Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
Fertility Benefits

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Evening primrose oil (EPO) is made from the seeds of the evening primrose, a small wildflower with yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. One of its uses is as a fertility herb that helps with getting pregnant.

EPO is rich in vitamin E, linileic acid (LA), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and prostiglandins. Most of these nutrients are essential fatty acids (EFA) of the omega 6 group of fatty acids and are important for a number of health, body, cell, and hormone functions, growth and development.

How does Evening Primrose Oil help with Fertility and Getting Pregnant?

Oil of evening primrose helps increase fertility by helping your body produce fertile cervical mucus and helps to regulate your ovulation menstrual cycles.

The quality and quantity of your CM is important to getting pregnant. As you approach ovulation, your cervical fluids should become more abundant and of a quality that nurtures the sperm. It should become thinner, watery, have the consistency of egg whites.

This provides the best environment for sperm best be able to travel to the fallopian tubes and be nourished to survive longer while they await an egg to be released.

Without this fertile quality cervical mucus, it becomes near impossible for the sperm to get to its destination. Dry, crumbly, or thick mucus is hostile to sperm and can be too acidic for sperm to survive. Sperm needs a proper ph balance environment that is the opposite of the normal environment of your vagina. The changing textures leading up to ovulation provides this environment.

If you find that you lack sufficient amounts of quality cervical mucus, evening primrose oil may be the answer as it helps your body to produce higher amounts of fluids and help to create the best nourishing environment that is best for the survival of sperm.

Oil of the evening primrose will also help to soften the cervix which encourages the opening of the cervix to be wider. This obviously, will help more sperm to be able to travel through to the uterus and fallopian tubes.

This is from the prostiglandins from the primrose oil. Prostiglandins are also present in the fluids (semen) which contain the sperm. And is there for the same purpose of softening the cervix.

EPO also help to regulate your menstrual cycles. The body converts the ingredients and uses it an many ways that support optimal functioning of the reproductive and endocrine system.

Evening Primrose Oil does not promote contractions

It is a myth that primrose oil brings on contractions. It does nothing that the body is not ready to do on its own anyway. EPO helps your body do what it intends to do (with or without EPO) more efficiently.

EPO is safe to take during pregnancy and can be safely taken during the second half or luteal phase of your cycle.

Many advise not to take it after you ovulate because of this myth. And as a precaution especially if you are prone to very early miscarriages.

Please consult with you healthcare provider before taking evening primrose oil at all. But especially if you have frequent miscarriages.

If this bothers you, what you can do is stop taking EPO once you ovulate and start taking another source of EFA from the omega 3 family. Actually omega 6 (which comes from EPO) and omega 3 work best together. So taking EPO the first half of your ovulation cycle then switching to an omega 3 oil (such as fish oil or flax seed oil) is still greatly effective.

Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredients, evening primrose oil is effective for the use of breast pain and tenderness and PMS symptoms associated with the luteal phase (end) of your cycle.

Dosage of Evening Primrose Oil for "Fertility"

Consult your healthcare provider for the proper dosage for you and your condition as the dosage may be different than the suggestions given below. Also Follow all package directions.

It is generally accepted that the dosage needed for fertility issues and/or PMS is 1500mg to 3000mg per day taken in one dose in the morning by mouth, not to exceed 8g in one day or 24 hour period. Higher doses may be prescribed for more severe conditions. Again consult your healthcare provider of certified herbalist.

EPO is available as an oil or in capsules and should be kept in the refrigerator and out of direct sunlight to prevent the oil from becoming rancid. Generally, high-quality oil will be certified as organic by a reputable third party, packaged in light-resistant containers, refrigerated, and marked with a freshness date.

EPO should be standardized to contain 8% gamma-linolenic acid.

Side Effects of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is well tolerated by most people and generally safe when used in recommended dosages. Rare but mild side effects include gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and headache. Stomach pain and loose stools may be indications that the dosage is too high.

Contra-indications and possible interactions of Evening Primrose Oil

Primrose oil should not be taken if you have bleeding problems or a blood disorder.

It should not be taken with certain psychiatric medications such as those prescribed for schizophrenia.

Also not for use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.

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Evening Primrose Oil
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Related pages

Cervical Mucus Textures | Fertile Cervical Mucus vs Hostile Cervical Mucus | More Tips to Optimize CM | Best Positions to Get Pregnant | Fertility Cleanse | Fertility Diet | Folic Acid | The Weight and Fertility Connection | When Does Ovulation Occur? | Ways to Increase Fertility Naturally |