Difficulty Conceiving

Return to Menu - Women’s Health Issues

This has a number of causes, many of which are not treatable by herbs. It should first be established if the problem truly exists with the woman. If this is the case then the cause or causes should be isolated, if possible. Endometriosis and PCOS are common causes and refer to them for treatment strategies.

Some causes are listed below with corresponding herbal approach to treatment:

With anovulatory cycles, first establish the cause. Obesity or being underweight and overall health may determine whether ovulation occurs or not. Serious liver or kidney disease and other metabolic disorders all affect ovulation. Thyroid disease, even when mild, is a common problem affecting fertility. Lifestyle factors such as stress, excessive or too little exercise, diet, tea, coffee, alcohol, smoking and drugs should all be investigated. Treat the underlying cause and additionally give Vitex.Nervine tonics are frequently called for. Black cohosh at higher doses and dong quai may also be tried to establish ovulation. Tribulusand other saponin-containing estrogen-modulating herbs are often appropriate and can either be given during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle or for the whole cycle. White peony can normalize folliculogenesis.
Defective luteal function may be the problem, possibly associated with latent or frank hyperprolactinemia. Treat mainly with Vitex and estrogen-modulating herbs such as Tribulus. Paeonia may, alteratively, be of value.
Dry Constitution: Women with a dry constitution may have difficulty due to a lack of sufficient cervical mucus
Cervical mucus may be too viscous. Cervical mucus may be 'hostile' for reasons other than hormonal. If this is suspected, recommend an alkaline diet. Lifestyle factors should be addressed and alkalizing herbs such as celery seed prescribed together with estrogen-promoting herbs (Dioscorea, Tribulus, Asparagus) which will help to stabilize vaginal flora.
Immunological rejection of spermcan occur. Sperm carries foreign proteins and a woman will often mount an immunological reaction against the sperm of her partner. With a consistent partner, this reaction usually abates but sometimes it does not. Treat with immune-regulating herbs such as Echinacea. Also attend to any factors which may be causing immune system dysregulation. See Autoimmunity
After investigation of difficulty with conception, no known factor can be identified in 20% to30% of cases. Emotions can affect hypothalamic-pituitaryhormone secretion and release. Stress and other emotional stimuli are known to increase prolactin release, which may affect reproductive function. Emotional factors may be involved in producing oviductal spasm which is sometimes observed in diagnostic tests. obesity or being underweight and overall health may determine whether conception occurs or not. Lifestyle factors such as excessive or too little exercise, diet, tea, coffee, alcohol, smoking and drugs should be investigated. Treatment should be based on the above considerations and could include Vitex, blue cohosh, Actaea (higher doses), Tribulus and Asparagus for the hormonal side. Viburnum opulus for oviductal spasm and tonics,adaptogens, nervine tonics and sedatives as appropriate.

(source: Bone & Mills)