Usage of herbal medications in patients undergoing IVF treatment in an Irish infertility treatment unit

Background Usage of herbal and complimentary medicines by patients presenting for procedures that require the use of anaesthetic agents is common. Aims To determine the prevalence of herbal medication usage among female patients attending for assisted reproduction procedures involving the use of sedative or hypnotic agents. Methods Questionnaire-based survey carried out over a 6-month period from January to July 2007. Results Forty-six percent of patients admitted regular use of herbal medications, with 38% of patients having taken herbal preparations in the 3-month period prior to their attendance for treatment. No patient taking herbal preparations had discussed the use of these products with the attending anaesthetist or fertility specialist prior to attending for the procedure. Conclusions The usage of herbal medications with potential for serious adverse effects is high in this unique patient population. Education of both healthcare providers and patients is indicated.