My answer is to let IVF doctor decide as some of my patients ask me about this question. The reason is simple, not to add psychological burden or confusion in their heart while doing IVF. Doctors who do not know much of Chinese herbs may not agree to use herbs during the IVF cycle for fear that herbs can affect adversely to the final result. So I totally understand. Therefore, I feel I need to talk to these doctors to explain how herbs works.
For most of herbs, especially for fertility use, are close to neutral character or not poison to the body. They can be treated as extension of food. Fertility is related to mostly Kidney deficient, Spleen Yang deficient, or Blood deficient. Therefore, those kind of herbs are safe to enrich the Kidney Spleen functions. And they are not hormone like substance. So they should be safe to consume during IVF or even the pregnancy.
How Long Should I Take Herbs? The effects of herbal medicines are generally cumulative, and the clinical effects of treating the infertile couple are usually seen after 60-120 days. Herbs are also cycle-dependent.
Even during birth control/ lupron phase, herbs can continue as there is no research/trial saying not to. Herbs works on the function, not specifically on the follicle to be selected. As secondary follicles need nutrient to support to grow. For example, for patient who has Yang deficiency symptom, adding herbs for better digestion, absorbing damp in the body, enriching Blood or Qi, should be used. Herbs, mostly plants, has to be digested and then converted. It is not like conventional medicine, hormone or steroid which entering blood and directly interfering the body physiological function.
In general, it is appropriate to treat any type of infertility condition with herbal medicines. This includes advanced maternal age, luteal-phase-defect, premature ovarian failure, male factor, or unexplained symptoms.
Clinical observers have reported impressive results when mixing herbs with gonadotropins during IVF.
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