Introduction
Many people think that when they decide to get pregnant, it’ll happen quickly. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case – and often it takes a while for people to conceive.
When trying to get pregnant naturally, it’s important to make sure your body has all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for the healthy functioning of your reproductive system.
While you may think, “I eat a healthy diet,” many women and men are actually deficient in key nutrients needed to conceive a healthy baby.
And that’s why, there is now an abundance of supplements aiming to improve your reproductive health and help you conceive naturally.
Today we’ll be looking at one of such female fertility supplements, called Ovulex. It is a proprietary blend of herbs thought to increase the chances of getting pregnant.
In this Ovulex review, we’re taking an in-depth look into the formula and are explaining exactly what we think it’s capable of.
What Is Ovulex?
Ovulex is a self-proclaimed fertility supplement created by a US-based drug and dietary supplement company named Selmedica.
One bottle of Ovulex costs $47.00, contains 60 capsules, and will last the average user around 1 month based on the directions of 2 capsules per day.
Those looking for this product can buy it from the official Ovulex website, as well as places like Amazon.
Ovulex appears to be primarily marketed towards women who are looking for something to help them to get pregnant naturally. Selmedica themselves directly describe the product as “a blend of botanicals” that are “the result of the international research of multiple universities, scientists and doctors over the past two decades.”
Consumers of Ovulex are told that the product will produce effects such as: increase your ovulation length, strengthen the immune system, help reduce reactions to stress, relax the uterus, strengthen the walls of the uterus (helping avoid early miscarriages).
Does Ovulex Work?
Based on our further research into the product, we don’t think it Ovulex will effectively boost your chances of getting pregnant. We don’t think there is enough reliable data to say that Ovulex is effective.
In fact, we think Ovulex may contain some ingredients which aren’t safe to be used for those trying to get pregnant, based on a few studies we found.
The ingredients used in Ovulex are mainly herbs which have been used in folk medicine to treat infertility issues.
However, we struggled to find research that backs their effectiveness – but did come across several studies which highlight the dangers of consuming some of these ingredients.
For example, a study of rats conducted in 2009 showed that raspberry leaf consumption during pregnancy might have long-term negative health consequences for the health of the offspring. We couldn’t find any scientific evidence that drinking raspberry leaf may boost your chances of conceiving.
Dong quai is another herb you’ll find in the supplement, but we also struggled to find any robust data backing its effectiveness. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used to nourish the body, treat menopausal syndromes, as well as reproductive issues.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence about how it may increase your chances of conceiving, and it is often mentioned in pregnancy blogs as a potential herb that might help you conceive – but without research studies backing it up, it’s difficult to say.
According to WebMD, consuming dong quai during pregnancy isn’t something you should be doing because it seems to affect the muscles of the uterus. However, there doesn’t seem to be any data out there on whether dong quai is actually effective for those trying to get pregnant.
Black cohosh, an indigenous herb found in the U.S. and Canada, is another herb used in Ovulex. While in Germany black cohosh has been approved as a non-prescription drug to treat premenstrual discomfort, nervousness, and menopausal symptoms, we couldn’t find any research confirming its effectiveness in improving your chances of getting pregnant. It isn’t yet known how black cohosh works either, which makes it difficult to see if it could be useful for the reproductive system.
Red clover is the ingredient that causes the most concern. A herb traditionally used by midwives to support reproductive health, red clover may also cause reproductive issues. According to WebMD, it may cause spotting in some women, which doesn’t sound very reassuring. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, research into red clover’s effectiveness actually shows it doesn’t relieve menopausal symptoms. Because red clover contains estrogen-line compounds, long-term use may actually increase the risk of women developing cancer of the uterus lining.
On the other hand, the supplement contains chasteberry, which has been used to treat several hormone-related gynecologic conditions and menstrual irregularities. That said, data on its effectiveness is also weak.
The bottom line: we don’t think there is enough research to support the effectiveness of Ovulex as a supplement for women who are looking to get pregnant. Interestingly, the manufacturer describes the product as a “result of the international research of multiple universities, scientists and doctors over the past two decades.” We struggled to find those studies that prove the effectiveness of the herbs in supporting your ability to conceive. Not only is there a lack of studies showing positive outcomes, but some of the ingredients may actually cause concern.
The Pros & Cons Of Ovulex
Below we’ve listed everything we like and dislike about this product:
The Pros
- Could reduce premenstrual discomfort
- Could reduce menopausal symptoms
The Cons
- Not enough research validating the effectiveness of the ingredients used
- Ingredients are herbs and are only mainly based on anecdotal evidence
- There may be negative side effects
- The official website looks unprofessional and spam-like
- Contains certain ingredients that may be unsuitable for those with breast cancer or any other hormone-sensitive cancers
What Are Ovulex Ingredients?
We have found the following supplement facts for this product. Ovulex contains a herbal blend (500mg), but the dosages of each ingredient aren’t known.
One 2-Capsule Serving Contains: Raspberry Leaf, Chasteberry, Dong Quai, Red Clover Blossoms, Black Cohosh, Ginkgo Leaf, Ehinacea Purpurea Tops, Licorice Root, Ginger Root, Bromelain Garlic Bulb, Meadowsweet, St. John’s Wort, Ginseng Mate, Valerian Root.
Is Ovulex Safe?
We believe that Ovulex is possibly safe to use for otherwise-healthy consumers when used as directed, but there have been some comments from users that have experienced negative side effects as a result of taking Ovulex. Also, some ingredients have been linked to an increased risk of cancers.
Also, Ovulex contains some ingredients that have been banned in certain countries, for example meadowsweet.
It does not contain anything that’s officially been banned or deemed unsuitable for human consumption.
Is Ovulex Suitable For Everyone?
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not be using Ovulex, as many of the ingredients are unsafe.
We also wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of 18.
If you have any health conditions or are taking any prescribed medicines, we would recommend showing the list of ingredients to your doctor before use. There seems to be a lack of robust data about many of the ingredients, which is why you should speak with a health professional before using the supplement.
Are There Any Ovulex Reviews From Customers?
We have found the following Ovulex review testimonials via customers online:
I’ve used this product before – and it has helped me get pregnant. I’ve tried everything to get pregnant. I used to check my temperature daily to find the optimal time; take ovulation tests every day for nearly 2 months; go to doctors; my husband did tests; I did everything I could think of without going completely broke. Finally I heard about Ovulex – and was sceptical at first, but thought what more di I have to lose. So I bought the Ovulex and the Amberoz (for my husband). Within a month of starting to use this product I was pregnant. After trying for nearly 4 years, I finally had success. I didn’t have any side effects – and now have a healthy 4 year-old. I know it doesn’t work for everyone, but I think anything is worth at least one shot.
I had been trying to get pregnant for over a year. After taking these supplements for 3 months I finally got pregnant. I believe Ovulex helped tremendously. Now I have a healthy baby girl!
I have been using these supplements for 2 months. But I am very disappointed with the result. Already on my first bottle I already felt severe back pain and I just ignored it because I thought it was caused by driving. On my second bottle I continued getting severe back pain, but when I stopped taking Ovulex the back pain went. And I am still not ovulating!
Our Final Verdict On Ovulex
To conclude our Ovulex review, we think there is a lack of research to support the effectiveness of Ovulex as a supplement for women who are looking to get pregnant.
Even though the manufacturer describes the product as a “result of the international research of multiple universities, scientists and doctors over the past two decades,” there seems to be a lack of studies confirming the effectiveness of the ingredients used.
However, we did come across a few studies that show a few of the ingredients may actually be a cause for concern.
To conclude, we think you need to be extremely cautious when taking any herbal supplements when trying to conceive. Ovulex may well use herbs that have been used and trusted by midwives for centuries, but the lack of clear, robust data on their effectiveness leaves us feeling uncertain about its effectiveness.