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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

For anyone TTC or thinking about TTC with Soy Isoflavones

692 replies

Disneylandkilledmychildhood · 23/10/2014 21:18

I will be starting soy isoflavones tomorrow, cd 3.

This will be my 11th cycle TTC, with two chemical pregnancies/ early miscarriages @ about 5weeks so far this year already.

I've read up quite a lot on SI, and just at the point now where I'm thinking, what the hell, I'll give it a go!

Anybody else TTC with soy isoflavones?

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15
Frolicacid · 21/01/2015 16:05

Hi mama. Good luck with the gp. The month we conceived, I took Omega 3, b complex, co enzyme q10, vit c, probiotics and folic acid. I also took epo and guavathingy cough syrup up to ovulation. And soy obviously.
Quite a cocktail! Who knows if any of it worked, but I did like to feel I was trying something.

Quietlyhopeful81 · 21/01/2015 23:48

Took my last dose of soy tonight. Stuck with my plan and did 80, 80, 80, 120, 160. No side effects, but then I guess I did start with a lowish dose. Interested to see what happens next ??

jellypi3 · 30/01/2015 09:32

Hi, I'm thinking of starting trying Soy this month. Is Tesco the best place to buy them from? AF is due 7th Feb, so planning on doing day 2-6 (not sure I am ovulating so need all the help I can get!). Is 100mg each day an ok amount to start on?

Quietlyhopeful81 · 30/01/2015 10:10

Hi jellypi!! I got mine from Tesco, but they come in 40mg tabs so you have a choice of starting at 80mg or 120. It's my first month on soy and I started CD 3-7 and did 80, 80, 80, 120, 160. No side effects. I'm still waiting for ovulation though on CD 15 so no idea if they worked or if maybe I didn't take a high enough dose. Next month I'm going to try 120, 120, 120, 160, 200. Let us know how you get on if you decide to try them?

jellypi3 · 30/01/2015 10:19

Thanks quietly i will let you know, i'll probably do the same dose you have done :) still got a while before i am due to start, so will update you in a week or two! fingers crossed you ovulate soon!

Lauraqc · 30/01/2015 19:53

Hi everyone - checking in and needing to ask a question please - I took SI on days 3-7, I think I ov'd possibly last Saturday (had stabby pains in right ovary and general discomfort in lower tum), and since then I've had a bit of pink spotting on Weds and Thurs this week, along with cramps and then a bit of brown spotting this morning with cramps now. I've got really irregular cycles but seem to have a 10 day LP which means I'd be due around Tues 3rd Feb. In anyone else's experience have you had more spotting or pain compared with cycles where you didn't take SI?

I'm practically beside myself, but haven't tested as I'm thinking it'd be too early yet anyway...

Metalhead · 30/01/2015 20:08

Hey laura, I had really bad ov pains last month after taking soy CD4-8, I usually get some but these were much stronger than usual. So it could be that the soy's causing your spotting, but it could also be implantation. Fx it's the latter!

Quietlyhopeful81 · 30/01/2015 21:37

Laura, I'm due to ovulate any day now and I've been getting a fair bit of cramping and discomfort today which I never usually get during ovulation (though obviously not sure yet that this IS ovulation) but its my first soy cycle so I've no idea about post ov yet.

Jellypi3 I started on the lower dose because I was a bit cautious about what effect it would have on my cycles but so far Im happy to try a higher dose next month. Fingers crossed. Smile

Lauraqc · 30/01/2015 23:19

Thanks Metal and Quietly I was wondering if I felt the pains more intensely after taking SI...it was my first real time taking them at the right time if you get what I mean! Even if I get af I suppose it's good cos it'll mean a real 'normal' cycle as opposed to the 4ish month gaps I've had in between! Still bit brown sticky tonight with a bit of a pink tinge. Wondering if af will come tomorrow, don't think I'll be able to stop myself testing tomo!!

eumice542 · 31/01/2015 07:04

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Quietlyhopeful81 · 13/02/2015 11:36

Sorry I'm so late on catching up with this thread. It's been a busy few weeks.

Ok, so I actually ov'd late this month Confused Positive OPKs on CD 19 and 20 and ff tentatively put dotted crosshairs (as it always does!! Grrrr!!) at CD22 which is the latest I've ever 'ovulated'. I have no idea at all if this means soy did anything for me. 8DPO right now, and not feeling any different to any other month. I'll post if any news.

henrycocoa · 23/02/2015 07:13

Room for a little one?!

I have been reading this thread with interest and have just started my first soy cycle. Congrats to everyone with BFPs! And sorry for your CP loopy

Stats: Two DC conceived first and third cycles. MMC in 2013 at 11+4 weeks (also conceived cycle #1). Now been TTC for 12+ months with reluctant DH, lots of stopping and starting, taking breaks, etc - all very, very stressful Sad

I am rising 38 and have fairly regular cycles, LP usually 15/16 days so have decided to take SIs to strengthen my geriatric eggs. Took 100mg on Cd4 and had a very vivid dream about a doomful of bears and a naked vicar with intentions Shock

Now having read how the soy has screwed up some cycles, I am a bit nervous....

Just a quick question: how soon does everyone start weeing on OPKs? I am on CD6 and usually ovulate CD12-17.

henrycocoa · 23/02/2015 07:15

That would be room full of bears, although doomful sounds similarly terrifying...

Lauraqc · 23/02/2015 07:36

Hi Henry I'm afraid I'm using SI to try and get some regular cycles so can't help with your query about what days to start opk...but what I can say is that after having a mega 212 day cycle my last 2 have been 24 days and 22 days and I've had a solid red crosshair line on FF for the first time yay!

henrycocoa · 23/02/2015 10:44

Blimey, lauraqc, that is one mammoth cycle - and I thought my random 45 day one was bad! Hurray for SIs! I really hope I won't regret taking them. Going to stick to a low dose just in case.

henrycocoa · 24/02/2015 06:57

I have read a bit more about taking SIs when you have a regular ovulation and I'm a bit scared that I've screwed everything up for this cycle Confused

Going to start testing with OPKs today. My temperature seems high though - does anyone know whether they raise your BBT?

10000Fireflies · 01/03/2015 17:27

Hello all. Can I join too please? I am new to SI, but just thinking about adding it to the huge cocktail of supps I'm already taking in the hope of conceiving DC2. I will have to read back a bit and see what I can learn from you lot. Of course, I'm hopeful AF isn't about to put in another unwelcome visit, but I think all the signs are there...

Will apologise in advance for being a very intermittent poster these days now I have a very active and sleep shy two year old!!

henrycocoa · 04/03/2015 13:13

Well. after being concerned about the SIs messing with my cycle, I have ovulated on a very textbook CD14.

I stuck with the low dose all the way through and took 100mg on CDs4-8.

I would love to be able to bring forward ovulation for my next cycle as we are away with the DC in the same room, bang on ovulation time. Not conducive to TTC! Maybe I will up the dose for next cycle in the hopes of either bringing forward or delaying ovulation - or is that a bit messed up?!

Aaargh, I've not even finished this cycle and I'm already worrying about the next one - I just can't bear to miss an egg. Grrr...

Did AF appear fireflies?

10000Fireflies · 04/03/2015 21:55

Not yet Henry, but I ovulated later this cycle which is very unusual for me. So I don't know if my cycle is lengthening due to taking Agnes Castus recently... or it could be the huge amount of sugar I had early on in the cycle. We'll see. I hope not to need the soy, but I guess I will be doing some feverish reading and purchasing in a day or so.

Congrats on having a textbook ovulation. Grin Hope you don't need to worry about the timings of your next cycle. It is with a heavy heart that I stock up on Pregnacare Conception in the 3 4 2 offers at Boots. Fingers xd for you.

henrycocoa · 05/03/2015 10:00

Sounds promising, fireflies. Fingers crossed for you.

I know what you mean about the bulk vitamin buying, similar feelings also experienced during sanitary protection purchases, wondering whether to upgrade Fertility Friend membership, booking holidays etc.

Gutted about being away for next ovulation. It was 2 years ago this week that I got my positive HPT for my MMC. Started trying for DC3 more than 2 years ago now Sad

AlpacaMyBags · 10/03/2015 12:57

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

everythingcrossed2015 · 10/03/2015 13:36

Im on CD8 is this too late to start taking it iv only just found out about it today....

Lauraqc · 11/03/2015 23:33

Yes I think so everything it's usually days 2-5/3-7/4-8 depending on the effect you want to have...I can't quite remember the slight differences though!

LoopyLa · 12/03/2015 19:05

Hi all! Smile

I'm still trying, on cycle 4 of SI, 6 in total. I've just finished ovulation and changed things a bit this cycle. Had been taking SI 3-7 but changed it to 4-8 this time round. Also didn't bother increasing amount but took 200mg the five days. Below I've re-posted the SI info for anyone who's interested?

And a question, if I may, to Alpacamybags - I was just wondering why you fancy a change to SI from Clomid? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Soya Isoflavones are derived from soya beans. They have been dubbed “the natural Clomid,”
As they work in pretty much an identical manner.
Just like Clomid; Soya Isoflavones work by tricking your body into thinking its low on oestrogen. Your body then kick starts production of FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) followed by LH (Luteinizing hormone) Which are both necessary to release Healthy Eggs during ovulation.
FSH is released at the start of the menstrual cycle; it stimulates the growth of an immature egg into a fully matured egg. When the egg has matured your body then releases a surge of LH. LH is the hormone that tells the ovary to release the egg.

WHEN?
You take Soy Isoflavones, like Clomid, on either CD 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.

DOSE?
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.

As I have said though, use the lowest dose possible for yourself. If you ovulate using 120mg/day stick to that for a few cycles. GIVE IT A CHANCE. It is said that it takes 3months to get the full benefits of what you are taking. NEVER EXCEED 200mg/day.

OTHER BENEFITS?
The following potential health benefits are attributed to Isoflavones:
Reduce heart disease risk
Protect against prostate problems
improve bone health
Reduce cancer risk

SIDE EFFECTS?
As with any medication, taking Soya Isoflavones may cause side effects such as:
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Cramping
Diarrhoea
Lack of fertile cm
Thrush
Obviously the higher the dose you take the higher your chance of experiencing side effects.

DO NOT TAKE SOYA ISOFLAVONES WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Breast cancer, hepatic disease, prostate cancer, kidney disease, taking hormone treatments, thyroid disease, and allergies to soy, peanuts or other legumes.
Soy Isoflavones should not be taken while breastfeeding or pregnant.
Soy Isoflavones may interact with the following medications; androstenedione, antibiotics, clomiphene, DHEA, contraceptives and other female hormones, finasteride, raloxifene, red clover, tamoxifen, testosterone and other male hormones, thyroid hormones, and toremifene.
NOTE: Just like Clomid, Soya Isoflavones may not help some women at all!
Although research carried out on FF has shown that 77% of women taking Soya Isoflavones on the stated days at the stated doses, got there BFP on their first cycle taking them!

Lauraqc · 13/03/2015 18:23

Ah thanks Loopy that's a handy reminder!

I took mine on days 3-7 this 'cycle'. I say in inverted commas because i'm on CD 22 and no sign of ov either by temp or cm at all. Worried that i'm in for another mega 150+ day cycle :(