Herbs to Increase Fertility in Women

It is a common fact that infertility is the inability to produce an offspring naturally. While both genders are prone to infertility, females are found to have an increased risk. As per statistics, around 10% of couples belonging to the reproductive age may face difficulty in conception. While female infertility is the problem in 30 to 40 per cent of these couples, male infertility is seen in another 30%. The rest of them fail to produce an offspring due to unexplained causes. Infertility in women is often found to be associated with medical conditions, like endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, problems with ovulation, fallopian tube damage, poor egg quality, etc. There are various methods of treating infertility and herbs are one among the age-old remedies for this problem.

Herbs for Boosting Female Fertility

Herbs have long been used by humans for remedying fertility problems in both men and women. However, the most important factor is to take these herbs as per the instructions of a qualified herbal practitioner. It is also not advisable to use such herbs along with the conventional fertility medication. The following are some of the popular herbs for female fertility.

Evening Primrose Oil
Rich in gamma linolenic acid, evening primrose oil is said to boost the glands that produce hormones. This oil is said to improve the quality of cervical mucus, thereby increasing the chances of pregnancy. Evening primrose oil is to be taken from the date of menstruation till ovulation. After ovulation, you have to discontinue its use, as it may cause uterine contractions and cramping. It can be replaced with flaxseed oil, after ovulation. This herb is not recommended for those with epilepsy or schizophrenia.

Chasteberry or Vitex
One of the popular herbs to aid fertility in females, chasteberry or Vitex is said to be highly effective in regulating hormones. This herb is claimed to normalize the functions of the pituitary gland, thereby regulating the vital sex hormones in females. So, it is used to treat hormonal imbalance, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, irregularities in ovulation, premenstrual stress, etc. Women who have stopped taking birth control pills for a long time are often advised to start chasteberry, so as to restore normal ovulation. It is particularly useful for those with low progesterone levels.

Dong Quai
A traditional Chinese herb used as a blood tonic, dong quai is also said to be useful in regulating female sex hormones and is among the popular herbs to increase fertility in women. This herb is also claimed to tone the uterus and increase fertility chances. Apart from regulating menstrual cycles, dong quai is also said to be useful for those with endometriosis. Some women find it beneficial for combating the symptoms of menopause. Above all, it is a blood purifier and thinner that improves circulation. So, dong quai should not be used by those who have blood clotting disorders and those who take blood thinning medication. Even diabetics and pregnant women must avoid this herb.

Other Herbs
Apart from the above said, there are various other herbs that are used to boost female fertility. This include black cohosh which is said to have an estrogenic effect. This herb is said to boost the health of the ovaries as well as the uterus and prevent miscarriage. Another popular one is red clover, which is also claimed to balance hormones and nourish the uterus. While false unicorn root is said to encourage ovulation, maca root is also used for balancing female hormones and regulating ovulation and menstruation. Other herbs used for this purpose include red raspberry leaf, stinging nettle, wild yam, shatavari, Siberian ginseng, etc.

The above said is only a brief overview about the various herbs to increase fertility in women. This is purely meant for informative purposes, and those who want to use such herbs must seek the opinion of their doctor before doing so. You must take such herbs as per the instructions of a qualified herbal practitioner. You may also approach a fertility specialist for instructions with regard to treating infertility with herbs. Even though these herbs are completely natural, they may not be free of some mild side effects. Another point to note is that the choice of herbs depends on individual problems. Herbs should not be taken along with other types of fertility treatment, as the former may cause adverse effects, when taken with certain prescription medication, over the counter drugs, etc.