Fertility Support (Female)

Why it works: Proposed mechanisms. Tribulus fruits/leaves contain steroidal saponins (notably protodioscin) that may influence pituitary–ovarian signaling. In preclinical and small human studies...

Instructions: Short follicular-phase course (hormone effect): A prospective pilot in healthy women used 750 mg/day for 5 days in the follicular phase, observing a reversible FSH rise. (Uncontrol...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid. Animal data raise concerns about fetal development; human safety d...

Studies: PCOS/fertility context review (includes the two human Tribul...

Why it works: Stress → HPA axis support. Chronic stress can impair ovulation and libido. Meta-analyses and RCTs show standardized ashwagandha extracts can lower perceived stress and cortisol in...

Instructions: Form: Standardized root extract capsules (avoid leaf-only products unless specifically indicated by your clinician). NCCIH. Doses used in RCTs:. • Sexual function (women with FSD):...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid. NCCIH and multiple regulators advise against use in pregnancy/brea...

Studies: Female sexual function:Dongre et al., 2015—Double-blind, pla...

Why it works: Pattern it targets: In TCM, You Gui Wan warms and tonifies Kidney yang and replenishes Essence (jing)—patterns often implicated in anovulation, luteal insufficiency, cold uterus, l...

Instructions: Typical forms & label directions (examples):. Pharmacopoeia-standard honey pills (“small” vs “big” pills):. • Small pills: 9 g per dose, 3×/day by mouth.. • Big pill: 1 pill (≈9 g)...

Warnings: Pattern mismatch: Do not use if your presentation is yin-deficient with heat or damp-heat (e.g., hea...

Studies: Human studies (condition-specific):PCOS-associated infertili...

Why it works: Pattern it targets: Ba Zhen Tang tonifies Qi and Blood—the classic TCM pattern linked to irregular or scanty periods, luteal weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and pale complexion. Adeq...

Instructions: Classical decoction (whole herbs): A typical prescription uses the eight core herbs in roughly the classical gram ranges (e.g., Shu Di 18 g; Bai Shao & Dang Gui 12–15 g; Chuan Xion...

Warnings: Early pregnancy / trying to conceive in the luteal phase: Classic Ba Zhen includes Chuan Xiong and D...

Studies: Animal & mechanistic data (ovarian function):In a rat mo...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern-based): GSDHW is a modification of the yin- and blood-nourishing base (similar to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan + gynecology tonics Dang Gui and Bai Shao). It’s used...

Instructions: Cycle timing: Many clinicians use GSDHW during the follicular phase (about cycle days 6–11) to nourish Blood/yin ahead of ovulation. Treasure of the East. Form & dose examples (com...

Warnings: Because GSDHW includes dong quai (Angelica sinensis) and white peony (Paeonia lactiflora) within a r...

Studies: For GSDHW specifically:Mechanistic/preclinical evidence: Mul...

Why it works: Classical TCM rationale (blood-nourishing + circulation): Si Wu Tang combines Shu Di Huang (prepared rehmannia), Dang Gui (dong quai), Bai Shao (white peony), and Chuan Xiong (ligu...

Instructions: Classical formula & typical decoction amounts: A representative academic source lists the base decoction as:. • Shu Di Huang ~12 g. • Dang Gui ~9 g. • Bai Shao ~9 g. • Chuan Xiong...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / anticoagulant interactions:. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and Chuan Xiong have antip...

Studies: Exploratory human data (menstrual/follicular function): The...

Why it works: Mitochondrial energy + antioxidant support. Oocytes are packed with mitochondria. CoQ10 is a key electron-carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and also functions as a lip...

Instructions: Diminished ovarian reserve / poor ovarian response before IVF/ICSI. • Dose & timing: CoQ10 200 mg three times daily (total 600 mg/day) for 60 days before stimulation. This is the d...

Warnings: Who might consider it:. • Women with diminished ovarian reserve/poor ovarian response planning IVF/I...

Studies: Randomized trials & human dataYoung women with diminishe...

Why it works: Traditional “uterine tonic”: RRL contains tannins, flavonoids and the alkaloid fragarine; laboratory work shows it can affect smooth muscle (including uterine) activity—sometimes c...

Instructions: There is no evidence-based protocol for fertility treatment with RRL. Regulatory bodies don’t provide dosing for fertility, and clinical trials don’t target fertility outcomes. If...

Warnings: Not proven for fertility: No clinical trials show improved conception rates or ovulation/endometrial...

Studies: Human clinical studies (pregnancy/labour—not fertility):Rand...

Why it works: Tradition + plausible mechanisms, but evidence is thin for female fertility. Maca has a long traditional use in the Andes for vitality and reproduction. Chemically, it contains glu...

Instructions: There’s no medically established dose for fertility. Human studies in women used 2–3.5 g/day (powder/capsules) for 6–12 weeks for other outcomes (menopausal symptoms, sexual functi...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Because safety data are lacking, major references advise avoiding maca du...

Studies: Female fertility (ovulation/pregnancy):Combination supplemen...

Why it works: 1) Prolactin modulation (pituitary level).. Elevated or “latent” (mild) hyperprolactinaemia can shorten the luteal phase and impair progesterone production, which can contribute to...

Instructions: Because products vary, use standardized extracts that match those studied. The EMA/HMPC and other drug-style monographs summarise real-world posology:. • Standardized dry extract (...

Warnings: Pregnancy: Avoid—there’s insufficient safety data; discontinue once pregnancy is confirmed. NCCIH. B...

Studies: A) Luteal phase defect with latent hyperprolactinaemia (sing...

Why it works: Core biology: Folate is required for DNA synthesis and methylation (“one-carbon” metabolism). Those processes are essential for oocyte maturation, ovulation, luteal function, very-...

Instructions: Authoritative bodies consistently recommend routine folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy. Typical guidance:. • General preconception dose: 400 micrograms (mcg) folic...

Warnings: Upper limit (UL): Do not exceed 1,000 mcg/day (1 mg) of synthetic folic acid from supplements/fortif...

Studies: Sporadic anovulation & luteal function: In healthy women...