
Castor Oil Packs
#1
Posted 30 September 2012 - 01:31 PM
It has been suggested by my ND that I try castor oil packs while leading up to an ivf cycle. I read however that one should not use them if they have decreased ovarian reserve (I've never been told that I have this) nor should they do so while stimming. Could you please tell me what the point of the castor oil packs are? I have been told by my RE that I have poor egg quality. Will castor oil packs help or hinder? It's also been suggested that I begin to take NAC, HFE, and coQ10 to also attempt to improve egg quality.
Thank you!
#2
Posted 30 October 2012 - 01:30 PM
Thanks for your question! In my opinion, castor oil packs are safe to use before ovulation in any cycle where you are trying to conceive. And if there is no chance of natural conception they are safe to use after ovulation also. I definitely do not recommend them after transfer, or after ovulation in a cycle where you could have possibly conceived naturally. I also don't recommend them for low ovarian reserve. The reason is that the heat is often not beneficial for egg quality, from what I've seen clinically in these patients, and Randine Lewis PhD also believes this is the case from the many patients she has treated clinically. In traditional chinese medicine, it is not recommended to use heat for patients who have deficient heat symptoms (often seen in low ovarian reserve).
Castor oil packs are most typically used for endometriosis, or fibroids - the castor oil packs increase circulation and could possibly have some anti-inflammatory effects. This circulation increasing effect might benefit the reproductive organs when you are trying to conceive. Research is still out on this, and it is not known how well absorbed the active components of castor oil are through a transdermal method such as a pack. That being said, it is a folk remedy that has been used for decades with many patients swearing by its results.
Dr Fiona



#3
Posted 12 November 2012 - 08:57 PM
#4
Posted 19 August 2016 - 12:49 AM
#5
Posted 31 August 2016 - 09:26 AM
Hi Dr Fiona,
My ND wants me to use them as a way of increasing circulation due to thin lining issues. I don't have the concern with effecting the egg quality as we are using donor eggs.
My concern is using them properly, when to use them etc.
Me 43, DH 43
Trying since 2012
Natural Pregnancy May 2012, ended blighted ovum
Natural Pregnancy June 2013, miscarriage 6 weeks (chemical pregnancy)
Natural Pregnancy January 2014, miscarriage 8 weeks
IVF Pregnancy December 2016, miscarriage 4 weeks (chemical pregnancy)
IVF Pregnancy May 2017, 1st beta May 23 hcg 3,290, 2nd beta May 25
First clinic 2012-2014
Second clinic 2014-present
Dx: diminished ovarian reserve; thin lining
Unsuccessful protocols: estrace, estradot patches, gonal f, natural cycle
Lining gets to 8.0 mm
Using donor eggs
FET attempts 15, transferred 4 times (2 BFN, 2 BFP), cycles canceled 11.
IUI attempts 2 (2 BFN)
Successful protocol for lining: estradot patches, Viagra
Successful protocol for FET: medrol, lovenox, PIO