While melatonin is most commonly associated with sleep concerns, it has many additional benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Additionally, oral melatonin is considered a safe product that is well-tolerated for general use in adults, with adverse effects rarely reported in the literature (1–3). There are also benefits of melatonin related to fertility and breastfeeding.
Fertility
Infertility is a growing concern, with approximately 16% of couples being impacted worldwide (4). While multiple factors can affect fertility, melatonin has become an area of interest for researchers, clinicians, and couples due to its function as an antioxidant.
Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger and multiple studies have shown it to enhance both male and female fertility and sperm and egg quality, resulting in increased fertilization (4,6–9). Conversely, one study found that melatonin did not increase the odds of pregnancy but did reduce the number of low-quality embryos (10) . Furthermore, melatonin demonstrates promise for advanced-age infertility and improves in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes (11–15).
Melatonin has been noted to play a role in sperm function, the development and increase of ovarian follicles, ovulation, placenta cell survival, and it increases in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycles, helping to stimulate progesterone. Further, studies demonstrate varying doses of melatonin to benefit reproductive health conditions that may impact fertility, such as PCOS and endometriosis (4).
Pregnancy
Melatonin’s use in pregnancy and lactation has been less studied in humans than other health topics, though research is emerging for this population. Some clinical trials report safety without adverse effects for daily doses of 8-30 mg (16). These doses are much higher than the recommended physiological dose of 0.3-1.0 mg, especially for sleep concerns, which are commonly reported in pregnant women (16).
Historically, melatonin was contraindicated in pregnancy because of its role in uterine contractions; however, more recent literature suggests many positive aspects of melatonin, likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some benefits include reducing preeclampsia risk (a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, swelling of feet and hands, and protein in the urine that is potentially dangerous for both the expectant mother and baby), hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), uterine growth retardation, and neonatal complications (16,17).
In a comprehensive review of the available literature, obstetric researchers found that because of the increased oxygen demands on the body during pregnancy, there is more free radical damage. Due to melatonin’s natural antioxidant properties, when used within proper doses, it may be beneficial as a supplement for both complicated and normal pregnancies, counter to the traditional stance of avoiding it during pregnancy. The use of melatonin during pregnancy could help limit complications during the critical periods before and shortly after delivery (18,19).
A recent study suggested that preeclampsia was observed in those with reduced melatonin levels (19). Therefore, it has been suggested that melatonin may be helpful in having a successful pregnancy.
Melatonin may help prevent hypertension in the children of patients with a family history of hypertension (20).
“Melatonin has a good safety profile during pregnancy, with preclinical data suggesting that it is a candidate to prevent and optimize certain maternal and fetal concerns.” ~Leslie Stone, MD
An animal study in 2023 found that maternal melatonin supplementation helped positively shape the gut microbiota and protect against inflammation in the offspring. This will be an exciting area of research for us to watch and keep you informed on (21).
If you are pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider if melatonin supplementation may benefit you.
Delivery
Research has shown that administering 10 mg of melatonin, compared with 3 mg, 5 mg, or placebo, to women before cesarean section (C-section) with spinal anesthesia was shown to: (22,23)
- reduce the severity of pain.
- reduce the duration of analgesic use postoperatively.
- facilitate the ability to be more physically active in less time after surgery.
A dose of 6 mg sublingual melatonin has been shown to decrease the amount of blood loss during a C-section, with no reported side effects (24). Women who delivered vaginally versus by C-section had higher colostrum melatonin levels (25,26), an important factor for new mothers who are planning to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding
The available data on using melatonin while breastfeeding is limited, therefore some sources suggest avoiding melatonin while breastfeeding (2). Other data reports melatonin to be “probably safe” during lactation (16). Despite that, caution should be exercised, using the low physiological dose for the shortest duration with careful monitoring (16).
Because melatonin production and circadian rhythms do not start to develop in infants until around three months of age (27), there can be colic in the newborn. Colic can be described by the “rule of 3s”: when a baby expresses significant distress through intense crying for at least 3 hours for 3 days over 3 weeks for no apparent reason.
The cause of colic is unknown but the root word colicus means "pertaining to colic” from the Greek word kolikos translating to the lower intestine. Melatonin helps relax intestinal smooth muscles (25,26). Experts have suggested that since the infant’s digestive system is still developing, in addition to the sleep and circadian rhythms forming, that melatonin may play a role (26).
But Mother Nature found a way to help little ones from day one - breastmilk.
Research suggests breast milk may help establish a sleep cycle while the newborn’s circadian rhythm develops because it contains: (28)
- macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat)
- micronutrients, including, but not limited to, B vitamins, vitamin A, zinc, iron, and iodine (29)
- bioactive compounds, such as immunoglobulins (supporting baby’s immune health), growth factors, hormones, and melatonin (30).
The composition of breast milk changes throughout the day. For example, the adrenal hormone cortisol, which is highest in the morning and responsible for helping us to “get going,” was three times higher in morning breast milk than in milk from later in the day (31). The levels of melatonin, which aid digestion and sleep, were barely present in morning milk but increased in the evening, peaking around 3:00 am, when adult melatonin production also peaks (32).
Of note, baby formula does not contain melatonin, so it is no surprise to hear that breastfed babies experience longer sleep times than formula-fed babies (32). Nutritionally, breastmilk composition also fluctuates during the day. Minerals, such as potassium, zinc, and magnesium (that help the baby grow stronger) hit their peak in the morning (33). The mother's nutritional status will impact the breastmilk's nutrition; therefore, a healthy diet and prenatal vitamins are commonly recommended (29).
Since the composition of breastmilk varies throughout the day, for pumping mothers, it’s important to note the time of day they pumped and bottle feed the expressed milk shortly after pumping or around the same time the following day (34).
Sleep for Mom and Dad
Getting enough sleep can be a challenge when becoming a parent, but sleep is a critical part of overall health. The better you feel when you wake up, the more you can care for your children throughout the day.
The bedtime routine can help establish a pattern to help the brain wind down at the end of the day. Try to limit screen use a couple of hours before going to sleep by instead reading a book before bed, or if there’s time, taking a relaxing bath.
When it comes to supplementation of melatonin - dosage is everything. Did you know that the adult brain (pineal gland) typically only produces about 0.3 mg of melatonin to promote sleep?
For long-term sleep support, we recommend Herbatonin 0.3 mg.
Sometimes after traveling across time zones or working a night shift, there may need to be additional support to re-establish sleeping rhythm. In those instances, we recommend Herbatonin® 3 mg. By taking 3 mg for short-term use of around 3-7 days, circadian rhythm and sleep cycle can be safely realigned.
If you have any questions about adding Herbatonin to your nighttime routine, please contact our medical team at medical.team@symphonynaturalhealth.com.
Herbatonin 0.3 mg is the only plant melatonin in the world. It is a 100% natural plant concentrate from a particular variety of rice, alfalfa, and chlorella with a standardized level of 0.3 mg of melatonin per capsule, safe for extended use on a nightly basis.
- The world's first plant melatonin: All other melatonin is animal or synthetic*
- Supports sleep cycles, restful sleep, and improved mental health*
- Low dose: 0.3 mg is the same amount of melatonin naturally produced by the brain, making it a non-habit forming, long-term use sleep aid*
- Slow release: Slow sustained release through the natural breakdown of the plant cell structure*
- Natural & pure: Contains no magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, fillers, flavors, or excipients
