Complimentary options for infertility

[Amaterasu]

I am 27 and had my last natural period in the beginning of August 2007.  My anniversary is in August, and we decided after 5 years (last year) that it was time for children.  I went to my primary care when my cycle stopped and he told me to lower stress and gain weight (I was 120 at 5'9").  Since then I've gained about 25 lb and lowered the stress and quit my second job.  When my cycle still didn't show, I went to an OB/Gyn.  She did a testosterone, FSH, TSH and hcg and all were normal and I was not pregnant.  I stopped taking all medications except for those she prescribed and she did a progesterone challenge and 2 days after taking the last pill I started my period.  I went back to her today and she told me to do another month on the progesterone then take a month off and see if I cycle on my own.  She believes I have not been ovulating and since I never had a problem with missing periods before that pushing my cycle a couple times might regulate it.  If I have a natural period she will test my progesterone to see if I ovulate and if I do not she will give clomid.  I plan to continue with her treatment plan but I am wondering what kinds of complementary natural therapies I can try during the next two months to help me ovulate so I can avoid taking fertility meds if at all possible.

[Amaterasu]

Thank you so much for your response.  I will give the changes a try in conjunction with the progesterone I'm supposed to take and here's hoping I get to avoid clomid or worse.  Thanks again!

[John Kim, M.D.]

Yes, weight gain is good for you. You can also make dietary changes. There is a recent book by Harvard Nutritionists called The Fertility Diet that recommends eating slowly digested carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, vegetables can enchance fertility. Eating food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, not trans fats improves fertility. Eating whole milk, whole yogourt, whole ice cream in moderation increases fertility while skim and low fat milk does the opposite. Do not exercise in the extreme. No running or aerobics which gets your heart beat above 110bpm. Walking is ok.
You can go to a reputable acupuncturist/chinese herbalist who specializes in women's fertility. These are just some of the types of natural or complementary approaches that I feel works.