Herbs to Help Women With PCOS Get Pregnant

The Center for Disease Control reports that as many as one in 10 women in the United States suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder characterized by hormone imbalances, late or absent ovulation and infertility. Treatments for PCOS range from fertility medications to ovarian drilling, which can be quite invasive and expensive. Treating infertility caused by PCOS can be done naturally using herbs such as soy isoflavones and progesterone cream to help regulate the menstrual cycle and induce ovulation.

Estrogen

• Estrogen dominates the first half of your menstrual cycle. This hormone helps regulate the building of your uterine lining to the correct thickness and regulates ovulation. Women with PCOS may have an imbalance of estrogen, which can prevent the uterine lining from developing properly and slow or stop ovulation from occurring, which can make it difficult or impossible to become pregnant.

  Soy isoflavones are an herbal supplement that can help women with PCOS ovulate. They are taken on cycle day three to seven or cycle day five to nine. Doses range from 80-150mg. It is advisable to have your blood estriadol levels monitored by a doctor when you are using soy isoflavone supplements, just the same as if you were using prescription medication. Baseline estriadol levels can determine whether you are likely to ovulate in a given cycle, which will help you know if you can become pregnant.

Progesterone

• Progesterone is the hormone that controls the menstrual cycle after ovulation, known as the luteal phase. During this time, a cyst forms from the ruptured follicle where the egg was released; this cyst produces progesterone in anticipation of supporting a pregnancy. Women with PCOS may find that their levels of progesterone during this phase are low, which can lead to chemical pregnancies--miscarriages--or a lack of embryo implantation. Raising progesterone can be done through use of a bioidentical progesterone supplement, available over the counter.

  Bioidentical progesterone is available in pill, cream and suppository form. It is used from the day after ovulation until the day before your expected period. This medication is synthesized from diosgenin taken from wild yams or soy and is available over the counter. To use progesterone cream, apply 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon of cream to your neck, shoulders, belly or thighs starting from the day you ovulate and ending on the day before your expected period. It is also helpful to have your progesterone monitored by a doctor, since if your progesterone levels drop it can cause a miscarriage.