Just wondering if anyone here has tried Royal Jelly to help improve quality of eggs?? If so what dosage were you taking? Did it work?
TIA
Me (36) & DH (36)
Endo, POR & MFI - DNA fragmentation
TTC # 1 since April 2009
July 2010
Lap/Hyst/HSG/Laser Ablation/Cystectomy/Removal of fibroids
Dx Stage III Endometriosis.......( finally after 20 years of classic symptoms!)
Sept 2010 IUI #1 BFN...
Oct 2010 IUI # 2 BFN....
Jan 2011 IVF cancelled ....
Feb 2011 IVF #1 ....
Nov 2011 IVF #2 ....
I really wanted to take royal jelly as I read such good things about it. fresher is best and I found a bee farm who pot it up and would deliver! The recommended dosage I found was 1/4 teaspoon a day
http://shop.apitherapy.eu.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=36&osCsid=26fda74bd50bceb30fc26d28a3d403b7
This was the sort of stuff I was looking at (this is UK so no good to you but to give you an idea!)
Bee pollen is also recommended for egg quality.
I didn't go with the RJ in the end as it's not adviseable for women with fibroids :(
Me 32yrs, DH 37yrs
Chronic spotter from 4DPO, Small intramural fibroids, Low AMH yet also PCO.
3 IVF's - 2 BFN and 1 chemical pregnancy. All with thin endometrium
FET Jan 2012. Cancelled due to thin endometrium, just 5mm
FET March 2012, this time with stimms. Low beta, just 20 at 9dp5dt and a super squinter on a FRER, doubling nicely. HB seen but measuring 6 days behind. Scan at 7w+4 so far so good :)
Hi Blinky,
I also read that RJ may be beneficial for fertility, so I ordered mine from the Vitamin Shoppe's online store.
However, when I asked my RE about them, he said he'd never heard of Royal Jelly and said if hadn't heard of it, I shouldn't take it.
I also consulted an acupuncturist about RJ, and she said that based on what's going on with my body and cycles, I shouldn't take them either. (apparently I have something called Damp Heat according to Chinese Medicine).
So it sounds like it might be good for some people, but not for everyone. I ended up returning the RJ to a local Vitamin Shoppe store because I wasn't sure if it was right for me. Good luck to you!
TTC#1 since September 2010 Me: 33 DH: 35
DH: Varicocele Grade 2, low counts, morph, motility...taking Chinese herbs. Holding off on surgery for now.
Me: Short Luteal Phase, Retroverted Uterus...getting acupuncture and Chinese herbs
IUI # 1: (Dec. 2011) - Clomid, Ovidrel trigger, 3 follicles, Prometrium - BFN
IUI #2: (Jan. 2012) - Letrezole, Ovidrel trigger, 2 follicles, Prometrium - BFN
IUI #3: (Jan. 2012) - Letrezole, Ovidrel trigger, 1 follicle, Prometrium -- Implantation Spotting?? -- BFN
Nell
You have me worried now...why is it not recommended for women with fibroids? (Is it only if you have fibroids that have not been removed? I had fibroids removed last year.... )
Hi Sprinkles (cool name by the way )
I havent spoken to my FS about the possibiliy of using RJ as technically we are taking a break ...
My Acupunturist told me I have a 'cold uterus' and in her broken english style explained that cold=dead.... which I couldnt quite get my head around because my cycles/ovulation are and always have been like clockwork...
I have also heard RJ can be beneficial for DH's sperm so maybe I'll get him to take it ?? as I cant take it back anymore becasue I opened the jar....
Thanks for the compliment -- I was a craving chocolate cupcake when I was registering for this site, so Sprinkles came to mind, haha!
I've also read somewhere that RJ might be good for men's fertility too, so maybe your DH could take it?? But maybe run it by his doctor first just to be sure? I know, it's so hard knowing what to eat, what not to eat, etc.. when it comes to fertility.
Aw, I'm sure that was just a language barrier when she said cold uterus = dead... I have this book called The Infertility Cure which is written by an acupuncturist, who says that people with Cold Uterus just needs to respond to progesterone better. The book says you can do stuff like put a warm pad on your abdomen before ovulation and take certain Chinese herbs. Good luck to you!
I read a **very** interested thread about Royal Jelly over in Fertility Community. It made me end up going out and purchasing some as most of the women who did try it, did get BFP after being on a particular brand. I purchased the same brand, Y.S. Organic Bee Farms, at Vitamin Shoppe for about $21. I take 1 tsp. 2x/day, its very sweet but not bad, I just wash it down with some juice or ice tea. The bottle last me about 2 months. I have been on it for about 2.5 months, I am starting my 5th IVF cycle this month and will be going in for my AFC in about a week!!OH AND MY DH IS TAKING IT TOO!! I was told it helps with this boys :)
I read a **very** interested thread about Royal Jelly over in Fertility Community. It made me end up going out and purchasing some as most of the women who did try it, did get BFP after being on a particular brand.
I purchased the same brand, Y.S. Organic Bee Farms, at Vitamin Shoppe for about $21. I take 1 tsp. 2x/day, its very sweet but not bad, I just wash it down with some juice or ice tea. The bottle last me about 2 months. I have been on it for about 2.5 months, I am starting my 5th IVF cycle this month and will be going in for my AFC in about a week!!OH AND MY DH IS TAKING IT TOO!! I was told it helps with this boys :)
Here is the link if you want to read it too - http://forums.fertilitycommunity.com/vitro-fertilization-ivf/276953-has-anyone-taken-royal-jelly-2.html
Long term history of IF, been struggling with it for over 8 years with 7 . 4 IUIs in 2004 - 1 5 IUIs in 2009 - all BFN4 IVFs in 2010 - lost 3 and our baby girl, Abigail, to blood clots in the placenta2 IVFs in 2011 - lost 1 and our baby girl, Rylee, to T21IVF #7 - Planned for late May/early Junechanging REs and planning aCGH!! Our last shot at a family, for a true miracle after 7 m/c
I've read the same thread as EmmiH above, not sure if you can get hold of that brand Blinky? But basically, fresh and quality (and therefore expense!) is best, don't just go buy any old RJ capsules from the supermarket or health store.
If you can get RJ and bee pollen combined all the better, but anything with propalis will taste vile!
Re the fibroids, I can't remember where I read it but I did read it on a few sites. There was mention of not taking the RJ with honey (as sugar is rumoured to encourage fibroid growth) and that RJ alone *can* be contraindicated, ie cause growth. Remember though my fibroids are already growing, I just didn't want to risk anything that may encourage faster growth. There is so little understanding of what diet can affect fibroids tbh and so few studies - yours are gone hun so you'll be fine taking it.
Have you tried COQ10 (tablet suppment) too for egg quality? There have been some small studies on the benefit of that for DOR patients, I'm taking just a small amount 150mg a day but i know others on the infertility forum with DOR are taking quite a bit more. It's an easy oneto take for me as it's just an enzyme and has had no cyclical/hormonal side effects.
The brand that is in that like itsnt to expensive, Ive paid $21 but it last me about 2 months. The Vitamin Store will match their online prices, and the online price for the RJ is less expensive than in the store - however if you have it shipped it will end up being more. So i just go in and have them price match their online price. As for the CoQ10, I was told it was good for egg quality (and sperm) as well. My acupuncturist and naturopathic doc have both DH & I on it - we are taking 600mg/day!! Now that stuff is expensive, but i found some great quality CoQ10 at Swansons Vitamins much more affordable than in the stores and if you call to place the order and ask for any shipping discounts Ive always been able to get shipping for $1.99!!
The brand that is in that like itsnt to expensive, Ive paid $21 but it last me about 2 months. The Vitamin Store will match their online prices, and the online price for the RJ is less expensive than in the store - however if you have it shipped it will end up being more. So i just go in and have them price match their online price.
As for the CoQ10, I was told it was good for egg quality (and sperm) as well. My acupuncturist and naturopathic doc have both DH & I on it - we are taking 600mg/day!! Now that stuff is expensive, but i found some great quality CoQ10 at Swansons Vitamins much more affordable than in the stores and if you call to place the order and ask for any shipping discounts Ive always been able to get shipping for $1.99!!
I also read the posts on Fertilitycommunity last year after try to get pregnant for 17 months. I bought royal jelly and bee pollen from Apitherapy (in the UK) and after taking it for 3 months got my BFP! My LO is now almost 6 months old. I was also unsure about taking it as I have fibroids, but it didn't seem to increase the size of them very much. We are now TTC again, so I have just started taking it again. Prior to taking last time it we tried loads of supplements, plus I had weekly acupuncture, but that didn't seem to make any difference. Good luck to anyone who is trying it. I really think that it works!!
Me - 40 DH - 40 DS - born 21/01/11
5.5 weeks 29/06/11
Mumof1 - which apitherapy product did you go for (i've been advised to avoid propolis as it taastes vile!). Did you get the royal jelly and bee pollen separate - can't see them listed together.
Think i'm just going to risk it with the fibroids and buy some, I have to try something to help my chances :)
Nell, I bought the Apimist plus pollen, which is royal jelly, pollen, honey and propolis. It's basically just like a big jar of honey. It doesn't taste too nasty - just very sweet, which I don't particularly like. If you do some research, some places online suggest that it balances out hormones, so I guess it could actually be good for fibroids as from what I understand they are due to too much eostrogen. My one intramural (sp?) fibroid grew from 1 cm to about 3 cm at 20 weeks pregnant, so not too bad. My other fibroids are on the outside of my uterus, so I have no idea about those. One of them was apparently as big as a lemon the month before I got pregnant, but I really don't think that grew 3 x the size as I was barely showing at 20 weeks. Good luck!!
thank you - ordered already :)
Blinky - Did you get hold of some to try?
Nel,
I did get some royal jelly. I could only find it in the capsule form. I have taken it for two cycles now. Both times I ended up with an allergic reaction from it (eczema and nausea ) but I am tolerating it/dealing with it as right now I will try almost anything...
It does seem to be doing something ??... these two cycles are the first that I have had since first trying the clomid that I have had significant EWCF (clomid dried me right up) so I guess I will persist for a few more months and see what happens.... (DH is also on a high antioxidant regime to combat his fragmentation issues)
ooh I hope it gives me some EWCM, the only time i've really had any was the cycle of my hysteroscopy and while stimming on IVF......so basically the two cycles when 'trying' either wasn't allowed/ was pointless!
Would you mind sharing your DH's antioxidant routine (conversation me if you prefer). I'm gathering info to persuade DH to try after our crappy fertilization rate......I'm not prepared to accept that trying naturally cannot happen, we don't have funds for repeated IVF's so it has to :)
Funny how our bodies all work differently... I didn't get any EWCM while stimming on IVF...
I find it strange too that up until a couple of years ago I would ALWAYS get heaps of EWCM and would think it was disgusting, not realising the significance (this of course was prior to my TCOYF education ), now I am delighted if I find any
It was suggested to us to increase DH's antioxidant vitamins (A,C & E) so at the moment his routine is the following: Forgive me if you dont recognise brand names, I live in Australia..
Menevit (Mens multivitamin specifically recommended for those trying to concieve) ~ He tried some other multivitamins and each time his SA's would be bad as opposed to when he is taking menevit ( I am not entirely sure what the difference is but there must be something in it ) http://www.menevit.com.au/
Liver detox supplement (the acupunturist suggested issues with DH's SA is linked to poor liver function http://www.swisse.com/products/natural-weight-loss-detox/swisse-ultiboost-liver-detox
1500mg Vit C
2000mg Fish Oil
1500mg Wheatgrass
150mg CoQ10 (500mg L-Carnitine)
1500mg Glucosomine
220mg Zinc
Thanks
I've already started him on a mens conception vitamin (he took nothing at all until this week)
Plus 1000mg vit c and a fish oil supplement.
I wonder if I can gradually add the others in without him complaining too much, he really wants to only take things suggested by our Dr and UK doctors rarely recommend supplements.
Sorry I forgot to add he takes the glucosomine for his dodgy knee not for his dodgy sperm .
He also originally complained of feeling nauseous when he took them in the morning so I took advice from someone else on the boards here and he now takes them at night which has solved that issue. I guess I am lucky that he is happy to take whatever if it means we have a chance at a BFP...
no dodgy knees here!
I think DH isn't keen because the Dr's bigged up his SA so much that he doesn't really believe he has an issue (and quite possibly doesn't in all honesty).
One FS said it was 'the best he'd seen in a long time and worthy of showing his mates and frameing' Urgh - thanks! I kept pointing out it didn't prove the important bit, whether they could penetrate and egg (and ho how right i was there!)
My attitude is that ART is so costly and TTC with problems so emotionally draining that you've got to give it every chance you can and so a few tablets and dietry changes isn't a big deal.
Hi Mumof1, Are you from the UK? I am 45 and have just been told that i have 2 fibroids 1.5cm and 1cm on the muscle outside the uterus. I have just started taking royal jelly capsules from the health shop and am off for my 1st accupunture session on tuesday. I don't get any help from any doctor here in the UK due to my age. I was told that i have a zero % chance of ever conceiving because of fibroids and age, plus i had tubal reversal done last year and not sure if my tubes could be blocked from scar tissue. Good luck to you.
http://tcoyf.com/members/aphroditeyiolou/charts/default.aspx