considering Saw Palmetto in my sway, but it scares me a bit

[pinkdreams]

I was curious on thoughts regarding Saw Palmetto for a girl sway. I have high testosterone levels and was considering taking it to help but haven't seen many successful sways that had it in them. The warnings about miscarriage and possible affect on secondary sex characteristics freak me out a bit. Maybe I should just drink mega amounts of Peppermint tea instead, was thinking about doubling my tea bags per my 3 servings. Any input or advice would be awesome!! Thanks!!

[Belle]

I say go for it. I don't have high testosterone and I'm taking it and I feel the same. I'm also drinking peppermint tea but always have drank it.

[Chicky]

Well, I thought I was going to be a fan and really felt it was important to my sway. The first month it delayed O by a week. No big deal. This month, I am on cd 38 and still haven't O'd. I stopped SP a week ago. I didn't notice any increase in my temps anyways so maybe it wasn't even working for me. I was on it for over 2 months so plenty of time to take effect. So I say take it, and see how it works for you. I'm not eating much chicken at all and eating only egg white beaters. Trying to keep my protein low to keep testosterone low. Also not taking any supps with gelatin (even though I don't think that makes a difference anyways), I'm reading a lot more to stay relaxed, painting my nails....basically trying to do all the other things that are recommended for t-levels. Hope it's enough. I was thinking of starting peppermint tea next cycle (if I don't get a bfp this cycle) but I've read that in some it raises estrogen so I'm not sure yet. Ok, done rambling.

[atomic sagebrush]

I was curious on thoughts regarding Saw Palmetto for a girl sway. I have high testosterone levels and was considering taking it to help but haven't seen many successful sways that had it in them. The warnings about miscarriage and possible affect on secondary sex characteristics freak me out a bit. Maybe I should just drink mega amounts of Peppermint tea instead, was thinking about doubling my tea bags per my 3 servings. Any input or advice would be awesome!! Thanks!!

SP for sure does lower T levels, that's why I do recommend it. It's got some scary warnings that come with it, but just be sure you take regular pg tests while you're on it.

Pep tea causes miscarriage when taken in large doses and I feel it's less proven and less understood than the SP is.

[atomic sagebrush]

Well, I thought I was going to be a fan and really felt it was important to my sway. The first month it delayed O by a week. No big deal. This month, I am on cd 38 and still haven't O'd. I stopped SP a week ago. I didn't notice any increase in my temps anyways so maybe it wasn't even working for me. I was on it for over 2 months so plenty of time to take effect. So I say take it, and see how it works for you. I'm not eating much chicken at all and eating only egg white beaters. Trying to keep my protein low to keep testosterone low. Also not taking any supps with gelatin (even though I don't think that makes a difference anyways), I'm reading a lot more to stay relaxed, painting my nails....basically trying to do all the other things that are recommended for t-levels. Hope it's enough. I was thinking of starting peppermint tea next cycle (if I don't get a bfp this cycle) but I've read that in some it raises estrogen so I'm not sure yet. Ok, done rambling.

Chicky that is a great plan. Remember, that is Mother Nature's way of swaying anyway...most of the baby girls ever conceived were without benefit of Saw Palmetto.

[kaseybaby]

I dropped SP. I drink some peppermint tea and take vitex.

[fresas]

I am taking SP, but for PCOS. It restored my cycles to normal length. It has also helped lessen my hair loss. I posted a couple of weeks ago that I didn't think it helped with that, but it actually has. It has also helped with my acne related to the PCOS.

I also take metformin and just started Vitex again.

When we actually sway, I will stop taking the Vitex and SP right after ovulation. DH will probably be taking LR too and he will stop that also.

If it helps, I haven't seen any adverse affects from the SP, at least none that I know of. I would be interested to hear if SP has helped with girl sways with board members here.

[pinkdreams]

Thanks so much for your input ladies!! I think I'll try it for the next few weeks and see if it seems to help. My first attempt isn't until the end of september and my plan is to stop taking it at my first +OPK because I read that it takes 2 to 3 days to get out of your system and it does make me a bit nervous. I was really enjoying the peppermint tea, do you think it's safe to still have a cup or two while on the SP? Thanks again!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I am taking SP, but for PCOS. It restored my cycles to normal length. It has also helped lessen my hair loss. I posted a couple of weeks ago that I didn't think it helped with that, but it actually has. It has also helped with my acne related to the PCOS.

I also take metformin and just started Vitex again.

When we actually sway, I will stop taking the Vitex and SP right after ovulation. DH will probably be taking LR too and he will stop that also.

If it helps, I haven't seen any adverse affects from the SP, at least none that I know of. I would be interested to hear if SP has helped with girl sways with board members here.

Yes, that so many of the SoulCysters (PCOS ladies) take SP with good results, both getting pg on it and also with no side effects, has made me feel a lot better about recommending it.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks so much for your input ladies!! I think I'll try it for the next few weeks and see if it seems to help. My first attempt isn't until the end of september and my plan is to stop taking it at my first +OPK because I read that it takes 2 to 3 days to get out of your system and it does make me a bit nervous. I was really enjoying the peppermint tea, do you think it's safe to still have a cup or two while on the SP? Thanks again!!

Also remember that the fertilized egg does not implant for a few days after sperm meets egg and then lives off of its own resources for several days after that, so you have more leeway than you realize.

Dietary amounts of pep tea are ok while on SP but do know that the pep tea will not do anything for you at that dosage.

[pinkdreams]

Thanks atomic! I feel better knowing that I have a good window of safety ;) I was thinking the SP would be sufficient to deal with the testosterone issue, do you think I could benefit from continuing to drink 3-4 cups of peppermint tea as well as taking the SP? I am also using lavender body, hand and dish soap as well as lotion constantly. I have always thought that I could have high levels of testosterone based on the same signs of such an issue you mentioned in another post. I really want to deal with that because I think that could be a strong factor for me, do you agree? I value your opinion and appreciate all of your time!

[lindi]

I have read things on spearmint tea and testosterone that I thought were very encouraging.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19585478
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17310494

[pinkdreams]

So interesting, thanks for sharing lindi!!

[atomic sagebrush]

Pep tea ~may~ raise estrogen, and since SP is supposed to lower both test. and estrogen, you may be undoing some of the good that the SP does.

[mariposa]

HI! I have a question related to saw palmetto. I read to a woman by here, that SP increased her CM....is it a secundary effect?? doesnt it sway blue?
And another question, the SP delay the O in many of you... Isnt it the opositte that the Vitex do? I mean, I think I have read that vitex makes O a few days early, and now I see SP delay O...I´m confused... :rolleyes:
Thanks in advance!!

[atomic sagebrush]

Most people find that SP can dry up CM. Sometimes the herbs start off making weird things happen but then by the time another cycle passes it all works out. If you use the antihistamine that should take care of CM.

Both vitex and SP can delay OR make O come early. Unfortunately there's no way to know how it will affect you until you try it, and many times they may start off doing one thing and then after you take them for a couple months, everything goes back to normal again.

[mariposa]

thank you so much!!!

[barbados1]

Hi Ladies

Do you take the saw palmetto from AF-O?

[atomic sagebrush]

Take 320 mg saw palmetto from CD 1 through the day before you expect to O - it can sometimes delay O and we've been having better luck stopping it a day or two in advance of O day to keep that from happening.

Saw Palmetto essay is here: http://genderdreaming.com/forum/ttc-girl-best-practices/7108-saw-palmetto-peppermint-tea-licorice-root-depth-how.html

[barbados1]

Thanks Atomic x