Tripterygium Wilfordii and Fertility – When to Avoid Thunder God Vine
Reproductive health seems to be at the center of many heated debates in political and/or religious venues of any kind in the US today. Debates on reproductive rights aside, the availability of effective and safe contraceptives or – quite the opposite – available and safe conception enhancing mechanism are a concern for men and women alike of childbearing age.
As you all know from reading my blog, I take thunder god vine root extract on a daily basis. I have not personally had any side effects other than a few trips to the bathroom when I first started it. However, I am also 40 years old, have born 3 children successfully, have had a tubal ligation as well as a uterine ablation. Needless to say, I am done having children, and I am totally ok with that.
I have not come across any scientific material related to female fertility and thunder-god vine, but, I just had a great conversation with a grower, and he advised me to let everyone know that the thunder god vine can contribute to amenorrhea in child-bearing aged women. In other words, it can cause a woman to stop having her period. If this happens, naturally, you cannot become pregnant. I wanted to pass this advice on to my readers.
Now I would not go so far as to say I would trust this herb to be used as a contraceptive – you want your contraceptive to be reliable and proven, and this is not. But if you want to have a child, or you are breastfeeding (I don’t know of adverse effects or if TGR is passed on through a mother’s milk, so I cannot say it is safe and would avoid it), I would avoid using Tripterygium Wilfordii.
Additionally, there IS scientific evidence that the vine causes male infertility. Again, I would not trust it as an alternative to a vasectomy of you are a man and do not want children, but if you DO want a passel of kiddos of your own, don’t take this supplement while you are trying to make those gorgeous little babies.
You all know I am a big proponent of this product, but I want to always give you the most accurate information. I TRULY care – this is not some big corporation, it’s just me trying to bring some old fashioned healing to the world by eschewing big pharma and returning to the earth in every way possible. And that means for me, in my personal code of ethics, that I also tell you when to stay away from it.
**Mandatory FDA Statement: None of the opinions on this website are meant to be substitued for a doctor’s care and advice. We are not doctors. These statements have not been approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any illness.
