Female Infertility - Supplements

 
Female Infertility

Related Topics

Making the decision to have children is sometimes easier than getting pregnant. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Stop smoking

    Kick the habit now to improve your chances of getting pregnant

  • Abstain from alcohol

    Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages to double your potential for conception

  • Cut the caffeine

    Stop drinking coffee and tea, and avoid other caffeinated products

  • Get to know propolis

    This natural substance may improve the likelihood of pregnancy; take 500 mg twice a day

  • See a specialist

    Consult with a fertility expert to find out if there is a medical reason for your infertility

Also indexed as:
  • female infertility,
  • infertile women

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.


SupplementAmountWhy
Propolis
(Endometriosis)
500 mg twice per day2 stars For infertile women with endometriosis, taking propolis may improve the likelihood of pregnancy.


2 stars Propolis

500 mg twice per day

In a preliminary study of women with infertility and mild endometriosis, supplementation with propolis (500 mg twice a day for six months) was associated with a pregnancy rate of 60%, compared with a rate of 20% in the placebo group (a statistically significant difference).14 Whether propolis would be beneficial for infertile women who do not have endometriosis is not known.


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin C
(Luteal Phase Defect)
750 mg daily 2 stars Vitamin C has been shown to improve fertility in woman with a uterine condition known as luteal phase defect.


2 stars Vitamin C

750 mg daily

In some women, infertility is due to a hormonal abnormality known as luteal phase defect. In this condition, the uterine lining does not develop and mature properly, presumably because of a deficiency of the hormone progesterone. In a study of infertile women with luteal phase defect, supplementation with 750 mg of vitamin C per day for up to six months resulted in a pregnancy rate of 25%, compared with a rate of 11% in an untreated control group, a statistically significant difference.15


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitex
40 drops of a liquid extract with water or 35 to 40 mg of encapsulated powder each morning 2 stars Vitex has been shown to improve fertility, particularly for women with luteal phase defect, it should be discontinued once a woman becomes pregnant.


2 stars Vitex

40 drops of a liquid extract with water or 35 to 40 mg of encapsulated powder each morning

Vitex is occasionally used as an herbal treatment for infertility—particularly in cases with established luteal phase defect (shortened second half of the menstrual cycle) and high levels of the hormone, prolactin. In one trial, 48 women (ages 23 to 39) who were diagnosed with infertility took vitex once daily for three months.16 Seven women became pregnant during the trial, and 25 women experienced normalized progesterone levels—which may increase the chances for pregnancy. In another double-blind trial, significantly more infertile women became pregnant after taking a product whose main ingredient is vitex (the other ingredients were homeopathic preparations) than did those who took a placebo.17 The amount used in this trial was 30 drops of fluid extract twice a day, for a total of 1.8 ml per day. This specific preparation is not available in the United States. Some doctors recommend taking 40 drops of a liquid extract of vitex each morning with water. Approximately 35–40 mg of encapsulated powdered vitex (one capsule taken in the morning) provides a similar amount. Vitex should be discontinued once a woman becomes pregnant.


SupplementAmountWhy
Arginine
(In Vitro Fertilization)
Refer to label instructions 1 star Supplementing with L-arginine has been shown to improve fertility in women with a history of failed attempts at in vitro fertilization.


1 star Arginine

Supplementation with the amino acid, L-arginine (16 grams per day), has been shown to improve fertilization rates in women with a previous history of failed attempts at in vitro (test tube) fertilization.18


SupplementAmountWhy
Iron
(Iron-Deficiency Anemia)
Refer to label instructions 1 star Even subtle iron deficiencies have been tentatively linked to infertility. Women who are infertile should consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of iron deficiency


1 star Iron

In preliminary research, even a subtle deficiency of iron has been tentatively linked to infertility.19 Women who are infertile should consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of iron deficiency.


SupplementAmountWhy
Multivitamin
Refer to label instructions 1 star One trial found that taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement increased female fertility.


1 star Multivitamin

A double-blind trial found that taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement increased female fertility.20


SupplementAmountWhy
PABA
Refer to label instructions 1 star Some women have achieved pregnancy after supplementing with PABA, which is believed to increase the ability of estrogen to facilitate fertility.


1 star PABA

Some previously infertile women have become pregnant after supplementing with PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), 100 mg four times per day.21 PABA is believed to increase the ability of estrogen to facilitate fertility.


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin E
Refer to label instructions 1 star In one study, infertile couples given vitamin E showed significantly improved fertility.


1 star Vitamin E

Vitamin E deficiency in animals leads to infertility.22 In a preliminary human trial, infertile couples given vitamin E (200 IU per day for the female and 100 IU per day for the male) showed a significant increase in fertility.23


Last Review: 05-11-2011

LogoCpyrt.gif

Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Advertisement
Care Circle

It Seems That You Are Not Logged In...

OR

Join Now

Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:

  1. Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
  2. Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
  3. Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.

The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.

How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?

Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.

How do I save content to my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.

How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.

How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.