CASTOR OIL AND ENDOMETRIOSIS

I have been doing some more research about endometriosis and natural ways to deal with it. Castor oil seems to be mentioned everywhere (specially to deal with issues in the fallopian tubes, as it seems to be my problem).
I was talking to a friend that is very into holistic medicine and she said Castor oil works wonders in all sorts of illness.

I just bought a little bottle in the Heritage Market. I must say it is pretty inexpensive compared to anything else out there that boosts fertility. A 4 oz (120 ml)bottle costs a little over $4. I will start doing the therapy packs as soon as my cycle starts again.

Here is some additional information I found about Castor oil:

Castor oil stimulates blood flow to the uterus and ovaries treating gynecological disorders related to infertility, like endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.

Castor oil benefits:
• Menstrual dysfunction and painful periods
• Liver, pancreas and gallbladder disorders.
• Digestive and stomach problems.
• Adhesion and scarring of the Fallopian tubes.
• Constipation and poor elimination through the bowels.
• Benign fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts.
• Lymphatic congestion and swollen lymph nodes.
• Constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions.
• Bladder and vaginal infections.
• Fibrocystic breast disease (breast applications).

Do not use a castor oil packs if breastfeeding, pregnant, suspect to be pregnant or during menses. If trying to conceive use it before ovulation 2 or 3 times per week. It is always better to consult with your doctor before using it.

Castor oil therapy steps:
• Spread a generous layer of Castor oil directly on your abdomen and cover with the flannel piece. Place a piece of plastic on top and then place the towel.
• On top of the towel place the warm water bottle, a heating pad, or the magic bag.
• The pack should remain in place for at least one hour.
• Take it easy for a couple of hours after doing a Castor oil application.

Very productive Valentine's week

This past week was my most fertile week which was perfect since it was Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. I felt sporadic pain that I believe it is either my endo reminding me its existence or ovulation pain.

I had my Acupuncture on Tuesday and it felt actually very good. I would love to know if there are people out there that really see hope in Acupuncture or have experienced improvement. I am still not sure if it has any effect on me at all.


I called this week to make a new appointment in the infertility clinic in the Naval Hospital. I decided that I want to know more about the whole process, although I already found extensive information in a forum. I am still not 100% sure I want to do IVF, but my husband thinks that it’d be better and he’s positive it will work. I am not afraid of doing it; I am afraid of failure and then realize that I have exhausted all my options.


When you read all this stories or even meet women who after years and years of infertility finally get pregnant without any intervention, I can’t help but think that it might be my turn at any moment.

Saturday Sunny Day

Today I made two new friends, Kira and Elijah. Kira is Elijah’s beautiful mother and Elijah’s is one of the coolest babies I’ve ever met. It was beautiful to see how my husband played with him. I had never seen him play with a child like this before. NEVER, seriously. He held him the whole day and you just couldn’t take Elijah away from him.


It was beautiful. I cried a bit when no one could see.


I still haven’t ovulated. At least all tests came back negative including the one I took today, day 20 of my cycle. I started to think that I probably already ovulated. I started checking day 12 because I know I never ovulate before day 14. So I am probably out this month.


Started going to the gym. I hope I manage to keep going...

Day 16 and only negative opk

This will be a loooong cycle. Day 16 and no sign of ovulation.

I know it is common for many women to ovulate late in their cycle and it wouldn’t be the first time to happen to me to be sincere. I am getting already anxious and frustrated, usually I only feel this way around day 27. I am almost giving up on the idea of having a baby. It is just too much pressure…


I haven’t had a lot of pain in my last period. This makes me believe that acupuncture has done its job. It really didn’t bother me and I haven’t had the periodical cramp as usual. Last time, which was last Wednesday, a week ago, he placed a needle in my belly. Usually he only puts them on my back.


I just had a huge fight with my husband. I think I don’t have lots of patience lately and now I can see that he really doesn’t understand what I am going through. How could he? The weight of this infertility is mostly over my shoulders. He is pushing to do in vitro but I just don’t feel I am ready. I am so afraid of another fail.


Please, let it be positive tomorrow.

Infertility is like the economic crisis...

Infertility is like the economic crisis, nobody really knows how it started and how to solve it. Sounds like a cheap metaphor but that’s what I was thinking while watching Fareed Zakaria GPS this morning. One more prove that we think about our infertility even when we are not.


Yesterday a friend told me what her gynecologist told her about infertility treatments “it’s all voodoo science”. I think I agree with her. It’s an awful thing to hear from your doctor that he doesn’t know what is going with you, that he doesn't understand how this particular woman can not do what she should be able to by nature. You don’t know, they don’t know, I don’t even know if God knows. I obviously appreciate all the studies and progress made in medicine and technology. I can't even start to imagine how difficult it must have been for so many many women in the past (and still in the present) to have no idea what goes on with their bodies. The progress our society have made is grandiose but the truth is that we haven’t shed as much light as we think in the mystery of life.

You hear all this stories about how people tried to get pregnant for so long and then suddenly they get pregnant or even people who were told that they would never be able to conceive and they get pregnant in the very first time they try. What did they do differently? Was it something they could control? Or is it all just random?

Here we go once again

After being 2 days late my period finally showed up this morning. One more cycle gone and here we go once again. I ask myself if it will ever work…


I haven’t been really doing my diet or exercises, as we were on vacation during the holidays and there was no restaurant advertising an endo friendly menu. The trip was amazing though. My hubby and I kind of rediscovered what is to be in love, have fun and enjoy each other. All the fertility treatments we went through last few months, hospital visits, timed intercourses and failing every month took away a little of the sparkle and excitement of being with each other.


As we came back to real life again he started asking me about what should be our next step. Start researching IVF. Ufff… I was hoping we wouldn’t get here so soon. But time flies. I am really unsure about what to do. My tubes might be damaged and the endometriosis could be affecting the whole process… and this would be the reason why everything we tried until now has failed us. Laparoscopy, IUI, Clomid, Herbs, Acupuncture …

So unfair that you do everything right in life and finally end up in a situation like this.

What should I do? Is IVF the answer?
I definitely don’t know… I had no resolutions this year except try to be more patient… for now, not being successful…

Can't wait for 2012!

My last cycle was more painful than it usually is. For some reason I hoped that the acupuncture would make it better immediately. Impatient as always…

The acupuncturist recommended me ginger tea for the pain and it really does help. The first day of my cycle was awful and I had to come earlier from work because I couldn’t bear staying a minute more. I still don’t know how I drove back home. The following days I could manage the pain with ginger tea, Red Raspberry leaves and warm water bags.

I also have been trying to avoid foods and drinks that can make endometriosis worse, but it is really hard. Almost everything I like affects estrogen. This web site is very informative with you want to start an endometriosis diet: http://www.endo-resolved.com/diet.html

I eliminated almost everything from my diet, except for bread, cheese and wine. How can a woman live without these?

The year is almost ending and a new year always brings hope that everything will be different. I can’t wait for the turn of the year and forget how crazy this year was. Drugs, infertility, surgery and pain shall be in my past.

My New Year’s resolution: exercise more and don’t give up in finding a way to make my endo symptoms disappear.

Wishing you all a great 2012!