Hum Reprod. 1994 Aug; 9(8): 1469-70.

Multiple follicular development associated with herbal medicine.

Cahill DJ, Fox R, Wardle PG, Harlow CR.

University of Bristol Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michael's Hospital, UK.

After three endocrinologically normal cycles while undergoing unstimulated in-vitro fertilization treatment, a woman took a herbal medicine (Vitex agnus castus) at the beginning of a fourth unstimulated IVF treatment cycle. In this fourth cycle, her serum gonadotrophin and ovarian hormone measurements were disordered. One embryo resulted from the three eggs collected but a pregnancy did not ensue. She had symptoms suggestive of mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the luteal phase. Two subsequent cycles were endocrinologically normal. We do not advocate the use of this herbal medicine to promote normal ovarian function.