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Conception

Your thoughts please: Things that have a negative effect on EWCM (medication, foods etc)

3 replies

kawaiiko · 08/01/2010 17:28

Over the last couple of months I have noticed less EWCM than I am used to. Only been ttc since last month so too early for proper panicking, but I would like to give mother nature a helping hand.

So, two questions:

  1. What medications, foods, drinks, activities etc have you noticed reduce the amount of EWCM you produce? I started taking amitriptyline in August, so if you know anything about that particular drug I'd be enormously grateful.


  1. What can I do to increase it? I am trying to drink grapefruit juice everyday cos I've heard that can help - what else should I be doing?


Can you tell I'm in the 2ww with too much brooding time on my hands?!
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Hobnob76 · 08/01/2010 23:28

Taken from Fertility Friend, not sure if it'll help

  • medications such as antihistamines and diuretics
  • fertility medications, such as clomid (ask your doctor)
  • tranquilizers
  • antibiotics
  • expectorants (ask your doctor before using an expectorant to increase cervical fluid)
  • herbs (ask your doctor before taking herbs while trying to conceive)
  • vitamins
  • vaginal infection or sexually transmitted disease (ask your doctor if you think this is a possibility)
  • illness
  • delayed ovulation (can cause multiple cervical fluid patches)
  • douching (not recommended unless advised by your doctor)
  • being overweight (can cause increased cervical fluid)
  • arousal fluid (can be mistaken for eggwhite cervical fluid)
  • semen residue (can be mistaken for eggwhite cervical fluid)
  • lubricants (not recommended when trying to conceive as they can be hostile to sperm)
  • breastfeeding
  • decreased ovarian function
  • just stopping birth control pills

    Not sure what you can do to increase EWCM though, have heard people say grapefruit juice increases it though
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kawaiiko · 09/01/2010 20:20

Thank you Hobnob...vitamins?! Might have to explore that one - I'm a demon for supplements!

Anyone got any experience with ami? Maybe I should post this on health?

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pointsmakeprizes · 10/01/2010 17:25

Have you tried evening primrose oil? I have been taking it for two months and i have had more ewcm then in previous months - sorry if tmi but I had loads of it - very stretchy - I couldn't believe the difference. Try to get the good quality stuff, you get what you pay for with vitamins and supplements. Also I just came across this on an acupuncture site which I thought was very interesting if you want to think about changing your diet, I am going to try this too. It's quite obvious but sometimes it helps to see it in black and white to remind you of what a healthy diet is!

Yin is up the ovulation and Yang is the luteal phase:

Diet Suggestions

In general for men and women, eat organic foods when possible and avoid meats that have been treated with hormones or fish that contains mercury. Women need to eat food with essential fatty acids, e.g., soy products and wild caught salmon. Essential fatty acids are also found in non-hydrogenated cold pressed oils like flaxseed, winter vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and all dark green vegetables. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. A Yale University School of Medicine study found that the risk of infertility was 55% higher for women drinking 1 cup of coffee per day, 100% higher for women drinking 1 and 1 ½ - 3 cups, and 176% higher for those drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day.
Chinese medicine takes an energetic view of our bodies and our organs, meaning that bodily energy needs to move freely and stagnation causes problems. The energy of the kidney system is very important for reproduction.
For men and women, foods that nourish their kidney essence include: chicken or duck and eggs from both; seeds and nuts; oysters; seaweed and algae.
For women, certain foods help nourish your bodies during the different phases of your cycle.
Foods that nourish Yin include: fruits such as raspberries, pineapples and grapes; vegetables such as asparagus and beans; adequate proteins, especially tofu and fish; and organ meats such as kidneys, brains and hearts. Avoid spicy, pungent foods.
Foods that nourish Yang include warming foods: ginger; ginger tea; beans; grains; and vegetables such as mustard greens, winter squash, cabbage and kale. Avoid ice cold drinks, ice cream and foods that are very cold. In general, it is a good idea to avoid ice water and ice cream during pregnancy attempts.
Foods that nourish blood include: fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and grapes; organic meats and poultry; soup stock made from the bones of the meat and poultry; and vegetables such as turnips, spinach and dark, leafy greens.

Lifestyle Tips

For both men and women, try to get good amounts of sleep and limit stress. Of course, difficulties with fertility send stress skyrocketing but that makes it even more important to find ways to relieve stress. Meditation, yoga, relaxing with friends and any other calming activities that work for you are encouraged.
For men, skip saunas, hot tubs and tight clothes, all of which heat up sperm.
For women, enjoy the foods noted above, exercise as a stress reliever and to maintain health but don?t overdo it. Excessive exercise depletes Yin.

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