Does taking Zishen Yutai Pill improve outcomes for patients undergoing IVF-ET for infertility?
Zishen Yutai Pill (ZYP) is a Chinese herbal formula sometimes used alongside in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) to try to improve pregnancy outcomes. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from 18 randomized controlled trials involving over 5,600 women and found that adding ZYP to standard IVF treatment significantly increased the chances of clinical pregnancy and live birth. However, the quality of the evidence was rated as low to moderate, so these results should be discussed with your fertility specialist.
What the research says
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials (5,660 participants) evaluated the effect of Zishen Yutai Pill on IVF-ET outcomes 6. Compared to control groups (standard IVF treatment with or without placebo), ZYP significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate by 22% (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.30) and the live birth rate by 25% (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15–1.36) 6. The biochemical pregnancy rate and implantation rate also improved significantly 6. Subgroup analyses suggested that ZYP may be more effective when combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocols and when taken for at least 3 months 6. However, the quality of the evidence was rated as low to moderate due to risk of bias and heterogeneity among the included trials 6. The authors called for more rigorous, large-scale trials to confirm these findings 6. For context, real-world data from a large multinational ART database (2016–2020) show that clinical pregnancy rates with IVF are around 34% and live birth rates near 25% 2. The improvements seen with ZYP are modest but clinically meaningful. Other factors that can influence IVF outcomes include body mass index (BMI), which is linked to oxidative stress and may affect treatment success 3, and the composition of vaginal and semen microbiota 5.
What to ask your doctor
- Based on the current evidence, would adding Zishen Yutai Pill to my IVF protocol be appropriate for my situation?
- Are there any known interactions between Zishen Yutai Pill and the fertility medications I am taking?
- What is the recommended dosage and duration of Zishen Yutai Pill treatment for IVF support?
- Could my BMI or other health factors affect how well Zishen Yutai Pill might work for me?
- Are there any side effects or risks I should be aware of with this herbal supplement?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about OB/GYN & Women's Health and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.