Please tell me everything you know about supplements, diet, etc.

[Astrea]

I'm hoping to try IUI in a few months (see my "Considering IUI" thread here from a few days ago) and in the meantime I want to learn everything I possibly can about how I can improve our chances via dietary changes, supplementation, lifestyle changes, etc. Please spam away with anything you can share! We have unexplained infertility; the only maybe-possibly-an-issue thing is that DH's sperm morphology is on the low end of normal. I'm kind of suspicious that my cervical mucus may not be great, or may be showing up a few days early and then drying up before ovulation for some reason.

[samkris123]

Supplements

Hello!

My husband and I are going through IVF and here are a few things that we have discovered.

First, my husband was diagnosed with low morphology as well. We found a men's fertility supplement at GNC that he has been taking for the last month or so. Men may take up to 4 a day. We have definitely noticed an increase in the amount of sperm when ejaculation takes place. I would think that with more sperm, you might also have more to work with in regards to morphology.

As for women, I have been told by numerous people, including other infertile women, my acupuncturist, and my massage therapist, that pineapple and papaya are great for the uterus. Both of these fruits help strengthen the uterine lining for implantation and increase the chances for the embryo to implant.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is supposed to be great for the uterus as well. In addition, my acupuncturist advised me to eat lamb and beef over the next couple of days for the protein content. She also said that cold food were not conducive to getting pregnant. She said to steer clear of ice water and ice cream . Warm foods are supposed to process better and create a better environment for becoming pregnant.

I would highly advise going to Barnes and Noble and purchasing a book called "A Few Good Eggs". It is great! It was written by two women who have gone through it all and it covers all aspects of infertility treatments, as well as diet (herbs included), exercise and maintaining your marriage through these difficult processes. I hope that some of this helps. Good luck and God bless!

[rcr]

Dh has known sperm issues, especially morphology and volume. He takes:

L Arginine
B-50 Complex
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Zinc
Flax Oil
E
FertilAid for Men
Maca
L-Carnitrine

All those have improved his sperm, from his first SA to his second.

I am taking a prenatel, maca, RRL, EPO, B-complex, and flax seed oil. Some of that is for general healthfulness, some of it because I am afraid of getting Alzheimer's, and some of it for fertility.

I did get pregnant, after over a year of trying (actually, I took soy isoflavines on CD 3-7 and I got pregnant that month), but am having a miscarriage. We ended up conceiving about 3 months after DH started all the supplements, which I have read is the length of time some of them take to kick in, so I believe they did their job (now if I can just stay pregnant.....). We spend a ton of money on supplements.

We are doing an iui as soon as I get my fertility back.

Am curious what others have to say.

[Astrea]

Thanks mamas.

rcr so sorry to here about your miscarriage

What are soy isoflavones and what do they do?

[rcr]

Originally Posted by Astrea

Thanks mamas.

rcr so sorry to here about your miscarriage

What are soy isoflavones and what do they do?

I have heard that they are like a natural clomid. Do a search around here, you will find a few long threads with lots of info. I think there is some difference on when people take them, but I took them on CD 3-7 the month that I got pregnant.

[rcr]

Soy thread:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...&highlight=soy