Before I get too far into this, I must say, I have not received any medical diagnosis explaining the cause of my infertility. I have done at-home ovulation kits, which all proved normal LH levels. I have done a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which showed no Fallopian tube blockages. I have even done several rounds of Clomid, which nearly drove me to homicide, all to no avail.
As I have said, I am a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, so I tend to run to the Internet for medical advice. I was actually trying to find information about the typical steps down the fertility highway when I stumbled upon this article here.
PCOS? I was shocked. I had been told that people with PCOS always had terrible cysts on their ovaries and were overweight or diabetic. But here was something that explained my symptoms so precisely.
And the reasoning behind it, the "post-pill" cause? Well, let's just say that I've suspected that my years of hormonal BC had screwed up something with my hormones.
My search led me to this site, stating the treatment path for post-pill PCOS as "IUI, IVF, or adoption". To say that I was broken-hearted is an understatement. Though I had been telling myself that this was the probable outcome, it still hit me like a ton of bricks. As the first post mentioned, we don't want to go down that road, for ethical and faith-based reasons. I felt defeated.
The next day, out of he blue, a friend from Church asked me if I had considered holistic medicine. She told me about how chaste berry tea is supposed to regulate hormones. I must admit, at first I thought she was a crazy hippie. However, I was interested.
The possibility that a solution to my fertility problems could lie in a natural substance had me intrigued. After all, we feel strongly convicted that God is leading us to parenthood, so it seems fitting that something He created should heal this wound.
And talk about perfect timing! A friend brought up natural hormone treatments just as I am wrestling with this demon? Coincidence? I think not! For the first time in years, I actually feel HOPEFUL.
The very next day I went to my local alternative medicine shop and found this Vitex tincture, pictured here and linked here. I had also found some literature about essential oils for PCOS. Those are linked here.
Even though I have just begun this regimen, I have faith that God will bring us through this. I am BEYOND #grateful to my dear friend who heard the Lord's call to give me this advice. And above all, I am #grateful for a God who never gives up on me, even though I give in to cynicism.
I'll keep you posted!
Amy
As I have said, I am a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, so I tend to run to the Internet for medical advice. I was actually trying to find information about the typical steps down the fertility highway when I stumbled upon this article here.
PCOS? I was shocked. I had been told that people with PCOS always had terrible cysts on their ovaries and were overweight or diabetic. But here was something that explained my symptoms so precisely.
And the reasoning behind it, the "post-pill" cause? Well, let's just say that I've suspected that my years of hormonal BC had screwed up something with my hormones.
My search led me to this site, stating the treatment path for post-pill PCOS as "IUI, IVF, or adoption". To say that I was broken-hearted is an understatement. Though I had been telling myself that this was the probable outcome, it still hit me like a ton of bricks. As the first post mentioned, we don't want to go down that road, for ethical and faith-based reasons. I felt defeated.
The next day, out of he blue, a friend from Church asked me if I had considered holistic medicine. She told me about how chaste berry tea is supposed to regulate hormones. I must admit, at first I thought she was a crazy hippie. However, I was interested.
The possibility that a solution to my fertility problems could lie in a natural substance had me intrigued. After all, we feel strongly convicted that God is leading us to parenthood, so it seems fitting that something He created should heal this wound.
And talk about perfect timing! A friend brought up natural hormone treatments just as I am wrestling with this demon? Coincidence? I think not! For the first time in years, I actually feel HOPEFUL.
The very next day I went to my local alternative medicine shop and found this Vitex tincture, pictured here and linked here. I had also found some literature about essential oils for PCOS. Those are linked here.
Even though I have just begun this regimen, I have faith that God will bring us through this. I am BEYOND #grateful to my dear friend who heard the Lord's call to give me this advice. And above all, I am #grateful for a God who never gives up on me, even though I give in to cynicism.
I'll keep you posted!
Amy