Medicinal herbs and supplements for repeated miscarriages

Medicinal herbs and supplements for repeated miscarriages

• The use of Vitex agnus castus (Abraham’s balm) is considered an effective intervention in cases of repeated pregnancy loss especially where there is a low level of progesterone.

Vitex agnus castus is a medicinal herb. The fruits of the plant produce extracts that help cure hormonal diseases. Research has revealed that vitex agnus castus is effective in helping cases of infertility among women as well as among men. It also helps to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The components of the plant are known in the medicine world to help women with progesterone balance problems.

Repeated miscarriages occur in 1% of couples, and is defined as three pregnancy losses in a row.  Although it is disputed, there is evidence that normal levels of progesterone could be an important cause of sustained pregnancy and that an increase in the levels of progesterone could increase the probability of success.

Vitex agnus castus is an herbal remedy with evidence that it supports a variety of hormonal conditions, including PMS and other hormonal conditions.

Studies report a case of repeated miscarriages in which low levels of progesterone were observed. Taking the vitex agnus castus supplement for one month led to a successful pregnancy with normal levels of progesterone and a live birth after a full-term pregnancy. The second pregnancy was successful, also with the use of the vitex agnus castus supplement even though it’s not possible to confirm the exact role that vitex agnus castus played in this case. This reinforces the evidence of the hypothesis that this plant can be used as an effective intervention in cases of repeated pregnancy loss and especially in cases in which there is a low level of progesterone.

• Studies mention the alpha lipoic acid dietary supplement with reference to repeated miscarriages.

This supplement has antioxidant properties and can contribute to the quality of the egg.  It is also important because it can be found naturally in mitochondria, where it helps to manufacture energy.

Animal studies have found that this supplement protects the mitochondria from the effects of aging.

When someone takes alpha lipoic acid, their general level of antioxidants in their blood increases significantly and there is an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

There is proof that this supplement boosts fertility, for example, studies have found that this antioxidant can improve egg maturation and viability of the embryo.

Alpha lipoic acid also reduces inflammation and can be effective among women with endometriosis and repeated miscarriages. Studies show that inflammation is one of the main ways that endometriosis causes infertility. A new study indicates that inflammations also contribute to unexplained miscarriages.

• Studies mention the N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) dietary supplement with reference to repeated miscarriages

The N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) supplement lowers miscarriage rates. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant that contributes to egg quality and fertility in general. This antioxidant helps to cleanse the body of toxins that act against the effects of aging and oxidative stress on the quality of the egg.

A study showed that a group of women with repeated and unexplained miscarriages received 600 mg per day with folic acid and their pregnancy results were compared with women who took only folic acid. The combination of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) with folic acid was linked to a very dramatic change: a sharp decrease in the rate of miscarriage.

In the end, women who took N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) were found to be twice as likely to give birth to a baby. Other studies have also shown that N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) lowers miscarriage rates by 60% for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

• According to studies, a higher intake of folic acid as a dietary supplement is associated with lowering the risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Pregnant women at risk should take the folic acid dietary supplement to prevent a defect in the neural tube as this may reduce the risk of miscarriage.

It’s best to take the Methylfolate active folic acid type.

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 while folic acid is its synthetic form. Vitamin B9 is an essential component of a human being’s diet. Human beings are not able to manufacture it by themselves and so they must get it from their diet.

Folate is vital for the proper growth and functioning of all the cells in the body, for producing DNA, for correcting the DNA, for creating amino acids, and for preventing anemia. In addition, a folate deficiency will manifest itself in a decrease of the cells of the immune system (the white cell count) and the level of platelets (the blood cells that are responsible for blood clotting).

Only about 50% of folate in natural food is absorbed, and a significant percentage of the folate that can be found in beans and lentils, leafy vegetables, and the other sources of folate in the diet are lost during cooking and in food processing.

Prevention of developmental defects

As mentioned, vitamin B9 plays a central role in creating hereditary material in the cells (the DNA) and, for this reason, this component plays an enormously important role in the process of cell division and the normal development of the embryo. Low levels of folate in the first months of pregnancy are connected to the formation of abnormalities in the embryo’s neural canal, which will manifest as abnormal development of the brain and the spinal cord, and will lead to conditions, such as insufficient development of the brain tissue (which will end in the death of the embryo) and other defects that cause severe disability.

Taking the folate supplement before becoming pregnant and during the pregnancy will prevent a deficiency of vitamin B9 and significantly reduce the risk of the formation of abnormalities in the embryo’s nervous system. Additionally, it’s important to know that folate deficiency in pregnant women is linked to arrested development of the embryo, to giving birth to babies with a low weight, and to premature births.

• Vitamin D and the incidence of live births

Studies show that low levels of vitamin D can adversely affect fertility. Vitamin D has receptors in the various organs of the body that are relevant to a woman’s fertility in the uterus and ovaries. A deficiency of the receptor to vitamin D has shown that vitamin D deficiency creates difficulties with egg maturation and general infertility.

Vitamin D also plays a role in the production of hormones. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to infertility by disrupting the estrogen system and also lowering the AMH hormone associated with ovarian follicle growth. In addition, a low level of vitamin D contributes to the formation of endometriosis and the polycystic ovary syndrome.

In a study published in 2013 that examined the effect of adding vitamin D supplementation to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it was observed that there was a significant increase in endometrial thickness but not a significant increase in pregnancy rates.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, it was discovered that vitamin D aids IVF treatments by improving the quality of the eggs, the health of the embryos, and the likelihood of embryonic implantation in the uterus. The researchers explain the link between vitamin D levels and success rates of IVF treatments in that vitamin D has a beneficial effect on the endometrium, which affects the likelihood of embryo implantation in the endometrium.

Another study shows that the rate of live births is greater in women with sufficient vitamin D compared to women with a deficient or insufficient vitamin D condition.

• Vitamin E reduces the risk of miscarriage

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Studies show that it protects the ovary membrane from being damaged by free radicals and that it is beneficial when dealing with fertility problems. Vitamin E also acts as a blood thinner and therefore facilitates blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Studies have also shown that it contributes to thickening of the endometrium.

According to a study in which the vitamin E supplement was given to women with implantation problems for 12 weeks, there was a positive increase in the thickness of the endometrium. A 2010 study showed that vitamin E and/or L-arginine can also help to thicken the endometrium of a woman who has a thin endometrium. The researchers wanted to see if these supplements could increase blood flow in the uterus.

Vitamin E, administered at a dose of 600 mg per day, increased uterine blood flow in 72% of the subjects and endometrial thickness in 52% of the subjects.

Six grams of L-arginine a day increased blood flow in the uterus in 89% of the subjects and increased the thickness of the endometrium in 67% of the subjects.

To conclude, vitamin E protects cell membranes and prevents their aging, and also slows down aging of the eggs. In addition, vitamin E also helps to achieve a hormonal balance, especially in case of fertility problems.

The existence of the vitamin in the body is important for regeneration of the endocrine system (the group of glands responsible for secretion of hormones into the blood), for the proper secretion of hormones in the body, and even for hormonal strengthening of the endometrium, which is supposed to implant and nourish the fertilized egg.

Vitamin E also helps the blood to reach the uterus. Implantation of the embryo in the uterus and its normal development depend largely on blood flow to the area. The blood carries hormones essential for the implantation and for taking care of the fertilized egg in the uterus and, at later stages, it brings nutrients and oxygen to the embryo. Moreover, normal blood flow affects normal ovulation. Vitamin E helps with flexibility and dilation of the blood vessels, and makes sure that there is an adequate blood flow to the female uterus and reproductive organs.

Vitamin E reduces the risk of miscarriage. In laboratory studies on rats, a regular intake of vitamin E was found to reduce the risk of miscarriages and premature births. The reason is again the normal blood flow that helps the body to implant the pregnancy and sustain it.

It can be found in various vegetable oils, as well as in nuts and seeds, avocados, and more. Because of the complexity of its absorption by the body, it is recommended for women of childbearing age and women who are fertility challenged to consume vitamin E regularly in the form of pills, gel capsules, or powder, thus significantly raising the level of the vitamin in the body.

• Omega 3 and the likelihood of a live birth

It appears that omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial also for female fertility problems. A 2012 study on mice reached the conclusion that a lifetime intake of omega 3 fatty acids may extend the period of fertility for mothers of a more advanced age. The researchers found that short-term treatment with omega 3 fatty acids can help to improve egg quality. A high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids in the cell can contribute to increased blood flow in the uterus.

Increased blood flow in the uterus can improve uterine hormonal activity, improve fertility conditions, and increase the chances of the woman conceiving.

For example, a study conducted in 2015 examined the connection between EPA and DHA in omega 3 and the levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). As women approach menopause, their FSH levels rise. In fact, doctors often measure this hormone to determine how close the woman is to menopause.

In the study, the researchers found that in normal-weight women, supplementation with 4 grams of EPA / DHA lowered FSH levels. The researchers found that among women of a normal weight, supplementation of 4 grams of EPA/DHA lowered their FSH levels. The researchers noted that this link between omega 3 and the FSH was intriguing, especially because it supported the assumption that a higher intake of omega 3 could prolong fertility.

According to studies, taking omega 3 and omega 6 supplements is connected to the results of women undergoing fertility treatments. There is a positive correlation between taking omega 3 and omega 6 supplements and the incidence of live births.

Besides the issue of age, omega 3 fatty acids can help to reduce fertility problems associated with chronic inflammation, for example, women with high levels of omega 3 are less likely to suffer from endometriosis compared to women with low EPA levels.

In relation to the above, it’s also recommended to read about the most important supplement, Q10 coenzyme/ubiqinol as well to add hormones that prevent miscarriage.

Note that, to get any effect from any supplement, it must be taken for at least 3-4 months.

To remove any doubt, the contents of this article are intended to serve as a general overview only, and the information in it does not relate to a product nor is it intended to provide guidance, it does not comprise a certified medical recommendation, and it is not intended to instruct the public or to be used by it as advice, instruction, or a recommendation for the use, modification, or stopping use of any medication, and does not comprise a substitute for personal or other medical advice. Pregnant women, lactating women, children, and anyone taking prescription drugs must consult a doctor before using dietary supplements.