Just finished a book

For a year or more now I had someone keep reminding me to read this book:

Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon

So I finally did.

Here is what I gleaned from the book.

P43-44 summary:
Pituitary gland (PG for short) secretes FSH which begins the Ovulation (O for short) process. As a follicle develops, it secretes Estrogen (E for short) which causes a lining to develop and EWCM. When a certain level of E is reached, the PG secretes LH which causes the O, or follicle to be released. After O this same follicle gets a new look and name. It becomes yellowish and gets called corpus luteum and it secretes Progesterone (P for short) to maintain lining for possible implantation. This P hormone causes the rise in waking temp (BBT) and the combo of decreased E and increased P cause CM to cease. If after 2 weeks there is no pregnancy, then corpus luteum stops secreting P and the sudden drop in P causes AF to arrive.

For Low Thyroid function, candida/bacteria defense take:
Acidophilus, Vitamin A (5,000-8,000 IUI), Vitamin C, Chromium, B6, Magnesium, Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, essential fatty acids(CLO)/flax oil, Vitamin D3, calcium, aged garlic extract, aloe vera, and taheebo tea tablets.

For DH to have healthy seed he should take: Vitamins A, C, and E, Zinc and Selenium ((and I would say healthy oils would be good for him also.))

She gives her recommendations for minimal daily food intake:

If not pg:
3 whole grain servings per day
1 complete protein
3 dairy/eggs
1 yellow/orange fruit or veggie
2 dark leafy greens
1 vitamin C source
1 unsaturated oil/fat

If pg:
5 whole grains
2 complete proteins
6 dairy/eggs
and the rest the same (( which I found odd))


I wanted to end with 2 paragraphs from the bottom of page 76:

Finally I would like to take issue with that usually unsolicitated advice to infertile couples, "Relax!" Emotional or physical stress can cause a temporary delay in ovulation, but this does not interfere with the ability to conceive in that cycle when ovulation finally occurs. Unless you are under extremely prolonged, extremely severe stress, you should look elsewhere to explain infertility.

Please, if you are not infertile, don't suggest that your infertile friends relax. I have never spoken to a woman anxious to conceive who was not hurt and worried by that counterproductive advice. I facetiously encourage our infertility clients to "go ahead and be uptight"--knowing that it doesn't matter is good for their peace of mind!