Saw Palmetto

[fresas]

I take Nature's Way Saw Palmetto Standardized version. I take it for PCOS and symptoms. I have been taking it for around 6 or 7 months. I guess taking the standardized and not the berries or other versions is what is particularly helpful for women with PCOS. I don't know about swaying though.

I went off of vitex when I started taking SP and I think that SP has actually given me more EWCM and CM in general versus the vitex. It has also helped keep my cycles more regular and keep the acne away. Unfortunately I haven't noticed a change in body hair or hair loss and some of my high T personality issues.

The last time I tested my pH (with a cheap paper litmus test), I don't know if I got a far enough in sample, but my pH was right around 5 multiple times that month. I never tested it when on vitex though.

I still have a lot to learn about taking these supplements, but thought I'd share my experience.

[zanacal]

Thanks fresas

[atomic sagebrush]

Thank you, that's very helpful to all of us!

Out of curiosity, did you test at ovulation?? pH does not count unless it's from the EWCM your body makes around ovulation.

The CM is interesting because we've been finding with the blue swayers, that estrogen (which makes CM) and testosterone are somehow intimately linked, and sometimes trying to raise (or lower, for pink swayers) testosterone can cause your body to switch over to making less (or more, for pink swayers) estrogen. So it may be that by virtue of taking just SP, without taking the vitex as well, you are lowering your testosterone and encouraging your body to use the same raw materials (testosteorne, estrogen, and progesterone are all made from cholesterol) to make estrogen instead.

Don't panic though - I suspect that on the TTC girl diet you will give your body less raw materials to work with and your production of estrogen will drop as well. A lot of people take both vitex and SP and you may want to give that a try as well, I hope if you do you'll rem. this thread and drop by to update.

Again, thanks for a very helpful post.

[fresas]

I tested twice close to and on the day of suspected ovulation (based on middleschmertz). The other times I tested were very beginning and very end of month to compare to my fertile times. Like I said, I don't know if I went in far enough to get a good EWCM sample.

This next cycle (I'm on CD1) I am going to stick with what I'm currently taking (minus the fish oil) and see the pH again. I may also test DH's sperm from a condom to get the pH.

When we decide to officially TTC girl, I'm going to start taking vitex and saw palmetto together in addition to other supplements that might help sway pink.

[atomic sagebrush]

Good to know! Best of luck!!

[queen-of-harts]

I read that SP lowers both Testosterone AND Estrogen!

[atomic sagebrush]

I read that SP lowers both Testosterone AND Estrogen!

I've read that too Queen. My thinking is that your body "wants" to preserve the ability to get pg and so goes the extra mile to continue producing estrogen even in the presence of SP. Strictly speaking we don't NEED testosterone to conceive, so your body probably chooses to make estrogen in lieu of testosterone when it has less raw materials to make both (and if you're taking herbs that lower estrogen's effect, may even make MORE estrogen to compensate - no one need worry over that, just saying that your body will try very hard to keep you fertile). So over the course of time, SP would lower both E and T but in the beginning it prob. affects T more than E because your body "knows" it needs E to stay fertile.

[queen-of-harts]

I've read that too Queen. My thinking is that your body "wants" to preserve the ability to get pg and so goes the extra mile to continue producing estrogen even in the presence of SP. Strictly speaking we don't NEED testosterone to conceive, so your body probably chooses to make estrogen in lieu of testosterone when it has less raw materials to make both (and if you're taking herbs that lower estrogen's effect, may even make MORE estrogen to compensate - no one need worry over that, just saying that your body will try very hard to keep you fertile). So over the course of time, SP would lower both E and T but in the beginning it prob. affects T more than E because your body "knows" it needs E to stay fertile.

So how long should someone who likely is high T and E be on SP before TTC? I want to take it long enough so it will bring down both.Do you think six months before ttc is good?

[atomic sagebrush]

I am a little concerned (about the SP more than the Vitex) about taking it in the long term. I would go with 2-3 months for the SP with the expectation that it will prob. take you an additional 2-3 months to get pg. IDK if I would take it much longer than that - I feel like the jury is still out on SP interms of safety.

People take vitex for ages so you can start that sooner if you like. Some people have had success taking vitex for the whole cycle for a few months and then switching to af-O only when they start to TTC.

[fourunderfour]

if we aren't going to start TTC til sept...should i hold off on taking them? today is my 4th full day on SP & Vitex. i was hoping that it might kick start my cycles and i wouldn't have to use as much RE help.....
but should i just finish up for 10 more days and then hold off again until like august?