TTC and eating low carb

sj4775 · 02-19-2006, 07:32 PM

Anyone know of any information linking infertility and low carb eating? Dr. Agatston (South Beach Diet) claims that he has had many clients get PG after changing to his diet. Just curious. Thanks!

Jenn · 02-20-2006, 12:30 PM

Hello!
I'm not sure if eating low carb would effect Unexplained but for me, I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and i've always been very overweight my whole life. I never had normal cycles, normal ovulations...nothing about me was ever *normal*.

But once i started watching my carbs/sugar i dropped over 55 pounds and now have 28-30 day cycles, can feel every month when i ovulate and almost "feel" halfway normal most months. So for me, low carb eating has effected my cycles dramatically. Hope this helps a bit!!!
Good luck to you...
Jenn

Daviso · 02-21-2006, 09:36 PM

I'm not really sure about this? Have you asked your doctor about it? He/she may know. Wish I had something better to offer than a "I'm not sure."

Familyof2 · 04-03-2006, 03:04 PM

I know this is a really old thread, but I am very interested in this, too.

I read that limiting carbs, particularly in the form of processed foods, can positively affect fertility. I think overconsumtion of "bad" carbs increases insulin and insulin increases fat cells and fat cells increase estrogen and increased estrogen throws off the whole hormonal balance. I may be wrong about how insulin affects fertility, but I know that too much or too little insulin can render a person infertile.

Jenn, I also read that insulin issues aren't uncommon among women with PCOS (most of the research seems to focus on this population of women), so limiting your simple carbs, like sugars, should have a positive effect. In fact, in terms of menstrual regularity, it sounds like carb moderation has been successful for you. BTW, congrats on the 55 lbs! That's awesome!

sj4775, have you started eating low carb? If so, I'd be interested to hear how it's working for you.

Jenn · 04-03-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Familyof2

I know this is a really old thread, but I am very interested in this, too.

I read that limiting carbs, particularly in the form of processed foods, can positively affect fertility. I think overconsumtion of "bad" carbs increases insulin and insulin increases fat cells and fat cells increase estrogen and increased estrogen throws off the whole hormonal balance. I may be wrong about how insulin affects fertility, but I know that too much or too little insulin can render a person infertile.

Jenn, I also read that insulin issues aren't uncommon among women with PCOS (most of the research seems to focus on this population of women), so limiting your simple carbs, like sugars, should have a positive effect. In fact, in terms of menstrual regularity, it sounds like carb moderation has been successful for you. BTW, congrats on the 55 lbs! That's awesome!

sj4775, have you started eating low carb? If so, I'd be interested to hear how it's working for you.

It definitely did help me that's for sure. I've never been a 28 day girl--more like 55-70.

I have been tested for IR in the past and that came back as not being IR but regardless cutting back on carbs did impact my life.

I'd love to hear if you've been trying it to sj!

sj4775 · 04-08-2006, 08:52 AM

I started the South Beach Diet in 09/05. I was not too much over what my ideal BMI should have been, but I have high cholesterol (mostly genetic). I wanted to work on that, but also had noticed that I was tired all the time, and read in the South Beach book that a lot of times this is because of eating too much sugar. It also told many anecdotal stories of women who had been TTC for a long time, started South Beach, and got pregnant! I immediately noticed that I had more energy and overall felt better. I lost 17 pounds in about a month. We did finally get pregnant (just ended in D&C), but I think it had more to do with a recent laparoscopy than the low-carb thing. Who knows though. I kind of lost my way off of South Beach after I found out we were going to m/c because my nausea was so bad that I was eating whatever I could keep down. I am getting ready to start over with phase 1 after Easter, and soon after that will get the green light to TTC again. My RE said that any lifestyle change that leads to healthier habits can only help. I figured that with all you hear about gestational diabetes, glucophage during TTC, and being high risk if you are overweight, eating healthy sure can't hurt. My RE did warn that artificial sweeteners are not necessarily good during pregnancy, but Splenda seems to be pretty safe as it is derived from sugar. I have always feared aspartame, so have stayed away. I use Splenda mostly and RE says this is ok. BTW, I chose South Beach because it made the most sense to me - focus on healthy food choices, does not eliminate carbs just promotes the choice of whole grain carbs, and does not limit the amount of food you eat just the type. Sorry for the rambling! I would be more than happy to buddy up with anyone who wants to try the low-carb diet!

Familyof2 · 04-11-2006, 02:24 PM

17 pounds is awesome! Good for you! I'll do carb monitoring with you. I need to read up on what foods/supplements help with inflammation and endo, first, though.

rachel_va · 04-18-2006, 09:25 AM

This modified South Beach thing (I'm not eating white flour, sugar, pasta or starcy veggies) seems to work. I've been doing it about 3 weeks and am down ~6 pounds! We're starting an IVF cycle now and I'm hoping that lowering my BMI will give me better results.

Good luck.

Familyof2 · 04-18-2006, 04:16 PM

6 lbs in three weeks is awesome! Good for you! I don't know how much I have lost because I don't have a scale. I know that some of my clothes fit loser and someone commented last week that I looked like I lost some weight. I guess all those processed foods, sugars, and simple carbs are fattening after all!

I hope both of us have luck this upcoming cycle. At the very least, at least we are losing some weight, which seems like it is positive for ttc!

02-19-2006, 07:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
sj4775 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 134 Blog Entries: 14	TTC and eating low carb Anyone know of any information linking infertility and low carb eating? Dr. Agatston (South Beach Diet) claims that he has had many clients get PG after changing to his diet. Just curious. Thanks!

02-20-2006, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jenn 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: GA Posts: 10,634 Blog Entries: 374	Hello! I'm not sure if eating low carb would effect Unexplained but for me, I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and i've always been very overweight my whole life. I never had normal cycles, normal ovulations...nothing about me was ever normal. But once i started watching my carbs/sugar i dropped over 55 pounds and now have 28-30 day cycles, can feel every month when i ovulate and almost "feel" halfway normal most months. So for me, low carb eating has effected my cycles dramatically. Hope this helps a bit!!! Good luck to you... Jenn __________________ Rayna b/d 10/22/01 at 21wks due to IC/PTL Hyland 9/18/02 Brennan born 2/14/07 Pregnant w/surprise miracle baby! IT'S A BOY!!!! 3/00 & 3/02

VISIT OUR SISTER SITES:
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar	eHarmony Advice Dating Advice	Project Wedding Wedding Songs	Weddingbee Wedding Blog

Currently Active Chat Room Users: 0 \| Scheduled Chat Room Events
	Users in Chat Rooms: No one's chatting right now!

02-21-2006, 09:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Daviso 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,972 Blog Entries: 93	I'm not really sure about this? Have you asked your doctor about it? He/she may know. Wish I had something better to offer than a "I'm not sure."

04-03-2006, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Familyof2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 2,322	I know this is a really old thread, but I am very interested in this, too. I read that limiting carbs, particularly in the form of processed foods, can positively affect fertility. I think overconsumtion of "bad" carbs increases insulin and insulin increases fat cells and fat cells increase estrogen and increased estrogen throws off the whole hormonal balance. I may be wrong about how insulin affects fertility, but I know that too much or too little insulin can render a person infertile. Jenn, I also read that insulin issues aren't uncommon among women with PCOS (most of the research seems to focus on this population of women), so limiting your simple carbs, like sugars, should have a positive effect. In fact, in terms of menstrual regularity, it sounds like carb moderation has been successful for you. BTW, congrats on the 55 lbs! That's awesome! sj4775, have you started eating low carb? If so, I'd be interested to hear how it's working for you.

04-08-2006, 08:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
sj4775 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 134 Blog Entries: 14	I started the South Beach Diet in 09/05. I was not too much over what my ideal BMI should have been, but I have high cholesterol (mostly genetic). I wanted to work on that, but also had noticed that I was tired all the time, and read in the South Beach book that a lot of times this is because of eating too much sugar. It also told many anecdotal stories of women who had been TTC for a long time, started South Beach, and got pregnant! I immediately noticed that I had more energy and overall felt better. I lost 17 pounds in about a month. We did finally get pregnant (just ended in D&C), but I think it had more to do with a recent laparoscopy than the low-carb thing. Who knows though. I kind of lost my way off of South Beach after I found out we were going to m/c because my nausea was so bad that I was eating whatever I could keep down. I am getting ready to start over with phase 1 after Easter, and soon after that will get the green light to TTC again. My RE said that any lifestyle change that leads to healthier habits can only help. I figured that with all you hear about gestational diabetes, glucophage during TTC, and being high risk if you are overweight, eating healthy sure can't hurt. My RE did warn that artificial sweeteners are not necessarily good during pregnancy, but Splenda seems to be pretty safe as it is derived from sugar. I have always feared aspartame, so have stayed away. I use Splenda mostly and RE says this is ok. BTW, I chose South Beach because it made the most sense to me - focus on healthy food choices, does not eliminate carbs just promotes the choice of whole grain carbs, and does not limit the amount of food you eat just the type. Sorry for the rambling! I would be more than happy to buddy up with anyone who wants to try the low-carb diet!

04-11-2006, 02:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Familyof2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 2,322	17 pounds is awesome! Good for you! I'll do carb monitoring with you. I need to read up on what foods/supplements help with inflammation and endo, first, though.

04-18-2006, 09:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
rachel_va 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,177	This modified South Beach thing (I'm not eating white flour, sugar, pasta or starcy veggies) seems to work. I've been doing it about 3 weeks and am down ~6 pounds! We're starting an IVF cycle now and I'm hoping that lowering my BMI will give me better results. Good luck.

04-18-2006, 04:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Familyof2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 2,322	6 lbs in three weeks is awesome! Good for you! I don't know how much I have lost because I don't have a scale. I know that some of my clothes fit loser and someone commented last week that I looked like I lost some weight. I guess all those processed foods, sugars, and simple carbs are fattening after all! I hope both of us have luck this upcoming cycle. At the very least, at least we are losing some weight, which seems like it is positive for ttc!