Many couples get to that stage when they decide they are ready to settle down and bring a bundle of joy into the world. This happy and precious moment is often ruined when faced with the harsh reality of infertility.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is when a couple cannot get pregnant (conceive) despite having regular unprotected sex, this can affect around 1 in 7 couples as they may have difficulty conceiving. For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than 3 years without success, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally within the next year is 1 in 4, or less.
Today we will look at some of the causes of infertility for women, and possible holistic remedies that can aid in conception and healthy pregnancies.
What are some of the possible causes of female infertility?
Becoming pregnant and carrying a baby full term are complicated processes and many obstacles can contribute to a failure in this process which can lead to infertility.
The table below shows the common causes of infertility in females; however, it is not inclusive of all conditions.
- Failure to ovulate
- Problems in the Menstrual Cycle
- Structural Problems of the Reproductive System
- Infections
- Failure of an Egg to Mature Properly
- Implantation failure
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Primary Ovary Insufficiency (POI)
- Uterine Fibroids
- Autoimmune Disorders
How can herbs help to increase fertility?
Herbs act as supplements to a healthy diet to help boost your body’s regular functioning. Some herbs help to detoxify the body, others work to modulate the immune system (which could falsely identify a foetus as an external threat and prevent pregnancy), and more others help to stimulate the endocrine system which regulates hormone production (fertility is largely dependent on sex hormones).
It’s important to remember that herbs are not conventional medical drugs. People who are considering using herbs to help their fertility problems should keep in mind that this type of medicine addresses holistic health, focusing on the mind, the body, and the spirit. It is about balancing out the body and treating the person holistically, not just treating the symptoms.
Below are a list of herbs and how they can help with infertility.
Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh is indigenous to North America. It is known to have been used as pain relief medication for hundreds of years. Its use in relation to fertility is in the regularisation of periods. Its diuretic properties help bring on menstruation if it is late. It also effectively soothes menstrual pain, uterine irritability, ovarian pain, premenstrual migraine, and aids in the healing of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.
Please note that Black Cohosh is a quick effect herb and is not recommended for long-term use.
Liquorice
Liquorice root extract can be bought as a tincture, or the root itself can be used to make a decoction. It helps detoxify and repair the liver, support the endocrine system, and modulate the immune system. All three of these functions contribute to better overall hormonal health.
It is a phytoestrogen, i.e., while it is not produced by the body, it acts as oestrogen does. Phytoestrogen binds to oestrogen receptor sites, and so blocks these sites being bound by xenohormones. (Xenohormones are foreign molecules that bind to hormone receptors and hamper the health of the body.)
Liquorice also helps balance blood sugar levels, acts as anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, and helps cervical mucus production. When taking liquorice, always stick to the recommended dosage. Do not consume in large quantities.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf is a popular healthy reproduction herb which is also useful during pregnancy. It features a high nutrient profile and is particularly high in calcium content and acts as a uterine tonic. It is known worldwide that red raspberry leaves offer a soothing effect on the muscles in the wall of the uterus. A strong uterine wall will bring down the chances of early miscarriages. Therefore, the consumption of raspberry leaves will help those women having fertility issues due to uterine weakness.
An essential hormone for a healthy pregnancy is a progesterone and a tea prepared with these leaves help to boost progesterone level in the body. Also, the astringent properties of red raspberry leaf help to stop heavy bleeding during periods.
Being rich in vitamins and minerals it will boost the overall quality of eggs and sperms.
In case you underwent uterine surgery to remove fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or even surgery to correct uterine prolapse, the toning effect of raspberry leaves will promote fast healing of the uterus.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle does not only nourish and tone the uterus but also enhance strengthening of adrenal glands and kidneys, your kidneys help cleanse your blood which is vital as you're trying to conceive and during pregnancy. In addition to its kidney cleansing effects, nettle works to cleanse your entire digestive system – gently and effectively. There are other herbs that work on the digestive system in harsh ways that can cause pain and are dangerous while you're trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy.
One or even more cups of this high mineral tea taken per day for several months’ functions perfectly in the preparation of a woman’s body for conception and sustaining the embryo after achieving conception. Nettle is a herb to keep around throughout the years of trying to conceive, pregnancy, and caring for baby. It will help you get pregnant, help you stay pregnant and carry a healthy baby, and it also increases the richness of your breast milk once you've given birth. It's a gentle, safe herb that's easy to take in infusion form as a general tonic.
Red Clover Flower
This is a perfect fertility herb basically due to enormous amounts of magnesium and calcium. Magnesium and calcium are critical in a women’s ability to conceive. The herb contains all trace elements required by the glandular system. Red clover is the most efficient herb used for hormone balancing required to facilitate conception.
Below is a list of the many benefits of the herb and how it aids infertility:
- An effective blood cleanser
- It has a high vitamin content that supports the uterus
- High in protein to aid the entire body
- Contains easily absorbed calcium and magnesium (supports the nervous system)
- Also has a high mineral content (due to super deep roots)
- Alkalizes the body
- Helps to clear mucous in the body
- It also has antibiotic properties and is effective against many strains of bacteria.
- It’s a liver stimulant and activates the gallbladder, may have a slightly laxative effect.
- Also used as a nerve tonic to calm a person.
- Known as a female tonic to strengthen the ovaries
Ashwagandha
Research shows that cortisol (a stress hormone) negatively impacts female fertility. It reduces hormone production and progesterone levels as well as negatively impacting fertility and healthy menstrual cycles. Taking Ashwagandha extracts reduces cortisol levels, improving female fertility.
Ashwagandha supplements also help people to cope with stress, this can make it easier for women to get pregnant, increasing fertility and keeping the reproductive system healthy.
Irregular time of the month makes it much harder to conceive as it’s hard to predict when the woman is ovulating, however, ashwagandha has a positive effect on menstrual cycles, the herb helps to regulate your menstrual cycle, making it easier to conceive. This, in turn, makes your periods more predictable, enabling you to calculate when you’re most likely to be ovulating.
Ashwagandha is also believed to enhance the endocrine system. As a result, it regulates hormone production including the ones that are responsible for conception and fertility, taking this herb can prevent hormonal imbalance, especially in connection with some hormonal medication.
Research has shown that many people have claimed that taking this herbal supplement made it easier for them to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.
Ashwagandha also has wonderful benefits for the female reproductive system after pregnancy. For instance, it helps return your menstrual cycles back to normal, improves sleep quality, and reduces the risk of postpartum depression, it also increases milk production after pregnancy when breast feeding. Many women suffer from low milk supply for various reasons, one of the most common ones, is stress and anxiety. So, since taking Ashwagandha reduces stress and anxiety, it can also help with milk production.
Summary
There are many conditions that can contribute to infertility, however there are many herbs that can aid these problems. Although there are herbs that can be taken to help with various conditions, it is best to treat the body holistically, rather than one specific problem. Preparing the body to carry life requires both lifestyle and mental changes, but it is best to make these changes permanent to maintain a healthy and balanced life. If you are trying to conceive, or having difficulty conceiving please consult a health professional.
Further Reading
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2012). Frequently asked questions: Endometriosis. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Endometriosis
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2015). Fibroids and fertility. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from http://www.fertilityanswers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fibroids-and-fertility.pdf/ (PDF 251 KB)
Cox, L., & Liu, J. H. (2014). Primary ovarian insufficiency: An update. International Journal of Women's Health, 6, 235–243.
First cry parenting (n.d.). Top 12 Fertility Herbs to Get Pregnant Fast. [online] parenting.firstcry.com. Available at: https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/12-best-herbs-to-boost-fertility/ [Accessed 7 Oct. 2022].
Gauché-Cazalis, C., Koskas, M., Scali, S. C., Luton, D., & Yazbeck, C. (2012). Endometriosis and implantation: Myths and facts. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 17(2), 79–81.
Giudice, L. C. (2010). Clinical Practice: Endometriosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(25), 2389–2398.
Jose-Miller, A. B., Boyden, J. W., & Frey, K. A. (2007). Infertility. American Family Physician, 75, 849–856.
McCulloch, F. (2014). Natural treatments for autoimmune infertility concerns. American College for Advancement in Medicine Integrative Medicine Blog. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from https://www.acam.org/blogpost/1092863/179527/Natural-Treatments-for-Autoimmune-Infertility-Concerns
Mojarrad, M., Hassanzadeh-Nazarabadi, M., & Tafazoli, N. (2013). Polymorphism of genes and implantation failure. International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, 2(1), 1-8.
nhs (2017). Infertility. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/#:~:text=Infertility%20is%20when%20a%20couple
Office on women's health (2018). Menstrual cycle tool. [online] womenshealth.gov. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2012). Endometriosis and infertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 98(3), 591–598.
Simon, A., & Laufer, N. (2012). Assessment and treatment of repeated implantation failure (RIF). Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 29(11), 1227–1239.