Vitex, Maca, Folate, Folic Acid, CoQ10, Royal Jelly........the list never ends...

[Lonelyfox]

Hello! I wonder if anyone might be able to shed some light?
My head is totally frazzled after another afternoon of trying to research which supplements to take while TTC.
I have had 2 miscarriages and one missed miscarriage resulting in an ERPC and have had no luck conceiving since then, despite being CONVINCED(!) that I was going to get a BFP for the last few cycles.
The crushing disappointment each time AF arrives late (or sometimes early), and each time I learn of another friends or relatives happy news is starting to get a little too much now.
Anyway, it seems that every article I read has me doing a 180 on my Amazon shopping list and being as AF reared her very ugly head last night (5 days late this month and coincidentally whilst I was visiting a friends gorgeous 3 month old), I am keen to see if there is anything out there that might help. A long shot I know.

Any advice?

My list of possible purchases thus far have included:
Maca
Agnus Castus (Vitex)
Royal Jelly
Folate / Folic Acid
Cassanovum
B6
Bromelain
Vit D
Preseed
Various creams
etc. etc. etc.

Plus, whenever I get anywhere near settling on an option, I read conflicting articles as to when in the cycle to take them!

Starting to wonder if perhaps I should just go back to the Pregnacare multivitamins that I gave up on.

I know that what might work for one person won't work for the next, but when I asked my consultant after I had all my bloodwork, he basically shrugged his shoulders and said just to eat healthily (which of course I've been trying to do!) and to take baby asprin when I get a positive test.

I don't smoke and some cycles I have cut out booze altogether. I've also tried the "I don't give a damn approach" after my pregnant friends have told me perhaps I'm overthinking things, and have eaten and drunk to my hearts content. Neither approach has worked!

Any ideas or pointers would be so gratefully received.xxx

Some of the things on the list above are controversial ( like Angus Castus vitex)
I guess you have to just research a bit and then try make informed decisions for your individual needs.
This cycle I took Angus Castus tablets until ovulation ( stopped few days befor because I wasn't sure)
I took evening primerose oil tablets
I took raspberry leaf tea tablets
All this was in addition to taking my 7 seas pregnancy multivitamin

I also drank a fruit tea that was high in vitamins ( B6 especially as Aprently good for CM)

This is my 10th cycle now and first cycle on these extras as every other I've just taken multivitamin so I'm not sure whether they will be effective or not!
I do think I had a lot more EWCM this cycle though, possibly the tea with B6 and the evening primrose.
I've been drinking 2-3 litres a day too which is very important!

I'd recommend you start off with evening primerose tablets as they are safe throughout cycle and also lots of water and maybe a decaffinated high vitamin content tea ( tetly do a range called boost)

Oh I have used preseed too but would only recommend if you feel you need/like lune. As obviously others can be sperm damaging.
I find it a bit much TBH especially during FW when I know have increased EWCM

Hi Mrs,

What's the vitamin tea you drink - the boost one?

I take epo up to ovulation only as there is a tiny risk of uterine contractions (same with raspberry leaf tea).

Does anyone know what's best - rasp leaf tea or tablets?

This is the tea.
Yes I stopped my EPO too after ovulation just in case but did read that it's safe all cycle. Better to be safe and stop probably!

It's on offer for £1 in Tesco ATM

I think which supplements to take depend if you're trying to address any particular issue. I'm trying to increase lining quality (after surgery to correct adhesions from an ERPC) so I'm taking vitamin E, selenium, omega3 fish oil and l'arginine, all of which help circulation and blood flow to the uterus. But then other things are recommended for improving egg quality or regulating cycles, or lengthening LPs - it is a minefield! Fertility Friend has a great list of everything going - but there is no way you could take it all so just need to pick a few and hope they do some good!

Can I ask why your consultant told you to take aspirin once you get a BFP? I've been looking into this since my MC and most things I read seem to suggest it's a good idea but my GP was very noncommittal about it.

Thanks Mrs, will get some of those!

Just be careful not to drink too much, as I did read that too much B vitamins is bad too. I just figure since I'm going caffeine free it's a very good alternative to two cups of tea of coffee a day with some goodness!

Hi Lonelyfox

I take

Pregnacare (good overall supplement)

Solgar pure wild alaskan salmon oil (omega 3 increases EWCM)

Q10 or solgar ubiquinol (improves egg quality)

and of course will baby aspirin as soon as I have bfp

Only take Evening Primrose Oil up until ovulation because:

It is believed that the high levels of LA and GLA’s in Evening Primrose Oil have a direct effect on uterine cells. These contract and relax smooth muscle tissue. This action on the uterus is toning for the uterine muscles in preparation for pregnancy. EPO is NOT suggested for use after ovulation when a woman is trying to conceive. If a woman is pregnant, or thinks she may be pregnant, she should not not use EPO because the uterus may begin to contract.

Hi everyone - thank you so much for all your advice.
I think I'm going to give the Agnus Castus a go, along with CoQ10, Folate and I'm going to give the Seven Seas TTC tablets a go this month instead of the Pregnacare torpedos!
I have some EPO somewhere in the house but wonder if this might be overkill.
It's just impossible to know what to take and it seems every specialist has a different view.
I can't stand not being able to have any say over this aspect of my life, especially when so many people seem to be "accidentally" falling pregnant around me.
I have found myself avoiding being in situations where there will be any pregnant people, babies, or even people that will start questioning why I haven't started a family yet.
It just sucks doesn't it?
Sigh.
Hopefully getting some of these supplements into my system over the next few months will bring some joy!
Lilybunch - I have seen 2 consultants now, the first one who performed the ERPC advised a whole host of things for me to take if I get a positive test, all of which hinted that she suspected I may have Hughe's syndrome. But after various blood tests showed that I don't have sticky blood, the second consultant said that all the drugs the first consultant had recommended would be overkill and that he would advise taking baby aspirin from the day I get a positive test until 12 weeks, and possibly seeing my GP to enquire about Progesterone pessaries. He couldn't give me a reason why or in fact if the aspirin would work but advised that he had seen positive outcomes for ladies in my situation, who have had multiple miscarriages.
Fingers crossed if I manage to get pregnant, I'll be able to hold on to him or her next time. Not sure I could face the other outcome.xx

I feel like there needs to be a decent evidence base with all this stuff.