Fertility Blend and PCOS?

destined_2ba_mommy

First- HI! I am new here and my husband and I have officially decided to try for baby #1. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS and placed on Metformin to help get myself in check. Recently, I came across Fertility Blend at GNC and I thought that I would give it a try, I'm almost through my first bottle and I believe that AF is due any day now. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience (good or bad) with Fertility Blend while also having PCOS.

nlwz123

destined_2ba_mommy said:

First- HI! I am new here and my husband and I have officially decided to try for baby #1. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS and placed on Metformin to help get myself in check. Recently, I came across Fertility Blend at GNC and I thought that I would give it a try, I'm almost through my first bottle and I believe that AF is due any day now. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience (good or bad) with Fertility Blend while also having PCOS.

Hi OP.  Is this just a multivitamin?  I'm not familiar with Fertility Blend, but I would be cautious on taking supplements that could potentially disrupt your cycle.  Are you new to TTC?  

nlwz123

I just looked it up, and it reads "Use for at least three menstrual cycles before expecting an alteration in hormone balance and fertility health."  You can potentially be doing more harm than good if you disrupt your hormones, fyi.

[Deleted User]

@destined_2ba_mommy Hey I have PCOS as well, several of us do.  I encourage you to join in on the weekly IF thread so we can get to know you and you can get to know us!

I don't take anything not prescribed by my RE other than a normal prenatal.  I think most other things are just a scam to get your money, tbh.

[Deleted User]

nlwz123 said:

I just looked it up, and it reads "Use for at least three menstrual cycles before expecting an alteration in hormone balance and fertility health."  You can potentially be doing more harm than good if you disrupt your hormones, fyi.

This is actually true.  Before I started treatment I had been taking Vitex (AKA chasteberry).  My pharmacist told me that the Vitex actually counters the effects of fertility medications used to treat PCOS.  And Vitex stays in your system for a while.  Luckily I was off of it for a while before I started taking my Femara.

destined_2ba_mommy

nlwz123 said:

I just looked it up, and it reads "Use for at least three menstrual cycles before expecting an alteration in hormone balance and fertility health."  You can potentially be doing more harm than good if you disrupt your hormones, fyi.

Hi! Yes, I newly TTC and thanks for the feedback. 

destined_2ba_mommy

antoto said:

@destined_2ba_mommy Hey I have PCOS as well, several of us do.  I encourage you to join in on the weekly IF thread so we can get to know you and you can get to know us!

I don't take anything not prescribed by my RE other than a normal prenatal.  I think most other things are just a scam to get your money, tbh.

Hi and okay I'll head over to that thread. I am sort of hitting a brick wall and feeling really down because I really had my hopes up with it.

destined_2ba_mommy

antoto said:

nlwz123 said:

I just looked it up, and it reads "Use for at least three menstrual cycles before expecting an alteration in hormone balance and fertility health."  You can potentially be doing more harm than good if you disrupt your hormones, fyi.

This is actually true.  Before I started treatment I had been taking Vitex (AKA chasteberry).  My pharmacist told me that the Vitex actually counters the effects of fertility medications used to treat PCOS.  And Vitex stays in your system for a while.  Luckily I was off of it for a while before I started taking my Femara.

Thanks for the feedback!

RedBreast35

Hi OP!  Another thing to note about vitamins and supplements (if you're in the US) is that manufacturers are not required to get FDA approval before marketing their products.  So, while these products are not supposed to be harmful and the claims on the bottle can't be complete lies, there is also no real requirement that the product will actually do what it promises either.  I think the ladies above gave you really good advice!  Good luck!

destined_2ba_mommy

RedBreast35 said:

Hi OP!  Another thing to note about vitamins and supplements (if you're in the US) is that manufacturers are not required to get FDA approval before marketing their products.  So, while these products are not supposed to be harmful and the claims on the bottle can't be complete lies, there is also no real requirement that the product will actually do what it promises either.  I think the ladies above gave you really good advice!  Good luck!

Hi! Thanks so much! I'm thinking that I'm about to just give up on those pills and look at some other options.

adirat

Hi! I had a really negative experience with FertilityBlend -- it gave me serious loose stools and uterine pain. I don't know if it was the vitex or the magnesium or what. But I gave up on it after a week.

I highly recommend checking out the newbie guide on the pain Trying to Get Pregnant page and reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility. If you aren't turning OPKs, try observing cervical mucus and temping to understand your cycle better. Per your other post, you're using Ovia, which is unfortunately pretty useless as it doesn't actually know anything about your personal cycle If you haven't ovulated by any of these methods (OPKs/temping) in 3-4 months, go see your gynecologist as with PCOS you may have more issues than the average person. Good luck!

[Deleted User]

I would add on to what @adirat said and suggest you see an RE rather than an OB if you aren't already.  OBs are great with women with typical fertility, but they do not have a specialty in infertility like an RE does.  I think as soon as you have a diagnosis and you are TTC seeing an RE is the best option by far.