Herbal Treatment for Infertility in Women: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. This study aimed to systematically review the mechanism, benefits and causes of using herbal treatment in treating infertile women of reproductive age. The search for suitable studies was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct using the search string “Herbal Treatment'' AND (“Infertility Women” OR “Infertility Female” AND (“Mechanism” OR “benefits” OR “cause”). The inclusion criteria were herbal treatment, herbal medicine or alternative treatment and women in the reproductive age. The exclusion criteria were men, older women (beyond reproductive age) and females before menarche. A total of 7 articles were systematically reviewed and appraised. The herbal treatment of interest includes Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule (HXG), Bushen Zhuyun Granule (BZG), Dan’e mixture, Ziyin recipe (ZR), Liuwei Dihuang Granule (LDG), Erzhi Tianghui Granule (ETG), Jiutengzhuyu tablets and Macrophage – activating Chinese mixed herbs (MACH). The herbal treatments had many benefits such as to improve female infertility in terms of increasing the number of high-quality oocytes and embryos, improving follicular development, ovulation, clinical pregnancy rates, blood circulation, clinical symptoms, live birth rate and endometrial receptivity. Many evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine practices were made. Before conducting more investigations, closer monitoring, toxicology studies, standardized dosage and extract used, adequate design of multicentred, randomized, parallel-controlled and blinded trials are required to deliver improved evidence for future research.