title: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Fertilityblend: a nutritional supplement for improving fertility in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of nutritional supplementation on female fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of FertilityBlend for Women, a proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry, green tea, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals, on progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle length, pregnancy rate and side-effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-three (93) women, aged 24-42 years, who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months, completed the study. After three months, the FertilityBlend (FB) group (N = 53) demonstrated a trend toward increased mean mid-luteal progesterone (P(ml)), but among women with basal pretreatment P(ml) < 9 ng/ml, the increase in progesterone was highly significant. The average number of days with luteal-phase basal temperatures over 98 degrees F increased significantly in the FB group. Both short and long cycles (< 27 days or > 32 days pretreatment) were normalized in the FB group. The placebo group (N = 40) did not show any significant changes in these parameters. After three months, 14 of the 53 women in the FB group were pregnant (26%) compared to four of the 40 women in the placebo group (10%; p = 0.01). Three additional women conceived after six months on FB (32%). No significant side-effects were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutritional supplements could provide an alternative or adjunct to conventional fertility therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Polan
authors.forename: A Sontag
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Trant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D028241:Camellia sinensis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020950:Vitex
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D011374:Progesterone; D001120:Arginine