Sharing my licorice root journey - first cycle

[Elzi]

Hey there lovely ladies

Well I've now decided to try out another way to bring my DH and i to conceiving #1.

We both have our fare share of issues, so with DH on a million and 1 supps and me trying to work out my irregular long cycle issues... a new idea was born. TAKING LICORICE ROOT LIKE CLOMID.

Well not having much info on this, i thought i might as well give it a try and whether it works or not, i will know for myself and maybe be able to enlighten others on this issue.

It is said that licorice root, when taken like clomid (not dose wie, day wise) can actually have the same affect in stimulating ovulation.

Well, here's to sharing my physical and emotional journey this cycle with good ol' Licorice root!

CD5: Here goes nothing! I took my first dose for today of the "2 tabs 3 times a day" allowed. Hmmm nothing strange as yet (good sign i guess! hehe). Would have liked to take it CD3 - 7 but received it in the mail just yesterday afternoon.
I'll check in with any symptoms and what not. And let you guys know if it actually works!

[MissM]

ohhh Good Luck! Keep us posted!!

[luna moth]

Fingers crossed for you! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

[RhiChiChi]

Best of luck - you should keep a blog.... I have also heard Soy is good too

[luna moth]

I have also heard Soy is good too

Nope. As a vegan, I am a total soy fiend. Not doing it for me.

[Elzi]

Hey thanks ladies!

Good idea about the blog hey...

[Elzi]

Well, it's been 4 days on LR and I'm actually feeling right ovary pain. Hope it means something!

Yesterday i had forgotten to take one of the doses and i hope it won't make much of a difference...

You know.. even if this doesn't mean pregnancy this month, and it still makes me ovulate relatively earlier, at least i don't have to spend so long all the time waiting for AF to arrive.

Over n out!

[jackrose]

Sounds good!
Can't wait to read the rest of your story...

[Elzi]

haha me too jackrose!

[RhiChiChi]

Sounds promising! I don't think missing a dose would make a huge difference. BUt if you don't fall pg this cycle, make sure you stick to it for the next one

[Elzi]

Yes i'll be sure to do so Rhichichi
theres 3 doses in the day so i think since today is my last day on it, i might just take one more tomorrow morning to compensate...

gosh i hope this works!
if it does i will have to share this with everyone possible!

[Elzi]

So today is technically the last day on my 5 day cycle of LR. I am thinking of making up for the 1 out of 3 doses i missed yesterday tomorrow morning and then stop.

Well this means the waiting game begins... the wait to see if the LR works, and then the 2ww after that!

I hope magical things happen in the bellies of all the ladies TTC this month.

[Elzi]

Hmm confusion begins.

I doubt that i would be having ov signs already but yesterday i had some EWCM - though it could have been from bding 2 days before that.. you know i still can't tell the difference sometimes, i guess because i can't even predict time of ov. Also i though my cervix did a little SHOW but also, it never really goes extremely high.

Just taking the every 2nd day bd approach - but no really clear signs of the big O just yet. I'm not actually using OPK's because i become an obsessive monster, i don't chart my temps because i wake up at very sporadic times, and the saliva ferning test microscope that i do use sometimes does not work for me (I'm not exactly miss picture perfect hormones).

so then i guess it's been 6 days off LC and i'm pretty certain no ov yet. still have hope though. If not this month i will do the LC for 7 days and see how i go.

I don't know why i bother with these things sometimes though, supposedly we have no change other than ICSI - 2 losses and i still think i can do it. I think my hopes are both good and bad in a way.

Well anyways, i'll keep you posted! come on LR! you can do it! pop one out!!

[Elzi]

Well this is what i've been waiting for... waiting to let you all know that Licorice root really does work the way it was suggested.. well does it?

It most certainly did for me!
I'm pretty definate that i O'd around 15 dpo after taking LR days 5-9. That's the earliest i have ever O'd in my life, yes you've heard my right.

I HIGHLY recommend this herb for any ladies that want to O earlier or regulate their cycle. It has so many other benefits too. Clomid... take a hike! (not that i'm even eligable for it anyway - found that out after my DH's results).

Now starts the worst part, the 2ww. I'm hoping for FANTASTIC news at the end of it.. and will let you know the verdict!

All the best TTCers XxXx

[luna moth]

AWESOME! Big fat fingers crossed for you in the TWW!

[tweety]

hi elzi,
I too have issues with my af's and i dont know when im Oing !! I am on menstrocare 2.5 months now ( i had my period last month but very light !!??? very strange, so i dnt knw if its the herbs or they just decided to show up) ? which contains vitex.... hopefully will get my af's in order and among other herbs too, and i have read about licorice root,i think i might give it a go.

Well yesterday i did feel a sharp pain right side ? i dont know anymore.... but i have made up my mind that i'll do anything possible

I cross my fingers to all the wonderfull ladies for a BFP

[Elzi]

hey tweety!

It's not easy is it, never being able to predict an af, not having so many changes for TTC. But it's nice to know there are natural alternatives for us!

The first time i took vitex i actually fell preg! but lost that angel. next time i tried it i got all the side effects under the sun, as i wasn't taking the vitamins that the vitex uses up in the body. So i had a vitex 'crash' as they call it. But i was on high doses, as it wasn't part of a suplement but pure vitex.

It's good to be open to trying verything, because you can learn more about your bdy and what works for you.

If ever you feel like trying the licorice root and need some input i'd be more than glad to talk and offer advice!

all the best tweety and all TTCers. One day it'll be our time, just remember that

stay tuned for the outcome of this cycle...

[Elzi]

Hey ladies,

Just updating on something that i think is worth mentioning...

and maybe you can give me some input too. I started to get my usual breast tenderness after ovulation, but for some reason it's been light, and on and off this cycle, rather than it increasing in intensity until af shows. This has never happened before, so i'm thinking as LC is known to sometimes relieve PMS it could be that, but it would be out of nmy system by now wouldn't it? I don't know i'm quite confused.

What i would really love it to be is that somehow it is because i'm pg, but i highly doubt it, cos with my 2 pregnancies my breasts hurt the same like any other month, but it didn't reduce after missed af, it just got worse.

Well soon enough i will be able to tell you guys which one it is, and if it happens to be that LC not only stimulates ov but ALSO relieves PMS i would say, what an amazing herb! and i'l be growing it in my backyard hahaha.

Over and out..