Now that you are about to begin medications or treatments for IUI, IVF, or FET, do you have questions about continuing the herbs, nutritional supplements and natural therapies you have been using for the past 90 days (3 months)? Read on! Following are commonly asked questions we receive about using natural therapies when beginning IUI, IVF and FET.

1. Q: I want to improve my chances of a successful IVF and I would like to try some natural therapies you have on your site. Can I use castor oil therapy while on meds? How about Self Fertility Massage; can I do the SFM while receiving injections?

A: Castor Oil Therapy and Self Fertility Massage™ (SFM) should only be used before beginning IVF medications, not while taking them or having injections.

Castor Oil Therapy and SFM offer cost effective, easy to obtain fertility health benefits. They are both beneficial to use in preparation for IUI, IVF and FET. We suggest using these natural therapies for a minimum of three months time, but each are quick to support the reproductive organs, whether used for three months time or a few weeks.

The reason both Castor Oil Therapy and SFM should be discontinued when you begin IVF medications/injections is because during IVF the medications you will be taking stimulate multiple follicles (eggs) in the ovaries to mature for the upcoming retrieval. As the follicles mature and the ovaries become larger, you will most likely be very sensitive in the ovarian area.

Castor Oil Therapy and SFM are not to be used after transfer of the embryos or during pregnancy either.

2. Q: I am going through FET taking injections, can I do SFM? Castor Oil Therapy?

A: SFM and Castor Oil Therapy are best used for at least 1-3 months prior to the frozen embryo transfer (FET), but not after the transfer. Each can be applied 3-4 times a week until it is determined the endometrial lining is an adequate thickness to support healthy implantation of the embryo. When this determination is made, both should be discontinued. It is best to stop these natural therapies a week prior to the transfer.

FET typically begins with three to four weeks of taking daily birth control pills and based on bloodwork, there is potential you will be given estrogen injections and/or progesterone suppositories until the endometrial lining is determined to be a healthy thickness for implantation of the embryo, “the transfer”. Estrogen and progesterone are likely to be continued after the transfer as well.

Because SFM and Castor Oil Therapy support an increase in circulation to the uterus, are safe to use while on birth control and no ovulation stimulation medications (which make the ovaries sensitive) are required during FET, each of these natural therapies have been found to be useful in naturally preparing the uterus for implantation. It is best to avoid massaging or applying Castor Oil over injection sites.

3. Q: I have been using Wobenzym N with great effect on my allergies and neck and back pain. I’ve also been taking it for immunological issues as I’ve had several miscarriages. I’m now having IVF this weekend and wondering if it’s ok to take it during this and if I get pregnant? Always scared to do something wrong when supplementing. Have you had many patients taking it through IVF?

A: It is going to be best to talk with your reproductive endocrinologist about continuing Wobenzym N in IVF. We can not suggest taking Wobenzym N with IVF medications without guidance from your healthcare provider.

Wobenzym N is the enzyme blend we suggest because research has shown it is safe for long term use, even in pregnancy, under the supervision of your doctor. Our Senior Herbalist Dalene Barton-Schuster has written an article, Fertility Benefits of Wobenzym N, that shares a great study you may be interested in reviewing with your doctor to help you make an informed decision about using this product into your pregnancy.

Read a success story about using Wobenzym N during IVF and into pregnancy…

4. Q: Hello, thanks for a great product. I just finished my Fertility Cleanse and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m on a fertility journey and felt very excited to try out your cleanse when I came across it online. I’m planning to get pregnant very soon. If all goes accordingly, my IUI will take place in two weeks. Given this specific situation, can I continue to take the Women’s Best Friend supplement or drink Conceptions Tea once my menstruation is complete, up until IUI? Thanks for your guidance.

A: I am glad to hear the Fertility Cleanse went well! Yes, Conception’s Tea and Women’s Best Friend can be continued during menstruation (if you do not have heavy menstrual bleeding) and until within a few days of beginning any IUI preparation with medication(s).

5. Q: I am currently in an IVF cycle – my retrieval is in a few days. I will likely freeze any embryos and do a frozen embryo transfer on my next cycle. I purchased Maca and royal jelly. When can I take the Maca and royal jelly? I am wondering if I didn’t need to buy them, if I intend to go straight on to do a frozen embryo transfer? I did buy the RejuvaFlow and UteriCalm and was going to use RejuvaFlow to bring on my period and then UteriCalm as I start my FET cycle. Thank you!

A: Maca, Royal Jelly, and RejuvaFlow are not to be started once a woman begins any type of medications for the IVF process. These products are best used in preparation for IVF and then discontinued when IVF medications are started.

Maca, Royal Jelly and UteriCalm can be restarted after your egg retrieval is complete, as you prepare for FET. Maca and Royal Jelly should be paused when you begin taking medications in preparation for the embryo transfer. UteriCalm can be utilized throughout both IVF and FET and continued through the first trimester of pregnancy to support a calm uterus, with your doctor’s approval. RejuvaFlow is not to be used during either procedure or with any fertility medications. While we understand your doctor may want you to have a menstrual period prior to beginning the FET process, RejuvaFlow is not designed for this type of situation. RejuvaFlow is best used by those women who have an absent period due to hormonal imbalance.

6. Q: I know you recommend doing a 3 month cleanse, but sadly, I don’t have the luxury of time. Do you recommend doing any of the fertility cleansing herbs during the time after my IVF retrieval and before a transfer (it could be anywhere from 2-3 weeks depending)?

A: We suggest a one month Fertility Cleanse versus three months of cleansing, in preparation for IVF. There isn’t a form of fertility cleansing we suggest during IVF, FET, pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Rather than cleanse, it is best to focus on boosting nutrition through diet and managing stress levels with mind-body practices like meditation, positive affirmations and EFT to encourage healthy function of all body systems during medical fertility procedures.

7. Q: If I am preparing to start another IVF cycle (not an FET, but rather a stimulation cycle to get more eggs), with the goal of starting this within anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, what would you recommend?

Up until I start the IVF medications, can I still incorporate the following?

• Maca
• Royal Jelly
• Spirulina
• Cod Liver Oil
• FertiliGreens

With the understanding that except for the Cod Liver Oil and Spirulina, I’ll stop the rest of the above when I start the IVF medications.

A: The list of supplements you shared offer a variety of fertility health benefits and are known to support egg health. What you can do/take in the time frame you have is great! You are correct in that only Cod Liver Oil and Spirulina can be continued during IVF. The other supplements are best stopped unless being guided in continuing them by your healthcare provider.

8. Q: My period was irregular before I did my last IVF stim cycle, so that’s why I originally purchased the RejuvaFlow. But do you think it is best if I am going to start an IVF cycle in a month or so for me to not use RejuvaFlow?

A: RejuvaFlow is not intended for those menstruating, even if irregular. It is for those who have no period at all. It may not be the best product to focus on now. Other areas to consider focusing are shared in the article How to Increase Your IVF Success Rates Naturally. Consider learning more about naturally supporting uterine health with Self Fertility Massage, massage techniques you can do at home.

Are you preparing for IUI, IVF or FET and have more questions? Please post your questions in our comment section below. We would love to hear from you and help you achieve a successful pregnancy!