In both men and women, having a balanced level of hormones is essential to proper fertility. FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is a naturally occurring hormone that is made by the pituitary gland in the body. If the FSH levels or either low or high, it is a clear indicator that something is out of balance within the reproductive system and may be causing issues with the couple being able to conceive. While FSH levels are used to determine if there is an imbalance, low or high FSH is not the direct cause of fertility issues, just a sign that their may be one.
FSH in Women
For women, follicle-stimulating hormones help to control and regulate the woman’s menstrual cycle and is also partially responsible for the production of ova, or eggs, in the ovaries. It is normal for a woman’s FSH levels to vary throughout her usual monthly cycle, with their being a spike in the levels immediately before ovulation.
However, if FSH levels are generally too high or too low, it can signal fertility issues for the woman which can prevent conception from occurring. For menstruating women, the normal FSH levels during the follicular or luteal phase should range between 5 and 20 IU/L (international units per liter.) Right before ovulation during the mid-cycle peak, FSH levels should be between 30 and 50 IU/L. If a woman is post-menopausal, her FSH levels will be naturally higher, at 50 IU/L or more.
High levels of FSH in women could cause a loss of or poor ovarian function, polycystic ovary syndrome or can indicate that menopause has set in. All of these conditions will have a negative impact on fertility. Low levels of the hormone can indicate that eggs are not being produced, that the pituitary gland is not functioning correctly, that there are significant levels of stress present or that the person is severely underweight which is causing problems to occur.
FSH in Men
It is also essential for men to have normal levels of the FSH hormone. An imbalance of this hormone in men can also contribute to infertility, so if a couple is having trouble conceiving it may be wise to have the FSH levels tested in both. For men, FSH controls sperm production which is of course essential to fertility.
Unlike women, a man’s FSH levels remain relatively constant rather than fluctuating throughout the month. Typically, a man’s follicle-stimulating hormone levels should be between 5 and 15 IU/L. High levels of FSH in a male could indicate that the testicles are not functioning properly, or may have been damaged by some condition. They can also indicate the presence of Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes the presence of too many X chromosomes in the male. Low levels of FSH usually indicate that sperm is not being produced.
How do you know if your FSH levels are high or low?
FSH levels are determined by a blood test which is usually combined with other tests to diagnose hormonal levels which may show reproductive problems such as low sperm counts, lack of menses, or ovulation.
A low level of FSH may indicate an imbalance in the pituitary or hypothalamus.
A high FSH level may indicate an imbalance with the testes or ovaries functioning properly.
In women, the FSH test (it is a blood test) is taken on the 3rd day of the menstrual period. Doctors believe level higher than 10-15mIU/ml may indicate diminished fertility or diminished ovarian reserve.
When looking at an imbalance such as high FSH or low FSH holistically, remember that these are hormones are secreted and regulated by the endocrine system (hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, testes) It is not that imbalanced FSH levels are the problem, it is the health and current state of the endocrine system that needs to be looked at.
Both FSH and LH secretion are affected by the hormonal balance of other hormones in the body and vice versa. High doses of estrogen or testosterone therapy/medications have been shown to suppress FSH and LH.
What can cause FSH Levels to become Imbalanced?
The possible causes for low or high FSH are many, so it is hard to give a reason why FSH levels may be high or low. In the holistic world we look at not the FSH levels as the “cause” of the fertility issues, but more as a result of an underlying imbalance. Imbalances such as these are a signal or sign that the body is out of balance.
When it comes to hormones, it is a delicate balancing act. The glandular system is one of the most important and complex system in the body. It can be easy to get caught up in wanting to increase one hormone so your levels are back to normal. The problem that can occur with this approach is a hormone in another area, which is just as important as the first, may become out of balance as a result. This is why natural therapies can be so helpful. They are complementary, and help to support the body instead of forcing it into an action or adding one hormone.
Natural therapies for low FSH and High FSH
What we focus on is helping the body to function at its best. In this case supporting the hormonal glands, helping the body to rid itself of excess hormones, and maintaining a healthy weight. These therapies can be used by themselves or in conjunction with medical therapies. Talk to your doctor about this first if you are taking hormonal drugs.
Support the pituitary and hypothalamus glands
Good Nutrition Supports a Healthy Pituitary and hypothalamus Gland- Nutrition for the Hypothalamus
Insulin resistance and blood sugar levels have a big impact on the endocrine system and hormone levels. This is one of the reason maintaining a healthy weight is important for healthy hormonal function. Following the Natural Fertility Diet to make sure you are getting proper nutrients in your diet will help a lot. Here are some specific nutrients and foods you should incorporate into your diet:
EFA’s
The hypothalamus is fed by essential fatty acids (EFA’s) and other nutrients. The glandular system utilizes essential fatty acids to produce hormones. If you are deficient, the body doesn’t have the building blocks to make the proper hormones. A sign that you may not have enough EFA’s in your system is if you have dry skin and hair.
Sea Vegetables and dark greens
Sea vegetables such as kelp, nori, and wakimi contain large amounts of minerals which are essential for endocrine health. You can eat these in a salad, with sushi, they even come in dried strips that you can eat right out of the package.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can eat. It contains proteins, mineral, vitamins, immune system compounds, and much more.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a dense green food which contains a lot of minerals and protiens, essential foods for the endocrine system Magnesium and Potassium
Adapotogen herbs are herbs that help to nourish…
Adaptogen herbs are some of the best therapies to support the endocrine system, the pituitary and hypothalamus specifically. They contain no hormones but have a nourishing and balancing effect on the pituitary and hypothalamus. This in turn helps to balance the delicate hormonal system which in turn causes FSH, LH, Progesterone, Testosterone, etc. to be secreted in proper amounts at the correct times. Think of adaptogens and pituitary and hypothalamus food. They can be taken for long periods of time and there are effects can be life changing. Remember as with most herbs, they should be taken for at least 3 months before you see the results you seek, and should be continued.
Panax and American Ginseng
These herbs are adapotgenic and help to nourish and support the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (and all the glands in the endocrine system). This herb is generally used by men to help with low FSH levels, low testosterone, or other hormonal imbalances.
Maca
Maca is an adaptogen herb that has an effect on the endocrine system as well.In women, maca works by controlling estrogen in the body. Estrogen levels that are high or low at the wrong time can keep a woman from becoming pregnant or keep her from carrying to term. Excess estrogen levels also cause progesterone levels to become too low. Taking maca may help to increase the progesterone levels which are essential to carrying a healthy pregnancy.
Estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction or lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid. Men who use maca have been seen to have an increased libido and healthy sperm.
Vitex
Vitex encorages luteinizing hormone production while mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This indirectly boosts progesterone production and chances of achieving and maintaining a successful pregnancy.
Vitex decreases high prolactin levels, which are associated with breast pain. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates milk production and breast growth during pregnancy. High levels in the absence of pregnancy are often the result of a very common women’s endocrine’s disorder called hyperprolactinemia. High prolactin levels are also linked to fertility problems.
Vitex is an incredible hormone balancer, which adapts to women’s different needs.
Apply Natural Fertility Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupuncture normalizes the dysfunction of the Hypothalamus- Pituitary – Ovarian Axis. This improves ovarian function creating more follicles, and better egg production. It has also been suggested that the concentrations of central opioids may regulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis via the central sympathetic system, and that a hyperactive sympathetic system in anovulatory patients could be normalized by ElectroAcupuncture (Chen and Yin, 1991). It has been assumed that various disorders in the autonomic nervous system, such as hormonal disturbances, may be normalized during auricular acupuncture (Gerhard and Postneck, 1992). http://www.acubalance.ca/Research_Articles-IVF-ART .
Fertility Massage
Massage encourages a healthy communication between the pituitary, hypothalamus, and ovaries. This is called the “feedback loop”. It controls the levels of hormones produced in the body. By massaging the ovaries and including the stress relieving benefits of massage, a healthier balance can be found in the body. In Self Fertility Massage™ the liver is also massaged, which is another important organ for hormonal balance.
Promote hormonal balance
Too much estrogen or testosterone can cause FSH levels to be low. Cleansing the liver is one of the best things you can do for your hormonal health. The liver is responsible for taking the excess hormones from the body which are then excreted through elimination. Liver supporting herbs help the liver to function optimally so excess hormones are not circulating in the blood. Doing a Fertility Cleanse is one of the best ways to cleanse your liver.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being underweight and overweight can cause FSH levels to be off. Being 10% below the ideal body weight can cause FSH levels to be low and cause many other fertiltiy issues. Being overwieght can also effect FSH and hormonal levels. The Natural Fertility Diet is a healthy way to move towards a healthy weight.
Reduce Stress
The release of stress hormones has a big impact on hormonal balance and health. If you are constantly stressed out, stress hormones are released and general hormone production is reduced. Taking steps to reduce your stress through yoga, meditation, prayer, massage, exercise can help to keep your hormonal system healthy.
References:
1. Serge A Jabbour, MD. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Abnormalities. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Thomas Jefferson University Aug 30, 2007
2. Aso T, Motohashi T, Murata M, Nishimura T, Kakizaki K. The influence of acupuncture stimulation on plasma levels of LH, FSH, progesterone and estradiol in normally ovulating women. Am J Chin Med. 1976 WINTER;4(4):391-401.
3. Yu J, Zheng HM, Ping SM.Changes in serum FSH, LH and ovarian follicular growth during electroacupuncture for induction of ovulation. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1989 Apr;9(4):199-202, 195.
4. Mo X, Li D, Pu Y, Xi G, Le X, Fu Z. Clinical studies on the mechanism for acupuncture stimulation of ovulation. J Tradit Chin Med. 1993 Jun;13(2):115-9.
{ 114 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article!! Thanks so much! Could you do an article on lymphatic drainage? I know, I know, it’s like we’re never satisfied…but your articles are amazing! Thanks again.
So glad you enjoyed the article!
Dear Hethir,i have just received my AMH results today 0.7. As i am 44 years of age i was told this is somewhat low and normal of someone of my age! Having said that,the clinic is starting my treatment for ivf and icsi at the start of my next period.Is there something i can do to improve this level,as apparently i have a low ovarian reserve.I am taking nearly everything you have on your site and i am on my 6th accupunture session.Please can you help? Debbie
Hi Debbie,
It sounds like you are doing everything you can to prepare for this upcoming IVF. Remember it is best for you to take the supplements for 90 days prior to IVF. Have you been taking them for that long?
Have you thought of meditation? It sounds like you are super stressed out about the AMH results. Remember that your doctor said this is “normal for your age”.
I think it would be best to go into this upcoming IVF with a clear head and heart. You are taking everything you can, but have you focused on your heart and quieting your mind? Taking time to clear your mind of its non stop thoughts can help to reduce stress and induce a peaceful state of mind, which can lead to a successful pregnancy.
All the best,
Dalene
Dear Hethir,
I’ve got my blood test result yesterday. I was basically told by an elder gynecologist (man), ” You’re old!”, I told him that I didn’t think so that age 45 was old. Although, my results don’t look good: FSH is 138, and LHS is 78. I was shocked in the afternoon to find out how high these levels are and gave in to worrying and crying. I didn’t have my period since April. I’m doing Fertility Cleanse, and also Fertility massage for nearly two weeks. Is it possible to achieve hormonal balance, get my period back and be able to ovulate/have healthy eggs after I’m done with the fertility cleanse?
I would like to have a baby with my boyfriend next year. What are your suggestions? I’d truly appreciate your help!
Thank you!
Betty
Hi Betty,
It is possible, but I can not make any guarantees as every body is different. If you are starting menopause there is not much we can do. If the high FSH is due to stress/hormonal imbalance then there are things you can do. You are on the right track. Have you made shifts in your diet? Have you looked into maca or vitex? Here are some links you may find helpful…
FSH Guide: http://natural-fertility-info.com/fsh-fertility.html
Vitex Guide: http://natural-fertility-info.com/vitex
Maca Guide: http://natural-fertility-info.com/maca
Hi Hethir,
Thank you very much! I hope the high FSH dues to stress/hormonal imbalances.
I went through some stressful things in the past one year, including losing my job (still unemployed), final exams at the college, getting ready to move overseas, concerning about a new start in a country I’ve never been. I think it ads up, and I really hope that’s the only reason of the high FSH.
I already got Vitex, but want to finish the cleanse first. I’m vegan for 7 years and am on raw food in the past several months( was actually on and off raw food in the past 3 years). I try to get organic food as much as I can, lots of green and fruit smoothies, raw soups, salads, avocados, hemp seed etc.
I’ll check out the links.
Thank you for your assistance!!!
Best Wishes!
Betty
Great. I love your attitude Betty. Have you heard about the Fertility Smoothie Challenge we did here? It has some great raw food smoothies and soups. You can find it here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/the-10-day-fertility-smoothie-challenge.html
Dear Hethir i did a partial hysterectomy last year and i am now an ivf but did not respond to menopour in that there were not many follice on day 9 and those that were there were not growing Dr recommend acupunture along with fertility blend. My fsh was 12 and my Lh was 5.7 I am on liquid vitex any suggestion I am 42 and never being pregnat before I am expected to repeat the fsh test on the 17 of august
Hi Diana,
What do you mean by partial hysterectomy, what was taken? There is nothing I can think of that is natural that can effect FSH levels in 6 days. Herbs and lifestyle changes that can effect FSH must be done over a period of time for the body to balance itself and become healthy (around a 3 month period).
Dear Hethir,
Thank you very much for the link!!! It’s great! Great recipes! I really like them! : ))
Best Wishes!
Betty
Is it safe to do a fertility cleanse and be on clomid?
Hi Kelly,
It is best to not mix fertility medications with the Fertility Cleanse or other natural fertility herbs.
HI Hethir
I am 42 have 3 boys, 24yo, 14yo and 23 month old, was pregnant in Jan 09 had m/c in March 09. Had my FSH tested over 4 months, gone from 20 to 25 to 33 to 55. My E2 was with in normal range.
Also i have a lack of fertile CM, olny since the m/c. Have been taking the EPO (which used to work wonders) but now doesn’t seem to do anything.
I am starting Acupuncture in 2 days, what would you suggest for the high FSH? My Dr thinks i should just do IVF but i don’t think i need to go to that level, what do you think?
Thanks for any help.
Hi Debbie,
I am not able to say if you should do IVF or not as I have not seen your medical history, tests, etc. And that is not my area of expertise. But what I can suggest is to use the information on this page to make a decision for yourself. Acupuncture is also a great idea.
I am male,43 years old. I have married 10 years ago with no children . I have had Seminoma 7 years ago due to which i put out one of tests followed by x-ray therapy. After operation the number of sperms decreased to low level and inactive. Recently I have got a high level of FSH in my blood. Testosterone is measured show high level.Please guide me the reason of high level of FSH and testosterone and how can i balance them.
Hi Hethir,
I wanted to know what would be, if any, the right treatment for me… I was recently diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure and my doctors are going towards donor eggs… They have basically given up on me… I have an FSH level of 64 and a very high LH level as well… I have not had by period for 2 months now… I have been seeing a fertility specialist for 1 1/2 years now and I was not responding to meds… I have been looking into a natural approach and came across you site… I was thinking of ordering the Fertility Cleanse but not sure if in my situation if this will help… Please assist in making the right decision in using the right product.
Thank you.
Hi Grissel,
It is difficult for me to answer your question based on the information you have given me. It is helpful for me to know more about you…health history, age, ect. Have you considered a Natural Fertility e-mail Consultation? A consultation may be of great benefit as I would have a list of things to go over about you to help me determine the best natural remedies, diet and therapies specifically for you.
The Fertility Cleanse is a great way to start any natural fertility journey. The cleanse may help to balance hormones by detoxing the liver, uterus, fat cells and body. Many women choose the Fertility Cleanse as their first step along with the Natural Fertility Diet and a good whole food multivitamin.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi,
I just turned 28 years old and have a high fsh of 27. It was only tested once 5 months ago. I’ve been going to get acupuncture once a week, have been taking wheatgrass shots for the last 4 months, and am possibly starting herbs once my acupuncturist gets back to me.
However, my question for you is, have you ever heard of DHEA? I’ve come across an abundance of success stories, but would love to hear your opinion on it. It’s said to improve egg quality and quantity.
Opinions?
Thanks so much!
Hi Keri,
We do not support the use of DHEA as taking pure DHEA is likely to convert into the wrong hormones and can also go into androgen and estrogen pathways, causing more hormonal imbalance. The goal should be to support the endocrine system by using adaptogen herbs and supportive nutrients to help the body to restore hormonal balance instead of using supplements as hormonal replacement therapy. If you do whish to use DHEA, we would suggest you work closely with your doctor a naturopath so your hormones can be monitored while you are taking DHEA.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi
Thanks so much for all the helpful information on your site. it is truly excellent! In spite of having high FSH (and partner has sperm antibodies) I have had 2 positives (latest Dec 09), each time when taking vitex. I haven’t been able to carry any to term (yet), but I truly believe that vitex and maca had a positive outcome. Far better than my failed IVF cycle in October 09. Based on your website I started taking CoQ10 in November 09. I was/am also taking a conception vitamin, B6, flax seed tablets and wheat germ oil.
I am currently looking to see what else I can do to enhance ‘my case’, and will add spirulina (if I can find it) and royal jelly. My question is: I see many blog sites talk about wheat grass. Does this help? I see that you don’t mention it.
By the way, I’d like to say that my partners sperm antibodies reduced from 85% down to 10% (when tested for IVF in Oct 09) and the only change he introduced was taking a vitamin supplement and acupuncture. This may interest you as the doctor was adamant that you could not reduce these antibodies.
Hi Antonia,
Without knowing more about you it is difficult for me to say what may be best for your situation. For women like you I generally suggest learning about our Natural Fertility Consultations.
I am glad to hear you are experiencing benefits from the changes you have made. That is also wonderful news about your husband!
We don’t mention wheatgrass because while we think wheatgrass is wonderful nutritionally, we find there are other supplement and herbs that are more specific for fertility. It is very important to get in lots of greens each day and wheatgrass is a good one!
Best wishes,
Dalene
Thanks. Sorry but one more question. I can only find royal jelly with panax ginseng or with a soy content. Which is best?
Sorry (again) – just noticed that it also contains licorice root with the gingseng and royal jelly (although not in the title name of the supplement). What is licorice root – is it ok?
I have tested FSH at 12 and then had other month in which it was 6, 7 and 8….doctors said they go by the worst one which is 12. Don’t understand that at all. Anyhow, I am 39, unexplained. I am currently trying acupuncture and fertilaid. Any other suggestions? Tried IUI but no luck. IVF was not a good candidate as only produced 3 good eggs. Doctors is suggesting donor eggs as saying I am too ‘old’. I don’t want to do that.
Hi Antonia,
Panax Ginseng is an adoptogenic herb for overall immune support, aiding the body in times of stress. Its benefits vary greatly. It is generally used as a male fertility tonic. It should not be taken for more than six weeks straight. Licorice is a perennial, woody-stemmed medicnal plant, the root is used for medicinal purposes. Soy, licorice root and royal jelly may increase estrogen in the body, so if you have low progesterone and high estrogen this may not be a good choice for you. Our Fertilica Royal Jelly does not contain any extra herbs.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Debbie S,
It is very important to have good communication with your doctor, please voice your questions and concerns about your test results with them. If they are not supportive it is always your right to seek a second opinion. Have you read our Increase Egg Health page? In the past a common belief was that the only factor which determine ovarian health was age. Based on the discovery of many new studies, we know that this is not true. Stress, balanced hormones, proper circulation, lifestyle and diet choices can also impact the quality of your eggs and fertility. Another option may be a Natural Fertility Consultation, I just don’t have adequate information about your fertility challenges, health history, ect. to guide you in the best direction.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
I’m 34yrs old and have been dx w/poor ovarian reserve, my day 3 FSH was 15.3. I’m waiting to begin an IVF cycle w/clomid and injections and will start when my next period starts (approx 4 weeks), I read all the info. and was wondering what herbs should I take to start with and will any help by the time I start.
Hi Monica,
Honestly 4 weeks is not going to be enough time to start an herbal program before you begin your IVF injections. Focusing on eating well, getting exercise, drinking plenty of water may be very beneficial at this point. You could also learn about Self Fertility Massage. Self Fertility Massage™ is a series of massage techniques that are used to help support reproductive health, the menstrual cycle, and your fertility. Self Fertility Massage™ is a very effective and low cost way to boost your fertility naturally and help reduce the effects of fertility issues on your body.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
I am 38 years old male. Since few years i have been complaining low libido and sexual drive since i diagnosed hypothyroidism due to Hashimotos. Since last year my endo after tested harmones LH,FSH and Testosterone level and prolactin level, she prescribed me clomid to increase Lh and FSH level and testosterone eventually but again testosterone level didn’t go up. Since last month i have been taking HCG injection .In recent test it was found following
Total testosterone = 650 (270-800)
Estrodoil 77.7 (16-41).
FSH 0.9 (1.5-12)
LF 5.5 (1.7-18)
It looks like my estrodoil is now responsible for my low erection as my Testosterone to Estrogen level is very low.
My concern mainly on FSH which wasn’t very high even earlier but not that low either . Do you think therapy of taking HCG , can cause this FSH to go low ?. Also i am overweight and mostly weight on belly fat , what do you suggest in terms of diet and herbs to increase FSH and keeping testosterone high
Hi Ray,
I wanted to consult with Hethir Rodriguez, creator of this site first. This is her response:
I hope you find this helpful. Let us know if we can be of more assistance.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi.
I’m at the age of 33,I married 12 years ago and I have decided to be pregnant since 1.5 years ago, but I havent been pregnant despite trying. my doctor says that the only abnormal parameter in you is FSH whose levels during the follicular is abit high(=10.5IU/L).I should mention that my period is reqular and I have proper ovaries functioning base on vaginal sonography. the other factors of me and my husband are normal. Could you please guide me how I can solve my fertility problem if there is any. Thanks.
Hi Maryam,
You may want to learn about Maca and Vitex. Though becuase you have regular cycles Vitex may not be the best choice.
Vitex increases luteinizing hormone production while mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This indirectly boosts progesterone production and chances of achieving and maintaining a successful pregnancy. Maca is a nourishing food for the endocrine system, aiding both the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance.) Maca has the ability to affect key hormones in both women and men without containing hormones itself.
Maca helps to stimulate and nourish the pituitary gland, acting as a tonic for the hormone system. When the pituitary gland functions optimally, the entire endocrine system becomes balanced, because the pituitary gland controls the hormone output of the other three glands.
Since your FSH is only a bit high Maca may be just enough to help balance your hormones out along with nutrient dense diet and regular exercise.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi, just wanted to say i loved this article. A bit of background regarding my problem. Iam 25, overweight and i have been diagnosed with hypopituitarism. Ive never had a natural period and the doctors say i wont concieve naturally since my pituitary gland doesnt produce enough ‘sex hormones’ ie lh and fsh. I was just wondering is any of the above treatments could help me by stimulating the pituitary or such like? I understand since my pituitary gland doesnt release the hormones (but releases everything else so not completely broken) would it work? Thanks for any information .
Dear Sarah,
Your condition is beyond our scope of practice or expertise, but your question is great. You may want to ask your doctor or local naturopath about this. Adaptogen herbs may be a great place to begin research, since they support the pituitary gland.
Best wishes,
Dalene
Hi Hethir,
Hey I would like to know what company makes the Fertilica products before I buy any of them. I want to research the company.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Hi Hethir,
Also, I am taking Prometrum and Estradoil for Premature Ovarian Failure. My doctor is hard to get in touch with, but I would like to know what you can recommend for treatment for infertilty with me taking these hormones. I have to stay on them for hormone replacement because thats the only thing that works.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Dear Lindsay,
We do not recommend taking any herbs for fertility while on hormone replacement therapy. There has been some research with the herb Tribiulus Terrestris on sitmulating ovulation. A study conducted on women who were not ovulating to see if Tribulus could stimulate ovulation. 67% realized normalized ovulation. In this same study it was shown that tribulus used with ovarian stimulation drugs produced better results then using the drug alone.
It would be best to consult your doctor about using herbs with the medications you are on.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Lindsay,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. We are the company that makes Fertilica products, it is Hethir Rodriguez’s company. All of the information about the products is available through our Natural Fertility Shop website, or if you have any specific questions you can feel free to ask them through me.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Dear Sarah,
I too have hypopituitarism. I am 26 and I take a birth control with high hormone levels to have a period. I have such low levels of feminine hormones that I would have to have shots of FSH and LH in order to produce viable eggs. If you find out any more information on how to raise FSH levels naturally could you email me?
chrys.talyne@yahoo.com
Thanks, Melissa
I have had 4 miscarriages & lots of tests carried out both in a fertility clinic & recurrent miscarriage clinic, with no diagnosis of any serious fertility problems. I have had on couple of occasions had low progesterone level & more recently told FSH level on higher side but within normal range. My periods were always 28 day cycles since age 13 when started, until i had last MMC 2009 which i am now havin irregular periods. I am 38yrs old. I am definately purchasing Fertility cleanse kit, but what else do you recommend? Desperatly seeking baby & ridiculously anxious & stressed.
Sorry i forgot 2 mention that i have been trying 2 get pregnant for 10months, but since last MMC & DNC, nothing happening, which is long in me conceiving compared to in the past. Been trying for last 8 years, but miscarriage after miscarriage, but i remain hopeful & glad i’ve found this sight, which appears to have promising results.
Hi Mrs. Goldson,
Have you read our 5 step guide to Preventing Recurrent Miscarriage? Preparing ahead of time for your pregnancy is the key to decreasing the chances of a miscarriage. There are steps you can take to reduce the chances of another pregnancy loss, but they must be begun months before you become pregnant again. I know you feel like time is running out, but the steps you take today are deffinitely going to impact your next pregnancy for the better. This guide also helps identify key reasons recurrent miscarriages happen and natural therapies that may help.
You may also want to consider learning about our Natural Fertility Consultations. An email natural fertility consultation can provide you with a guide to the best natural therapies specific to your unique fertility challenges. Having a tangible step-by-step guide may be very helpful to you since you are feeling at a loss of where to go from here.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi,
I’m age 42 and ttc. I have not had a blood fsh test done only a home urine fsh test which seems to indicate that my fsh level is normal. First, do you know if urine fsh tests are reliable? Second, what numbers ranges (IU/L) are considered low, normal, and high (with blood test)?
Thank you so much for your wonderful website and all the wonderful information you guys provide.
Laura
Hi Laura,
In women, the FSH test (it is a blood test) is taken on the 3rd day of the menstrual period. Doctors believe that a level higher than 10-15mIU/ml may indicate diminished fertility or diminished ovarian reserve. We are not sure what the urine results range should be. This would be a good question to ask your doctor. You stated that it was a home test. I ran across this article just today. You may find it interesting: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/206939.php
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi-
Also wanted your opinion on what supplemets to take if your periods are montly, can produce one egg a month, but suffer from high FSH and R.A. Where would you start in helping lower the FSH and producing better quality eggs since usually only one follicle is procuced a month for retrieval?
Thank You,
Kerry
Hi Kerry,
I am not sure what R.A. is, please spell it out. Thanks.
Having high FSH shows that there is a deeper problem. High FSH is a signal that something in the delicate system of communication between the pituitary gland and the ovaries is not functioning properly. The goal should be to nourish the endocrine system through proper diet, exercise, stress reduction, avoidance of environmental pollutants and some herbal help. The endocrine system is a system of hormonal glands, if these glands have been stressed out, overworked, or the body is full of toxins it may impair the endocrine systems functions. We cannot have hormonal imbalance if our bodies systems are not funcitoning properly. Any of the suggestions in this article would be worth reasearching more. Also, high FSH is often an indicator that the follicles are not producing enough estrogen to signal the pituitary gland to stop releasing FSH, so your body keeps producing it, creating a high level of FSH. Nourishing your eggs as well will be important. Learn more here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health
You may also want to talk to your doctor and have him explain why he thinks your FSH is high. We are all unique individuals that have different reasons for fertility issues.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
hiya,
i recently discovered I had premature Ovarian Failure because my FSH levels are 66.4. can I be treated or its the end? Can I follow eating and taking the herbs on this website to lower my fsh levels? if my fsh levels are lowered can I start producing eggs and hence have a period again.
best wishes
melisa
Hi Melisa,
I highly encourage you to talk to your doctor about your diagnosis. The high FSH indicates that your follicles are no longer producing estrogen, which is a sign of depleted count of follicles or lack of healthy follices. The pituitary gland releases FSH which signals a group of follicles to release estrogen as they mature. The estrogen builds up over time and then signals the pituitary gland to curb prouduction of FSH. If the follicles are not responding properly FSH levels continue to rise beyond normal levels. In a healthy follicle that matures the estrogen levels rise and signal the pituitary gland to prouduce Lutenizing Hormone (LH), the LH signals the mature follicle to release the egg, this is ovulation. In women with POF this does not happen regulary as it should, but it still does happen some times. There is still a chance that a woman diagnosed with POF may become pregnant, but the chances are not great.
Premature Ovarian Failure is complicated and hard to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other fertility issues such as PCOS, that is why it is extremely important to talk to your doctor about your individual results and diagnosis. The issue at hand is deeper than lowering your FSH, that is only one part of this delicate balance of communication within the entire reproductive system. High FSH is a sign that the follicles which contain your eggs are not responding, there are many different reasons this may be happening, once the follicles are damaged or die they do not come back. It is never to late to support the health of our bodies with proper nutrition, exercise, and sometimes herbal and nutritional supplement support.
Please talk to your doctor because there is no way I can tell you this is the end, there is no way for me to know that. It is very important to learn what your diagnosis means for you individually.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Iam a man of 44years old,married for about four years ago without any Child, I had a serious erectile dysfunction once which has been trated and i now have normal erection.All other fertility text has carried on me and My Doctor says that My FSH is a bit high at 21mlg, inwhich case that made me to have Zero sperm count and he is recomending Ivf,which i refused he then placed me on Clomid.Pls Could you help to advice me on how lower to my FSH and build up sperm to impreganat my wife because she is 39yrs and you know time is flying.
Hi Dalene.Iam 45,and i have suffered for premature ejeculation,erectyile dysfunction.After serveral treatment iwas cured of the premature ejeculation and erectyile dysfunction.i and my wife we have been trying to have baby for the last four years,but could not.i have been to the hospital and i was diagonised of being azoospermia,and my FSH is high at 21.My question is could my erectile dysfunction be the cause of my azoospermia.please is there anything i could to bring back my Fsh to normal so that my testis will be able to produce sperm.
Hi Cordy,
The goal with natural fertility remedies would not be to work directly on lowering FSH, but to nourish the entire endocrine system which controls the release of hormones. The root of the problem with high FSH is deeper than just one hormone being too high. The pituitary gland releases FSH and the pituitary gland is just one part of the entire endocrine system. The herb Maca is a plant that nourishes the endocrine system and has been shown to be very helpful with overall men’s fertility. To learn more about Maca please go to this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/maca
To learn about the best natural remedies for Men’s Fertility please read our article at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/mens-fertility
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Thanks Dalene,
Your site is educative and informative.
will still be keeping intouch.
Cheers
Hi Tony,
Azoospermia is beyond our scope of practice as this condition often times has physical causes as well as hormonal causes. This cannot be determined over the internet and it would be best to talk to your doctor about your particular case. That being said it is never to late to work toward hormonal balance through proper diet, exercise or the use of supplements like Maca. FSH is released by the pituitary gland and Maca has shown to be nourishing for the endocrine system, the pituitary gland is part of the endocrine system. If you would like to learn about other supplements for Men’s Fertility please go to this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/mens-fertility
Please talk to your doctor about your options and the cause of your diagnosis.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello,
I am a 34 year old woman who has had 3 high day 3 FSH readings of 21.4, 12.1 (stopped all alcohol intake) and 18. I have a low oestrogen reading although my LH is normal.
I have spoken to my doctor about what can cause elevated FSH and low oestrogen other than premature ovarian failure/diminished ovarian function. They haven’t been overly helpful but seemed to think stress would reduce FSH day 3 reading rather than cause an elevated response. They are not keen to continue testing my day 3 FSH as I am single and therefore not actively trying to conceive. I have regular periods and although I have a low waking basal body temperature (my thyroid is functioning normally) my cycle seems to indicate that I am ovulating.
I have been suffering from chronic insomnia for 9 and a half years and have been seeing an acupuncturist. She diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress. I have now been successfully and treated with EMDR. My sleep has improved and I no longer have anxiety or the nightly panic attacks. My father also died this year. In your opinion could this have caused a high FSH and low oestrogen reading?
I have also been looking into other potential causes. I have recently been advised that I have a severely mis-aligned atlas bone (was a breech birth), which from my research can cause hormonal imbalances. Have you come across this as a cause of infertility?
Are you able to point me in the direction of any other research that has been done on the causes of high FSH and low oestrogen?
Many thanks
Becs.
Hi Becs,
I am not a medical doctor so I cannot say for sure what may be causing your high FSH levels. Women with POF have follicles that are either not responding to the release of FSH due to damage or depletion, that is why the FSH continues to rise. But in POF cases the LH is usually off as well because the follicles are unable to release adequate amounts of estrogen to signal the pituitary gland to release LH.
You may want to seek a second opinion and have the testing redone, by another doctor. We are talking about your health, and if you want to have a baby someday these results are going to be important.
Because FSH is released by the Pituitary gland it is important that you keep it healthy, nutrient dense diet, stress reduction, a good wholefood multivitamin and herbs like Maca may be helpful. Maca supports overall endocrine function. You may also want to consider learning how improving your egg heatlh may help as well. Because your follicles release estrogen to signal release of LH to stimulate ovulation it is important that your eggs are healthy.
Have your doctors mentioned any hint to poor ovarian response or poor egg quality? Stress wreaks havoc on our endocrine system. It sounds like you are already taking steps to improve your health and reduce stress, that is why I urge you to seek a second opinion.
Bone alignment may effect our fertility more than we know. Please talk to an expert in this field such as a chiropracter.
Google Scholar is a great search engine for documentation on studies of all kinds. I personally have not heard of other reasons for high FSH and low oestrogen other than the reasons for the causes of Premature Ovarian Failure which include: autoimmune disorders, exposure to environmental pollutants such as pesticides and herbacides, genetic factors, exposure to a virus, chromosomal defects, chemotherapy and radiation. If you happen to find some useful studies you would like to pass on to us please do so, we always are hungry for new information to provide people with the most up-to-date information on fertility.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
I’m 36 and havn’t had a natural menstrual cycle since I was 16. I was told that I went through early menopause for no medical reasons that could be diagnosed. I’ve been tested with complete blood work regarding all hereditary and turners syndrome possibilities. All tests have been negative, but I have high fsh unless I take birth control to get my period I don’t get a cycle at all. I’ve been told that I can carry a child but need an egg donor which has devastated me for the past few years. I really want to concieve naturally. I plan on trying Vitex and Maca but havn’t as of yet. Any ideas ????
Hi April,
Women with Premature Ovarian Failure who still get their periods sometimes do still have a chance to become pregnant, even though that chance is slim it is still a chance. It never hurts to try to improve your fertility, but there is no way for me to know if these herbs will work for your particular situation. It would be best to see a Naturopathic Doctor that specializes in fertility issues.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi,I diagnosed as POF(High FSH over 100) at the age of 26 just after my marriage.we consulted with gyno and he suggested for HRT, i started taking medicine Premarin 0.625 and Deviry, initially my level came down rapidly to 43 but now after 6 month of the last result i did check my level which is 45.i am very much worried and is there any chance of conception in future? shall i change my medicine? or should i carry the same? please help
Hi just after some advice
I’m 31 and been trying for a baby for 12 months now.
In september I suffered a miscarrage.
When to the doctor last who did blood tests.
I’ve been told my FSH is 21 and my LH is 13
Can some one help as I was told over the phone this was s concern.
Hi Vandana,
I am sorry to hear of you diagnosis, premature ovarian failure can be a devastating diagnosis. Because this diagnosis is a complicated one I feel it best to continue working with your doctors and maybe seeking out complimentary alternative natural methods with a Naturopathic Doctor. You are pretty young still and it seems like there is some time for you to work toward healing and boosting overall fertility. If you would like to learn more premature ovarian failure please consider reading our article Understanding Premature Ovarian Failure.
There is no way for me to know or for anyone else to know for sure if you will be able to have children. I am not a medical doctor and cannot recommend fertility medications.
All the best,
Dalene
Hi Christine,
High FSH can be of concern because it may be a sign that your follicles (eggs) are not responding to the release of FSH, which stimulates a group of follicles to release estrogen. Once the estrogen is released at peak levels this signals release of LH which then signals ovulation. High levels of FSH mayy indicate that the follicles are not responding for some reason and because of this the body continues to release FSH, thus making the levels higher than normal in the body.
Please contact your doctor and talk to them about what your test results mean for you.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
i am 30 year old male.my testotron level is very low, is 170 and it is above to 280.my fsh is0.17 and lh is 0.32.plz send me the msg. of good treatment. thanks
Dear Dalene:
I am 33 years old. I consider myself very healthy, as I just had a general check up and everything is at optimal level. My doctor just told me that my FSH level is 157. My period is always on the dot, without any problem. I wonder if there is anything I could do. We already decided to go through IVF.
By the way, I had an extremely stressful year last year…. I wonder if that could be a factor.
Many thanks!
I was just informed today that my FSH levels are some what elevated. I’ve had 3 miscarriages in the past year and they are running tests to determine a possible cause. So far the FSH is the only possibility, however is only slightly higher than where they like it to be. I see by reading your website, that accupuncture may help. Do you have other articles or specific research data I can read and/or present to my doctor? Thanks.
Hi m.mohsan,
Due to your hormonal balance you may want to read over our supportive guides to supporting male hormonal balance at the links below.
Learn how to support Men’s Fertility here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/mens-fertility
Learn how to eat properly for Men’s Fertility here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/male-fertility-diet.html
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Victoria,
Did the doctors mention anything about your egg/follicle health? High FSH is often a sign of poor egg health.
Recent research tells us that stress boosts levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which inhibits the body’s main sex hormones GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) and subsequently suppresses ovulation and sexual activity.
GnRH is responsible for the release of Luteinizing hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones by the pituitary gland, the suppression of testosterone, estrogens, and sexual behavior. So stress may very well be a factor in your high FSH since all of these hormones must work together for optimum fertility.
You can learn how to increase egg health while preparing for IVF here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-ivf-success
Learn how stress affects fertility and how to deal with it here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/stress-and-your-fertility.html
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Shannan,
The link under that acupuncture section of this article is a compilation of studies relating to fertility and acupuncture, learn more here: http://www.acubalance.ca/Research_Articles-IVF-ART
Here is an article on treating Infertility with Acupuncture on our site: http://natural-fertility-info.com/acupuncture-and-treating-infertility.html
Acupuncture is harmless and only has benefits in my opinion, so I do not see why you would need your doctors apporoval for this treatment option. If you have never had acupuncture done I urge you to find a local Acupuncturist and just talk to them about what they do.
Be Well,
Dalene
I am 29 years old TTC#1. My blood test showed a very low FSH of 1.2 and LH as 3.4. Can you please help me and tell me what it indicates. Also how can I correct it.
Thanks,
Hi Yara,
Low levels of the FSH hormone can indicate that eggs are not being produced, that the pituitary gland is not functioning correctly, that there are significant levels of stress present or that the person is severely underweight which is causing problems to occur.
Because I don’t have any information on you I cannot say why you may have these test results or what you can do to correct it. It would be best for you to talk to your doctor about what these test results mean for your fertility.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi just after some advice
I’m 34 and been trying for a baby for 3 years now.
I have very irregular period.
Went to the doctor last who did blood tests.
I was told my FSH is 20 and my LH is 54
Also he said am anovulatory.
what does this mean and what can i do to have a baby soon?
Am really worried.thanks a lot
Arianna
hello
am 27yrs its been 7 yrs we’re trying to have a baby well am not regular went to see doctor he say that my follicle are too small to get pregnant
he gave me 12 injection gonal f and after 2 weeks i was pregnant but unfortunately at 2 and a half week of pregnancy the foetus heart had stop beating so had a miscarriage naturally just for precaution i did a d & c
now my question is can i be pregnant naturally without doing any injection ?
is there any natural way to make my follicle become bigger
thanks
thanks for this informative site. i have high fsh, 1st reading was 9.8 on day 4 and 7dpo progesterone test of 52 and second fsh reading 16 on day 3, on that second reading they also tested my oestrogen which was 140, which they tell me is ok. I have been ttc my third child for about 6 months. I am 42 and my last child born after 6 months ttc at 40, although then i had good fsh.
My cycles are 27 days mostly and I used OPKs seeming to indicate I am ovulatiing. I am also temping and have a massive oestrogen temp dip at Peak LH, which pressume is Ovulation and then stair step up to a good temp which holds until about day 10-12, when it then dips and I spot for a few days prior to period (always have) My periods are a couple of days shorter now, but thats the only difference I can see.
i am doing all the obvious with food and supplements and acupuncture. i am wondering whether to take soy isoflavones for the 1st 5 days of my cycle to help my chances, what do you think? And your overall opinion is valued v much.
Hi Arianna,
Anovulatory simply means you are not ovulating. There are several reasons you may not be ovulating, did your doctor mention why this may be happening for you? It is important that you have clear communication with your doctor so that you can receive the best care. I hope that you can speak with your doctor about your test results and what they mean for you individually.
Throughout a woman’s life her ovaries contain thousands of follicles, and these follicles contain eggs. The pituitary gland begins releasing FSH at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and the release of FSH signals some of the follicles in the ovary to begin maturing. As the follicles begin maturing they are supposed to release and increase the hormone estrogen over time. The rising estrogen level signals the pituitary gland to curb release of FSH. If the follicles do not mature, the body continues producing FSH and the FSH levels remain high. In a normal functioning follicle, the estrogen levels rise and signal the pituitary gland to release Lutenizing Hormone (LH). LH signals the follicle to open and release the mature egg, this is ovulation. When the delicate communication between the pituitary gland, the ovaries and the follicles does not work properly, ovulation does not occur.
This can happen for a variety of reasons, the reasons are not always easy to know, that is why it is important to ask your doctor why he/she thinks your hormones are so off balance. Your FSH is borderline high. Some reasons for high FSH could be PCOS, Premature Ovarian Failure, Poor Egg Health or damaged ovaries.
I am sorry to hear how worried you are. Once you find out more about your test results please write back and I may be able to help guide you.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi San,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like you have been through a long time of struggle!
You can learn the best ways to increase your egg health, including the growth cycle and size by reading our Improve Egg Health Guide at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health
There is no way for me to know if you will be able to conceive on your own naturally or not. You may also want to consider a Natural Fertility Consultation. Our consultations may help you to learn the natural remedies specific for your unique fertility challenges.
Hi Louisa,
Here is my opinion on soy isoflavones from another post:
I have seen too many times soy isoflavones completely mess up a woman’s menstrual cycle. If you were wanting to increase your estrogen naturally it would be best to work with a naturopathic doctor, someone who could monitor and adjust remedies as necessary. You may want to learn more about Vitex. Vitex helps to lengthen the entire cycle if needed and regulate timing of ovulation. Also for short, scanty periods, the herb Donq Quai can be very nourishing to the uterus and blood, which may greatly help with short menstrual bleeding times.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
ive had a hysterectomy 12 yrs ago and have just been told ive got very low fsh levels how can this be? and whts the cause of it
Hi Julie,
This would be something you would want to speak with your doctor about. This is beyond our scope of practice or expertise. Removal of any part of the reproductive organs can lead to hormonal imbalance because a part of the communication cycle (hormonal feedback loop) is no longer there to communicate. Please talk to your doctor about what your test results mean for you.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Hethir,
I am 35 and been TTC for about 5 months now. I am experiencing horrible physical PMS symptoms – tender breasts, bloating, and this past month I spotted at 6/7DPO (thought it was implantation bleeding). I took a pregnancy test last night (12 DPO) and it was negative. My OB was very responsive and tested my progesterone via blood test and it was excellent in her eyes – 17.8. I also had a pelvic sonogram b/c she thought my ovary was enlarged. All looked good – no cysts, etc.
I am just confused as to why I am having these horrible symptoms. Is there something else (hormonally) that we are missing? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Alana,
It is hard to say what may be going on Alana. PMS can also be related to stress, diet changes (poor diet/nutritional deficiency), alcohol consumption, ect. There is no way for me to know for sure. Have you had any changes in your life that may be contributing to this? Have you only experienced this this one time or has this been going on for a while? There is not real way for me to answer properly. I am sorry! If you would like to continue this conversation with more questions/reply’s to my questions please copy and paste this to a message at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/contact-us
All the best,
Dalene
hi,
I am 29 years old . I had chemotherapy in my teenage. so my periods so irregular I’m sure my hormones are not balanced. I want to go for IVF, but m not sure about my eggs. Would doctor b able to make my egg normal? I am so upset. My last fsh level was 26. I feel I can never become pregnant. Is their any solution. coz doctor always tells me that my eggs are very small. She gave injections to make it bigger but didn’t even reach 1.6, normal should be 1.9. please give me some info.
Hi Jasmin,
I am sorry to hear of your very difficult situation. Chemotherapy can cause a lot of damage to the cells in our bodies. Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments are one of the leading cause of Premature Ovarian Failure. A definitive diagnosis of POF usually means that you will have extreme difficulty getting pregnant; though women with POF may still become pregnant, so do not give up hope if you have not yet had a child because it could still happen. Milk Thistle extract has been used for many years to help chemotherapy patients restore their liver health, which is vital to healthy hormonal balance. Please read over our entire Premature Ovarian Failure page to help to understand how you may be able to work toward restoring some of your fertility.
Best Wishes for your healing,
Dalene
Hi,
I’m 34 years old and I had a miscarriage in 2006. I don’t have any children so far and I decided to have my ovarian egg reserve count checked out privately because my mother and grandmother both started an early menopause at age 36 and I wanted to know if I would follow suit and how much time I would have left to try to conceive.
I had a transvaginal ultrasound scan which showed a normal size and shape anteverted mobile uterus. The endometrium appeared normal and endometrial thickness was 0.7cm, both ovaries appeared normal and there were follicles present in both ovaries. I had blood tests for AMH (anti-Mullerian Hormone) which is a very reliable marker of ovarian reserve. The results have come back at 6.05pmol/l, which is very low for someone of my age.
Please can anyone recommend anything I can take or do to improve my chances of conceiving and becoming a mother?
Thanks,
Karen. x
my age is 39, suddenly started very poor Errection ,my desires disappeared,anxiety headache problems since 10 yrs.my doctor Andrologist told after followed testings its a “HYPOGONADISM”
testosterone LEVELS are ,
Total t 521,ng/dl (Normal Range241-827),
FSH 0.73 mlu/ml (NR 1.40-15.4), LH 2.24mlu/ml(NR 1.2-7.8),
PROLACTIN 6.63 ng/ml(NR 3.0-14.70)
he recomends to see the result upto 3 weeks with injection,&cernos cap, but finally result NIL, then i went Endocrinalogist for further treatment ,but he recomends to go for MRI-PITUITAY, bcoz FSH,&LH levels are relatd to Head, then i tested result is,
1)RELATIVELY SMALL PITUITARY GLAND 2)SMALL ENCEPHALOMALACIC AREASIN THE RIGHT BASIFRONTALREGION.
BUT my Endocronlogist SUGGESTED me to consult with Neurologist,but when i met 2 neurosurgens they told nothing WRONG in the brain.,he suggested to take SUSTANON INJ 250 Monthly Once.right now iam using. Even after 15 days of inj,there is no any improvement, kindly suggest me what u will prfer for me.
Thank u
Ahmed
Hi Karen,
A definitive diagnosis of POF usually means that you will have extreme difficulty getting pregnant; though women with POF may still become pregnant, so do not give up hope if you have not yet had a child because it could still happen. Focusing on Improving Egg Health, and nourishing the endocrine system and maintaining optimum health of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are vital. Below are some ways to support all of these important parts of our fertility.
Honestly if there is a genetic factor that runs in your family that causes POF, there is little you can do. I don’t want to hurt you at all, but it genetic factor POF is hard to understand and little is known about it. It never hurts to do all you can to keep your reproductive health at optimum levels to support your chance of conception. Do not give up hope, because there is still a chance.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Ahmed,
It sounds like you may need a 3rd or 4th opinion. If some of your test results showed problems within your brain and then others showed nothing, I would get another opinion. If you do indeed have something physically abnormal within your brain it would be best to work one-on-one with a doctor in your area. We do not recommend using any herbs for fertility while on any kind of medications to treat hormonal issues.
If you are desiring a more natural approach to combine with your medical doctors approach, please see a Naturopathic Doctor.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello Hethir/Dalene!
I am new to this website.i found useful information here.i have a question.
Thank you very much for the website.it has whole lot of very useful information.
i have high FSH as 13.3 and I was told that my eggs are poor quality.everything else looks okay.I had 3 IUI attempts.one is chemical pregnancy and other 2 are negative though I reponded well to the Gonal – F injections and produced 3-4 good folicles each time.
I am 33 yr old and i have very regular period of 26-28 days and I ovulate on my own.do you know what my problem is and what do you recommend for me?
thank you for your help.
I am hoping you can answer this for me. I am 46 my last period was in June. My doctor checked my FSH on July 22 and it came back at 25.7 and he says I’m in Menopause. Everything I’ve been reading since says to test on the 3rd day of your cycle (which did not happen in my case) and that FSH spikes prior to ovulation. I had ovulation pains on July 25. I also read that your cervix is very high just before ovulation and on the 22nd my doctor said mine was VERY high. Can the high FSH reading simply mean I was about to ovulate? I’m trying estimate when to expect my next cycle. I want to understand what is going on with me. Thanks.
How accurate is high FSH result (33.9) if I haven’t been having period on any regular basis? Last period was December 2010, went to doctor who tested FSH in late June 2011, now suddenly period has appeared in late July. This pattern of period disappearing for months at a time has been going on since probably early 2008 (it started disappearing for about 2 months, then 3-4 months, disappeared for 6 months in early 2010, disappeared for 7 months until this current cycle started; I’ve had 21 periods out of past 37 months; when it does show up, it’s relatively normal). Saliva labs in February 2010 showed normal estrogen and low progesterone (so maybe estrogen dominance?). I was under extraordinary stress 10/2007 – 12/2008 due to terminal illness in family (I had severe depression, extreme hair loss, but also possible hypothyroidism, still untreated). My question is whether all of this info taken together seems to suggest I’m heading into menopause (I’m 44), or whether there’s work I can do to turn things around.
Hi wanttobeamom,
The goal would be to support the endocrine system and nourish the hormonal feedback loop so that hormones are released at the correct time. There is no way for me to know why your FSH is high. This would be a good question for your doctor. Ask your doctor what your test results mean for you. Herbs that support endocrine function and indirectly boost progesterone production, which may help to lower FSH are Maca, Vitex and in some cases Natural Progesterone Cream. You can learn how to improve egg quality here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health
To lower FSH naturally takes work and consistency over time. This is not an easy path, but it can be done with persistent work.
Without more information about your situation, diet, health, lifestyle it is very difficult to guide you in the right direction. I suggest you consider a Natural Fertility Consultation.
Know that you can change your health!
Dalene
Hi Denise,
The increasing levels of estrogen trigger the secretion of GnRH from the hypothalamus which then signals the surge of LH and FSH which most likely triggers the release of the egg. Once ovulation occurs FSH levels drop fast and LH starts to drop slowly. I am not sure why your doctor did not do the day 3 test for FSH. Usually most doctors test on day 2, 3, and 4 to see how hard a woman’s body is trying to mature a follicle for ovulation. The higher the FSH in the beginning of the cycle, the harder the woman’s body is working to mature the follicle, the lower egg quality and ovarian reserve. It would be good to ask your doctor what day he tested you on and why that day, as well as what your test results mean for you. Most IVF clinics and RE’s agree that any test result over 20 indicates very poor to no response from the follicles to FSH stimulation. This indicates low to no ovarian reserve, or very poor egg quality.
A woman with healthy eggs and high ovarian reserve should stimulate follicles with little release of FSH prior to ovulation, so a test result of 25.7 does not mean your body is necessarily about to ovulate, but that it is trying very hard to get a follicle to stimulate for maturation. I hope this helps you, though it is not very encouraging. Consider calling your doctor up and asking if you have any indication of ovarian reserve at all.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello Guest,
I just answered a similar question and here is part of the answer to Denise in this same blog post:
Doctors test on day 2, 3, and 4 to see how hard a woman’s body is trying to mature a follicle for ovulation. The higher the FSH in the beginning of the cycle, the harder the woman’s body is working to mature the follicle, the lower egg quality and ovarian reserve. It would be good to ask your doctor what day he tested you on and why that day, as well as what your test results mean for you. Most IVF clinics and RE’s agree that any test result over 20 indicates very poor to no response from the follicles to FSH stimulation. This indicates low to no ovarian reserve, or very poor egg quality.
A woman with healthy eggs and high ovarian reserve should stimulate follicles with little release of FSH prior to ovulation, so a test result of 20 or higher does not mean your body is necessarily about to ovulate, but that it is trying very hard to get a follicle to stimulate for maturation.
Menopause is a natural process which a woman goes through when her body gradually no longer produces eggs; estrogen and progesterone levels naturally decline thus causing the menstrual cycle to come less often until eventually this stops. The normal age range for women to naturally go through menopause is 45-55, with the average mean age of 51. When you ask if you can “turn things around” I am wondering what you mean exactly. You can not reverse menopause with natural remedies. You may want to speak to your doctor about your specific test results, this will help you to understand what they mean for you. Women 40 and older need to focus on Improving Egg Health, Improving Uterine Health and maintaining hormonal balance. Stress greatly impacts fertility and egg health. If your doctor feels you still have a fighting chance you may want to consider those areas of improvement I mentioned.
Warmly,
Dalene
Hi,
I read your tip and pointers, I am 27 and I have high fsh !! I was told that I would probably not be able to conceive due to high Fsh it’s 90 and my Lh is35 !! Yikes I recently had a miscarriage and my hormones went through the roof now four month later the doctor say I probably can’t since my hormones are high is there anything you recommend to do?! What I can take naturally to lower my fsh?!? Thank a bunch
Hi,
I am 30 yrs old and TTC#1, My Dr has put me on Clomid 50 mg(5-9). I have not been pregnant ever inspite of unprotected sex for a couple of yrs. I do not ovulate very regularly. At times, I spot mid cycle and then I know I have not ovulated. My periods are very painful. I always throw up on my first day. DO you think I may have endometriosis. Isnt that why though having regular sex and ovulating at times never made me pregnant. I have done the HSG test which was normal. Do you think I should get tested for Endo?
Hi Kay,
Have you been given a diagnosis? Usually when a woman has a very high FSH level at such a young age she is diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure. Has your doctor talked to you about what your test results mean for you? Vitex is specific for lowering FSH, but in the case where FSH is as high as 90 there is no way to know if Vitex will help or not. It really depends on the health and status of your follicles. Please talk to your doctor about your egg health. If you would like to learn more about what you can do to Improve Egg Health please go to this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi ,
I recently got diagnosed with pof with high fsh of 90 and then this month it has dropped drastically to 25. Which supposed is good! I had a miscarriage and Doctor think my body went through trauma so that’s why my FSH was through the roof.. Is there any supplements that can help me regulate it and achieve a baby
Thanks
Hi Reva,
If you have extremely painful menstruation it is important to talk to your doctor about this. It is important to rule out if what you are experiencing is actual Primary Dysmenorrhea, or Secondary Dysmennorrhea. Primary means that it is the first issue, whereas secondary means there is another health issue causing or contributing to the painful menstruation. For example; Secondary Dysmenorrhea is often caused by endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids. There may also be other factors that are causing pain that may also need to be ruled out, such as IBS, constipation, UTI, ect. If you know that you have other fertility issues that are the underlying cause of your menstrual pain, it is important to address those issues as well. While it is always easier to treat pain acutely (when it is happening) rather than address the root cause, it is very important to find out what is causing the pain in your body. It would also be helpful to have a full hormonal work-up to help determine why you may not be ovulating.
Best wishes,
Dalene
Hi Kay,
One of the best herbs for supporting the entire hormonal feedback loop, while indirectly lowering FSH is Vitex. An FSH level of 25 is still high, so supporting your body with an herb like Vitex may be something worth researching more. Vitex increases luteinizing hormone production while mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Also supportive nutritional supplements like Maca or Royal Jelly. It sounds like your body went through some trauma, I am truly sorry for your loss! Superfoods like Maca and Royal Jelly support the body in times of stress while nourishing the endocrine system, which is a key player in hormonal balance.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
hi, i am 30 yrs old
i just got my results for the hormonal profile and it indicates high LH of 33ng/ml and FSH of 32mg/ml. it shows also a high prolactin level of 29ng/ml and low PROG of 2mlu/ml
i really dont know what to do. i have always had a history of menstrual delays but now i am trying for kids and it seems to be a problem
help
debbie
Hi Debbie,
I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time with your test results. Vitex is an herb worth researching more. It helps to lower FSH and prolactin levels. Normalizing hormone levels and working to regulate ovulation so you can have regular cycle should be the goal, as well as improving egg health. It is important to talk to your doctor about what your test results mean for your fertility. If you feel lost, and would like to choose a natural route to balance hormones you may want to consider a Natural Fertility Consultation.
Warm regards,
Dalene
im 27 and had an emergency surgery to removed a benign tumor almost 3 months ago. my husband and i of 11 years have been trying to concieve have only been trying for less then a year. went and had blood work done last weekend and my fsh level was at 11.8 and all my other blood work came back great.. we go in the begining of nov. to do gonadatropins along with the iui…. exciting and trying to stay positive but it has seemed to have been one thing after another…….. wanting a baby so bad…..was wondering if you think that’s a high level and do you know the success with the gonadatropins? and again im 27 with no children.. ALSO ONE LAST QUESTION is it common to have cramping during ovulation?
Hi Cassie,
I am sorry to hear of your struggles! For menstruating women, the normal FSH levels during the follicular or luteal phase should range between 5 and 20 IU/L (international units per liter.) Right before ovulation during the mid-cycle peak, FSH levels should be between 30 and 50 IU/L. So no, your FSH level does not seem high. Because I am not a medical doctor, nor is anyone else that works here at NFI, I do not know if gonadtropins will be helpful for you. That would be a good question for your doctor.
It is very common to have cramping during ovulation, especially on the side of the body where the egg was released from the ovary. This is called mittleschmerz.
Best Wishes on your upcoming IUI!
Dalene
Hello. I have been off the pill since Dec last year and still haven’t had a period. My fsh is 3.3, my lh is 0.8, my oestradiol is less than 55 and my prolactin is 59. I have been told that although stress can effect your hormones, they would expect to see high prolactin levels rather than low? Do you have any suggestions as to what this could indicate or what could be causing my low levels?
(I am 31 and have a bmi of around 18 18.5)
Kind regards
Kate
Hi Kate,
It could be that your body fat is a bit too low. You are borderline low. Having a BMI less than 19 is a signal that you are underweight. There is only one thing you can do to increase your BMI, eat more food. By focusing on eating fertility diet that is geared for healthy weight gain, you will be well on your way. Even increasing it some may greatly help your body to regulate the menstrual cycle once again.
Due to a lack of other information about your health it is difficult for me to say what may be going on. If you are desiring more information you may want to consider a detailed consultation.
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hi Dalene
I only just read your reply to my previous post in June.
I don’t understand why I have POF when I have regular 28 day cycles. I have no symptoms of starting the menopause yet other than a letter from the fertility clinic where I was tested stating what I wrote in my previous post.
I miscarried in 2006 and I also miscarried in August this year. I’m not undergoing any treatment or anything. I still try the natural method and I know I’m capable of conceiving because my last miscarriage proved that.
I met with a psychic clairvoyant who was 100% accurate with the reading I had with her. She gave me names of relatives that had passed over and things that nobody could have possible known about me and she told me that I would fall pregnant and I did but lost it shortly after but she sees me conceiving again in November and I’m remaining positive about that.
I know I’ll get the baby I so desperately want soon.
Sending baby dust to you all.
Keep the faith.
Karen xxx
Hi Dalene
I got a second opinion and was told that I need IVF with aggressive superovulation, to maximise my chances of conceiving and that it would help to make the most of my remaining eggs.
The consultant also recommended I try the following to improve my ovarian reserve.
1. Yoga
2. Acupuncture
3. DHEA, 25mg thrice a day.
4. Take wheat germ daily
5. CoQ 10,100 mg daily
6. Vit D3 ( Calcirol), 50000 IU, once a week for 8 weeks
I cannot afford to have IVF and where I live it’s a postcode lottery so I cannot get it free either but I read somewhere online today about the effects of DHEA in regards to POF and the success rate is very good.
I’m seriously thinking about trying acupuncture and purchasing DHEA from abroad without my doctors consent as I don’t think it’s available in the UK.
I don’t have much to lose really do I?!
Karen xxx
Hi Karen,
I think the suggestions your consultant gave you are great! We don’t suggest ever using DHEA without being under supervised care of your health care practitioner, so they can monitor your progress and hormone levels!
Best Wishes Karen!
Dalene
Hi i am akshay( Male ), i am suffering witha big problem. my fsh hormone has incresed it is showing on now 22.12 . is it possible to decerese it or.balance on level. because of this my sperm is not being procduce. please help me. and how to do…….please…
thanks
akshay kumar
Hi Akshay kumar,
Diet changes have the greatest impact on sperm health and count. These articles below provide supportive tips on diet changes with specific vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, herbs and foods to avoid, implementing positive lifestyle changes, as well as suggestions for making a month-by-month plan. We greatly encourage you to check out these amazing tips…
The Male Fertility Diet
Increasing Low Sperm Count and Improving Male Fertility…
Products to Support Male Fertility
Fertility Superfoods
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello Dalene
I’m 37, and TTC for more than 1 year. We are hoping to get pregnant as natural as possible, but nothing happened yet. I just took blood test on day 3 last week, and the result came back with high Prolactin (34.1), other levels were normal (TSH=0.9, FSH=6.9, LH=4.4, and Estradiol=111.) Also, Dr. told me that the result of ultra sound was good.
As you recommended, I started to take Vitex and hope to get lower the level. My periods cycle is 27~31 days, but my basal temp goes up very slowly after ovulation, and also short high Temp. phase.
I’m starting acupuncture, also doing hot yoga once a week.
I would like to ask you if there are something I can do more, and also if I should stop the Vitex when my Dr. prescribes medication for hyperprolactinemia on the next appointment in March 2012? (I’m not sure if my Dr. suggest me to take meds at this point.)
Thanks
Hi Hope,
Vitex is an herb that required consistency of use and patience. Vitex is best taken for 6-12 months consistently. We do NOT suggest it be taken with medications for fertility, including ones for hyperprolactinemia. Because I am not sure how long you have been taking Vitex, I cannot say for sure what may be going on, or which direction you may want to go from here. A lot of information regarding your situation is lacking for me to answer properly. Have you considered our consultations, if not, learn about them here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/natural-fertility-email-consultations
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Hello there!
I have somewhat of a mysterious case. Different from most of the other cases I have read so far on this site..desperately seeking answers or a way to help with what I’m dealing with. I am a 23yo female who does not get regular cycles, lucky to get them maybe 3 times a year. First period was at the age of 17 (2005)…that’s pretty late. I went on oral contraceptives(OTC) to help clear up some acne at that time but only stayed on it for a month due to extreme water weight gain. Joined the service a few months later, was again put on oral contraceptives(OTC yet again) in April of 2007, switched to Yaz two months later and stayed on that until September of 2007 which was when I was taken off of it and got Mirena instead. This is where disastrous things happened, though doctors say Mirena had nothing to do with it. I don’t believe that for one second. By the very next month my hair started thinning, and by Christmas, which was only 4 months later, I had lost a good 50% of my hair. Just a general thinning all over, primarily at the crown. I had just turned 20 at this point, WAY too young to have that happen! There was nothing in my life that I had done differently except for that IUD. It also stopped periods completely. Zip zero zilch. Emotions were like a roller coaster, fine one minute and then feeling like I was LITERALLY losing my mind, as in needed to see a doctor. Now, I am quite honestly one of the happiest people I know, these emotions were completely out of the ordinary and I knew something wasn’t right. I came across several thousand different posts about the effects of Mirena and in June of 2010 I had it taken out. I swore to never take hormones after that. I waited to see a change, and while I became the happy go lucky person I once was, my body, even to this day, doesn’t seem to have recovered. No hair growth, no periods. So 2.5 months ago, this past November, I was put on Yaz again to see if it would help with the situation. I have been working with dermatologists, gynecologists, and endocrinologists ever since then as well and they are trying to figure out this mystery but are not having much luck. Physically, everything is fine. Ultrasound showed that everything was as it should be. So then we moved onto bloodwork. Testosterone was normal, as well as Prolactin and TSH levels. Estrogen was low. So they moved on to find that my LH and FSH levels are extremely low, basically nonexistent. LH was <0.1 and FSH was at 0.4. With that information, if my hypothalamus/pituitary glads are not functioning properly and therefore leading to no estrogen production which therefore leads to no periods…what to do? I have recently been reading up on raw food diets and the dangers of using any product other that what nature has to offer..I do not want to stay on Yaz if I don't have to. The only benefit I am getting from it is monthly cycles. It has not helped with the hair situation whatsoever, and I just read that taking oral contraceptives for a hormone problem could cause problems in other areas. I am honestly as lost as I think I ever could be. The endocrinologist has an MRI ordered for the first of February to make sure there is no blockage of the pituitary; he doubts that there will be because they are quite rare. But if that holds to be true, that there is no blockage, then that only leads to more of a mystery as to why my body is not functioning the way it should be! Any help or input I would be forever grateful for!!
Hi Brittney Klein,
Fertility super foods and adaptogen herbs greatly support endocrine function. Adaptogen Herbs for Protecting and Nourishing the Endocrine System
Adaptogen is one of the many definitions for the therapeutic action a plant has. Adaptogen herbs are nourishing to the entire endocrine system. Adaptogens increase resistance to mind-body stress , enhance overall vitality and health. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the bodies functions even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.
The above list is an excerpt from an article about endocrine system function and it’s role in fertility. You can read it here, it may help you to understand what may be going on, Endocrinology and Fertility: The Endocrine System is Vital for Reproductive Health
I also think you will find that learning how birth control methods, that contain synthetic hormones can affect your fertility, is important. We have a great article to help you recover from long-term birth control use at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/birth-control-fertility.html
Best Wishes,
Dalene
had a hysterectomy 3 years ago at 41. had considered gestational surrogacy then but ran into several financial issues with it. At my current age of 44 is it still a possibility?
Hi gab,
Only your doctor can determine your egg quality for a surrogacy. Please talk to your doctor about this.
All the best,
Dalene
Hello Brittney Klein,
Not to alarm you but it sounds that your endocrinologist is on the right path to figuring out what is going on. Hair loss, no lh/fsh, no periods and your body not feeling the way it use to…sounds like you have hypopituitarism. I may be wrong but google it, look at the symptoms and see if they match what is going on with you. If you do have it be rest assured that a doctor will get you back to feeling more yourself and if you desire to have a child it is possible with the help of an RE. I’m not a doctor I have hypopituitarism myself and have been in the same situation with this rare disease. I wish you all the luck in the world