Different Kinds Of Herbal Supplements For Fertility

Some women often turn to herbal and natural ways to enhance fertility or to increase their chances of conception. Whether it be because they are not quite at the 1 year mark and are trying to help things along so they don't have to resort to fertility drugs, or if they just don't want to do fertility drugs period, or they are taking a break from the fertility drugs, or, like me, trying something to fill in the time until we can afford an IUI, it has become a very common and often times successful route.

I don't have statistics on success rates so you guys will just have to use good old google for that one, but I can give you a list of some of the most commonly used herbs/supplements women have been using while TTC.

Vitex/Chasteberry- Very popular fertility herb. Often used to regulate hormonal imbalances and is especially helpful for those with PCOS.

Maca-(For men and women)- Great for increasing sex drive, regulating hormones, and increasing energy levels. Supports thyroid function, sexual function, can improve sperm count and motility, and is very safe. MUST be the root as that is the beneficial part for fertility.

Royal Jelly- a substance secreted by nurse worker bee glands helps to balance hormones and support the endocrine system. Royal Jelly has been shown to mimic human estrogen which may help if you suffer from low estrogen. Also may strengthen uterine lining.

Dong Quai- Used as a health tonic for many generations in Asia, this is used for overall health of the uterus and regulating menstrual cycles. Also helps with stress relief. Women with endometriosis can also use this for pain relief associated with endo especially when mixed with Chasteberry, Black Cohosh, or Ginseng.

Red Clover Blossom- Very good for women with endometriosis. High vitamins and protein help with the uterus. Also high in calcium and magnesium which relaxes the nervous system. Also can help with fibroids and balancing hormones. 

Red Raspberry Leaf- Tones the uterus and pelvic muscles. Try mixing with Red Clover to enhance results. 

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)- Has anti-inflammatory properties which helps with PMS, menopause, breast pain, cramps and it's best known for improving cervical mucus. Taken only from menstruation to ovulation.

Black Cohosh- Used to help stimulate ovulation. Taken only from end of menstruation to ovulation. 

Ginger Root- Aids in moving blood to organs. Reduces cramping and can help with ovarian cysts and endometriosis. 

Flaxseed Oil-(For men and women) Perfect for not only fertility, but overall health. Helps keep sperm healthy and helps improve the uterine lining and helps stabilize estrogen and progesterone. 

On top of these herbs, you can buy pills that contain combinations of these herbs for specific reasons. For example, I'll be using FertileCM while hubby tries Maca. There are a ton of different kinds that you can find either here  or  here for just about anything.

Are Ovulation Microscopes Reliable?

Here's an interesting read on ovulation microscopes...

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Some Things That Can Kill Sperm

Lubricants

Using lubricants, such as KY, Astroglide, etc, actually kill sperm. 'But I'm so dry with all this on demand sex and fertility drugs!' you say. Well, don't fret! There is something you can use! The only sperm friendly lubricant on the market and that is Pre~Seed.  It can actually increase your chances of conception because it's creating the sperm friendly environment they need to get up through the cervix so they can then get through the uterus, and to the fallopian tubes. Clomid is notorious for drying you up and causing a hostile environment.

Saliva

A very little known fact is that saliva is hostile to sperm. It's best to skip the oral foreplay during your fertile window. (Sorry)

Infections

If you have a vaginal infection (yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis etc) it causes the pH of your vagina to be off which creates a hostile environment. After treatment, things will return to normal.

Cervical Hostility

As a whole, all of the above create cervical hostility but what if it just seems to happen naturally? Cervical hostility is basically your cervical fluid  killing sperm before they have a chance to get anywhere. Here are some other things that cause cervical hostility.

• Poor Diet: Sometimes a poor diet (processed foods and too much sugar) can cause acidic cervical mucous. Change your diet to one that is high in vegetables to make it more alkaline and friendly to sperm. 
• Dehydration: This can cause you to not produce enough or to produce CM that is too thick for sperm to swim through so drink plenty of water. (Extra tip: You can also take regular Mucinex (NOT the DM kind) to help thin out cervical mucous. You need to make sure it has only the ingredient guaifenesin in it for it to work).

Please

IUI

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (A.K.A. IUI or AI [artificial insemination]) is usually the first treatment after fertility meds. It's a fairly easy procedure and relatively cheap compared to other alternatives such as IVF.

When is it used?

IUI is typically used in instances of unexplained infertility, cervical mucus problems, and sperm issues (low count or motility).

What goes on during an IUI?

• Typically, but not always, you are given Clomid to stimulate your ovaries. 

• Your follicles will be monitored by ultrasound and when they are of proper size, you will be given an hCG shot to stimulate the release of the eggs. 

• Your partner (if not using a sperm donor) will produce a sample. After, the sperm are "washed" to separate the sperm from the seminal fluid.

• Using a thin tube called a catheter, the doctor will inject the sperm directly into the uterus through your cervix. This process increases the possibility of conception by putting the maximum amount of sperm directly in the uterus.

How successful is IUI?

The average success rate is 10%-20% in one cycle. Women under 35 have higher rates of success than women over 35.

Check out this video on IUI HERE!

Clomid (Clomiphene citrate)

What is Clomid?

Clomid, Serophene, or Clomiphene citrate (it's all the same drug) is an ovulation inducing medication and is one the first treatments given to women who are having trouble conceiving due to ovulatory issues. It's a well known, relatively cheap and effective fertility drug and stimulates ovulation about 80% of the time.

How do I take it?

It's taken as a pill starting anywhere from CD2-CD9 for 5 days (the days you start it depend on your doctor and your response to Clomid). Take it at the same time everyday you take it and I recommend taking it at night before bed to cut down on some of the side effects. Typically, you will take Clomid for 6 cycles and if unsuccessful, move on to other treatment options.

How does it work?

Clomid blocks the estrogen receptors in your brain. It tricks your body into thinking you don't have enough estrogen. Your body then goes into overload and tries to produce more estrogen by producing more gonadotropin releasing hormone or GnRH (GnRH is what stimulates FSH and LH) therefore stimulating the production of FSH. FSH or follicle stimulating hormone is what is needed to ripen the eggs. In a nutshell, Clomid tricks your body into producing more FSH to encourage more follicle growth and more LH to push the eggs out.

Who benefits from Clomid use?

Typically women who are having ovulation problems. Either not ovulating all together or ovulating too late in a cycle.

How do I know I'm ovulating?

Charting! One of the easiest ways to see if you are ovulating is to chart your basal body temperature (BBT). If you're charting and not noticing a clear biphasic pattern, bring your charts to show your doctor. You may not be ovulating.

What dosage will I take?

Typically you'll start at 50mg if it's your very first time taking Clomid (if you've taken it before and know 50mg doesn't work, they will start you on whatever worked for you last time). It goes up in increments of 50 until 200mg. The lowest dose needed is recommended because the higher the dosage, the more it can make your mucus hostile to sperm and cause uterine lining issues.

What are the side effects?

Side effects on Clomid aren't THAT bad but they aren't exactly pleasant. The number 1 side effect I get and that people I know who have taken it have gotten is hot flashes. Oh the hot flashes! It seems to be the general consensus around the internet too. And this also seems to be the one that hangs around the longest (I think I had hot flashes for 3 months after 3 rounds of Clomid). Side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Mood Swings
• Headaches
• Tender breasts
• Hyperstimulation (OHSS)
• Twins

Did you just write twins as a side effect?

Yes, but it's not really a side effect. It's more like a slight possibility. You have about a 10% chance of having multiples while on Clomid.

How successful is Clomid?

Clomid will get women to ovulate 80% of the time. About 40%-45% will get pregnant in 6 cycles of use.

Clomid Use In Men

Men can also take Clomid to raise testosterone levels and therefore sperm counts. Read more about it here.