I have mentioned in my last post that my OB-gyne put me on contraceptive pills to correct hormonal imbalance because of PCOS.

I am a member of a local forum for women trying to concieve, most of us are having PCOS which depriving us for having a baby.

I met a lot of women there and we became friends as well.
One of my friend in that local forum is having the same case as mine. She has pcos, her Ob-gyne put her in basic treatment as my Ob-gyne did to me. Her Ob-gyne put her in contraceptive pills to no avail. Thats why im hesitant to take it.

She stopped taking pills and replace it with vitex, after alteast six months of taking it religiously, early this month she announced pregnancy.

I was so inspired by her story and journey. Thats why i decided to take Vitex and decline the contraceptive pills.

here it is: 

 VITEX AGNUS CASTUS (chasteberry fruit)

Increasing Fertility with Vitex Agnus CastusHerbs for helping you become pregnant...

Chasteberry or vitex (vitex agnus-castus) is a fertility-promoting herb with a long, safe history of human use. As far back as ancient Greece, vitex agnus castus was recognized for its herbal-medicinal properties and was utilized for a number of health complaints. The Germans call vitex "Monk's Pepper" and for centuries women in Europe have used vitex to increase their odds of conceiving a baby, as well as to treat symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, skin condition, or PMS.

More recently, science has validated the fertility-enhancing properties of this dynamic herb. Vitex has been shown in several clinical studies to help stimulate and stabilize the reproductive hormones involved in ovulation, cycle balance, and menstrual regularity. These studies also document a statistically-significant increase in fertility among women using vitex, with more pregnancies than in control groups using a placebo.

To understand how vitex works, let's first look at female fertility. In order for conception to take place, a woman must have a regular menstrual cycle and ovulate (release an egg from an ovary). Hormonal balance is key to regular ovulation - particularly the ebb and flow of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, which both prepare the body for ovulation (estrogen) and ensure that a pregnancy, once achieved, is maintained (progesterone). Regularity of both menstrual cycle and ovulatory function, dictated by the complex play of these hormones, are key factors in successfully becoming pregnant. Vitex increases fertility by helping regulate hormonal and menstrual balance. Vitex is a key ingredient in fertility supplement products like FertilAid for Women.

How Does Vitex Promote Cycle Balance?

Vitex or chasteberry is not a hormone; however, vitex works by acting on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which in turn secrete hormones or send signals to other parts of the body to trigger the production of reproductive hormones. Vitex has been shown to help increase the level of luteinizing hormone (or LH) while gently suppressing the secretion of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). In effect, vitex stimulates the hormones involved in ovulation and assists in restoring overall hormonal balance. More specifically, vitex is effective in regulating pituitary gland function and in normalizing the balance of progesterone to estrogen levels. Vitex is particularly supportive in maintaining progesterone levels during the "luteal phase", or second half, of a woman's cycle.

A large percentage of menstrual problems and infertility issues are related to insufficient progesterone production during the luteal phase, which can result in a shortened luteal phase and may possibly contribute to PCOS. With regard to the former, a "short" luteal phase is often referred to as corpus luteum insufficiency or LPD (luteal phase defect). Luteal phase defect is characterized by low progesterone levels during the second half of your cycle. With regard to PCOS, hormonal imbalance (namely insufficient levels of progesterone) may also contribute to the formation of cysts on your ovaries, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. As vitex agnus castus has been shown to support progesterone production, vitex may be suggested as a treatment for menstrual cycle imbalances, luteal phase defect, and possibly PCOS (as normalized progesterone levels and cycle regularity may suppress the development of ovarian cysts associated with estrogen dominance).

Clinical studies now support the fertility-enhancing claims associated with vitex agnus castus - as well as its facility in treating common fertility disorders. In one commonly-cited study, sixty-seven women with fertility or ovulatory disorders were given a vitex agnus castus preparation, which resulted in a marked improvement of progesterone levels during the luteal phase, earlier ovulation, and thirty-eight achieved pregnancies (Bergmann, 2000).

In another study (Milewicz, 1993), vitex agnus castus was administered to hyperprolactinaemia female patients. The use of vitex resulted in reduced prolactin levels, as well as the normalization of luteal phase progesterone levels for women with luteal phase defect. Shortened luteal phases were therefore normalized (lengthened).

An earlier German study by Amann (1982) reveals that vitex exerts a favorable, positive effect on women with amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual cycle or period), further establishing the efficacy of vitex in restoring hormonal balance and cycle regularity. In another clinical trial conducted at Stanford, women with fertility disorders benefited from using a vitex-containing supplement, with more pregnancies in the vitex group than in placebo groups. Each of these studies demonstrates the fertility-enhancing properties of this unique herb.

Vitex is also recognized as a safe herb. It has no known side-effects, and chasteberry can be taken for up to 18 months continuously. When pregnancy is achieved, discontinue use of vitex-containing supplements, as well as any other herbal-nutritional supplements not specifically approved by your doctor. The benefits of vitex will increase over time, and maximum benefits are typically achieved after a few months of use. It is suggested to not take vitex or fertility supplements while you are using prescription fertility drugs.

A fertility supplement like FertilAid contains vitex agnus castus, as well as other key ingredients and complete preconceptional vitamin support. FertilAid for Women

 *Use at your own risk.*

till my next post.

ciao,

khassy :)

I was first diagnosed pcos last febuary 1, 2013.
after almost 1 year I still have this PCOS.

today at cycle day 27, I decided to meet a new ob-gyne.
I decided to change my previous ob-gyne because she doesn't have an ultrasound machine which is inconvenient for me.

Good thing is my new found Ob-gyne is a sonologist too.

here is my ultrasound report:

I still have to wait atleast 6 months to continue our journey. But for the meantime, my Ob-Gyne put me on contraceptive pills to correct hormonal imbalance. 


till my next post.

ciao,
khassy :)

Its been a while since my last post. Happy new year to all of us women who are trying to concieve.

Nah, nothing special on this post since im still waiting for our time.

I just wanted to be POSITIVE (so that my pregnancy test would appear positive too. haha) and spread the GOOD VIBES this 2014.

Let me give you an update on my cycle, today is my CD21.
before I open my blogspot account, I took my shower first and checked my cervical mucus because I thought that I'm ovulating at my CD24.

upon checking I saw a very little eggwhite like CM mix in creamy CM. So I am hoping that ovulation is now approaching.

last month I did some observation trying to predict my ovulation, I used THIS to track my menstruation, how long my cycle is, when is my next ovulation and when is my next cycle.

but ofcourse I need an accurate prediction of my BIG O that is not required to bring out some money, since I definitely know that i wouldn't get pregnant in this cycle. That is why I choose the CM method because it was the cheapest way. 

let me give you an idea about this CM method.

Observing your cervical mucus can be more useful than you may think. If you want to aid or avoid conception, cervical mucus observations are said to be around 98.5% accurate as to the fertile and infertile times in your monthly cycle.

The word ‘mucus’ might make you cringe, but knowing the different states of your mucus and what it means can be a strong indicator for ovulation, infertile times and fertile times.

Firstly, it’s important to note that there are some situations in which your mucus may be effected by external factors, including:

• Stress
• Medications or drugs (inc. Clomid)
• If you may be pre-menopausal
• Illness
• Dieting, weight change or fasting
• Travel

How Do You Observe Cervical Mucus?

There are three ways you can do this, depending on what you are most comfortable with.

• Toilet Paper – By observing mucus found after wiping
• Externally – With your fingers, feeling for mucus around the opening of your vagina
• Internally – Checking mucus from the cervix by inserting two fingers (index and third finger) into your vagina and gently sweeping the cervix

Once you have some mucus on your fingers, between your thumb and index finger, press them together and stretch the mucus – take note of what the mucus does. Does it stretch? Does it stay in shape and is tacky? Is it slippery? Is it clear, yellow or cloudy?

Types Of Cervical Mucus

Just as every woman’s cycle is different, so too is her mucus pattern. This may be due to varying cycle lengths and stages or other factors effecting it’s production as above mentioned. Below is a fairly common cycle of mucus production, starting with the end of your period.

Infertile Cervical Mucus

After your period, you may find that you have a few days with no mucus (dry). Any mucus that is seen at this time is infertile. If you do find mucus, it will likely be sticky and may come out as a blob.

Words women use to describe their infertile mucus at this time include:

• Thick
• Dense
• Sticky
• Flaky
• Tacky

Infertile mucus feels more dry to touch than fertile mucus. It may be yellow, white or opaque. Upon observation by touch between your thumb and index finger, you will find that it does not stretch or move – it is quite thick.

Possibly Infertile or Slightly Fertile Cervical Mucus

Following infertile mucus, you may then experience possibly infertile or slightly fertile mucus. Mucus in this state responds to increasing levels of oestrogen and is usually sticky and may feel damp. There is only a slight chance of conception – sperm will find this form of mucus particularly hard to swim through.

Words women use to describe their infertile mucus at this time include:

• Creamy
• Pasty
• Thick
• Cloudy
• Sticky
• Flaky
• Tacky

Possibly Infertile or Slightly Fertile mucus still feels more dry to touch than fertile mucus. It may be yellow, white or opaque. Upon observation by touch between your thumb and index finger, you will find that it does not stretch or move much but it may be damper or in more quantity.

Fertile Cervical Mucus

Fertile mucus usually signals the impending arrival of ovulation and if you are hoping to avoid conception, you must avoid unprotected intercourse at this time. Your mucus may change to a more watery state and feel more slippery. You may find this mucus is more abundant than the previous forms of mucus.

Words women use to describe their fertile mucus include:

• Wet
• Slippery
• Watery
• Clear
• Thin
• Fluid

Fertile mucus feels wet and slippery compared to infertile mucus. It’s likely to be clear mucus or have a cloudy/white colour to it. Fertile mucus will even smell sweeter (and apparently taste sweeter) than less fertile mucus which may have a more vinegar scent, however the most important observation to make is the wetness/slippery observation.

Highly Fertile Cervical Mucus

This time is the most likely time to find what is commonly known as EWCM (egg-white cervical mucus) or spinn (short for spinnbarkeit which is german for spiderweb). EWCM is ‘stringy’ hence coming from the word spiderweb. It may appear as a glob, or in smaller amounts in more watery mucus. Not all women experience this form of mucus so don’t be alarmed if you don’t notice any EWCM. Some women swear by Evening Primrose Oil to increase their levels of EWCM, however see a naturopath and they can suggest an appropriate dosage for you. If you were to stretch EWCM between your thumb and index finger, you may notice it stretches, unlike the infertile mucus which keeps it’s shape. You can see why this form of mucus favours sperm – it has a consistency similar to sperm and creates an ideal environment for them to reach the egg.

Post Ovulation Cervical Mucus

Following ovulation, you may find that the mucus may quickly return to the thick, tacky mucus or you may have none at all, leading up to your period. Some women experience a glob of mucus prior to getting their period, which is infertile.

I am reminding you to please make sure that you clean your hands before inserting it into your vagina.

My cycle dash board is saying that my next ovulation is on 13th of this month but i am reminding you too that this is not accurate sometimes,  i just use it as an idea.


that's it for now folks.

ciao,
khassy :)