormonally stimulated cycle. Qualified physicians can also gear Chinese herbal formulas to help with implantation, help the liver detoxify the excess hormones and respond to hormones more effectively.
Quick List
In addition to those listed by Dr. Lewis, Preconception Weekly also lists black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf for women, and saw palmetto for men. Dr. Lewis will sometimes prescribe ginseng or the Chinese herb Cornus for men to help improve sperm count and motility.
Practitioners Who Use Herbs
Traditional Chinese Medicine physicians use herbal medications, but other practitioners may prescribe them, too. Naturopathic doctors and Ayurvedic physicians often prescribe medicinal herbal preparations. Medical herbalists, sometimes called botanical medicine practitioners, are not considered physicians, but are trained in the use of herbs for healing. Conventional Western medicine practitioners may use herbs but more often will refer patients interested in complementary treatments to one of the alternative types of physicians.
References
- Randine Lewis, Ph.D.; The Fertile Soul Program; North Carolina
- Preconception Weekly: Vitamins and Herbs to Help Fertility
