Hi,
I have been lurking on your website, and have always thought that "the herbal way" was the best way. I hope that you can help me. I am 23, and since starting my period when I was 13, I have always suffered from irregular cycles. Now that I am married, and hubby and I are ready to start a family, my body has turned against me. I have tried everything! I have charted, used ovulation microscopes, baby danced with pre-seed lubricant, pillows under my hips after sex, vitex, maca root, soy isoflavones, and the list goes on....
After using vitex for approximately 4-5 months, I did manage to get pregnant a couple of years ago, however, I miscarried at 6 weeks. I was devastated! and just "knew" that it wouldn't happen for a very long time again. This was the year of 2009. Afterwards, I continued to take vitex capsules (4 a day / 400 mg each), and I continued to have regular cycles, ranging from 30 - 44 days. After about 9 months of supplementing with vitex, my cycles just STOPPED. I started to feel emotionally unstable, hormonal, and out of wack, in general. I started to sink into depression, not from wanting a child, but just in general. This was odd to me.
My doctor advised me to stop taking vitex, and prescribed Zoloft to treat my depression. These only made my depression worse, so after a few months of using Zoloft, I decided that my body just needed a break from everything. I stopped both Zoloft and Vitex. Later on, I decided to start Vitex again and the exact same thing happened. Just recently, (earlier this year) I began supplementing with vitex again. After 4 months, my periods stopped. I began having pregnancy symptoms (nausea, sore breasts, extreme fatigue, extreme hunger). I could have sworn that I was pregnant!! But I was not. I was once again shattered.....
Since then, I have lost my faith in vitex... I have tried maca root as well to regulate my periods, as I was told that it increases fertility. It didn't help at all. I also tried soy isoflavones. It is nature's clomid, and works for everyone except me, I guess. I just don't know what else to do....A friend of mine just recently told me about false unicorn root tincture, and that it is great for increasing fertility. What do you think? I am ready to be a mom. I am settled down, married, about to graduate from college, and am ready to do the family thing. I just need help.... I even started acupuncture last week... Also, I am 118 lbs, and 5'6. I am on the thin side, and have an extremely hard time gaining weight. I take folic acid every day, I am a vegetarian, but not true vegetarian, as I do eat fish. I drink plently of water a day, and am otherwise healthy. I have just begun exercising as well to prepare my body for conception. During the months that I don't get a period, my body feels as though it will ovulate...I always feel nauseated, ovulation pains, cramping, but nothing ever happens.... What do you suggest? I know this passage is very long, but I do appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to read what I have to say....It means more than you know...
Hello…Susun suggests that you stop all supplements and abandon your vegetarian diet. In almost all cases Susun has found a vegetarian diet counterproductive to conception. She would also suggest the daily use of nourishing herbal infusions, including red clover infusion at least several times per week. Nourishing yourself well is the first step to creating a nurturing space for a new life.
Also it might help to relieve yourself of the pressure of having to conceive, take this time now for you, being only 23 you have plenty of time, focus on self nurture and self nourishment, and in time your body will naturally conceive when the moment is right. Forwarding your email to Kim for her to send you info on diet and links to articles to read.
Love,
Justine
Hello,
Here are some links to follow up on what Justine has mentioned. Starting on daily infusions would be recommended. Not just for fertility but for overall health. These infusion are packed with minerals, nutrients, vitamins and are much easier to assimilate as opposed to supplements. As Justine mentioned, red clover blossoms is the one that is reached for time and time again in dealing with infertility issues.
Of course, being on the thin side can cause issues with cycles. Eating fish is good, making sure to get in good fatty ones such as sardines, salmons, mackerel, etc. Full-fat organic yogurt - Having plenty of good fats in your diet is important.
We are not a one size fits all, and perhaps vitex is not the ally for you but I do wonder if you could possibly have better luck with vitex as a tincture. Susun does not recommend the use of herbs in a capsule form, as you have a higher chance of lower quality and unwanted side effects. http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Vitex_RedMoonHerbs.htm
Some other articles by Susun that deals with fertility. I know that one of them is titled Fertility after Forty, but the information would still be useful to you.
I know the need to start a family is urgent, but there is no doubt that creating a stressful environment over this can compound the problem. If you aren't already, I would really suggest a regular meditation practice. You've thrown a lot at your body and if you can find a quiet moment to really try and connect, you never know what your body may have to communicate back to you. Here is an article with some more info and a nice meditation at the end:
Another place for further support and advice would be our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com. Just let us know if you have any further questions.
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
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