Would saw palmetto improve fertility for me?

Hi all. Since I was a young teenager I have had very long cycles. Over the past few years, I've "normalized" at usually O-ing around CD 24. It really is almost always between CD 20 and CD 28, so I am a little consistent as far as that goes, and I do actually O (as confirmed by OPKs, temp-ing, etc.), so I am happy about that. However, I wish my cycles weren't so freaking long, as it really minimizes my chances to conceive.

Also, as a young teenager when I was on acne medication, my blood was tested and my dermatologist determined I had higher than average testosterone (still within normal levels but definitely on the high side for a young female). She suspected my testosterone might be high because of the acne. I was also overweight all of my teenage years, and have had excess body hair (some on my neck, etc. in weird spots from a female, and hairier than normal arms...I am blonde so that helps, but it is definitely more than normal). I then went through an anorexic stage in my young 20s and lost nearly 100 lbs to the point that I weighed only 90 lbs. My cycles stopped altogether at that point, for an entire year. After I got married I gained back to a healthy weight (about 118-120 lbs at 5'3") and when I told my gynecologist I was TTC, she told me I might have PCOS due to my long cycles and the hirsutism. I then went to a fertility specialist and he did testing for insulin, glucose, testosterone etc. and told me I do NOT have PCOS ... which makes sense to me as I have never actually had cysts on my ovaries, lol. My testosterone was, again, on the high side but still in normal ranges.

I've then gone on to have three pregnancies, the first ended in miscarriage (blighted ovum) and the second and third resulted in my beautiful boys. I did have to go on progesterone for the first trimester for the second and third, though. As an adult, I am a healthy weight, on the thin side.

I guess what I am wondering is...could my higher than normal testosterone result in my O-ing so late all the time? If so, if I took saw palmetto and it reduced my testosterone, would that possibly prompt me to O earlier and thus improve fertility? Just wondering if saw palmetto is indicated for me, not only for TTC a girl but for TTC in general.

If you had PCOS, you'd have the cysts (altho I expect that you may be predisposed to develop PCOS and your weight loss helped you prevent it.)

I would DEF. have you try SP. You are right, it's tailor made for you and it may help make your cycles shorter too. Either way, it will only help your pink sway.

Thanks so much, atomic! What dosage would you recommend?

I was a little worried about taking the SP because I had read elsewhere it could hurt fertility for females... But it seems lots of people here have taken it with no worries, and maybe it is even less a worry for me due to the testosterone issue. Either way, if I stopped taking it it would quickly leave my system and wouldn't impact future cycles, right?

I take 320mg of standardized SP once daily. SP comes in a few different forms so you need to check for softgels and 85-90% standardized oils.

I have been taking SP for PCOS for months. It seems to have helped with the hair loss and slightly with acne and oily skin. A lot of women who take it have seen a decrease in facial and body hair, but I personally have not.

I have not TTC on SP so I'm not sure if it hurts conception chances or not. Good luck!

SP leaves the system almost immediately. Remember, for pink swaying, you want to gently suppress fertility anyway so that's not a bad thing believe it or not.

dosage on SP is 320 mg AF-O.

Sorry for interrupting atomic, but does saw palmetto need to be ideally started on Cd 1? I am on cd 7 and plan to do my first attempt next cycle. I've only just decided to add SP to my sway and will go out and buy it tomo. I wud take it starting frm tomo and then everyday until when I ovulate and ttc next cycle. Or do u think this may really mess my cycle up due to commencing the SP 8 days into my cycle. Thanks x

I think the ladies here recommend starting SP on CD 1 and take through ovulation. Then stop.

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Originally Posted by fresas

I think the ladies here recommend starting SP on CD 1 and take through ovulation. Then stop.

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Thanks for replying fresas! However I'm sure ATomic has suggested that we can infact take it the 6 wks before the first attempt to give it a better chance at reducing testosterone. X

If you're absolutely sure you're not pregnant you can take it throughout the cycle before your first attempt (ie. for 6 weeks non-stop before you take a 2 week break). I would start it now even if I was a few days in to my cycle. GL.

Thanks For replying Zanacal. Will give it a go x

Yes, you CAN take it thru the whole cycle if you want to, with the knowledge that we don't totally know how it works and that it may be better to take it 2 W on, 2W off to mimic the natural cycle. just be sure to use protection (and SP makes birth control pills less effective, so don't rely on them)

Lots of good info here... Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Another princess

Sorry for interrupting atomic, but does saw palmetto need to be ideally started on Cd 1? I am on cd 7 and plan to do my first attempt next cycle. I've only just decided to add SP to my sway and will go out and buy it tomo. I wud take it starting frm tomo and then everyday until when I ovulate and ttc next cycle. Or do u think this may really mess my cycle up due to commencing the SP 8 days into my cycle. Thanks x

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Gosh I'm sorry, I never spotted this question! never be afraid to give a post a bump if I didn't reply.

If you aren't trying this month, then you can start it right away and continue AF-O.