Hibiscus Tea, Hormone Balance, and Thrombosis: A Case Report
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Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This case report investigated the potential relationship between daily consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa tea (commonly known as hibiscus tea), hormone balance, and the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the context of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The report explores how the phytoestrogens present in hibiscus tea may influence coagulation pathways, potentially reducing the risk of DVT, while also possibly interfering with hormone therapy used in IVF. It presents a clinical timeline correlating the cessation of hibiscus tea intake with the development of DVT in a woman undergoing IVF hormone treatment.
Who was studied?
The subject of this report was a 42-year-old otherwise healthy and active woman undergoing IVF treatment. She had been consuming 20 ounces of hibiscus tea daily during her first IVF cycle, which involved oral and injectable hormone therapies. After developing a large ovarian cyst, she ceased drinking hibiscus tea while continuing IVF hormone therapy. Subsequently, she developed a right calf DVT, confirmed by emergency room diagnosis and treated with anticoagulants. No intrinsic clotting disorders were found, implicating the IVF hormones and possibly the withdrawal of hibiscus tea in the DVT event.
Most important findings
The report highlights that hibiscus tea contains phytoestrogens with known estrogen-binding activity, which may exert anticoagulant effects by inhibiting coagulation and reducing blood pressure. These properties suggest a protective role of hibiscus tea against thrombotic events during hormone therapy. Conversely, phytoestrogens can compete with exogenous estrogen used in IVF, potentially diminishing the efficacy of ovarian stimulation protocols necessary for successful conception. The case observed that discontinuation of hibiscus tea, which may have provided some antithrombotic benefit, coincided temporally with the onset of DVT during IVF. Prior studies cited in the report confirm hibiscus tea’s effectiveness in lowering blood pressure comparably to antihypertensive medications and its antiplatelet, but non-thrombolytic, activities. However, these dual effects highlight a delicate balance between beneficial cardiovascular effects and interference with reproductive hormone therapies.
Key implications
This case report raises important considerations regarding the use of herbal supplements such as hibiscus tea during IVF and other hormone-dependent treatments. While hibiscus tea may reduce cardiovascular risks such as DVT by modulating blood pressure and coagulation, its phytoestrogens may adversely affect the delicate hormonal balance required for successful IVF outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of possible interactions between dietary supplements and reproductive hormone therapies. The report calls for further rigorous research to clarify the mechanisms by which hibiscus tea influences coagulation and hormone therapy efficacy, especially in assisted reproductive technologies, to guide safe clinical recommendations.