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Expert Q&A

	By Traci Kurtzer Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Should men who are trying to conceive avoid herbs, such as Ginko and Mau Huang?

Questions about herbal remedies and the negative impact they may have on fertility and pregnancy are difficult. Herbal products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as are other medications. What this means is we really have very few, if any, studies looking at their effects on fertility and fetal development. Theoretically, adverse effects on sperm production or movement could occur when men who are trying to conceive take herbals, but again, we just do not know. For these reasons, I generally advise women and men to avoid herbal products during the pre-conceptual period and when pregnant.

My general recommendation is to avoid Mau Huang altogether. It is a potential cardiac stimulant (like ephedrine) and has been associated with abnormal heart symptoms and even sudden cardiac death.

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