If you have been trying to conceive for awhile, you may be ready to get some help. If the idea of drugs and medical intervention makes you or your wallet shudder, you might be thinking about trying herbal treatments. Even if you’ve just started trying to conceive, you might be interested in increasing your chances, with herbal treatments. Before you begin any self-treatment, review your plan with your health care provider.

Popular Options

Epigee.org mentions chasteberry and dong quai as two popular herbs that are used to treat infertility problems in women. In addition to herbs, MayoClinic.com also lists natural vitamins and minerals, sold in supplement form, to treat infertility. These include vitamins C and E, folic acid and coenzyme Q10. Many retail fertility supplements include a variety of natural elements to increase the chances of pregnancy.

What They Claim

Chasteberry and dong quai are used to treat hormone imbalances and low levels in patients. The goal of such herbs is to return your body’s hormones to a natural level and to allow your reproductive system to function properly. Other claims of herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements include increased sperm count and better implantation rates.

Risks

Despite their natural, healthy claims, herbal supplements are still ingested drugs that can have negative or neutral effects on the body. The herbal supplements are often unregulated by the FDA and have undergone few studies to prove their effectiveness, making them potentially useless. They could contain elements unhealthy for your particular body or counteractive to treatments you are already undergoing.

Where To Go

If you are considering herbal supplements, make an appointment with a reproductive specialist or OB-GYN who specializes in eastern or alternative medicine. Choose a doctor with a comprehensive understanding of fertility issues with a mindset and philosophy that matches your own.

Where Not To Go

Avoid diagnosing yourself and picking up herbal supplements from a local drugstore or health food store. Fertility issues can be complicated. Your problems may stem from a lack of a certain hormone or even an excess of that hormone. Not every supplement is going to fix every problem.