In a woman older than 35 trying to conceive, does the Proov Pro herbal supplement improve embryo implantation?

No Evidence Supports Proov Pro Supplement for Implantation in Women Over 35

There is no scientific evidence or guideline recommendation supporting the use of Proov Pro or similar herbal supplements to improve embryo implantation in women over 35 years of age, and such products should be avoided when attempting conception.

Why Herbal Supplements Are Not Recommended for Fertility

The available evidence strongly cautions against herbal supplement use during the conception period and pregnancy:

• Herbal medicines have not been rigorously tested for safety or efficacy during pregnancy, and the Teratology Society explicitly states that it should not be assumed they are safe for the embryo or fetus 1
• Active ingredients in plant extracts are chemicals with the same potential to cause serious adverse effects as purified medications, despite public perception that they are "gentle and safe" 1
• Medicinal plants can have embryotoxic, teratogenic, and abortifacient effects, with some phytochemicals capable of crossing the placenta and reaching the fetus 2
• Obstetricians should advise women not to expose their fetuses to the risks of herbal medicines 1

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Women Over 35

Instead of unproven supplements, focus on these guideline-supported strategies:

Immediate Fertility Evaluation

• Seek evaluation after only 6 months of attempting conception rather than 12 months, as earlier assessment is justified for women aged >35 years due to age-related fertility decline 3, 4, 5
• Both partners should be evaluated simultaneously to identify potential causes, as male factors contribute to approximately 50% of infertility cases 5

Proven Preconception Supplementation

• Take 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily, beginning before conception and continuing through 12 weeks of pregnancy—this is the only universal recommendation with high-quality evidence for women of reproductive age 6
• Consider iron supplementation if in a region where anemia prevalence exceeds 20%, as recommended by WHO 6

Optimize Natural Conception

• Time intercourse every 1-2 days during the fertile window (the 6-day interval ending on ovulation day, characterized by stretchy cervical mucus) 3, 4
• Use ovulation prediction methods such as over-the-counter kits or digital applications 3
• Eliminate fertility-reducing factors: smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, high caffeine intake (>5 cups/day), and commercial vaginal lubricants 3, 5
• Optimize body weight, as women who are very thin or obese have lower fertility rates 3, 5

Specific Risks of Herbal Supplements in Fertility Patients

Recent research highlights concerning patterns:

• Over two-thirds of women seeking infertility treatment report using herbal supplements, yet only 33.3% disclose this use to their providers 7
• 41 moderate-risk supplement-drug interactions were identified in one infertility practice, with 12 interactions specifically involving infertility therapies, primarily through CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 inhibition 7
• Several supplements used for fertility purposes were flagged as "possibly unsafe" or "likely unsafe" in pregnancy, including chasteberry and cannabidiol 7
• Common fertility-related supplements like maca, chasteberry, and ginger lack rigorous safety and efficacy studies for conception and pregnancy 7, 8

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not assume "natural" means safe—herbal products contain bioactive chemicals that can interfere with fertility treatments and harm early pregnancy 1, 2
• Do not delay evidence-based evaluation while trying unproven supplements—at age 35+, time is a critical factor in fertility success 4, 5
• Do not use herbal supplements without disclosing them to your reproductive endocrinologist, as they may interact with fertility medications 7
• Do not substitute supplements for proven interventions like ovarian reserve assessment (AMH and antral follicle count) and timely assisted reproduction when indicated 4

When Fertility Preservation or Treatment Is Needed

If natural conception does not occur within 6 months:

• Ovarian reserve assessment with AMH and antral follicle count should be performed to guide treatment planning 4
• Target retrieval of 12+ mature oocytes if pursuing fertility preservation, which achieves a 61.9% cumulative live birth rate in women ≤35 years 4, 6
• Consider assisted reproduction techniques (IVF, ovarian stimulation) based on evaluation findings, as these have established efficacy unlike herbal supplements 3