The Natural Fertility Community

Hello every one,i'm new to the board, i am 36 years old i was diagnosed with fibriods and ovarion cysts and 2 years ago i started having problems with the cyst it had grown to the size of a baseball at the same time my husband and i were trying to get pregnant no such luck, i was in a lot of pain from the cysts so my docter told me it would be best if i had surgery with no regards that we were trying to get pregnant,i left his office with tears in my eyes,i came home started doing research found out about systemic enzymes and i have been on them for 5 mths,i also take maca and dim for balancing my harmones also progesterone creme,i just started the fertility cleanse 2 days ago,i now know that there is hope for us to get pregnant and i believe God led me to this information, every day i feel better i can tell my body is healing itself, thank you all for the work your doing in educating women,i am planning to do an ultra sound soon but i already no that things have changed, i will update you as soon as i do ,i look forward to any advice from anyone who has been through something similar,God bless

Hi Dalene

just like to clarify, does consuming cold water, ice-cream and cold fruits have any impact on the
periods like getting more cramps and blood clots like what the TCM locally believe? I thought that
the mentioned symptoms are more related to low progesterone or oestrogen dominance?

Tks!

Hi Alpines30,

I am trying to figure out why you are asking this question and what made you think of it . Are you seeing a TCM doctor? It is generally recognized that for certain conditions cold foods, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine should not be consumed. They may lower chi, exaserbate the problem or cause lowered immunity due to the fact your body has to work harder to digest and process these foods by warming them up first. I am not an expert in TCM nor have I had much training in this area. IYou may want to ask your TCM doctor if you have one, that way they can give you specific TCM diet guidelines for your personal situation.

Here is a general TCM foods to avoid guideline for Female Reproductive Health from the book The Complete Guide to Natural Healing by Tom Monte and the editors of Natural Heatlh magazine.

-Cooling foods, especially raw fruit, excessive salt or excessive amounts of seaweed (one tablespoon, 4-5 times a week).
-Animal foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, fats and oils
-Spices, stimulants
-Alcohol
-Cheese, dairy products
-Sugar, refined flours, soft drinks, chocolate

All the best,

Dalene

Hi Dalene

I used to see a TCM physician but not anymore as their herbs didnt really help and may even
have contributed to the growth of the cysts. Yes, they used to tell me that cold foods and cooling foods
would aggravate the symptoms. But the results are so conclusive for me. Anyway, thanks for the list of items
to avoid, don't really think I've any issue with these foods.

I'd just went for my ultrasound, the gynae gave the all clear, no more cysts since the surgery, except for
some existing fibroids, the 2 biggest being 4cm and 2cm and a couple of tiny ones. Previously I had 4,
measuring 4cm, 3.1cm, 2.5 cm and 1.9cm. According to the scan, they seemed to have shrunked a bit but
the shrinkage's still slow.

I've just completed 3/4 mth of fertility cleanse and am still consuming the Zym, DIM and Maca and applying
the progesterone cream. To-date, I feel great. Is it possible to get pregnant fast on these herbs? My gynae feels
it's slow and she wants me to start Clomid, which I've to stop the herbs. Not sure if this would be the best option.
Any advice?

Tks!

The word or idea of "fast or quickly" doesn't really fit in the realm of herbs or natural therapies. Sometimes it happens that what you are using natural therapies for happens quickly, but that almost never happens. Herbs work synergistically with your body to achieve balanced health. Going the natural way is meant to be a way of working toward overall health, not manipulating your bodies natural processes as medications do. What you choose to do is up to you. Clomid may be what you choose to do. Working closely with your doctor and having a good line of communication will help you to make the best decision for your personal situation.

Best Wishes,

Dalene

Hi Dalene

just a little update...I'm still on DIM, Zym, Maca, Progesterone Cream and have recently included Women's Best Friend to the list as I
was experiencing some terrible cramps during the few 2 days of my period for a couple of months.

My gynae's ok with me not taking the the fertility pills or any contraceptives for now. The last pelvic exam show no cysts but the few
fibroids are still there. The non-period days are wonderful, energetic and best of all, no spotting in between periods like in the past.
My periods are still very regular, 27 day cycle but they have gotten lighter as compared to past years. Wonder if this is any cause for concern?
Also, how long should I continue taking these supplements?

My hubby and I are trying to have a baby though he's currently undergoing treatment for his hyperthyroid. He's on long-term medication
and will most likely go for radioactive-iodine treatment soon. I suppose this will affect our plans for a while. Meanwhile, can you please advise
if there's any precautions I've to take and any supplements (that hopefully will not clash with thyroid medication) that my hubby can take too?

Tks!

Alpines30, I am sorry that I missed this post. We were having some problems with the forum, they are fixed now so hopefully all will be back on track.

Great to hear about the cysts. Are you including Self Fertility Massage and Castor Oil packs as well? Those may be great additions.

Women's Best Friend contains Dong Quai. Dong Quai works by promoting blood flow to the pelvis where it will stimulate an absent or scanty period. It also nourishes the blood (it is in nearly all Chinese herbal blood-building formulas). The increased circulation also helps to strengthen and balance the uterus. In rat studies it has been show to help build the uterus lining.

Dong Quai also has a relaxing effect on both the uterus and the nervous system. This can be helpful in situations such as PMS and cramping during your period. It’s relaxing effects are just as powerful as well known herbs lavender, chamomile, or valerian root.

This may help with the lighter period.

The progesterone, DIM, Zymessence and Maca may be taken long term. The Women's Best Friend for 3-6 months, take a break and then you could begin again if need be.

As for your husband, please let me know what supplements you are interested in.

Again I am sorry for missing this thread, I hope you get my response!

Hi Dalene

thanks, just saw your reply.

My husband's just undergone his radioactive iodine treatment for his hyperthyroid and his
doc advised us to refrain trying to conceive for a while till his hormones stabilises.

Meanwhile, I'm having some if not similar unexplained symptoms coming back - about 3 months ago,
(alternate months) during my period, I'd have unbearable pain for the 1st 2 days coupled with slight
constipation and then pain in the left lower abdomen after I moved my bowels on the 3rd day.
The last month 7 days right after menstruation, I had some sort of abdominal gas due to intestinal infection.
The GPs and TCM couldn't find out what's wrong except that it could be 'wind' or IBS. My gynae gave me
a stronger dose of lactobacillus and carbon powder and panadol as painkiller and this eventually solved my problem.
But a few days after, I seemed to have caught a respiratory virus and this also lasted a week or so before I got better.

Now, just when I'm regaining my health, this month's period started and again on the 3rd day, I'm beginning
to experience persistent nagging pain in my left abdomen. The pain got so bad that I had to take panadol 2x for relief.
During my scan last month, my gynae actually expressed concern that the cyst which was surgically removed was really due to endometrosis.
I was shocked as my scans before this year by other gynaes never reveal such a condition. Now, as I checked on the symptoms, they seem to tally with endometrosis. My gynae's very keen for me to start contraceptive but she's willing to let me go on the herbs for another 2 more months.

Gosh, I seem to have a host of symptoms now - fibroids, endometrosis and the prospect of the ovarian cyst recurring.
I'm still taking the products regularly especially DIM, Zym and Women's Best Friend. Should I apply the Progestrone Cream on Day 6
now instead of the usual Day 12 as this would perhaps help in controlling the endometrosis? I'm quite discouraged that the pain's still
there 3 months after the surgery. Is there anything else that can help reduce and minimise the pain?

Tks.

Alpines30,

Continuing what you are already taking seems to be right on. You would only want to switch the progesterone cream to day 6 if you are wanting to control the symptoms and pain of endometriosis, as this could supress ovulation, this would not be for actively ttc.

Are you also doing Self Fertility Massage (gently) and Castor Oil packs?

I am sorry to hear of your pain.