Fish Oil and Fertility
I've been researching the relationship between fish oil and fertility since reading The Omega-3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll of Harvard University. Before going into the details of fish oil, I'd recommend that you read the overview of essential fatty acids (EFA) to garner an understanding of how fish oil usage fits into this global picture, go to EFA overview.
Fish from Arctic waters tend to have less mercury
Fish oil is harvested from cold water fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, herring, tuna, eel and anchovies. These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which break down into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Together EPA and DHA have many beneficial effects on fertility. These include:
- hormone regulating
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-thrombotic
- anti-spasmodic
- improved blood flow to the uterus
- reduced sensitivity to prolactin
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can also contribute to improved male fertility. Omega-3s are abundant in the sperm and DHA is especially prevalent in the sperm tail and may play a role in sperm motility. To read more about fish oil and fertility benefits for men, go to the Fish Oil and Male Fertility page.
In the clinic, as part of an overall herbal and dietary strategy, I generally see the following promising developments, when women take fish oil daily.
- increased egg white cervical mucus
- decreased menstrual cramps
- less clots in menstrual blood
- more profuse menstrual blood
- less PMS symptoms prior to the period
- clearer biphasic charts
The first step to enhancing fertility naturally, is a healthy, regular menstrual cycle without unpleasant symptoms like cramps, clots, or PMS. The second step involves a clear biphasic fertility chart, with steady, low follicular phase temperatures, a significant temperature surge at ovulation and stable, high luteal phase temperatures. Fish oil can aid fertility by helping the body attain both a regular menstrual cycle and a clear, biphasic fertility chart.
Fish Oil is a Yin Tonic and a Jing Tonic
In Chinese medicine, fish oil would be considered a yin tonic. Yin tonics are often taken during the follicular phase to nourish the follicles and the developing endometrium. When reading fertility signs, the most direct evidence of well nourished yin would be profuse egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) prior to ovulation. Usually, after taking fish oil and herbal yin tonics for a few cycles, women notice a significant increase in EWCM.
Fish oil is also considered a jing tonic in Chinese medicine. Jing is our essence, it's the quality of our genetic heritage from our parents. As we age, we slowly use up our jing and when we die, our jing is extinguished. In order to procreate, our jing must be abundant, which would mean healthy viable eggs and sperm. Fish oil, along with other Chinese jing tonics help to strengthen kidneys, which store the jing, to consolidate the jing.
I think of fish oil and Chinese herbal medicine as concentrated nourishment for the matrix of fluid surrounding the eggs and the sperm. With regular acupuncture treatments improving the blood flow to the uterus, ovaries or pelvic region (in men) and a healthy diet providing optimum nutrition to the blood, this provides the healthiest environment for conception to take place. Therefore, the data on fish oil and fertility looks promising for couples using fish oil in their preconception program.