Fertility/Infertility

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

• Reduce alcohol consumption

• Avoid beverages containing tannic acid, including coffee (regular of decaf), tea, red wine
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Avoid consuming products containing estrogens (non-organic dairy products, meats, etc.) or phytoestrogens (soy products)

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

• Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg. daily
• Folate: 5 mg. TID
• Vitamin C: 200 - 1000 mg. in divided doses (this has been successful when used with with Clomiphene)
• Iron: supplement according to deficiency as indicated by ferritin levels
• Zinc: 30 mg. TID
• Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

• Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg. daily
• Vitamin C: 200 - 1000 mg. in divided doses
• Vitamin E: 400 - 800 I.U. (best used in a full spectrum Antioxidant Formula)
• Selenium: 100 - 250 mcg.
• Zinc: 30 - 150 mg. in divided doses
• Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

• Melatonin: 0.5 - 20 mg. 30 minutes before bedtime

• Melatonin: 0.5 - 20 mg. 30 minutes before bedtime
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine: 1 -8 gm. TID
• Arginine: 2 - 4 gm. TID
• Glutathione: 100 mg. BID - TID between meals
• Coenzyme Q10: 30 mg. BID
• S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe): 200 mg.

Botanicals: (references)

• Vitex agnus castus: 1/2 tsp. BID - TID for several months - use for annovulation
• Aletris farinosa: 1/2 tsp. BID - TID for several months - use for low E2
• Formula 1 - Angelica sinensis (2), *Arctium lappa (2), *Taraxacum officinale (1), Glycyrrhiza glabra (2), *Leonurus cardiaca (1): take 1/4 tsp. TID between meals (use on days 1 - 15) - use for amenorrhea to start cycle
• Formula 2 - *Dioscorea villosa (3), *Smilax sarsaparilla (1): take 1/4 tsp. TID between meals (use on days 16 - 25) - use for amenorrhea to start cycle

• Astragalus membranaceus: 1/2 tsp. BID - TID for several months
• Panax ginseng: 1/2 tsp. BID - TID for several months

• Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:
  Aletris farinosa (True unicorn)
  Angelica sinensis (Dong quai)
  Arctium lappa (Burdock)
  Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus, Milk vetch)
  Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam)
  Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
  Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
  Panax ginseng (Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng)
  Smilax sarsaparilla (Sarsaparilla)
  Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion, Lion's tooth)
  Vitex agnus castus (Chaste tree, Monk's pepper)

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

agn, alet, alum, am-c, anag, anan, apis, AUR, aur-i, aur-m, bar-c, bar-m, BOR, brom, calc, calc-i, cann-i, cann-s, canth, caps, carb-s, caul, caust, cic, cocc, coff, con, croc, dam, dulc, eup-pur, ferr, ferr-p, fil, form, goss, graph, helon, hyos, iod, kali-br, kali-c, kreos, lach, lappa-a, lec, lil-t, man, med, merc, mill, NAT-C, NAT-M, nat-p, nux-m, nux-v, orig, ov, phos, phyt, pituin, plat, plb, puls, ruta, sabal, sabin, sec, senec, SEP, sil, sulph, sul-ac, syph, ther, vib, wies, x-ray, zinc

sulfa, x-ray

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

• See also Amenorrhea
• See also Endometriosis
• See also Uterine fibroids
• Weight loss is a must if overweight
• Weight gain is a must if underweight
• Stop smoking

• Heavy metal detoxification program (including lead and mercury chelation if necessary)
• Stop smoking (smoking causes high levels of cadmium which induces infertility)
• Avoid exposure to herbicides and pesticides
• Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat

Recommended Labs:

• Rule out anemia: CBC with Diff
• Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody
• Rule out cancer: CA125, Ultrasound
• Rule out endometriosis: Ultrasound, MRI, Laparoscopy with Biopsy
• Rule out hormonal imbalance: Fractionated Estrogens and Progesterone, FSH, LH
• Rule out pelvic infections: PAP Smear, Vaginal Wet Mount, Cervical Cultures, RPR
• Rule out pernicious anemia: Schilling
• Rule out structural pathology: Ultrasound, Laparoscopy
• Rule out thyroid disorder: Thyroid Panel with TSH

*  The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).