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Infertility
ginkgo biloba and IVF?
Ladies,
I am losing my mind lately... can't remember ANYTHING and it's gotten worse over the last year I think. Anyway, my mom swears by ginko biloba for memory. Do you think it's OK to take even though I am the throws of an IVF cycle??? wwyd?
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Re: ginkgo biloba and IVF?
I would say no - since it is not recommended for use during pregnancy:
(plus there a bunch of other warnings)
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginkgo-biloba/NS_patient-ginkgo
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Use of ginkgo is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of reliable scientific study in this area. The risk of bleeding associated with ginkgo may be dangerous during pregnancy.
Side Effects and Warnings
Overall, ginkgo leaf extract (used in most commercial products) appears to be well tolerated in most healthy adults at recommended doses for up to six months. Minor symptoms including headache, nausea, and intestinal complaints have been reported.
Bleeding has been associated with the use of ginkgo taken by mouth, and caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking drugs/herbs/supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Ginkgo should be stopped prior to some surgical or dental procedures. Reports of bleeding range from nose bleeds to life-threatening bleeding in several case reports. In some of these reports, ginkgo has been used with other agents that may also cause bleeding.
Eating the seeds is potentially deadly, due to risk of tonic-clonic seizures and loss of consciousness.
Based on human study, ginkgo may theoretically affect insulin and blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare professional, and medication adjustments may be necessary.
There have been uncommon reports of dizziness, stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle weakness, loss of muscle tone, restlessness, racing heart, rash, and irritation around the mouth with the use of ginkgo. There is a case report of "coma" in an elderly Alzheimer's patient taking trazodone and ginkgo, although it is not clear that ginkgo was the cause. Based on laboratory and human research, ginkgo may decrease blood pressure, although there is one report of ginkgo possibly raising blood pressure in a person taking a thiazide diuretic ("water pill"). Based on theory, high concentrations of ginkgo may reduce male and female fertility. Contamination with the drug colchicine has been found in commercial preparations of Ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo may affect the outcome of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Adverse effects on the eyes have also been reported.
Wow Hannah, you are a wealth of info! And 1st IVF prego!...Best of Luck!...
Did you tanything aside of the Prenates? I was told I am able to drink Merlot up until a week after the IUI. This is my FIRST IVF, and I'm nervous as heck - don't know what to expect. Would LOVE to be as lucky as you (tired of all the meds and their effect on my mind/body!!)
I also read somewhere that using a laptop on your lap could prevent TTC???