Melatonin and Fertility

[Shannshaff]

Does Melatonin affect fertility? I realized that a difference in this post partum time and all of my others is that I have been taking Melaonin at night before bed. Could this be keeping PPAF away? I have stopped taking the melatonin for a few weeks just in case.

The only thing I did different other than this is I had my placenta encapsulated and took those for the first few months. Just seeing what could be going on with my body.

[cosmosis]

One single thing doesn't affect fertility, it's the lifestyle or the big picture that matters. For example, why do you find a need to take melatonin? Do you suffer from insomnia? If so, why? If the root cause of your insomnia is adrenal insufficiency, then we need to address that. If your insomnia is due to a depletion of minerals, then we need to address that, because those are the things that would affect fertility in the long run.

There are studies that suggest that melatonin supplementation in IVF may lead to higher pregnancy rates. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4209073/

This doesn't tell you how it affects fertility in general though, just how it affects IVF. In the end, you don't want to be taking a hormone indefinitely. It can be used as a means to an end, or while you are undergoing a treatment, but you should aim to not have to take it. Also, be careful when you come off any supplementation; it has to be done at a slow pace so the body can adjust without negative effects.

I hope it helps :)

[atomic sagebrush]

I don't want anyone taking Melatonin when TTC. (I know PPAF is not back yet but just want to explain)

It has been linked with issues when taken during pregnancy (brain development in baby) and since it is a natural hormone your body needs, it's not safe to just stop taking it suddenly when you may be pregnant and isn't safe to wean off since no one knows how or when it harms the baby's brain. So since you can't take it during pregnancy, and can''t stop taking it during pregnancy, this means you have to stop taking it before pregnancy.

My PPAF came back later and later each time. It took 18 months when I was 39. I wonder if your body is just taking its own time here and not anything you're doing or not doing.

[atomic sagebrush]

People using melatonin with IVF are with FROZEN transfers only, just wanted to clarify that.

Melatonin does actually improve egg quality, it's believed, but it is not safe to take when you're pregnant. People doing egg retrieval for frozen transfers can take melatonin because they will not be pregnant the same month the egg is retrieved. :) If you will be pregnant the month you take melatonin, you shouldnot take melatonin

[atomic sagebrush]

^^^ except for a once in a while insomnia. I'm talking daily use

[Shannshaff]

Thank you Atomic for the clarification.