Discovered in 1922 during experiments on rats, this powerful antioxidant contains tocopherols, a Greek word meaning to bear children. Scientists discovered that rats without vitamin E in their diet became infertile. In a preliminary human trial, infertile couples given vitamin E (200 IU per day for the female and 100 IU per day for the male) showed a significant increase in fertility.  Vitamin E’s beneficial role in female reproductive health has since been backed up by more recent research and it has even been suggested that it may reduce age related ovarian decline (where the numbers of eggs are less because the woman is older).

For men, like other antioxidants, vitamin E combats free radicals. High levels of free radicals can lower sperm count, so it is important to ensure adequate intake of antioxidants, especially vitamin E. Research suggests that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E may make sperm more fertile. An interesting study looked at men with good sperm counts but low fertilisation rates during IVF treatments. These men were given vitamin E each day. One month after starting treatment the fertility rate increased from 19 percent to 29 percent.

 

If you have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility I recommend that you and your partner take vitamin E supplements. If you have had a miscarriage you should also both take a vitamin E supplement because it can help prevent abnormal clotting. Studies have shown that giving vitamin E to both partners can result in significant increases in fertility.

 

Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include irritability and anaemia. You and your partner should take 200-300 ius of natural rather than synthetic vitamin E a day. Normally natural and synthetic vitamins are of equal value but vitamin E is different because the natural and synthetic forms are structurally different. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the effect of giving both natural and synthetic vitamin E and found that the absorption rate of natural vitamin E was more efficient than the synthetic. The natural version of vitamin E is called d-alpha-tocopherol and the synthetic is called dl-alpha- tocopherol.  (The Fertility Plus for Women and Fertility Plus for Men supplements I use in the clinic both contain 240ius of natural vitamin E – see the Resources Page).

Watermelon contains a compound called citrulline that relaxes blood vessels and boosts circulation in a way similar to the drug Viagra, used by men to reignite their sex lives.

Q: In the last few months I’ve noticed that my vagina feels dry and sex is increasingly painful. I’m approaching the menopause and wondered if there are any natural remedies that you can recommend?

A: During and after the menopause the walls of the vagina can become thinner and less elastic. You may find that you take longer to lubricate and that intercourse can be painful. Thinning and drying of pelvic tissue can occur but women who maintain a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet generally experience few problems with vaginal/bladder weakness in the menopausal years. There are also a number of natural therapies that may help:

 

Make sure you eat a healthy diet rich in hormone balancing phytoestrogens, found in soya, legumes, nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of water. Try cranberry juice (unsweetened of course, or a powdered cranberry, see the Resources Page) especially if you are prone to cystitis.

 

Exercise can help keep your vagina supple and lubricated. Regular sex and masturbation can too. The saying if you don’t use, you lose it doesn’t just apply to your brain and bones it apples to sex too. Regular sex can keep your vagina healthy and happy. Although vaginal dryness is common during the menopause some women do still lubricate rapidly when aroused and the most likely reason for this is that these women continue to have sex once or twice a week.  There are also some really excellent natural vaginal lubricants – one I recommend to my patients is called Yes – see the Resources Page.

 

Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and combat incontinence and make sex more enjoyable. To find out which muscles you need to use the next time you go to the toilet stop urinating in midstream by contracting your muscles; these are your pelvic floor muscles. Use these muscles to perform the Kegel exercises, contract them and hold for a count of five and then relax. Repeat these ten times and do at least five times a day. If Kegel exercises alone aren’t sufficient studies show that training with pelvic toners that provide resistance produce significantly better pelvic floor muscle strength than did exercise without them.  (Go to the Resources Page for information on two types of pelvic toners.)

 

Avoid douches, talcum powder, perfumed toilet papers, bubble baths and foams as they can irritate the vagina. Avoid washing the inside of your labia with soap too as it will dry out the skin. Spend longer on foreplay as it will help you to lubricate.

 

Motherwort tincture used orally may increase vaginal lubrication and vaginal wall thickness within a month of use. Vitamin E in daily oral doses of 300-400ius for 4-6 weeks has been found to increase vaginal lubrication. Acidophilus inserted vaginally can help prevent yeast infections and create more lubrication. You can get acidophilus in pessaries (called Intrafresh – see the Resources Page) which is a convenient way to get acidophilus into the vagina.  Also you can take a probiotic (like BioKult) orally to help maintain healthy intestinal flora and vaginal balance.