Supplements for Fertility?

Q: Hi Susun, Thanks for the help you give through your wonderful site. My question is have you heard of the supplement Fertility Blend and what are your thoughts about getting pregnant after 45? Fertility Blend had arginine in it and I believe that it contributes to my breaking out with a fever blister after a short use of the product. I know that lysine is the antagonist to arginine and it helps with prevention of fever blisters. Should I take lysine with it to avoid the blisters while trying to enhance fertility? Thanks for your time. D.

 

A: Hello D., I am not familiar with this supplement other than what I read here.  The ingredients appear to be:

Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry herb) enhances hormone balance and ovulation frequency. The antioxidants green tea, vitamin E, and selenium help reverse oxidative damage that occurs with aging to improve overall reproductive health. Folic acid assists in the reduction of specific birth defects (neural tube defects) in children, while vitamins B6 and B12, iron, zinc and magnesium help promote fertility health. L-arginine is an amino acid that stimulates the reproductive organs by improving circulation to these areas.

I personally do not like to use supplements. And I favor to work with an herb at a time if possible, and in a form I do or can prepare from home. I DO love Vitex berries for helping those wishing to conceive, but use it only as a tincture. All the other ingredients, other than the green tea, I prefer to get from my foods. I hear you ask Susun's thoughts. She does not have internet so does not correspond through email. I am a long time student of hers and know she shares similar sentiments. So regarding your question of the herpes blisters I do not know if your idea will work, but it sounds logical :)

Please let me know if we can help further. Oh and you can read about Susun's thoughts on women over forty conceiving here: Fertility After Forty.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[Mari]

A lot of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have acne and menstrual disorders. Dr. Nancy Dunne's website lists a number of medical studies that show chasteberry (vitex) helps to normalize cycles, and help I got this information from: http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/vitex

Also, I notice there was a medical study of 18 women with abnormally low progesterone levels who were given vitex(chasteberry) daily. After 3 months oftreatment, 13 showed increases in progesterone and 2 became pregnant.

[Diet Supplements]

With taking fertility supplements, I've heard some bad stories from friends. I wouldn't take these all willy nilly without regard to their side effects and bad consequences. I'd speak to a doctor about what the best ones you should be taking are.

-Cindia