THURSDAY, April 29, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- A fertility supplement shows promise in helping women who have difficulty conceiving, according to a small pilot study from Stanford University School of Medicine.
The study of 30 women found that, of those who took a supplement called FertilityBlend, a third became pregnant after five months. The findings appear in the April issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
The FertilityBlend supplement contains chasteberry. This herb has been shown to improve ovulation and restore progesterone balance, which can be out of kilter in women who are having trouble conceiving. The supplement also contains L-arginine (an amino acid that improves circulation to the reproductive organs), green tea and a blend of vitamins and minerals, the researchers said.
The women in this study, aged 24 to 46, had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months. Some had been diagnosed with a particular disorder that affected their fertility while others had unexplained infertility.
The women were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or the supplement three times a day. Changes in their progesterone levels, menstrual cycles and body temperatures were monitored. After three months, women taking the supplement had increased progesterone levels.
They also had more days during their menstrual cycle in which their basal temperature was above 37 degrees Celsius, which indicates improved ovulation. The placebo group showed no noticeable changes, according to the study.
After five months, five of the 15 women taking the supplement were pregnant while none of the 15 women taking the placebo had conceived.
This study received funding from California-based Daily Wellness Co., which makes FertilityBlend.
More information
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has more about infertility.
