If you’ve seen me at the clinic you’ve probably heard me talk about the benefits of castor oil for IVF, IUI, and Frozen Embryo Transfer cycles. Today I want to discuss the benefits as well as the timing for when you should be utilizing this affordable and relaxing option.

First of all, castor oil has several benefits for fertility. It can help: 

  • improve blood flow
  • reduce inflammation
  • detox or flush your liver

Sounds good right? Let’s talk about how you can use this remedy. There’s a traditional version, which includes flannel. It’s a little messy and you can read about it here.

However, on the same website, you will also see Dr. Amy’s “Lazy Version” for Castor Oil application, and I have you tell you that I love it (and so do my patients!). It’s easier, requires less time and less equipment, and is, therefore, easier for my patients (and myself) to do. Here’s the short version.

Supplies:

  • castor oil
  • old pj’s or pants
  • hot water bottle or heating pad (optional)

Directions for application

  1. Apply a layer of castor oil on the lower abdomen
  2. Put on old PJs or yoga pants, as the oil will stain them (I use an old pair of black cotton yoga pants, which works perfectly because you can’t see the castor oil stain)
  3. If you have time and feel like it, apply a hot water bottle or heating pad (on low) on the lower abdomen area. If using a heating pad you can apply this for about 20 minutes (hot water bottle, use it until the heat is gone).
  4. No time for heat application? No problem! Simply go to bed, let the oil get absorbed by your skin while you sleep and reap the rewards for less than 5 minutes of work!

Now that you know how to apply castor oil, let’s talk about when you should use it. We’ll break this down into several different scenarios, including castor oil for IVF or trying to conceive naturally.

TTCN

Use castor oil after your period is over and before you ovulate. For most women this will be roughly CD5/6 – CD14.

IVF

You can use castor oil on your lower abdomen before you start prepping for your retrieval, and continue using it if taking the birth control pill. NOTE: as soon as you add in estrogen patches, oral fertility medications, or shots of any kind, you need to stop using the castor oil.

FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) / Fresh Embryo Transfer / IUI

Use castor oil on your lower abdomen before you start prepping for your transfer or IUI, and continue using it if taking the birth control pill (and ONLY the birth control pill). Again, once you add in Lupron, estrogen patches, shots of any kind, or any other oral fertility medications, it’s time to stop using castor oil. (For an IUI cycle this means you can use the castor oil in previous cycles, but once you start the Clomid, Femara, or other fertility meds you need to stop the castor oil.)

Menses/Period

You can use castor oil while on your period as it helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. However, it can increase blood flow, something to be aware of if you already have a heavy period (since it increases blood flow, it can help rid your lining of the clots, which is usually one of the ways that it relieves pain). I highly recommend using a heating pad or hot water bottle, as the heat also helps to alleviate pain.

Liver Flush or Detox

You can apply castor oil over the area of the liver to help flush out the liver. However, we avoid this if we’re pregnant, after ovulation (if not using contraceptive methods), or actively preparing for egg retrieval, IUI, or embryo transfer. Follow the same guidelines listed above for each procedure.

This easier version, courtesy of Dr. Amy, has been so much easier for my patients to use! Very few patients have time to get out a flannel cloth, soak it in castor oil and lay down for 60-90 minutes. I’ll admit, now that I’ve utilized the “lazy way” for castor oil, I use it several times a week and find it so effective that I don’t plan on returning to the more time consuming method of using soaked flannel (unless absolutely necessary).

If you have questions about using castor oil for IVF, IUI, and Frozen Embryo Transfer cycles or when trying to conceive without the use of assisted reproductive methods, feel free to post a comment below or shoot me an email at misty@austinacupuncturestudio.com.

If you are currently prepping for IVF, IUI, or an FET cycle, make sure to check out my blog post about the importance of self-care during your fertility treatments.