I've been going to acupuncture for the last month, and at the start of my cycle last week, the acupuncturist gives me a chinese herb blend to take from CD4-10 (to help with O). I'm not sure if its real or psychological, but I feel things "going on" in my uterus not long after I finish the tea each time. Has anyone else tried the herbs? And what was your experience? (Of course I want to hear happy BFP experiences with it too 
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I'm interested in hearing experiences and BFP results also! I haven't gone this route yet, but have heard acupunctures have helped several other Bees. I've been meaning to inquire with my chiropractor about this!
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I don't have any experience with taking herbs with ttc, but I did suggest acupuncture to a friend who was TTC and had not gotten her period in a while. She got her period after the frst visit with the acupuncturist and PG a few months later..
Good luck!
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While I haven't experienced a BFP yet I have been doing weekly acupuncture for about 6 weeks. I've also been taking the herbs. I've already seen a huge improvement in my cycle. I went from a 34 day cycle to 28 in the first month and moved up ovulation 2 days! The herbs can be kind of disgusting, but I feel healthier and energetic. My libido has also improved which helps from feeling like BDing is a chore. I'm also changing my diet (removed caffeine, all artificial sweetener and most alcohol) so it might not entirely be the acu/herbs, but I'm feeling very positive about a BFP soon. (fingers crossed)
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I took whatever herbs my Acupuncturist gave me until I was about 6 weeks pregnant. I can't remember which ones they were. I got pregnant within 2 weeks of starting acupuncture (probably a coincidence, but who knows!)
After that I got too nervous and stopped taking them.
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@Mrs Spoon: Interesting on the affect of your cycle length! I too have a 34 day cycle. While it's great any other time because less periods, it sucks for baby making because there is such a long wait time!
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I will say that I had a great experience with acupuncture and chinese herbs - regulating my cycle, making me ovulate, NO cramping/intestinal issues before my period, my hands stopped being cold all the time...but I had an appt with my OB GYN where he FREAKED OUT about the herbs and then DH made me stop taking them.
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@ALIVOO01: Agreed! I used to not care I was 34 days until I started playing the waiting game. I have to admit I was a little shocked to see it change so quickly has I had been 34 days since coming off BC a year ago.
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Just coming back to this thread!
@dagret - I'm curious as to why your OB freaked out about the herbs? Chinese people have been taking them for centuries, whereas OBs/Western medicine are relatively new
I totally get wanting to do what you think is best for the baby though.
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@Mrs Spoon - Thanks for sharing your experience (and hope) I wish I got the libido effects too
It seems that I got lowered stress/increased happiness though, a nice bonus. Keep us posted on how its going for you!
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I have. I run way too cold & my periods often don't come on their own & I don't think I've Oed once in a year & a half. The acupuncturist that I was seeing is a reproductive specialist & gave me the option to take the herbs in capsule form because I couldn't stomach them otherwise. She said they're not quite as potent that way, but that they're less $$$ and if it meant I could keep them down, that was the important part. I still projectile vomited them up more than a few times
but I have that reaction to a lot of things (lucky me!). I felt very alert taking them & more energetic. I'm taking a break now ($90/wk plus the cost of herbs was adding up & I had a lot of other things going on that made if difficult to commit to that amount of time & $$). I'd love to go back though. I was also doing electro acu, depending on your issues, that might be something to look into. That def got blood circulating down there! Haha. Good luck!
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I took herbs and acupuncture, but stopped both voluntarily. The herbs lengthened my cycle from 28 to 32 days, but it is slowly shrinking back - this last month was 29 days. My practitioner told me my cycle had "reset" and will eventually settle back to a more consistent cycle. After a while, I didn't feel the herbs were doing anything and I would start spotting after the acupuncture sessions. Now I'm just seeing a naturopathic doctor who does some fertility issues as well.
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@Mrs.Someone: Just started taking my first dose of herbs that were given to me by my accupunturist. After 3 failed IUI and IVF starting soon, at this point, I'll try anything.
I am drinking it now and it's kinda gross, but whatever, I'll try it. I need to get a straw so I can drink it faster.
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@bluestriped bee: I hope it helps! I think it was the herbs that got me pregnant the first time. I hear you on being willing to try anything...
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Bumping, I hope no one minds. I just got back from my first visit, and she wants to start me on herbs. I'm wondering if anyone is else is willing to share their experience with the herbs.
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My cousin took herbs from a doctor who claimed a 100% success rate but could only guarantee a boy. She had 3 boys in a row (taking the herbs each time) then had an oops baby at age 42-- a fourth boy!!
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@mrs. wagon: Whoa, that's pretty neat!
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@DC Yoga Bee: I just had my first appointment this morning. Since my cycles are a bit all over the place (ranges from 28-42 days) this is what I was recommended:
10 days cleanse where I take 1) Standard Process (SP) Complete - from what I can tell so far this is a powder mix I'm supposed to put in shakes 3 times per day and 2) SP Cleanse (dietary supplement in pill form). She said this would help cleanse my system and give her a better idea of what's going on with my body?
Then, she also recommended I take the following: Femco, Paraplex, Chaste Tree 1:2, Tribulus, and Tuna Omega-3 oil to help with my cycles.
I'd be curious to hear what recommendations you were given? I'm supposed to go back weekly for acupuncture appointments.
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@winter_wonder: This seems like a lot of stuff, especially after a first appointment. I didn't get any herbs until 2-3 weeks of going (when my next cycle started), and it was a mix she made up herself to mix into hot water. I'm a little concerned about the cleanse, is this on top of food, or instead of? I'd be wary of anything that would be instead of.
How did you find this acupuncturist? Did you get recommendations?
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@ Mrs. Someone: That's what I thought! I came out of the room and she had all of these supplements lined up for me.
The cleanse is on top of food. Although, I'm primarily supposed to be eating lots of fruits and vegetables with very small amounts of organic meat or fish. Also, no caffeine or alcohol.
One of my friends goes to this acupuncturist (although not for IF) and really felt she knew what she was doing. But, I'm not so sure after today's appointment?!?! Unfortunately there are limited options in the area I'm from
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@winter_wonder: I don't think that sounds too far off at all. I'm going to a chiro now (who does fertility stuff) and after my first appointment I got NINE bottles of supplements to take! He has a really good success rate, so I'm just going with it for now. I figure those supplements and herbs definitely won't HURT me, that's for sure.
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@winter_wonder: As long as you're still eating food, I don't think there is any harm in trying it all then
Especially if your friend has had good luck with this person.
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I've sort of been holding off on seeing an acupuncturist because i worry about all the things I will be pushed to purchase (i.e., herbs and whatnot).
Were the herbs a significant cost on top of the already costly acupuncture?
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@MrsMcD: Mine were $25 for a 2 week supply, so not too bad. I wasn't pushed to purchase anything other than that really, she only sold a few supplements (Omega-3), and some stuff for special occasions, like when sick.
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@Mrs.Someone: that's very good to know. there's a particular acupuncturist that I would like to see, if i see one at all. She's a bit out of my way and office visits are something like $75 a visit. Does that seem reasonable? I'm so cheap about stuff like this so it seems high to me.
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@MrsMcD: Yep, I think mine were $100/ea! She was on the city's top doctors list and had great reviews, so I was pretty confident that she was the one to see. Have you checked if your insurance covers any of it?
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@Mrs.Someone: Thanks for letting me know how much yours cost. I suppose it makes me a little more comfortable with $75. I'd be willing to try it for a few months. I haven't checked with my insurance. I have an HMO and they are finicky and probably wouldn't include this particular acupuncturist I'm interested in. I'm dreading it, but fertility issues may cause me to upgrade my insurance. Yikes!
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@mrsmcd: I had a feeling there might be a few things suggested. It was significantly more than I thought it would be...like $200 for all the extras! Eeek! The acupuncture itself is $67 a session which I think is fairly reasonable compared to what I've heard from others. Unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover it
bummer! I think I'm going to try taking the supplements and see how things go. If things seem to be going well and I need to purchase more I will likely see if I can get them online or something.
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@winter_wonder: I might consider doing acupuncture and herbs/supplements before going to IUI. The costs surely start to climb at that point.
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I've had two sessions over the past two weeks, and she gave me herbs yesterday. I'm out of town for work, but they are a general blend. Free and happy wonderer or something. It was $20 and I take two tiny scoops in my tea twice a day. She described it as a mini acupuncture treatment and not a fertility blend per se. I'm going to acupuncture weekly for three weeks and then once a month to balance out my ten covered health insurance sessions. That was her suggestion. So, at least I know she isn't trying to get as much money out of me as she can and tell me to come weekly for next four months or something outrageously expensive. It's relaxing, but I must admit I'm scared of the herbs. I read a few google searches about chinese herbs being carcinogenic, and the FDA banned a certain combo, but it's hard to regulate. Mind you anything can be a carcinogenic, but....
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I went last week just before (finally!) starting my first round of Clomid in the hopes it may help in general. I'd also read a lot about it helping with relaxation, which anyone battling infertility could do with!
After one hell of a thorough yes/no/how many times type conversation about my health from scalp to toes, I was told I have "liver heat" and given "Clear Root Fire" and "Relaxed Wanderer" herb tabs to take. After a dash more Googling it turns out that liver heat and kidney heat are the usual suspects that pop up in those struggling to conceive who try Chinese medicine based options.
I have to say that some other minor issues I had have now cleared up since the accu and herbs - damn liver heat!
While lying there with the needles doing their thing, I had a constant ache around the one on my left foot - which was apparently acting on my liver area. I had 4 needles in/on my belly in a kind of diamond shape wide around my belly button and still have a bruise from the needle to the right. My right ovary has had a rough time cyst wise so I think it's quite apt that that needle "worked the hardest" ?
All this being said, accu can be quite a costly, lengthy process so I've decided to not continue with it (aside from finishing my course of herbs). We've spent a good load of money and time with my Dr, with more obviously to come as we continue TTC, so I'd rather direct the funds there
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@Robyn_ZA: my left foot aches too!! I have a kidney deficiency. She did my chu points on my back last week when it was one day before ovulation.
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@dc yoga bee: Wohoo for matching feet! Let's hope they're lucky feet
My guy said he did a general good blood flow and nutrients to the uterus and ovaries type session but focused mainly on resolving my liver heat scenario
It seems that I got lowered stress/increased happiness though, a nice bonus. Keep us posted on how its going for you!
but I have that reaction to a lot of things (lucky me!). I felt very alert taking them & more energetic. I'm taking a break now ($90/wk plus the cost of herbs was adding up & I had a lot of other things going on that made if difficult to commit to that amount of time & $$). I'd love to go back though. I was also doing electro acu, depending on your issues, that might be something to look into. That def got blood circulating down there! Haha. Good luck!
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