Herbs for Fertility

Before we get to know, the herbs that can reverse infertility let quickly run down what infertility mean and what might be the possible cause of infertility

What is infertility?

Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term.

Studies indicate that slightly over half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the rest are caused by either sperm disorders or unidentified factors.

What Causes Infertility in women?

Infertility can be cause by various factors, which include

1.     Ovulation disorders - problems with ovulation are the most common cause of infertility in women, experts say. Ovulation is the monthly release of an egg. In some cases, the woman never releases eggs, while in others the woman does not release eggs during menstrual cycles.

Ovulation disorders can be due to:

• Premature ovarian failure - the woman's ovaries stop working before she is 40.

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) - the woman's ovaries function abnormally. She also has abnormally high levels of androgen. About 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age are affected to some degree.

• Hyperprolactinemia - if prolactin levels are high and the woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding, it may affect ovulation and fertility.

·       Poor egg quality - eggs that are damaged or that develop genetic abnormalities cannot sustain a pregnancy. The older a woman is the higher the risk.

·      Overactive thyroid gland - Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which your thyroid gland makes and releases more thyroid hormone than your body needs

·        Underactive thyroid gland- An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.

·        Problems in the uterus or fallopian tubes

the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus (womb) where the fertilized egg grows. If there is something wrong in the uterus or the fallopian tubes, the woman may not be able to conceive naturally. This may be due to:

o   Surgery - pelvic surgery can sometimes cause scarring or damage to the fallopian tubes. Cervical surgery can sometimes cause scarring or shortening of the cervix. The cervix is the neck of the uterus.

o   Submucosal fibroids - benign or non-cancerous tumors found in the muscular wall of the uterus, occurring in 30% to 40% of women of childbearing age. They may interfere with implantation. They can also block the fallopian tube, preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg. Large submucosal uterine fibroids may make the uterus' cavity bigger, increasing the distance the sperm has to travel.

o   Endometriosis - cells that are normally found within the lining of the uterus start growing elsewhere in the body.

o   Previous sterilization treatment - if a woman chose to have her fallopian tubes blocked. It is possible to reverse this process, but the chances of becoming fertile again are not high.

·        Medications - some drugs can affect the fertility of a woman. These include:

o   NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - women who take aspirin or ibuprofen long-term may find it harder to conceive.

o   Chemotherapy - some medications used in chemotherapy can result in ovarian failure. In some cases, this side effect of chemotherapy may be permanent.

·        Radiotherapy - if radiation therapy was aimed near the woman’s reproductive organs there is a higher risk of fertility problems.

·        Illegal drugs - some women who take marijuana or cocaine may have fertility problems.

What Causes of infertility in men?

Semen

Semen is the milky fluid that a man's penis releases during orgasm. Semen consists of fluid and sperm. The fluid comes from the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and other sex glands. The sperm is produced in the testicles. During orgasm a man ejaculates (releases semen through the penis). The seminal fluid helps transport the sperm during ejaculation. The seminal fluid has sugar in it - sugar is an energy source for sperm.

Abnormal semen is responsible for about 75% of all cases of male infertility. Unfortunately, in many cases doctors never find out why. The following semen problems are possible:

• Low sperm count (low concentration) - the man ejaculates a lower number of sperm, compared to other men. Sperm concentration should be 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. If the count is under 10 million, there is a low sperm concentration (subfertility).

• No sperm - when the man ejaculates there is no sperm in the semen.

• Low sperm mobility (motility) - the sperm cannot "swim" as well as it should.

• Abnormal sperm - perhaps the sperm has an unusual shape, making it more difficult to move and fertilize an egg.

Sperm must be the right shape and able to travel rapidly and accurately towards the egg. If the sperm's morphology (structure) and motility (movement) are wrong, it is less likely to be able to reach the egg and fertilize it.

The following may cause semen to be abnormal:

• Testicular infection
• Testicular surgery
• Testicular cancer

• Overheating the testicles - frequent saunas, hot tubs, very hot baths, or working in extremely hot environments can raise the temperature of the testicles. Tight clothing may have the same effect on some people.

• Ejaculation disorders - for some men it may be difficult to ejaculate properly. Men with retrograde ejaculation ejaculate semen into the bladder. If the ejaculatory ducts are blocked or obstructed the man may have a problem ejaculating appropriately.

• Varicocele - this is a varicose vein in the scrotum that may cause the sperm to overheat.

• Undescended testicle - one (or both) testicle fails to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Sperm production is affected because the testicle is not in the scrotum and is at a higher temperature. Healthy sperm need to exist in a slightly lower-than-body temperature. That is why they are in the scrotum, and not inside the body.

• Hypogonadism - testosterone deficiency can result in a disorder of the testicles.

• Genetic abnormality - a man should have an X and Y chromosome. If he has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (Klinefelter's syndrome) there will be an abnormal development of the testicles, low testosterone, and a low sperm count (sometimes no sperm at all).

• Mumps - this viral infection usually affects young children. However, if it occurs after puberty inflammation of the testicles may affect sperm production.

• Hypospadias - the urethral opening is at the underside of the penis, instead of its tip. This abnormality is usually surgically corrected when the male is a baby. If it is not the sperm may find it harder to get to the female's cervix. Hypospadias occur in about 1 in every 500 newborn boys.

Cystic fibrosis - Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease that affects organs such as the liver, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. It disrupts the body's salt balance, leaving too little salt and water on the outside of cells and causing the thin layer of mucus that usually keeps the lungs free of germs to become thick and sticky. This mucus is difficult to cough out, and it clogs the lungs and airways, leading to infections and damaged lungs. Males with cystic fibrosis commonly have a missing or obstructed vas deferens (tube connecting the testes to the urethra; it carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct and the urethra).  

• Radiotherapy - radiation therapy can impair sperm production. The severity usually depends on how near to the testicles the radiation was aimed.

• Some diseases - the following diseases and conditions are sometimes linked to lower fertility in males:

Anemia
Cushing's syndrome
Diabetes
Thyroid disease.

• Medications

Sulfasalazine - this anti-inflammatory drug can significantly lower a man's sperm count. The drug is often prescribed for patients with Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Usually this side effect goes away after the patient stops taking the medication.

Anabolic steroids - often taken by bodybuilders and athletes; anabolic steroids, especially after long term use can seriously reduce sperm count and mobility.

Chemotherapy - some medicines may significantly reduce sperm count.

• Illegal drugs - consumption of marijuana and cocaine can lower a man's sperm count.

How to Reverse Infertility

Stinging Nettle

This is my most favorite all around fertility herb.  Not only does it tone and nourish the uterus, it also promotes strengthening of the kidneys and adrenal glands.  If you are or have ever been a coffee drinker, this herb is for you!

One, two, or even more cups per day of this high mineral tea which is also loaded with chlorophyll  (a detoxifier) for several months goes a long way toward preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy and for sustaining the embryo once conception occurs.

Nettle tea is also fantastic in preparing for the baby’s birth as it is extremely high in Vitamin K, which allows the Mother to safely skip the newborn vitamin K shot knowing that her newborn baby’s blood will already contain an ample amount.

Continuing to drink nettle tea while breastfeeding promotes successful lactation and a copious milk supply as well!

Red Clover 

Red clover is an excellent fertility herb primarily due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium.  These two minerals are believed to be of high importance in affecting a woman’s ability to conceive.

Red clover contains every single trace element needed by the glandular system.   As such, this alkalizing herb is probably the single most effective plant used for balancing of the hormones needed for conception to take place.    Balancing the body acid/alkaline PH, and thereby, the uterus PH, goes a long way toward favoring conception.

Brew your red clover tea along with peppermint (or another type of mint if you prefer), which acts as a sexual stimulant.    To make a powerful infusion of this herb, take one ounce of red clover and a teaspoon of peppermint and steep in one quart of hot filtered water for 4 hours.

Drink this mixture as desired once it has cooled down and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Red Raspberry

Red Raspberry leaves, particularly the wild kind, are very high in calcium.   Like Nettle and Red Clover, Red Raspberry leaves serve as a soothing uterine tonic and hence a very effective fertility herb.

The fertility promoting effects of Red Raspberry are enhanced in combination with other herbs, particularly Red Clover.

To make a powerful infusion of this herb, steep 1/2 ounce Red Raspberry and 1/2 ounce Red Clover in one quart of hot water for 4 hours.   Refrigerate the unused portion after cooling.

With each cup of this herbal infusion, add 5-15 drops of either Dong Quai root tincture or False Unicorn root tincture to further enhance the fertility effects.

Lunaception

Ovulation is controlled by light and using the power of light to encourage this process works very well when combined with fertility promoting herbs.

To establish the proper timing for ovulation, leave a light on in your bedroom for 3 consecutive nights midway through your cycle (all other nights should be total darkness).   You will ovulate on the nights when the light is on.

Dandelion

Contains vitamins A and C as well as trace minerals. The root is beneficial to the liver and the leaf is mildly diuretic. Can help cleanse the body and remove toxins.

Alfalfa

Has vitamins A, D, E and K and 8 digestive enzymes. Contains trace minerals and vitamin K and is often added to commercial vitamins because of its high vitamin profile.

Maca

 A hormone balancing herb that is known throughout the world for its fertility and promoting properties. Good for both men and women to increase fertility, though women should only take between menses and ovulation and discontinue to make sure it is not taken during pregnancy. It is a very potent herb that often has very noticeable effects on fertility. It comes in powder form or capsule form.

Vitex/Chaste Tree Berry

Nourishes the pituitary gland and helps lengthen the luteal phase. It lowers prolactin and raises progesterone. For some women, this alone will increase fertility.

Natural Progesterone Cream

Infertility struggles can often be linked to specific hormone imbalances. Especially for those with short cycles or short second phase of their cycle (ovulation through start of menses), progesterone can be the issue. I’ve seen people add only natural progesterone cream and conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy within a vitality month or two. If you do use progesterone cream, do your own research, make sure you have a good brand that is soy-free and only use for the second half of your cycle (ovulation through menses). Some sources, including a midwife and a doctor I trust, suggest continuing the progesterone cream through the first three months of pregnancy and then tapering off to make sure the body has adequate progesterone to continue the pregnancy until the placenta takes over production in the second trimester. Do your research on this as well.

NOTE

Do not take any of these herbs in combination with fertility drugs, hormone treatments, or hormonal birth control! As with any herbs, supplements, or medication please consult your doctor or a professional before any action