Herbal Remedies & Supplements for TTC

[Sarah_H]

Seeing as this is a frequently posted topic we have decided to start a permanent thread here.

If you are using or have used any herbal remedies or supplements for TTC or you would like information relating to a particular remedy feel free to post here. There are quite a few available for different purposes (eg vitex), so why not post your recommendations or experiences.

If you would like information regarding multivitamins (eg Blackmores, Elevit etc) you can find more information in the following thread:

Multivitamins for TTC, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding


If you would like information regarding Herbal Remedies & Supplements while TTC or Breastfeeding, you can find more information in the following threads:
Herbal Remedies & Supplements for Pregnancy
Herbal Remedies & Supplements for Breastfeeding

[Loula]

these links are not working

[DANNIIM]

I have been taking vitex for about two months now...wondering when i am going to see my cycles shortening???

I definately Ovulate but this is just driving me into a crazy woman!!

[Buffykaz]

Before we were TTC our second child I went to a Naturpath to get checked out as I was having short cycles (22-25 days) and before that I had always been 28 days spot on. She checked everything out (weight/height/muscle mass/exercise/diet etc) and determined that I was producing too much oestrogen and not enopugh progesterone, hence making my cycle shorter. She modified my diet so I ate less carbs and put me on a nutritional supplement and a couple of months later I was back to 28 days again. Shortly after that, we started TTC and I fell pregnant almost straight away. If you are open to natural remedies, perhaps you could try a naturopath in your area? Hope this helps

[DANNIIM]

I am just completely out of whack i think because DR gave me a BT for my lutual phase and the prog count was 55...it only has to be 11 or higher, but i am still considered in the normal range. Anyway i am apparently oestrogen dominent as well, been told by a Kinesiologist only a couple of weeks back, so i think everything is just so mucked up my body has absolutely no idea of what to do!! I am currently doing lots of detoxing with the Kinesiologist but i think i will see a Naturopath in a month of so as well!

Thought i might add that i have no other apparent problems....done U/S and nothing there either, it seems there is no real reason for me not being able to conceive!

Thanks for giving me hope!!

[myson]

Hi all, I have been taking Ovulex since the beginning of January. No bad side effects to report.

After 6 years of Implanon, and a very irregular cycle before that, I thought this would be a good way of sorting out my cycle and hopefully speeding up the process (my clock is ticking like a jack hammer).

It seems to be slowly bringing my cycles back on track. Lets hope its as wonderful as the rave reviews it has been getting!!!!

Anyone else out there taking it?

[gillian]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has any information on naturopaths in Victoria (specifically Melbourne or Geelong) that have a special interest in fertility. I have read about The Jocelyn Clinic in Sydney and it sounds fascinating, and ideal, but is a long way from home. We have a beautiful daughter thanks to IVF but I would like to try a more natural process this time around. Any information or thoughts from anyone would be appreciated.

[Kelly W]

Hi

I have just read about a product caled Fertilaid. There is both a Mens & Womens product, but I understand it is only available in USA

Has anyone tried this and if so has it worked.

Kelly

[berryberrybaby]

Hi All,
I have been trying accupunture for the last few months and I would love to hear some sucess stories. I have also been given herbs to have twice daily - they are root tuber... has anyone else used this? Would love to hear your stories.
xx

[CeeCee]

Hi bbb
I have just made an appointment with an acupuncturist who specialises in chinese medicine - who deals only with fertility and pregnancy. I am looking for some success stories also and any information from others. I will post back here once I have had my first appointment.
CeeCee

[~ dragonfly ~]

hmm, links definetly not working...i'd like to do more with this thread, help!!!

[Sarah_H]

Herbal Remedies & Supplements for Pregnancy

Multivitamins for TTC, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

The Herbal Remedies for Breastfeeding one seems to have disappeared though.

[Jaide]

[quote=CeeCee;1347456]Hi bbb
I have just made an appointment with an acupuncturist who specialises in chinese medicine - who deals only with fertility and pregnancy. I am looking for some success stories also and any information from others. I will post back here once I have had my first appointment.
[quote]

Well Hi everyone,
It's been 6 months since i was told i would not have another child. The specialists said my ovaries were failing and i was peri-menopausal, the chances of me having normal periods again was slim. I was not ready to accept this. My husband is Chinese and so we looked for a Chinese dr in perth. We found this most wonderful lady who has limited english (lucky he can speak Mandarin) I have seen her every week for 3 months now and found out this week that I am In fact Pregnant. The herbs worked wonders for me and seemed to reverse everything the fertility dr's said would not happen. The specialists had such one track minds and were not willing to do anything. I have early menopause in my family (around age 36 -38) I am 38 and so they were just not narrow minded nad compketely ruled it out.
Here is a good story, i thought i would share. The Chinese Medicine works but i believe you need to first believe it will work and above all relax.
Good Luck everyone.
Jaide

[CeeCee]

Hello
I have seen my acupuncturist again this morning, and she is concerned that my ovaries and womb may be too cold... and so the progesterone may not be reacting as it should. As a result, she has put me onto some chinese herbs which unfortunately are in powder format rather than tablet. Not nice...

They should help my liver, spleen and general indigestion, progesterone and general well-being. Here's hoping. I am feeling a bit more in control I must say, through taking the herbs, having acupuncture and seeing the FS. So, as a result feeling more positive. In saying that I am at 11 dpo, day 25 of a 28 day cycle. Hard to keep my mind off anything but the dreaded upcoming AF possibility!
Ceecee

[Lynsey]

Hi!

I am currently taking Vitamin B6 and Vitex. I was hoping that someone, anyone, everyone could help me with this question:

I've read that you shouldn't take Vitex once you know that you're pregnant as it can increase the odds of miscarriage. Is this true? Also is there something else I could switch to once I've discovered that I'm pregnant to help the pregnancy stick? I've read that False Unicorn Root may be helpful.

Thanks in advance ladies!

Lyns

[Justin Keane]

Hi all,
I believe this is a very important issue as we are talking aboout the building blocks of a new life, no corners should be cut, I think the over the counter vitamins are rubbish and if true deficiancies exist, they are not strong enough, we used InNatal from bioceuticals which is a practitioner only brand, our naturopath prescribed them for us and my partner found them great (although large, they are soft so easier to get down). They are $29 for 60 (from myself, may differ elsewhere), usually 1 per day is ok. We also supplemented with Calcium and Iron at different times during the preg. (You need a consult w/ a natropath for this.)
Lynsey there is the suggestion of a link btn vitex and mc however there is no scientific proof that I'm aware of. Theres loads of info at Vitex agnus-castus,Chaste Berry,Phytoestrogens as Viable Option,Amphoteric remedy,famous Anaphrodisiac and PMS treatment,Fertility Supplements new choice for Women.Vitex Chaste Berry Extract.10:1.Vitex Extract,Vitexin 5% UV.CAS No.525-82-6.Flavones 5 I would be cautious using any herb on its own, one of the principles used in Chinese herbal medicine is that by combining the correct herbs for a patient we can enhance the actions we need and reduce any side effects. This herb is not used for fertility in Chinese Med but for a type of windstroke. It can encourage movement of blood and so is theoretically unsuitable in high dose after implantation.
consult a chinese herbalist for formulas to prevent mc, there are many and again its the combinations that are the most clinically potent.

InNatal
Betacarotene 3mg
Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 25mg
Nicotinamide 25mg
Calcium pantothenate
equiv. pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) 25mg 27mg
Pyridoxine hydrochloride equiv. pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) 25mg 30mg
Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250?g
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100mg 100mg
Cholecalciferol (equiv. Vitamin D3 270IU) 6.75?g
d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate (equiv. Vitamin E 100IU) 82.65mg
Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 45?g
Folic acid 250?g
Biotin (Vitamin H) 150?g
Minerals:
Calcium (as phosphate) 50mg
Chromium (as nicotinate) 20?g
Iodine (as Potassium iodide) 135?g
Magnesium (as citrate) 25mg
Manganese (as amino acid chelate) 1mg
Molybdenum (as trioxide) 25?g
Selenium (as Selenomethione) 13?g
Zinc (as amino acid chelate) 10mg

Nutrients:

Choline bitartrate 100mg
Inositol 30mg
Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 15mg

Whilst ttc men must take AT LEAST vit a, c, e, Co enzyme Q10, zinc and fish oil (praccy brands)
This is part of the regime i use for couples ttc which includes chinese herbs and acupuncture.