How to Induce Ovulation Naturally

Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: February 20, 2022 References

Dealing with infertility can be frustrating and painful, but don't give up on your dreams of having a baby. If you aren't ovulating regularly, getting pregnant is very difficult. You may be able to improve your chances of conceiving by taking herbal remedies and adopting healthy habits. However, check with your doctor before consuming herbal treatments. Additionally, talk to your doctor if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or you don’t know why you’re not ovulating.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using Home Remedies

1
Try out milk thistle to help your body use estrogen better. Milk thistle is an herb that may detox the liver.^{[1]
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Research source} In turn, that may help your body process estrogen better. What that means is your hormones may be better balanced, so you may start ovulating more regularly.^{[2]
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- You can take 20 to 300 milligrams up to 3 times a day. Always ask your doctor if you can take supplements safely.^{[3]
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2
Take a drink of Job's Tears to potentially help you ovulate. Job's tears has been used in alternative medicine to induce ovulation. While most evidence is anecdotal, it may help you, too. Make a tea of the leaves by steeping them in hot water. You can also take the seeds as a supplement, which may also help induce ovulation.^{[4]
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3
Use chasteberry to help your body produce more luteinizing hormone. Chasteberry may help increase your chances of ovulating, as some women find it beneficial. It likely works by telling your body to produce more luteinizing hormone, which in turn promotes ovulation.^{[5]
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- Try taking 160 to 240 milligrams once a day in the morning. You shouldn't take this drug if you're also taking birth control pills or hormones.
4
Add Tribulus terrestris to your regimen near ovulation. Ask your doctor about which days during your cycle you should take this herb. Some women find it helpful for ovulation. Try 750 milligrams once a day.^{[6]
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PubMed Central
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5
Use a Chinese herbal mixture to help your fertility. Many women have luck using Chinese herbs to help induce ovulation. You should be able to find a Chinese herbal mixture specifically for fertility at Chinese herb stores. Look for ingredients like Dang Gui, Gan Cao, Bai Shao, and Chuan Xiong.
- Speak to your healthcare provider, acupuncturist, or registered herbalist to determine the best combination of herbs for you.
6
Go for some acupuncture to help with your hormones. If needles don't bother you, acupuncture may help with ovulation. In some women, it lowers the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) when it is too high.^{[7]
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Research source} For instance, if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), your FSH level might be too high, which in turn can mess up your cycle and how you ovulate.
- Don't worry. The needles used in acupuncture are very small, and most people don't find them painful.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Practicing Healthy Habits

1
Get to a healthy weight to support your fertility. You may have heard your doctor drone on about maintaining a healthy weight, but you may not know your weight can affect ovulation and fertility. This rule applies both if your overweight and if you're underweight. Aim for a BMI between 20 and 27.^{[8]
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- If you don't know your BMI, ask your doctor, or use an online calculator where you put in information like your height, weight, and age.^{[9]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Eating a healthy diet, full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy can help you lose weight if you need to and may also help your fertility.
2
Try eating vegetable-based protein and full-fat dairy. Some women have luck eating some vegetable-based protein (such as nuts and beans) in place of meat-based protein to increase the chances of ovulation. Others find eating at least one serving of full-fat dairy a day helped increase their chances.^{[10]
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University of Rochester Medical Center
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3
Sleep at night to keep your hormones balanced. If possible, stick to sleeping at night. If you have a job that puts you on the night shift, see if you can switch to the day shift. Sleeping during the day may throw your hormones off-balance, which in turn may mess up your ovulation. Plus, most people get better sleep at night.
- Getting enough sleep (7 to 8 hours) may also be helpful.
4
Cut down your caffeine intake. You don't have to skip that morning cup of Joe that jolts you into your day. However, if you're downing more than 200 milligrams (or more than 2 cups) in a day, it could be affecting your fertility and ovulation.
- For reference, a typical 8-ounce cup of coffee has anywhere from 95 milligrams to 165 milligrams, while black tea ranges from 25 milligrams to 48 milligrams.^{[11]
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  Mayo Clinic
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5
Stop smoking if you do. You may have been looking for a reason to quit, and here's the perfect one. Smoking can decrease your fertility overall, including ovulation. So put out that cigarette, and ask for help. Quitting is always easier with help!
- Support groups can help, as can letting your friends and family know that you're quitting. They can help you when you're feeling restless and need something to do besides smoking.
6
Limit your alcohol intake. You probably don't need to give up alcohol altogether, but you should skip drinking binges. A glass of wine every now and then is fine, but chugging shots and beers on Friday night is probably not going to do you any favors when it comes to ovulation.
- It's also a good idea to avoid recreational drugs altogether, such as marijuana and cocaine.
7
Slow down on exercise. Don't get too excited here. You still need to exercise. But when you exercise too hard, it can affect your ovulation, which is especially true for professional athletes. To increase your chances of ovulating, you shouldn't engage in extreme exercise more than 4-5 hours each week.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Talk to your doctor about what's best for you.
8
Be wary around chemicals. Exposure to some chemicals, such as herbicides, pesticides, and chemicals in manufacturing jobs, may affect your ovulation. Try to limit your exposure to any chemicals that could possibly have a negative effect on your ovulation.
- Also, look for BPA-free plastics for foods and liquids.^{[13]
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  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Care

1
Check with your doctor before using herbal treatments. While herbal treatments are generally safe, they're not right for everyone. They can interfere with some medications, may trigger allergies, and could worsen certain conditions. Talk to your doctor before using herbal treatments to make sure they're safe for you.^{[14]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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- Remind your doctor of the medications and supplements you're already taking.
2
Talk to your doctor if you haven’t conceived after a year of trying. When you’re trying to conceive, it’s normal for it to take time. In most cases, it’s best to try for a year before you worry about treatment. Try natural strategies for inducing ovulation, and give yourself a year to get pregnant. If you don’t conceive, ask your doctor what you can change.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you’re between the ages of 35-40, see your doctor after 6 months of trying.
- If you’re over age 40, it’s best to work with your doctor to induce ovulation.
3
Ask your doctor what’s causing your ovulation issues. You’ll be able to address your needs better if you know what’s preventing you from ovulating. If you don’t know the underlying cause of your infertility, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Then, work with them to create a treatment plan to improve your fertility.^{[16]
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- Your doctor can help you make the best lifestyle changes to address your needs.
- Additionally, your doctor may recommend you try medication to help you ovulate.
4
Consider taking medication if you have a medical condition. If you have an underlying medical condition that’s interfering with your ovulation, you may be able to improve your chances of ovulation by treating your condition. Talk to your doctor to find out if you would benefit from additional treatment.^{[17]
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- For instance, you may benefit from medication if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Expert Q&A
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Question

I am trying to conceive at the age of 42. In the process, I became overweight with a hormone imbalance and diabetes. What can I do?

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Registered Nurse
Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The first place to start is to consult a healthcare provider to help you lose weight safely, balance your hormones, and manage your diabetes all at the same time. This can be challenging without support, so gather professionals and friends to help guide you. Begin eating a healthy diet with a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and proteins. You will want to avoid simple carbohydrates, sugar, and processed food. Start an exercise program to jump start your health. Be sure and drink plenty of water to support your new healthy lifestyle!