What do you suggest?

toogasmamma · 06-21-2004, 06:54 PM

DH and I have decided to try the natural/herbal route for a year before going back to the doctor. I would much rather have a baby this way...

I have:
- White blood cells in my CM (no infection though)- have heard that a baby asprin a day will help with this.
- Normal FSH, LH, and Prolactin
- High androgens - have heard that red peony root or Saw Palmetto will help with this
- Clomid resistance - no soy for me

- Facial hair, stomach hair, knuckle hair (toes and fingers)
- Little to none EWCM
- Low progesterone levels

This is what I have gathered will help (please tell me if this sounds right, too much, not enough, or whatever).

Baby asprin - 1/day - help get rid of the WBC's in CM
EPO - until O (not sure on doseage)
FSO - after O (not sure on doseage)
False Unicorn - all cycle (not sure on doseage) - Promotes Fertility
Alfalfa - Until O (not sure on doseage) - increases EWCM
NPC - after O - increase progesterone
Vitex - all cycle - regulates hormones
Red Peony - all cycle - 3-9 grams/day 2X a day - reduces androgens
Saw Palmetto - all cycle - not sure on doseage - reduces androgens

I just want to make sure I have everything I need and not too much stuff. If you know anymore, please tell me.

TIA

Emmanuelle · 06-22-2004, 07:31 PM

Hi there, I think you're trying to take many things at the same time which is not always a good idea since if something works, you don't know what it is if you're taking loads of supplements. First of all, you seem to have symptoms related to high androgens levels...you also mentioned you have low progesterone. Well, low progesterone levels can be the cause of elevated androgens. The menstrual cycle needs adequate progesterone to function normally. If progesterone is deficient, then estrogen and testosterone dominate, ovulation is unsuccessful, and cysts can develop as well as high androgen-related symptoms ( IR, excess hair etc). So, a good remedy is natural progesterone cream which I think you've started using. You will want to use it from day 12 to day 25 ( stopping on day 26) or if you have cysts, you can start on day 10 of your menstrual cycle. You will want to use 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg before bedtime. Natural progesterone cream, if use properly, can completely eliminate pcos symptoms ( I emphasize on using it correctly because many women do not).

In terms of oral supplements, try starting with the basics which are a high potency multivitamin/mineral without copper or iron ( or you can buy your supplements seperately for greater control) and a good essential fatty acid formula containing omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 (GLA). This is the basis of a good supplement program. These are things you need and sometimes, these supplements alone will benefit you tremendously without having to add anything else. You will also want to eat properly, reduce stress and exercise regularly which is one of the most effective things for hormonal balance and insulin problems. I am quite sure that this regimen will work very well for you. Later on, if you need more help, you can add one or two supplements like saw palmetto or a blood sugar balancing formula if you need it.

toogasmamma · 06-23-2004, 01:09 AM

Can the NPC also rid the cysts? I will try it as you suggested, how long should I give to see a change? Do I start on cd 12 even if I have not ovulated yet? I do not ovulate on a regular basis, only for a couple of months after having hcg in my system, after loss I will ovulate for two months, after giving birth, I ovulated for 4 months, after a medicated cycle with hcg trigger, I will ovulate the next month on my own. Is this due to the hcg raising the progesterone levels and temporarily regulating my hormones?

Thanks a bunch

Emmanuelle · 06-23-2004, 10:29 AM

Yes NPC is probably one of the best treatments for cysts because it goes to the root of the problem. The reason a woman has cysts is because she doesn't ovulate regularly. This is the basis of PCOS. If you have cysts, you will want to start using NPC on day 10 of your menstrual cycle. Do not worry about ovulation yet. You start counting day 1 the very first day of your period. Then you will use it up until the evening of day 25, meaning that day 26 you will have completely stopped. You apply 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg in the evening and you should rotate the places you use progesterone. Do not apply it on fatty areas of your body like your buttocks because it will be poorly absorbed. You can apply it on your hands, wrists, arms ( where there is no hair), back of the knees, neck, chest, breasts ( if they are not too big) and directly on the ovaries. Rotate areas each time and use a high quality natural progesterone cream. ProgestaCare from Life-Flo is very good, www.life-flo.com, ProGest from Emerita, FeelGood2000, AIM Renewed Balance and ProgestaKey are all good as well. I can't say how long it will take for you to achieve complete balance. It depends on the severity of your symptoms. Some women can see great results within two menstrual cycles, for others it will take longer. Your results will be 100 times better if you eat well, exercise and take good supplements. NPC is not a magic bullet that will cure you of all your ailments, it works if used properly in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. Just make sure you jot down your progress in a little book and keep track of your menstrual cycle and the way you feel. Good luck

PersianGirl · 06-25-2004, 06:36 PM

Emmanuelle...I think you have already mentioned this but U can not find the place where you wrote it so I want to ask you again if you do not mind???......My Dr. prescribed to me Yasmin and MEt. I have been taking Saw Palmetto for the facial hair and to avoid any further hair loss. I am also taking Folic Acid, B-complex 2x daily and other vitamins. My question fory ou is this....I started taking teh Met today and I do not like feeling like this...I feel very nervous a jittery. Is there a natural herb that mimics the effects of Met without the side effects and that will but just as helpful with the IR and Hair loss? I really want to beat this thing in the bud but I do not want to keep putting synthetics in my body......Is there an alternative or is it a better idea to keep taking the MEt??? please help ....thanks!...ooh and another thing, the periods...I was having them every month up into this month...that is why he put me on the Yasmin....I haven't started taking that because I wanted to do one thing at a time, but I would rather find something natural for that too....he also gaveit to me for the cysts. Thanks again

Emmanuelle · 06-25-2004, 08:58 PM

Persiangirl, yes I have mentioned alternatives to Met in a previous post that you can find at this url: Can't handle Metformin

Met is not always necessary and can cause pretty bad side effects like elevated liver enzymes, fatigue and dizziness which are not things that you want. I'd also like to mention that simply exercising on a regular basis is probably one of the best things you can do for insulin resistance and keeping your weight normal. It also significantly reduces stress and lowers excessive estrogen.

PersianGirl · 06-26-2004, 01:04 AM

But what about the other things Met is suppossed to do..I.E, helping with the periods and helping with the hair loss....I went and bought the Cinnamon today. I just could not stand waht only 500mg of met was making me feel like....I could not imagine taking more than that!!!