Soy Isoflavones?

[aljm41910]

I usually post over on the queer parenting part of the board but I figured I might get more help over here, so here goes.

Here's a little back story... DW and I have been planning to ttc sometime between now and next Spring and the possibility of now came up last night and now I'm freaking out and doing tons of research.

We've decided to attempt the known donor route and see where that takes us.  Our first choice was for DW's brother to be our donor so our child would be a part of both of us. When her cousin found out he was somewhat hurt and asked that he be considered second.  Now her cousin has 2 kids (brother has none) and could probably get a girl pregnant from across the room, he's just that fertile. 

DW's brother will be having surgery at the end of the month and we're going up right before to visit.  I checked my calendar and it's right before my fertile time and everything just seems to perfect.  I mentioned it to DW and I believe she is going to call her cousin to see if he'd be willing to be our donor still and want to do it while we are in town (we live 9hrs away). 

So, now on to my question.... the day we are planning to return home is my first fertile day according to my period tracker (I suck at temping).  I read that you can use soy isoflavones to induce ovulation.  Has anyone tried this?  Or anything else? 

I know the odds of getting pregnant my first try is rare but everything else just seems to be perfect and I would hate to not try.

Any and all advice on ttc, herbs, at home insem would be greatly appreciated!

[jcoubal12]

I am curious on the same thing, I have benn goolging things like crazy and cam across the Soy.. are you thinking about trying it???

[aljm41910]

If DW's cousin gives us an okay for the insem at the end of the month I will use it this coming cycle.  From what I've read, to induce ovulation without jepordizing the development of the egg, it should be taken on cd 3-8. That will put me starting it on the 24th.  I read that the suggested amount is 80mg for 5 days.  What have you read?

[jcoubal12]

I know it says to doulbe the dose of what you would take for clomid I.e 50mg of clomid 100mg of soy. I have read quite a few success stories. I read the same about to take iton the third day of your cycle. Are her periods irregular? It says to do it only periods are irregular. I'm going to do it if I'm not pregnant this cycle!

[Niniel]

if your periods are regular and you are ovulating fine then I wouldn't take soy isoflavones, you could theoretically end up messing up your cycle (if it ain't broke, don't fix it!) if you're not ovulating or have very long cycles then it may be worth a try to regulate things but if you're just looking to regulate your cycle why not try vitex and vitamin b6 first? 

Good luck

[jcoubal12]

Niniel,

My periods are irregular, I was going to do the chasteberry to regulatebut it says not to take them together. What have you tried?/

[amommyTTC]

I am curious to know the same thing! I wondered since the bottle says 100 mg, and 40% soy isoflavones does that mean that the content is 40mg? or 100 mg per capsule?

I'm sorry to post on your thread, just wanted to make sure I was taking the right dose. 

[Niniel]

jcoubal - started taking vitex (400mg per day, though I think people can take up 800mg) and 50mg vitamin b6 about 5 weeks ago. I'm still waiting to get my AF back after having my dd in Nov '09 so I've been taking it to try and kick start my cycle. I think ordinarily you take vitex up until ovulation. 

hth x

[Gendenwitha]

I take a soy protein powder every morning for breakfast (just for the morning protein). I was thinking of switching to another product that is veggie based and has no soy and more vitamins, but should I stick with the soy if I'm TTC?

[kittenbritches]

Originally Posted by Gendenwitha 

I take a soy protein powder every morning for breakfast (just for the morning protein). I was thinking of switching to another product that is veggie based and has no soy and more vitamins, but should I stick with the soy if I'm TTC?

There are quite few studies indicating that soy may be linked to fertility issues.  I personally wouldn't take soy daily if TTC.  However, soy isoflavones are sort of Clomid's "natural" cousin (being that they are an anti-estrogen).  Both are known as SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators). It works by fooling your brain into thinking its estrogen levels are low. This causes your body to release more FSH & LH which helps stimulate follicle production.  Soy Iso is taken like Clomid -- for five days ONLY at the beginning of your cycle (usually CD 3-7 or 5-9, but never after CD 10).  

[amommyTTC]

Originally Posted by kittenbritches 

There are quite few studies indicating that soy may be linked to fertility issues.  I personally wouldn't take soy daily if TTC.  However, soy isoflavones are sort of Clomid's "natural" cousin (being that they are an anti-estrogen).  Both are known as SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators). It works by fooling your brain into thinking its estrogen levels are low. This causes your body to release more FSH & LH which helps stimulate follicle production.  Soy Iso is taken like Clomid -- for five days ONLY at the beginning of your cycle (usually CD 3-7 or 5-9, but never after CD 10).  

Kitten do you pronounces your daughters name Ayslinn? or Eyslinn? its a beautiful name! 

[Gendenwitha]

Thank you!  Although I'm new to the tacking my cycle stuff, what is CD stand for?

[kittenbritches]

CD = Cycle Day :)

[Gendenwitha]

Originally Posted by kittenbritches 

CD = Cycle Day :)

Thanks, but I'm still confused. Cycle days would be the days you're on your menstrual cycle, right (or days you go bicycling? ) 

"for five days ONLY at the beginning of your cycle (usually CD 3-7 or 5-9, but never after CD 10)." 

So that would imply that you have a 9 to 10 day period, which seems unlikely.  (Further complicating this question for me, my last two menstrual periods have only been 2 days long.)

[Gendenwitha]

Can't I edit posts anymore?  Anyway... so cycle refers to the entire 28-or-whatever-yours-is days, than When is day 1? The first day of menstruation?  And again what if day 3 of your period your period is already over?

[kittenbritches]

Originally Posted by amommyTTC 

Kitten do you pronounces your daughters name Ayslinn? or Eyslinn? its a beautiful name! 

Thank you!  We pronounce it Ayslinn...like the ai sound in "daisy."  Thank you for the compliment! 

Gendwitha - Cycle Days aren't just the days when you're menstruating, but the number of days between the beginning of your period and the beginning of your next period.  Day One is the first day of red flow -- so if you spot for a day or two before your period starts, you wouldn't count it as CD 1 until you had red flow.

You don't have to be menstruating to take Soy Isoflavones...you just have to take them at the beginning of your cycle.  So, whether your period lasts for 2 days or 7 doesn't matter...as the effect of SI isn't linked to the the menstruation, but the beginning of the follicular phase (the days leading up the ovulation, when the follicles [eggs] are maturing).  Here is a link to an article regarding Soy Isoflavones and TTC: http://fertility-challenged.blogspot.com/2008/07/soy-isoflavones-natural-clomid.html  I hope this helps!! 

[amommyTTC]

Originally Posted by kittenbritches 

Thank you!  We pronounce it Ayslinn...like the ai sound in "daisy."  Thank you for the compliment! 

Gendwitha - Cycle Days aren't just the days when you're menstruating, but the number of days between the beginning of your period and the beginning of your next period.  Day One is the first day of red flow -- so if you spot for a day or two before your period starts, you wouldn't count it as CD 1 until you had red flow.

You don't have to be menstruating to take Soy Isoflavones...you just have to take them at the beginning of your cycle.  So, whether your period lasts for 2 days or 7 doesn't matter...as the effect of SI isn't linked to the the menstruation, but the beginning of the follicular phase (the days leading up the ovulation, when the follicles [eggs] are maturing).  Here is a link to an article regarding Soy Isoflavones and TTC: http://fertility-challenged.blogspot.com/2008/07/soy-isoflavones-natural-clomid.html  I hope this helps!! 

You are very welcome.. I have Ashlyn, ^Madelynn^, Amandelyn (named after her big sis in heaven) and Jocelyn!! 

[amommyTTC]

Hoping all of this wonderful ovary achiness is meaning something!! I am getting very excited.. Took soy days 2-6, and now I am CD 10!!! Baby dust to everyone

[kittenbritches]

Originally Posted by amommyTTC 

Hoping all of this wonderful ovary achiness is meaning something!! I am getting very excited.. Took soy days 2-6, and now I am CD 10!!! Baby dust to everyone

I had a lot of ovary/ovulation pain this cycle -- I definitely think it's a good sign!!

And I love your girls' names!  We thought about Ashlynn for DD, as well.  :)

[Gendenwitha]

Thank you!!