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Luteal Phase Defect + Chinese Herbs

theskyandbacktheskyandback
in Trouble TTC

Hi All,

I'm pretty new here. I did do a search on this topic before posting, but didn't find an exact answer to my question, so I'm hoping you all can help. Quick background info: I didn't get a period at all for several months. I saw an RE about this and she gave me some dietary suggestions, which I followed, and I have now had a period for four months in a row (yay!). But according to my OPKs, I am ovulating really late in my cycle. I don't get a positive until day 19-23 and my cycles are 29-32 days long. I have been seeing an acupuncturist for the last few weeks and she thinks that I should take herbs (in addition to acupuncture) to correct the problem. I would jump right on that except my RE does not like the idea of herbs because they're not regulated. So now I'm conflicted about taking them. I don't want to feel like I'm lying to my RE and I also don't want to switch to another RE who is cool with me taking herbs because my husband and I really like her.

Has anyone on here taken traditional Chinese herbs for luteal phase defect and had success? I see my RE again on Tuesday and I'm thinking of telling her I'd like 3 more months before I start western fertility meds and then giving the herbs a go for three months to see if they work. I'd really like to get pregnant naturally if I can, but I also don't want to waste time if the herbs don't work. 

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Re: Luteal Phase Defect + Chinese Herbs

  • farmerlyndafarmerlynda member

    After taking B complex and TCM herbs along with acupuncture, my LP lengthened by 2-3 days.  I've also started to ovulate earlier, so I'd say it's worth a shot. 

    That said, I also wouldn't feel comfortable with going against my doctor's orders.  So I might seek a second opinion from someone who is more comfortable with the integration of western and eastern medicine.  

    Severe MFI. Me: supposedly all clear but eggs showed vacuoles.

    IVF #1 January 2012, ER Jan 14th: 34R, 27M, 23F. Day 3: 18 embies still strong. Day 5: zero "good," one "fair," the rest "poor." Transferred 3. None made it to blast or to freeze. Jan 28: BFN.

    Lucky IVF #2: Transferred two beautiful day three embies on St. Patrick's Day. BFP on HPT 7dp3dt. Beta 1 (14dpER)=106; Beta 2 (16dpER)=140; Beta 3 (19dpER)=264! First u/s 4.17.

    imageimageimageBabyFruit Ticker

    Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops - at all - (Emily Dickinson)

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  • Mitzi BishiMitzi Bishi

    Your have your own health in your best interest, so if you are interested in trying the herbs then by all means do.

    They aren't a cure all, but it's one path to take before going into the medicated route.

    Why don't you start charting? It's way more accurate than OPKs and will allow you to see your thermal shift and how long your LP really is. It's best to invest in yourself and knowing your body so you can bring things to the attention of the doctors. 

    I am taking the herbs and going to an RE. He is aware I am using them and didn't have much to say one way or another. They can throw off hormones, so just let them know if that's the course of action you want to take so they can be on the look out if anything becomes strange. 

    By the way, we'd ALL like to get pregnant naturally. Unfortunately some of us really don't have a choice.  

     

    (Live in Europe) TTC since 1/2010
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  • theskyandbacktheskyandback
    Thank you both for responding. I did read TCOYF and learned all about charting, but the thing that's stopping me is that the author said you need to take your temperature after being asleep for 4 hours. And I am never asleep for that long. I usually wake up once every couple of hours. Do you think it still makes sense to try charting anyway?
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  • farmerlyndafarmerlynda member

    imagetheskyandback:
    Thank you both for responding. I did read TCOYF and learned all about charting, but the thing that's stopping me is that the author said you need to take your temperature after being asleep for 4 hours. And I am never asleep for that long. I usually wake up once every couple of hours. Do you think it still makes sense to try charting anyway?

    I'm also a waker-upper (and midnight pee-er) and charting has still worked for me.  After doing various little experiments on myself, I've found that I'm far more sensitive to the temperature of the room (or the number of blankets) than how often I wake up in the night.  HTH!

    Severe MFI. Me: supposedly all clear but eggs showed vacuoles.

    IVF #1 January 2012, ER Jan 14th: 34R, 27M, 23F. Day 3: 18 embies still strong. Day 5: zero "good," one "fair," the rest "poor." Transferred 3. None made it to blast or to freeze. Jan 28: BFN.

    Lucky IVF #2: Transferred two beautiful day three embies on St. Patrick's Day. BFP on HPT 7dp3dt. Beta 1 (14dpER)=106; Beta 2 (16dpER)=140; Beta 3 (19dpER)=264! First u/s 4.17.

    imageimageimageBabyFruit Ticker

    Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops - at all - (Emily Dickinson)

    Report Reply
  • Mitzi BishiMitzi Bishi
    imagefarmerlynda:

    imagetheskyandback:
    Thank you both for responding. I did read TCOYF and learned all about charting, but the thing that's stopping me is that the author said you need to take your temperature after being asleep for 4 hours. And I am never asleep for that long. I usually wake up once every couple of hours. Do you think it still makes sense to try charting anyway?

    I'm also a waker-upper (and midnight pee-er) and charting has still worked for me.  After doing various little experiments on myself, I've found that I'm far more sensitive to the temperature of the room (or the number of blankets) than how often I wake up in the night.  HTH!

    Yes! I swear by it... so much so that I even do it while going through IVF cycles. You can tell the doctor so much more about your body. Honestly I don't even pay more attention to the CM unless it's on the tissue. I don't check my cervix, etc. The temping alone is worth it! 
    (Live in Europe) TTC since 1/2010
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