Chinese Herbal Medicine in IVF: A Practical Guide

I studied at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (2016-2019), which is well known for its gynecology department. In recent years, one of the herbal formulas (Zishen Yutai Pill) used to support fertility has been studied in collaboration with several other hospitals, including in patients undergoing IVF.

Here are part of the results of these clinical studies:

• Chen et al., 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34991130/

  In fresh embryo transfer cycles, Zishen Yutai Pill (ZYP) significantly improvedthelive birth rate, implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, and clinical pregnancy rate. There were no significant differences in pregnancy loss, maternal complications, or neonatal complications between the ZYP and placebo groups.

• Chen et al., 2023 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1196636/full

  This was a post hoc subgroup analysis of the 2022 randomized controlled trial. ZYP significantly improved theclinical pregnancy ratein women aged ≥35 years and in women with BMI >24. In women aged ≥35 years, the live birth rate showed an increasing trend, but the difference was not statistically significant.

• Chen et al., 2024 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39348779/

  In frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), ZYP did not significantly improve the live birth rate in the overall population. However, post hoc analysis showed a significant improvement in live birth rate among women with a history of miscarriage and older women.

• Li et al., 2025 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67714-4

  This large randomized controlled trial focused specifically on women aged 35–42 years undergoing fresh embryo transfer. ZYP significantly improved the live birth rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate compared with placebo.

Taken together, these studies suggest that the potential benefits of Zishen Yutai Pill may not be the same for every IVF patient. Certain groups, particularly women of advanced reproductive age and women with a history of pregnancy loss or higher BMI,may be more likely to benefit.

Therefore, if our patients are of advanced maternal age, have a high BMI, or have a history of miscarriage, we recommend that they consider using ZYP.

For fresh embryo transfer, the diagram below is one I created to illustrate a practical procedure for clinical use.

ZYP is not currently available for sale in the United States. However, the research team openly provided the names and dosages of all the herbs used in the formula. http://links.lww.com/aog/c554

Our clinic carries concentrated powders of all of the individual herbs listed above. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.