For example, herbs such as dong quai, also known as dang gui (angelicae sinensis) have been shown to help women conceive. It can be found online or at an herbal shop at a price range from £10 to £26. In fact, there are many herbs that have been identified and used extensively along with complementary treatments such as acupuncture and massage therapy that are proven to help couples conceive. Another thing to consider is that the price of these herbs is far less than that of treatment such as In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).  One cycle of IVF can range from £4,000 to £6,000. In addition to its hefty price tag, IVF is also a lengthy and invasive procedure. Fertility herbs are a simple and affordable option that have been successfully used for ages.

This is yet another one of the popular fertility myths. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), infertility is believed to be due to certain imbalances and deficiencies.  These include disturbances in the Qi or blood, organ dysfunction, and or malfunctions of the Chong or Ren meridians. Improving these conditions will take time. This imbalance did not happen overnight, so it does not stand to reason that it will resolve quickly. The body requires time to both heal and balance. It may take anywhere from three to six months before patients are able to achieve results using fertility herbs.  Practitioners of TCM often state that “it will take a month of healing to correct every year you have had the imbalance.”  Be sure to give your body ample time to heal.

Of all the fertility myths out there, this is another one that is simply not true. A woman’s health plays a huge role in her ability to conceive. Women in poor health due to diabetes or thyroid disease have been known to struggle with their fertility. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight when trying to conceive as obesity is a known cause of infertility as well.  Women are encouraged to achieve weight loss to improve their chances of pregnancy. It is also important to have a stress management plan. High stress may impact a woman’s ability to conceive. High levels of day-to-day stress have been shown in studies to lower a woman’s chances of pregnancy as it can have an effect on a women’s reproductive hormones.

When it comes to trying to conceive, both men and women can equally contribute to fertility struggles. A study by the Center for Reproductive Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic stated that anywhere from 4.5% to 6% of men in North America and 8% to 12% for men in Central and Eastern Europe are considered infertile. This means that they were unable to impregnate their fertile partners after one year. Luckily, there are herbs out there that help with male infertility as well. For example, Korean red ginseng was shown to be a valid strategy for improving fertility in men. Men are also advised to quit smoking, reduce alcohol use, and maintain a health weight.

This is one of the fertility myths that may be just a little bit true. Since herbs are derived from varying parts of the plant such as leaves and roots, each one of them will have its own distinct flavor. Some of them may have a poor bitter or medicinal taste. The good news is that these herbs do not need to be taken directly. They come in many different varieties and preparations. Some useful fertility herbs come in tea form. Many are widely sold in pill form. Though they may have a poor taste, the pills can be easily swallowed with a sip of water so that their poor taste is not even detected.