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How to be a "Green" "Fertile Myrtle"?
I posted on the other board but I figured I'd give this one a try... Help me out ladies (and gents) if you can.
To make a loooong story short: After getting off bc pills Aug of 2009, my periods are still not normal and I believe I am not ovulating. I have an appt. for an ultrasound this Friday to see whats up. Of course I am hoping for the best but fearing the worst, as you can only do once you start doing your own research on the web!
Since January my DH and I have cut meat from our diet and we have switched to many organic products as we are trying to live healthier and greener. I feel fantastic and I haven't gotten a cold since (and I work with Kindergarteners!)
SOOO... Here is my point: If I go to the Dr. on Friday and he tells me I will have issues ttc I will not be reverting to chemicals and pills to try to fix things (at least not at first). I was wondering has anyone has tried homeopathic/ herbal therapies for ovulation/ fertility? I hear that Licorice Root is helpful. Also, I am curious about any acupuncture benefits to fertility. If any one has any insight, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Re: How to be a "Green" "Fertile Myrtle"?
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I did a lot of things to be healthier!
I didn't drink any alochol. I took prenatals for 6m before TTC. I drank green tea on a daily basis - it increases CM. I drank fertilitea (you can google it - they have various products). I also used a lube that helps with TTC (pre-conceive, I think it is called). I also tried to eat healthier.
I also drank some detox tea before TTC, although I don't think it did much. I will say I got preg on the first try both times.
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Honestly, if you are really and truly not ovulating, meds are probably your best bet. Sure, homeopathic remedies MAY help some, but your ovulation may still not be regular and hard to predict. Have you been charting and using opks? Are you 100% sure you are not ovulating on your own?
I totally get not wanting to go on medication and having to go through all the tests and monitoring. I really didn't like being on the meds, especially since I consider myself to be a pretty "natural" person. But really, if you want to get pregnant, it's the best way to go. Just like I go on meds for other health problems like my thyroid, I also went on meds for my infertility. No amount of homeopathic treatments would have gotten me to ovulate, when I had never ovulated in my life. Heck, I didn't even respond to the oral medications and had to move onto injections. However, I got a nice strong ovulation from it (my first good ovulation ever) and I got pregnant!
If you want to try other methods first, believe me, I totally get and support that. I'm just suggesting that you don't completely rule out medications.
Oooo! Filing this away to research later! My luteal phase is usually 9 days long (10 at most, and sometimes 8), and I'm concerned this may cause problems for me when we start TTC.
I do have that book and I started charting as soon as I got off BC. Thats how I realized I wasn't ovulating, which my Dr. seems to think is the issue as well. We'll see what he says tomorrow! I am not completely ruling out traditional meds but I want to try "natural" things before going that route.
BTW- What is Vitex?
Acupuncture worked for a friend of mine to maintain a normal cycle while not on BC.
Ditto this.
Agreed. But you could try traditional Chinese medicine-- some RE's use it in conjunction with Western fertility treatments.
ETA: How old are you? If you haven't been charting your temps and are under 30, you are seeing a doctor prematurely, and an ultrasound probably won't tell you much of anything anyways.
Yeah, mine were 8-10 days as well! One cycles it was 7 days. I'm a later ovulator (CD16 or 17 usually) and had shorter cycles (25 days on average). After the Vitex and B6 combo I am now a 31 dayer with a 14 day LP! And I did succeed in getting pregnant twice but I had CPs both times so there were other things wrong with me. But I got the LPD fixed pretty easily!
I am 29 years old. -Really, it won't tell much? That's a bummer if that's the case.
I have the book and I love it, ditto with supposed "health classes" we received in HS! The book is the only reason I realized I wasn't ovulating to begin with. Thanks for the other book you recommended- will definitely check it out
"Just" an ultrasound is really inconclusive (and IMO an OB/Gyn doing an ultrasound and maybe some blood work isn't really qualified to diagnose and treat issues surrounding anovulation/infertility--you should see a reproductive endocrinologist[RE]). There should be going to an entire test panel run and ultrasounds are only part of that-- this site is a little overwhelming but might give you a better idea:
http://www.ivf.com/inciidwu.html
There is a Trouble Trying to Conceive board on the Bump that would be very helpful, too.
GL-- I'll be going through the same battery of tests in the next few months myself.
I use Vitex!!! We're not TTC for another year, but I already knew that I have luteal phase defect (mine was 6 days only eek!)....i really want to build my cycle up so it's strong and healthy by the time we start TTC, so I've been working towards increasing my luteal phase. My doctor gave me vitex (chaste tree berry) and in the FIRST month my luteal phase went from 6 days to 10....which is a HUGE jump. I'm curious to see how long my luteal phase is this month.
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I also recommend TCOYF. It is a must read for all women who do or don't want to get pregnant. I have PCOS and have decided to take a break from meds and try more natural methods, even if I never ovulate without them.
Last year I was without meds for nine months. I took vitex (and only vitex, you shouldn't start out mixing a loads of supplements at once without knowing how your body will react to them) for six months. I had a period during that time but I also started getting dizzy. I stopped taking vitex.
In November I joined a gym and started working out 2-5 times a week. I've already had two periods this year, which just doesn't happen.
I eat well. Loads of veggies. I don't eat processed foods, I only eat meat 1-2x a month, I drink loads of water and no soft drinks. I also only eat junk food that I made myself.
For me getting healthy and exercising has made all the difference. I wasn't very unhealthy before and while I'm technically overweight my BMI is only 25.3. For what it is worth I haven't lost weight, but I feel better and stronger and am in much better shape, which will come in handy when I do get pregnant.
For me, 'the natural' ways are working better than meds did and I had The Best RE.
"Just" an ultrasound is really inconclusive (and IMO an OB/Gyn doing an ultrasound and maybe some blood work isn't really qualified to diagnose and treat issues surrounding anovulation/infertility--you should see a reproductive endocrinologist[RE]). There should be going to an entire test panel run and ultrasounds are only part of that-- this site is a little overwhelming but might give you a better idea:
I don't agree that an u/s alone would be inconclusive. It may not tell the whole story, but the doctor/us tech should be able to see your ovaries and follicles. If you don't have follicles or not very many of them, that is very telling.
11/11/11 = 5 years. Woah!