Eileen says:
25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg - I've seen all recommended. I take 50 in addition to the small amount (2 mg) in my
pre-natal. I take it daily. I'm planning to wean myself off of it since my cycle seems pretty regular right now.
karmaw says:
I too started to take 50mg in January. I took it for increasing my CM - which I really didn't have any. (Off bcp in June also.)
In Feb - I did notice a bit more watery CM - good, huh? But I felt it wasn't enough so I upped my dose to 100mg a day.
I have noticed a big change in my CM this month - got creamy and I think a bit of EWCM. I also ovulated on day 16 - which I
was o on day 18 or later. MY LP this month was 14 days - where in the past it was exactly 12 each month since I been
charting since Nov. So I think I would recommend 100 mg a day (I would not go beyond that - Vit B can cause nervous system
problems if taken in large doses) And keep taking it daily. It also can help with PMS - and Vit B is a good stress reducer!
(Maybe that is why it helps your cycle to shorten! Who knows?)
Milana says:
I'm diabetic and started taking it this cycle. My DH went to his allergy
Dr. and mentioned that he was going to be taking B6 and the doctor
cautioned him that B6 can cause loss of feeling in your hands and feet.
As a diabetic, I am prone to this, so I called my Endocrinologist and he
confirmed that loss of feeling was possible. So as a cautionary note,
you might want to include that diabetics should check with their Endos
before starting a regimen of B6, just to be safe.
Kelly (aka kaynjay) says:
I went into my pharmacy to get some B6 because I had heard about it helping out with hormone levels (heard about it
here on this board). Well, while I was looking at my options, the pharmacist came over to me to see if he could help. I
mentioned to him what I was trying to find and why, and what he told me was that all of the B vitamins work together.
If you take just one (such as B6) without the others in conjuction with it, then your body will "waste" a good portion of
it. The B6 needs the other B vitamins in order to get the full benefit. He suggested using a B complex. It contains all of
the B vitamins in their appropriate proportions.
Just thought I would throw this in...
They say you may need this if:
Vitamin D [2.5 microg] Vitamin E [20 millig] Vitamin C [70 millig] Vitamin B1 [3 millig] Vitamin B2 [2 millig] Niacin [20 millig] Vitamin B6 [10 millig] Folic Acid [400 microg] Vitamin B12 [6 microg] Betacarotene [4.2 millig] Vitamin K [200 microg] Iron [20 millig] Magnesium [150 millig] Zinc [15 millig] Iodine [140 microg] Copper [1 millig]
Marie says:
My doctor had me pick up some before we started
trying. I asked if there was any difference and he said they are all
pretty much the same just be sure and get the prenatal over the
counter kind. When I first started taking them they made me sick to
my stomach. I started taking them at night before I went to bed and
had no problems.
Aggie94 warned:
Some otc prenatals are not really prenatal even though they say they are. I
was about to purchase a bottle of vitamins that said "Pre-Natal Vitamins" when I looked on the
back and it said "Do not take during pregnancy"!!!! My pharmasist said that lots of companies
have the folic acid requirements for pre-natal vitamins so they advertise as pre-natal, but they
exceed in the iron department and shouldn't be continued through pregnancy. Is that pathetic or
what? He recommended getting a perscription brand so you KNOW they are real pre-natal
vitamins.
Carmeli says:
Some women have very little cervical fluid and egg whites are used to
enhance your cervical mucus during your fertile time. There are also
some cases where your BBT has not risen to post-ovulatory levels yet
(your body is obviously not finished ovulating) but your days of EW CM
are already past. When this happens, EW CM is a good alternative
(that's how Susan_D got pregnant, so it definitely works!).
Linda (aka Mom2ericha) is a believer and exclaims:
I had read a very small item in Toni Weschler's book about egg white MAY help
by being a replacement for CM. I sort of put two and two together and crossed
my fingers. I had tried for a year to get pregnant and used Robitussin and
tried everything. If they'd have told me at that point that standing on my
head helped, I'd probably have tried it! Well, the month we tried the egg
white, I got pregnant. Considering it was a year we'd tried, I fully believe
the egg white saved us from the pain, suffering and money a specialist would
have cost us. I never had the creamy CM that was needed and was very dry,
even during ovulation. So IT DOES WORK!!!!
hypatia says:
yeah, i was confused by this at first, but if i understand correctly, you use real chicken egg whites!! i haven't
seen the ones in the store, i would make sure they aren't preserved with some sort of chemical that may kill the
sperm. the reason they are supposed to work is that the egg whites are made of protein and simulate the
EWCM that women are supposed to produce naturally. this helps the spermies get to their destination by
giving them a medium to swim in!! EW work because it is sperm-friendly (i.e. won't kill them like lubricants
and saliva).
p.s. TCOYF says not to use if allergic to eggs. good common sense!
I put them on DH and externally on my vagina. (I have a lubrication problem so it really helped) YOu can insert some using an eyedropper to get them closer to your cervix but I didn't. I always throw out any leftovers-the thought of getting food poisoning down there is probably remote but hey, when you're trying to get pg, no chance do I take!!! LOL!!
Mom2ericha says:
Let it sit out and get room temperature, for about an hour or
so. Only use the egg white, not the yolk! I
Savannah however warns:
Just to let you know...I have a sister in law that has a child with Spina
Bifida and we often go to Spina Bifida Association meetings. One of the
things that they are trying to get out to the public, besides the need for
prenatal care and the intake of folic acid in early pregnancy, is that mothers
who are unknowing of a pregnancy or are trying to get pregnant that take
Robitussin or any other cold medication are increasing the risk for nervous
system disorders. Please pass this information on. Thank you!
Eileen says:
use it as if you had a cold, just like the label says. Take it immediately before and during while your mucus is fertile.
The scientific interest in Evening Primrose Oil [EPO] stems from its unusually high content of polyunsaturated Essential Fatty Acids [EFAs]. When it was discovered, EFAs were wrongly designated as vitamins. These valuable components of the oil are not vitamins at all. They are important nutritional substance which our bodies need for production and growth.
The key feature of EPO stems from its unusually high content of a particular EFA called Gamma Linolenic Acid or GLA. GLA is important to health especialy women's health because it is a vital link in a chain through which our bodies produce prostaglandins. These are a group of substances which affect different biological process including hormone balance. Normally GLA is produced by our bodies from another EFA found more commonly in our diet, linolein acid, but this conversion can often be blocked by certain factors which are part of modern living such as diet which is rich in saturated fats or low in certain vitamins and minerals. Taking GLA from a natural source can effectively bypass this block and complete the healthy link.
Eileen says:
500 mg to 2000 mg per day; I've seen it mentioned that
some people have experienced skin problems with higher
quantity, but I have oily skin and had no problem at all for
the week that I took 2000 mg daily. Take it only during the
follicular half (1st half) of your cycle, because it may
cause uterine contractions.
"Herbs are most successful in treating a woman's infertility when the problem is the result of a hormonal imbalance...Herbs also help the estimiated 1/12th of women in the U.S. who are infertile due to uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, as long as there is no scarring or other structural damage. Structural problems, such as a blocked fallopian tube, are difficult to treat with herbs-they usually require surgery."
"If you are extremely athletic or underweight, you may not have enuf body fat. Recently, the medical community has determined that women whose fat falls below 1/4 of their total body weight have trouble conceiving because they often do not ovulate."
"Plain stress can be another factor. Researchers at teh Mind/Body Program for Infertility at New England Deaconess Hospital in Massachusetts found that 1/3 of previously infertile women became pregnant after they learned relaxation techniques."
"There are a number of herbs that increase fertility, such as vitex, SIberian ginseng, don quai from China and the aptly named motherwort. Numerous Chinese studies on don quai show that it helps the ovaries function better and helps to re-establish a normal cycle and fertility."
"For many women, the problem is not becoming pregnant, but avoiding miscarriage once they are pregnant. Fertility experts say that women often miscarry before they even realize that they are pregnant. In Germany, quite a bit of research has been done on vitex. This herb has been found to increase levels of 3 hormones in pregnant women: progesterone, prolactin and lutenizing hormone (LH). All of these hormones work together to help a woman become pregnant, sustain pregnancy adn promote the production of breast milk. These fertility-increasing herbs also decrease the likelihood of miscarriage. Another way to prevent miscarriage is to keep the uterus relaxed with wild yam and cramp bark."
This will allow the herbs to work their best for the duration you use them. Of course if you are seeing a practioner that monitors your progress, go with what they prescribe) *** another note, if you don't see any result after 3 cycles, the herbs you are taking may not be for you. Reevaluate your goals and if possible talk to a practioner...you will surely see wonderful results!!!!
Herbs I've used with MUCH success:
DAMIANA has stimulating properties and has been used for nervousness, weakness, and exhaustion. Damiana has been recommended for increasing sperm count in the male and strengthening the egg in the female. It helps to balance the females hormones...... Damiana has been said to be one of the most popular and safest of all plants claimed to restore natural sexual capacities and functions.
Lala gives a looong list of useful herbs:
Here is some information on herbs as listed in the Complete Woman's Herbal, by Anne McIntyre. Hope it
helps, I'll try to keep the book with me at work if anyone has a question about a particular herbs and their
uses, etc. I tried to include as many as I could that related to fertility, esp. regulating hormones, bringing
on AF, m/c prevention. Also included some that helped with libido & male factor, etc.
CHASTE TREE (aka Vitex, Chasteberry, monk's pepper) Key uses: Hormone regulator, reproductive
tonic A mediterranean shrub with the ability of stimulating and balancing the function of the pituitary,
particularly in relation to female sex hormones. It has a normalizing effect on the female hormone balance
by its effect on FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (leutenizing hormone). It acts to support the
corpus luteum of the ovaries in its work of producing hormones in the second half of the cycle. It appears
to have a more progesteronic than estrogenic action and makes a fine remedy for PMS and a range of
menstrual and gynecological problems that are related to hormone imbalance.
It can be used effectively for irregular and painful periods, heavy bleeding, fibroids, and to re-establish
hormone balance after stopping BCPs. It also has a calming and relaxing effect that is useful for emotional
distress associated with the reproductive system, ie PMS.
WILD YAM (aka Colic root, rheumatism root) Until 1970, wild yam was the sole source of the hormone material diosgenin, used in BCP's and other steroids. This suggests wild yam has a significant effect on the balance of female hormones. It was traditionally used for easing menstrual cramps and b/c of its antispasmodic action, can be used for any kind of muscular spasm and for ovarian and uterine pain. It has also been used traditionally in threatened miscarriage and has also been used with morning sickness.
DONG QUAI (aka Dang qui, women's ginseng, chinese angelica) Key uses: hormone balancing, detoxifying, nourishing, blood tonic Chinese herb tonic for women. It is used to tonify the reproductive system and maintain normal function of the sex organs. It regulates hormones, menstruation, brings on delayed or suppressed periods, relieves menstrual cramps, and can be used during menopause. Eaten raw (root) or taken as a tincture (concentrated extract usually combined w/ water and alcohol), it relaxes the uterus, used with water it tones the uterus and stimulates uterine contractions, increasing circulation and relieving congestion in the pelvic area. It is best not to take during pregnancy. It also acts as a sedative. It is nourishing, containing vitamins, and aids the absorption and utilization of vitamin E. It is used for anemia and angina. It stabilizes blood sugar levels and enhances the function of the immune system.
SKULLCAP (aka helmet flower, mad dogwood, virginia skullcap) Key uses: astringent, tonic, nervine, diuretic It is excellent when combined with hormone balancing herbs such as vitex or false unicorn root for PMS. Nourishing tonic for the nervous system. Greatly strengthening and supportive during stressful times. Remedy for all states of nervous tension, headaches, agitation, anxiety insomnia, exhaustion and depression.
NETTLE Key uses: Nutrient, diuretic, detoxifying, decongestant Nettles relieve fluid retention, bladder infections, and stones. They have been used to stem heavy periods, and to bring on delayed or absent periods. They stimulate milk production. They have been found to reduce blood sugar and a tincture of the seeds is said to raise thyroid function.
PULSATILLA Key uses: Nerve tonic, relaxant, sedative Recommended for nervous exhaustion, depression, stress. It also has a particular application to spasm, pain, and inflammation fo the reproductive system, both male and female. It relieves premenstrual tension, period pains, scanty or suppressed periods, uterine colic, and inflammation and pain in the ovaries. Note: never use fresh as it is poisonous, do not store for more than one year.
SAW PALMETTO Nourishing and tonic effects were especially observed in the reproductive system, and it is a well known remedy for atrophy of the testes, low libido, impotence, prostate enlargement and any inflammation in the repordutive tract. It has also been used as a reproductive tonic for women, increasing sexual energy, fertility, and can be prescribed to relieve painful periods, to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovarian pain.
Now they list a recipe for Fertility Tea.
If you are taking no other progesterone and you want to lengthen your periods or regulate your hormones don't take more than 400mg per day. Most health food stores in my area only stock 800mg pills, which is perfect for birth control! Please consult with a qualified professional before taking any of this. I am not a medical person, but did a lot of research and checked with my Dr before taking the dosage I'm currently using. It's appropriate for my medical history but might not be for yours.