Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 2/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: A few years ago after stopping birth control, I've had irregular periods (late ovulation every time) and most of the time, short luteal phase as well. Blood test showed elevated testosterone, which made the doctor suspect PCOS. I am thin, unlike the typical PCOS patient. I have had some problem with thinning of hair. At the advice of another herbalist, I have been on Rehmannia Six formula (Lei Wei something), for over a year now, but with only moderate improvement (still late ovulation though not as late as before - moved from day 29-30 to day 21-22.) Off and on others including Dong Quai (full dose made my period come very early), False Unicorn, Saw Palmetto (for the testosterone problem), Ginseng.

I wonder why after so long, the full dose of the Rehmannia Six isn't regulating my ovulation more? I've already been for acupuncture a few years back, that and whatever formula she was giving me (she said it was to warm my uterus) actually made me WORSE so I stopped going, and took the advice of a different herbalist to try the Rehmannia Six.
Ideas?

ANSWER: Allison, You need a correct tcm diagnosis. Not based on your luteal phase but, based on you Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pattern. I can tell you that most Chinese herbalist change formulas more than once a year. As you change your foumula should change. I usually change the formula of my fertility patients as they move through their cycle. Find someone who does TCM, and has some extra training or experience with fertility. Liu Wei di huang wan is for kidney and liver yin deficency. If you don't have those patterns you shouldn't be taking it.

Good luck,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Heather,

I probably should have clarified before, a TCM practitioner did tell me she thought I had Kidney Deficiency as one of main issue. More specifically Kidney Yin def, but symptoms of both. Thus the Rehmannia Six recommendation.

Another acupuncturist I was seeing several years ago had me on just two formulas, at least one was "warming" for the uterus I think she said, and seemed perplexed as to why I was getting worse rather than better (time between periods got longer, erratic BBT, I even developed a depression).

I was on the birth control pill a long time (on and off for almost a decade) and wonder if this had some kind of long-term effect problem for me.

Answer
Hi Allison,
My experience with birth control and fertility is that birth control works way to well. Women who eventually want to get pregnant shouldn't be on it long term. Acupuncture can be very effective at regulating and increasing fertility.  Ive seen so many women on birth control for 10 years that now can't get pregnant. It take some time and a lot of treatments to get them back on the fertile track.

Good luck and keep trying.

Heather. Vandeburg. Lac MSOM