Anyone tried Soy Isoflavones?

[Moominmiss]

So as the title suggests...

I’ve been ttc Since last September, suffered a loss at 8/9 weeks in January this year, and then a chemical in March.

One thing I did notice with my cycles is that I seem to ovulate really late, like cd22. Making my cycles usually around 37 days.

Being in my late 30’s already I read up about ways of regulating your cycles, bringing ovulation forward etc and came across lots of stuff about soy isoflavones.

So I picked some up ready for the start of this cycle. Did loads of research about when to take it, doses etc as it’s supposedly like nature’s clomid.

You can either take it cd1-5, cd2-6, cd3-7, cd4-8, or cd5-9. The earlier in your cycle you take it your body will produce more eggs but they won’t be as mature, the later you take it you will only produce one good egg but it will be the best quality. That’s the general gist. Most women opt for cd3-7 as it gives the best of both worlds. Produces a few more eggs, and all are of good quality.

Deciding that taking it on cd3-7 would suit me best I started it this cycle. In all honesty I thought perhaps it might bring ovulation forward a day or 2 or that I wouldn’t see any difference.

BUT, after noticing much more ‘wetness’ (sorry for tmi) down there, I decided to start taking ovulation tests from yesterday (cd13) and track what was happening.

To my surprise I got a decent line, and then today cd14 is not far off a positive. In fact I will test again later today incase this is my peak!

Could be coincidence, could be just another surge in my cycle etc. But in all the time I’ve been ttc I have never had any kind of decent line on an ovulation test this early in my cycle. Definitely not banking on getting my bfp or anything from it, just so excited that I might have actually managed to bring my ovulation earlier and might get a more ‘normal’ cycle length!

Just wondered if anyone else had any experience of trying it?

[Moominmiss]

These are my tests. The lighter one is from yesterday cd13, and the darker one from this morning cd14.

I have never had tests remotely as dark as these until cd20+ before

[paintfairy]

No but I've thought about it! So interested to see what happens.

[Moominmiss]

I will update on here either way. Like I said I’m not expecting any miracle bfp from it, but I will be super excited if I can confirm that I’ve managed to bring ovulation forward!

They say soy iso is half the strength of clomid, and the recommended daily dose of clomid 100mg, so again after doing research of what other women have taken, I took 115mg on cd3, 160mg cd4, 200mg on cd5,6 and 7. You are never to take more than 200mg a day though.

So far though they seem to be doing what I wanted them to!

[Beau20]

Yes me! I tried it previous 3 cycles after I've been ovulating CD17-20 and I used to be a CD13-14 day girl!

1st cycle I took days 3-7 and had a positive OPK and ewcm on CD11. I then had the same all over again on CD18 a week later and the OPK was even darker than 1st time so first time was failed ovulation. Last cycle I took days 2-6 and ovulated on CD15 so definitely brought my ovulation forward.

However, I have low progesterone and my periods have been really light and short since I had my implant out. Since taking soy they have been even lighter and shorter with hardly any red blood so I've decided to not take it this cycle.

[Beau20]

Just to add, i took it to hopefully bring my ovulation forward and hopefully lengthen my luteal phase which is only 10-11 days. It didn't do anything for my luteal phase sadly

[paintfairy]

I was hoping it would delay my ovulation as ideally mine is slightly early.
Which tablets did you buy?

[Moominmiss]

I’ve heard it won’t do anything to lengthen luteal phase, but can possibly shorten it? Not sure if that’s true though. My luteal phase is about 15 days, not that I want it any shorter.

I bought the Tesco ones. The tablets are 40mg each so I was taking 5 tablets to get the 200mg.

I have Holland and Barratt ones too but they were stupid expensive and only 23mg of soy iso per capsule.

I’m just keen to see what they do for me.
My periods have always been pretty light. Like 4 days long and only 1 day of decent bleeding, the other 3 days just light flow, so will keep an eye on what it does regards to that.

[Beau20]

@Moominmiss it definitely didn't shorten it. My gp said my progesterone deficiency could be caused by a problem at ovulation stage and I read that soy can produce stronger corpus luteum which may mean more progesterone and longer luteal phase. Sadly didn't do that for me but I've read really good things about them!

A 15 day luteal phase is ideal

[Moominmiss]

That’s good to know, as it was the only thing that had concerned me and I don’t want to be shortening my LP.

Will be keeping everything crossed that this will turn out to be my actual ovulation 🤞🏻

[AnxiousAnnie86]

@moominmiss hey, I've found your post reallt interesting to read, I'm sorry I don't have any advice as I've never taken it, I am
Considering it for next month to try and regulate my ovulation it changes from between 15 to 32!!

Have you found you have any side effects, do you mind advising as I can't seem to find right info, how many days do you take it for? And what time of day? Is it best to take 200mg? Xxx

[Moominmiss]

@AnxiousAnnie86 I don’t mind at all, obviously I’m no expert though and just based things on what I’d found from researching online.

I haven’t experienced any side effects that I’m aware of. So much so that I was convinced taking it hadn’t done any good!

I took 115mg on cd3, that’s because I started with the Holland and Barratt ones which are only 23mg per tablet so I took 5 to get the dose above the recommended start dose of 100mg (equivalent time 50mg clomid). But then I went out and bought some Tesco tablets which are 40mg per tablet so on cd4 I took 4 tablets which was 160mg, and then on cd5, cd6 and cd7 I upped the dose to 5 tablets which was 200mg (Equivalent of 100mg clomid), the max recommended dose.

I took them around 11am each day, but I don’t think it matters at what time you take them, just try and take them the same time each day. I read a lot of women take them at night before bed incase they do get any side effects. But like I said I had no issues with side effects.

I’ve just taken a second ovulation test today and it’s definitely positive. Will add a pic.

[Moominmiss]

This afternoons test. Definitely positive. Will keep tracking throughout the month to see if I get a second ovulation attempt or anything. But I’m pretty impressed so far!

[AnxiousAnnie86]

@Moominmiss thanks so much for this I really appreciate your help! I've ordered some which come Sunday, that will be CD 18 is that too late too start taking them? Do you have to take them at a specific time?

Have you tried temping to confirm ovulation, I've found that really helpful? X

[Moominmiss]

@AnxiousAnnie86 yes cd18 will be too late to start this cycle. You’ll need to wait to start them on your next cycle.

You take Soy Isoflavones, like Clomid, on either CD (cycle day) 1-5 , 2-6, 3-7 , 4-8 or 5-9.
If you take soy Isoflavones during the later time bracket, for example CD5-9, you shall strengthen the egg that has already started growing producing a healthier egg. The earlier in your cycle you take It, the higher your chance of releasing multiple eggs but these eggs will not be as mature as the eggs grown from taking Soya later.
A lot of women will choose the middle cycle (3 -7) allowing time for a strong and healthy egg to develop without erasing the chance of a second egg being developed and released.

1-5 = you produce more eggs, and ovulate sooner, with a stronger ovulation.

2-6 = you produce more eggs that usual, but not as many as taking it 1-5. Eggs may be more mature, and ovulation will be slightly more strong than 1-5.

3-7 = The best of both worlds, a few more eggs, and all eggs will be strong & mature, and ovulation will be alot stronger than 1-5.

4-8 = No more eggs will be produced, but the ones already there, will be matured alot more than usual, and ovulation will be very strong. Ovulation may only be brought forward a teeny bit.

5-9 = You'll have one very mature strong egg, from the ones you already produced on your own. Ovulation will either happen when it usually does, or a few days later, but your egg will be of great quality.

The dose is really down to you but you should always use the lowest amount that works for you.
With Clomid the starting dose is 100mg. Soya Isoflavones are said to be half the strength of Clomid, so it makes sense for the starting dose to be 100mg.
The trouble with 100mg of soya is that the capsules tend to come as 40mg. So you have a choice of starting at 80mg.
Some women change the dose on different days. So they may start at 120mg for the first 3 days then give an extra boost for the last 2 days with 160mg or 200mg.

[Dancingfairydreams]

Sorry to hijack, I didnt know there were set days to take them. I was recommended them by a friend as have low progesterone & she said they may help regulate my hormone levels. I've been taking 3 x tablets a day now for a week! Will this have a really bad effect on my body?!

[Moominmiss]

I’ve not temped at all. I don’t sleep all that well at night and am usually up a couple times in the night for the loo, and just generally quite a restless sleeper so I don’t think temps would ever be too accurate for me.

[Moominmiss]

@Dancingfairydreams I think if you take it later than cd9 it can delay it stop ovulation and just generally throw your cycles off.

I’d stop taking them and restart on one of the set periods on your next cycle.

[Moominmiss]

That was supposed to say delay OR stop ovulation

[Beau20]

@Dancingfairydreams I took them to try and help with low progesterone and they didn't effect me. You are however only meant to take them for 4 days right at the start of your cycle. Longer periods of taking them are only suggested for menopausal women however I really wouldn't worry as you've only taken them for a week. They say women TTC aren't supposed to take soy after ovulation.

[Moominmiss]

Bumping for @fifi1989

[Moominmiss]

Bumping for @Runnergirl1 and @wannabe123

[wannabe123]

@Moominmiss thanks!

[paintfairy]

Is it 200mg in whole tablets or 200mg of the actual isoflavone? So - the tablet might weigh 100mg for example for only contains 30mg that equates to soya isoflavone, so is it that lower number you are going by? (Makes seem to vary with content).

[Moominmiss]

@Pol96 here you go

[Moominmiss]

@paintfairy yeah so like the Holland and Barratt tablets j had I think we’re like 500mg tablets or capsules, but they only actually contained 23mg of the soy isoflavones so I took 5 initially to give me the 115mg.

That’s why I then bought the Tesco ones as they are just soy and are 40mg tablets.

Different brands seem to vary. I think from research there are ones that other ladies have used from amazon that can be 50mg or even 100mg per tablet. Natures aid, or natural aid. Something like that.

But I saw lots of women recommend the Tesco tablets, and they’re only like £4 a bottle so not too expensive whereas the Holland and Barratt ones were about £26 for a bottle!