I'd be careful with vitex too.
Vitex imo is only for women w irregular periods or
Periods of abnormal length

Dhea can help bring out small follicles but I think women
Should test their dhea levels before taking
Dhea I think is good if you're high estrogen but not otherwise
Can easily cause acne and hair loss
It's most popular for women with low afc

Royal jelly can't hurt if you're not bee allergic but
I doubt it helps.

Maca has shown promise in one animal study it may help
Increase Libido and improve iron reserves.
It's safe at normal consumption levels

Our neuropath said keep the maca, dump the royal jelly as sometimes people have minor allergic reactions.

I take both. My RE insisted that there are no studies that prove either make any difference, but they won't hurt either. My thought is, if they won't hurt, and if there's some anecdotal evidence online that they MAY help, then why not? I take a gazillion other supplements too. Same story.

I just put a little maca in my morning smoothie. Keep it to a teaspoon. For one, it's expensive. But you only need a little, and the flavor is strong. It's best with berries or apples. I throw Brazil nuts, sunflower seed butter and a tablespoon of flax and chia and greens (spinach, kale or chard) in, too. Brazil nuts are supposed to be good for fertility, too. And often, coconut water. Mmm...makes me hungry just typing!

These are all things that's TE good for you no matter what. I also take rainbow light multivitamins and Nordic natural DHA.

I've tried pineapple core in the smoothies, too, in all previous IUI and IVF cycles. The timing on that is important -- during implantation only. I'm skipping it this cycle.

i havent tried Maca or Royal Jelly but Vitex has helped me in terms of regulating my periods. Dont know if it actually helps with ovulation though. It allegedly balances hormones (which i think Maca is supposed to do too).

Anonymous wrote:I have not taken these. But, I did ask my doctor about these two specifically as well as vitex and he seemed pretty insistant that these made no difference.

I think anything that makes your body healthier, makes a difference. When I have been on a "cocktail" of supplements, my hair and nails have grown faster (I had to file my nails down EVERY WEEK, no kidding, so I could type), my skin has not been so dry, and I've had more energy, less afternoon sleepies. When I was doing both DHEA and L-Arginine, it helped address my minor ADD issues.

Doctors don't know everything. And REs standard fallback is that it is OUR fault when something doesn't work, our eggs, our bodies. Not "oh I timed the trigger wrong" or "Oh I should have used more/less meds" or "We let a med student do the retrieval and he couldn't get your eggs", etc.

I think so long as the suppements are not breaking the bank, or making you nauseous or giving you a headache (some can have side effects), go for it. With all we invest in this process, why not maximize chances? The supplements won't hurt--a few may be controversial.

But with chinese herbs--those are medicine and do have to stop when you start the drugs for a cycle.

Most doctors don't specialize in nutrition. Not saying that either of these supplements have a positive effect, but there have not been studies done with the type of medical rigor where most doctors would feel comfortable recommending them to patients.

I have not taken these. But, I did ask my doctor about these two specifically as well as vitex and he seemed pretty insistant that these made no difference.

Powder. Usually in a chocolate vegan protein shake or on top of cereal. When i`m out i think i`ll go the gelitinized route

Anonymous wrote:I've been taking red maca powder a few times a week. No idea if it is working yet though. I'm having trouble getting over the weird malty flavor.

how are you taking it? Are you taking the gelatinized version?

I've been taking red maca powder a few times a week. No idea if it is working yet though. I'm having trouble getting over the weird malty flavor.

Has anyone use Maca or Royal Jelly for infertility?