Using herbs to balance hormones

[zoe77]

I'm on my 8th post partum cycle since my son was born.  Got my period back when he turned 2.  Everything seemed pretty normal until last month.  Last month my period lasted 10 days, usually it is 7-8 at the most.  Then this month I got my period about 4 to 5 days early (since August my cycle length has been from 31-27 days, avg seems to be 29).  So my last cycle was only 24 days, that means I had 2 weeks between bleeding.  I am now on day ELEVEN of my period.  Something is definitely amiss.

Does anyone have any experience using herbs (or something natural) to regulate hormones?  I have an IUD, but it is not hormonal.  I'm getting it out this Friday and hoping to get pregnant this summer.

Very interested in any suggestions, advice, experience.

Thanks :)

[mbravebird]

Take a look at Maca.

And when you look at it, do some research about whether to take it raw or sun-dried, b/c I think they have different hormone-balancing strengths.

Also, perhaps Holy Basil?

ETA: Also consider infusions of Oatstraw or Red Clover. Make sure you do it at infusion-strength, not tea-strength.

[zoe77]

I can only find information about the effects of maca on men.

How do you do an infusion vs. tea?

[SandyMom]

Given that you want to conceive fairly soon I would lean towards balancing hormones and establishing regular ovulation and menstrual cycles. Chasteberry, or black cohosh would be good choices. Or a combination like this one which also has eleuthro, another good hormone balancing herb.

An herbal infusion is like a tea only stronger. Infusions are made using large quantities of herbs and are generally steeped at least several hours.