Symptoms & the combination of herbs that worked for you

*katja* · 07-07-2005, 06:05 AM

I thought it would be interesting for us to share what combination of herbs have worked for us (and for that matter, what didn't work) and how exactly PCOS manifests itself for you (what symptoms). Also what are your goals in using alt medicine (ttc, reduce acne/hirsutism, regulate cycle etc.) I always wonder if what another cyster is using could also help me but unless you know if she's dealing with the same symptoms it is hard to know. If we get enough good responses maybe it could be made a sticky?

I will start:
thin cyster, easily gets hypoglycemic/carb cravings but normal fasting glucose/not tested for IR, approx. 35 day cycles, late Os if at all (almost no ovulation without treatment before pregnancy), mild hirsutism, mild acne, polycystic ovaries. Unfortunately I no longer have a copy of my original labwork or I would post that.

What seems to be working so far for me:
NPC has lengthened my luteal phase from 10-11 days to 13-14 days
Cinnamon & Chromium have helped reduce cravings/no more hypoglycemia

Vitex did *nothing* for me, in fact it screwed up and lengthened my cycle to over 40 days. I only tried it for 2 cycles but that was enough for me to know it wouldn't work for me.

Other than that I am still kind of a newbie in terms of alt remedies. I am planning on trying either soy or a "shutdown"/cleansing in the next cycle if not pg.

leasey_lu · 07-07-2005, 10:56 AM

Ok,i will add my little bit here as well. i started on herbal remedies a few weeks ago, having just gone off the pill (diane) as it was causing meto have vision affecting migraines every few days. and i can add here that i haven't hada migraine since, so at least that was a good move!

in terms of herbs - i am on vitex, 3mLs in the morning upon waking, a good multi (Blackmores for women - my naturopath told me to concentrate on higher levels of chromium and zinc), and i also have a herbal mix with includes false unicorn,saw palmetto, licorice, and other things i am not good at remembering!. i take magnesium last thing at night, and flaxseed oil twice a day, two capsules morning and night.

after 35 days off the pill i have vague abdominal cramps, almost like period pain, but i am not having a period. i have been a little concerned about it, as i notice it during the day, so i went to the doctors this evening and she says there is nothing to worry about.

symptoms wise -i have minimal symptoms, maybe due to being on the pill for the last 4 years. i havemild hirsutism (mainly slightly thicker than normal blonde hair on face and darker arm hair), history of acne, but Diane 35 cleared that up. I am thin - in metric I am 162cm tall and 50kg (not sure what that is in pounds sorry!!). Otherwise, no real symptoms, but i have a history of eating disorders, and i am not sure how this has impacted on my diagnosis/condition. i have only had a few periods in my life while i am off the pill however, so i am treating as if i have PCOS as I have been diagnosed as such by an endo.

so that is me.... not quite sure how things are working at the moment, but i can say i have been a lot more emotional since coming off the pill and starting on the herbs!! i do look forward to any other experiences with herbs though! and if they are worth continuing with!!!

liesl

rach3kids · 07-07-2005, 11:48 AM

I was only officially diagnosed 2 months ago,my new DR prescribed natural progesterone in a troche, it also contains the hormone called something like pregnelone or similar. I am also on met. so I know that doesnt count as 'natural' but mostly everything else I do without other drugs.I take b vitamins, fish oils and work out at the gym most days.
My symptoms are mild acne, hirsute,hair thinning on head,insulin resistence, abdominal fat(although I just had a tummy tuck so thats looking better).I dont have any fertility problems but I think my pcos symptoms have really gone crazy since I had my babies.
Since starting the nat Prog. the only real difference I have noticed is my skin is less oily but I still get spots.Hopefully in the coming months I will see some other improvements.

dolphin suprise · 07-10-2005, 08:49 AM

I have been treating my pcos for nearly 4 years now with all herbs and diet. Im losing weight all the time , my symptoms have reduced greatly, my hair loss has slowed down and stops depending on my management of my stress .Dianette ****** me up.! It is a daily lifestyle choice to choose my herbs and good food or to choose chocolate and stress. my main symptoms now are hirstuisim on my chin, a slightly receding hairline and thats from the stress of obsessing about it!!!my periods are 30/35 days , but if I fly it totally screws it up.other than that , the weight gain, acne, lumps of hair fallling from all over my head, excruiating painful periods,dizziness,bad fatigue and depression, mood swings,are under control. I use agnus castus, saw palmetto, barley grass, soya protein drink with barley grass, herbal teas, rhodiola rosea, kelp and sometimes a progesterone cream combined with exercise ( when I can) and healthy eating. the last struggle for me now is to start loving myself and accept me , all of me.

StephanieD78 · 07-10-2005, 05:20 PM

I recently started taking flaxseed oil and evening primerose. This is what its supposed to do.......Treat menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, female infertility and endometriosis.
Because the hormone-balancing lignans and plant estrogens
(phytoestrogens) in flaxseed oil help stabilize a woman's estrogen-
progesterone ratio, they can have beneficial effects on the menstrual
cycle, and relieve the hot flashes of perimenopause and menopause.
Flaxseed oil may also improve uterine function and thus treat fertility
problems. In addition, the essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil have
been shown to block production of prostaglandins, hormonelike
substances that when released in excess amounts during menstruation
can cause the heavy bleeding associated with endometriosis. For
menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms, female infertility, and
rosacea: Take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil a day, along with 1,000 mg
of evening primrose oil or borage oil three times a day.
I found this info at www.wholehealthmd.com . I just started using them
I'll let ya know if anything happens.
.

Firmingrojo · 07-13-2005, 08:36 AM

Stephanie - I am on week 2 of CLA and Evening Primrose for the same reasons plus it is suppose to promote belly fat loss. I dont measure until Friday to see if there is results.I dont know yet if it works, but my hot flashes are less and my moodiness is lower now.

Laura

*katja* · 07-14-2005, 04:29 AM

Thank you for your responses! I'm just bumping this & clarifying my question. . .I am hoping to learn what remedies have been proven to work for you, and what your symptoms were. Thanks!

*Shellie_Star* · 07-24-2005, 01:12 PM

I've just ventured into this section of the forum, thanks for this topic. It's given me a few ideas and pointers of what to look up etc.,

Stephanie: I was wondering how you got on with the flaxseed oil and evening primrose and if it had any positive benefits? It is something I thin I may try.