you might be ineterested to know that there is a PCOS forum here

//www.curezone.org/forums/f.asp?f=129

HI meli!! I was just wondering how you have come along with your omega3s. I think I may sufer from pcos but I'm not sure. I never get a period on my own and I'm worried I can't have children. Just cutious if you have had any luck

Here is some of my older research on infertility in general:

Stress reduction is key. Aggressive exercise - yoga - etc. Counseling may help. It is difficult to just stop thinking about but a counselor may offer some coping skills.

Diet - go vegan. There are hormones in meat that effect us. At the very least - go mostly vegetarian and only eat organic chicken, etc.
Stop dairy. Even the organic version has body issues (it is meant for a calf....). And, stop soy. It has been linked to acting as a birth control. I like soy and eat it daily in moderation - just might as well do this well.

As Dr. Sears said, "Epidemiological studies of pregnant women who consume large amounts of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA and DHA, found in fish oil tend to carry their babies for a longer period of time. They also have a correspondingly lower rate of premature births which can cause physical and neurological problems such as learning disabilities. Since 6 to 10 percent of all births in America are premature, I feel it is quite likely this unfortunate statistic may be linked to our growing decrease of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA/DHA in the diet."

Read 'Common Sense Health and Healing'. Its a must:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967156750/americasphone-20


Take a good plant based supplement. I like Vitalerbs (http://superfood.andmuchmore.com)
Vitamin and Mineral formula, ingredients: Alfalfa, Dandelion, Kelp, Purple Dulce, Spirulina, Irish Moss, Rose Hips, Beet, Nutritional Yeast, Cayenne, Blue Violet, Oatstraw and Ginger.

Directions: Orally: Take up to 1-6 capsules 3 times a day or as directed by your health care professional.

Nature balanced, whole food vitamin and mineral supplement, easier to assimilate because they are whole foods. Hundreds of studies have shown that our bodies need whole foods. Only whole foods can provide all the proper elements needed to assist in total health.

Since time began, herbs have been utilized for their nutritional value. We have combined some of the earth's most beneficial, nutrient dense herbs into Vitalerbs.

This combination provides the following vitamins and minerals in whole food quantities: Ascorbic Acid, Bioflavonoids, Biotin, Calcium, Carotene, Choline, Pantothanic Acid, Chromium, Cobalamin, Cobalt, Copper, Fiber, Flourine, Folic Acid, Inositol, Iodine, Iron, Linoleic Acid, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Paba, Pangamic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassuim, Protein, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Selenium, Silcon, Sodium, Sulfur, Thiamine, Tin, Trace Minerals, Vitamins D and K, Zinc, and other vitamins and minerals that nature knows we need.

or Superfood (call 800-herbdoc). Vital comes in capsules - superfood is a powder. Some love the taste - some don't.


There are 2 good herbal preps. Female balance and female formula. I'd alternate between the two. Again, at 800-herbdoc

http://www.dr-schulze.com/p42.asp
and
http://www.dr-schulze.com/p44.asp


You'd be helped by a Bowel Cleanse if you are not 'moving' 2-3x per day. Intestinal formula #1 and Intestinal Formula #2 - 800-herbdoc
You take IF1 with dinner. 1 capsule. You need to be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water per day (ie, 100 lb woman needs minimum 50 oz) - use filtered or distilled, not spring. You increase by 1 capsule per night until you reach 2-3 bms a day. Stay at that dose for a week (do not increase by more then one capsule per day ever - they are strong...). You follow that up with IF2, 5x per day for 5 days. It has charcoal, etc. in it to help draw out chemicals, etc. Its the stuff they use in hospitals for od or poisonings.
http://www.dr-schulze.com/p17.asp
and
http://www.dr-schulze.com/p20.asp


Dr. Richard Schulze wrote, "The majority of my patients in my clinic were female. Many women could never understand the relationship between their painful periods, P.M.S., menstrual irregularity, vaginal infections, infertility, menopausal problems, problems during pregnancy, whatever, and their constipation until I explained that their sigmoid colon wraps around the uterus and that their ovaries are literally attached to the colon. The cure for almost every female problem in my clinic besides my Female Formulae was a good bowel cleansing."

You could look into this to help predict ovulation:

The Ovu-Tech is a hand-held mini-magnification lens about the size and shape of a lipstick holder. If you want to check whether you may be fertile, you simply:
Make sure you haven't had anything to eat or drink for 2 hours.
Put a small amount of saliva on the lens and allow it to dry.
Insert the lens into the magnification lens and push a little button to illuminate the lens.
If you are just about to become fertile or if you are fertile, you will easily see a beautiful crystalline ferning pattern under the magnification lens. This is an easy and convenient way for you to monitor your hormonal changes and enhance your awareness of your menstrual cycle. If you track your cycles and fertility on a calendar, soon you will have a keen awareness of where you are in your monthly cycle, and what is happening hormonally in your body.

Cycle awareness can be especially helpful for women who tend to have anovulatory cycles (no ovulation occurs and thus there is infertility, and no progesterone is made). If you know that you haven't ovulated in any given cycle, and thus your ovary won't be producing progesterone, you can then supplement with progesterone that month and avoid estrogen dominance symptoms such as PMS.

The ovulation kits that measure hormones in urine to determine fertility tend to be expensive, messy, and can only be used once. In contrast, at the cost of not much more than one ovulation kit, the Ovu-Tech can be used over and over, and has a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.

Magnification lenses for only $29.99 each (plus $3.00 Shipping and Handling). 1-800-528-0559

There is a long list of possible therapy's that are not in my expertise. Read this
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/fertility.htm


Get a pound of Chaste/Vitex. The loose herb - not the powder. Drink copious amounts of tea daily (made with distilled water is best). You'll need a tea pot for loose herbs or you can simply pour water that boiled (let it cool 1-2 minutes) over a teaspoon of the herb and strain it.


http://return.to/organicherbs


Vitex (Chasteberry) and Fertility
By Nancy Dunne, ND, Naturopathic Physician
Bitterroot Natural Medicine

Reprinted with kind permission of Dr. Dunne

Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree berry) is a well-known herb that has been used for centuries in Europe for hormonal imbalances in women.

It may be helpful for women with PCOS who do not have a normal menstrual cycle and thus don't ovulate or menstruate. A large percentage of these menstrual problems are related to insufficient progesterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which is called a luteal phase defect or corpus luteum insufficiency. A corpus luteum insufficiency is defined as an abnormally low progesterone level 3 weeks after the onset of menstruation. Insufficient levels of progesterone may result in the formation of ovarian cysts.

In addition, some PCOS women have too much prolactin, which can inhibit fertility. Vitex may help with both of these problems

How does Vitex Work?

Chaste tree berry acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) production and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The result is a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, in favor of progesterone. The ability of chaste tree berry to raise progesterone levels in the body is an indirect effect, so the herb itself is not a hormone.

Lack of menstruation (amenorrhea) that is caused by a lack of ovulation, and therefore a lack of progesterone production, should result in menses when progesterone is taken. Progesterone-induced menses indicates an intact reproductive system that just isn't going through its cycle.

It suggests that the body is producing enough FSH to stimulate the ovaries, and that the ovaries can develop follicles. It also indicates that follicular production of estrogen is sufficient to cause the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to grow and that the sloughed endometrium is able to pass through the cervical opening and the vagina. Therefore it's possible that the problem is a dysfunction in the hypothalamus or pituitary glands. The ability of chaste tree to modulate the hypothalamus or pituitary then makes this herb a good candidate for treating amenorrhea (infertility). For a further discussion of this topic, we refer you to Dr. Tori Hudson's Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

High levels of the hormone prolactin are commonly found with corpus luteum insufficiency. Vitex is useful for reducing high prolactin levels. It inhibits prolactin release by the pituitary gland, especially when you are under stress.

The Evidence for Vitex Agnus Castus

Here are some vitex studies relating to the use of the chasteberry:

Vitex and Fertility. In this study, a chasteberry preparation was used in a study of 3,162 women to assess the effectiveness of vitex for corpus luteum insufficiency. 77.4% had menstrual cycle disturbances of various types and the others suffered from a range of gynecological problems which included symptoms of corpus luteum insufficiency. The average length of treatment was 5 months. Hormone cytology and symptoms were used to assess the treatment.

The women reported the treatment as completely effective (33%), significant improvement (55%), and no change (7%). Their doctors reported very good results in 68% of cases, adequate in 22%, and no change in 7%. (1)

In another study, 20 women with secondary amenorrhea took a chasteberry extract for 6 months. Lab testing was done to measure progesterone, FSH, and LH, and pap smears were done at the beginning of the study, at 3 months, and at 6 months. At the end of the study, the researchers were able to evaluate 15 of the women. Ten out of the 15 women had a return of their menstrual cycles. Testing showed that values for progesterone and LH increased, and FSH values either did not change or decreased slightly.(2)

In a third study, 18 women with abnormally low progesterone levels were given vitex daily. After 3 months of treatment, 13 showed increases in progesterone and 2 became pregnant.(3)

Vitex and hyperprolactinemia. In this study, 52 women with luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels) were given either vitex or a placebo. Prolactin levels were normalized after 3 months in the treatment group and deficits in luteal progesterone production were eliminated. Two of the women became pregnant.(4)

In another study, 13 women with high prolactin levels and irregular cycles were given a vitex compound. Their prolactin levels fell, and a normal menstrual cycles returned to all of the women.(5)

Vitex and acne. In this study, a chasteberry preparation was used in women with menstrual cycle abnormalities. Acne was either eliminated or improved during treatment.(6)

In another study, 117 women with four different types of Acne were treated with a chasteberry preparation for 1-2 years. Improvement was seen after 6 weeks and by 3 months, about 70% were free of acne. Some treatment relapses were observed after 3-6 weeks.(7)

Taking Vitex

When using chaste tree berry, don't expect immediate results. It may not have much effect until it is taken for at least 3-6 months.

It's not the same as taking progesterone. You don't give it, stop it, and then expect a withdrawal bleed a few days later as you would if you were taking progesterone or synthetic progestins.

Vitex Risks & Side Effects

Vitex agnus castus is exceptionally safe. In one study, chaste tree berry was given up to 9 years with very few side effects.

It's advisable to not take vitex if you are pregnant.

Drug Interactions

Interactions with hormone replacement therapy (potential/theoretical). Animal studies and human data have reported that chasteberry constituents have hormonal activity that may alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment. conjugated estrogens, estradiol, estrone, esterified estrogens, estropipate, ethinyl estradiol, progesterone, medroxyprogesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, norethindrone.

Interactions with oral contraceptives (potential/theoretical). Animal studies and human data have reported that chasteberry constituents have hormonal activity that may alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment: norethindrone, ethynodiol diacetate, norgestrel, norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone, desogestrel, levonorgestrel .

Interactions with dopamine agonists (potential/theoretical). An in-vitro study reported that chasteberry constituents had dopaminergic activity that may alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment: selegeline, amantadine, carbidopa, levadopa, pramipexole, ropinirole, bromocriptine, pergolide. If you are taking any of these medication, it's a good idea to consult with your physician before taking vitex.

How Much Should You Take?

Every women is unique, so the amount and form of vitex you need won't be the same as for someone else.

We recommend you seek guidance from a licensed naturopathic physician, who would have extensive knowledge of herbs and botanical medicines. Or, consult with Dr. Nancy Dunne, who is a naturopathic physician specializing in the treatment of PCOS.

As a general guideline, your daily dose could be:

60 drops of vitex tincture, standardized to contain 0.6% agusides.
175 mg. or more of standardized vitex extract, standardized to contain 0.6% agusides.
Chasteberry can be taken daily for up to 18 continuous months, unless pregnancy occurs. Vitex is usually taken in the morning as a single daily dose.

Warning: The quality of botanical supplements varies widely. Don't buy any herbal or botanical product unless it has a "standardized" amount of the active component listed on the label. A "standardized" product has a consistent amount of active ingredients from one bottle to the next. If you buy a product that is not standardized, you have no clue as to what you are actually getting and are probably wasting your money.

You can generally obtain the highest quality vitex products from a licensed naturopathic physician. If you wish to order a high-quality chasteberry product, call Dr. Nancy Dunne's clinic (Bitterroot Natural Medicine) at 406-728-8544.

Footnotes

(1) Loch, EG [Gynaecology in practice - A sure choice of therapy], Tjherapiewoche, 1993, 43(48):2577-80

(2) Loch, E, et al, [Diagnosis and treatment of dyshormonal menstrual periods in the general practice], Gynakol Praxis, 1990, 14(3):489-95

(3) Propping, D et al, [Treatment of corpus luteum insufficiency], Zeitscchrift Fur Allgemein, 1987, 63:932-3

(3) Milewicz A, et al, [Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinaemia. Results of a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study], Arzniem-Forschung, 1993, 43(II-7):752-6

(4) Roeder, D, [Therapy of cyclical disorders with vitex agnus castus], Zeiterschrift fur Phytotherapie, 1994, 15(3):157-63

(5) Bleier, VW, Therapie von zyklus-und blutungsstrorungen und weiteren endokrin bedingten erkrankungen der frau mit pflanzlichen wirkstoffen, Zbl Gynakologie, 1959, 18:701-9

(6) Giss, G et al, Phytotherapeutische behandlung der akne, Haut-und Gesch, 1968, 43:645

This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material provided in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health program.

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