Simplistic Chic: maca root

I stopped talking about my bout with PCOS (or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) here because frankly I was feeling depressed about it and I thought that talking about it too much would somehow make it all worse (sounds crazy, I know). Plus dealing with the excess body hair in certain places (chin hair is really not cute!) and other crazy symptoms, has been annoying and I just didn't want to discuss it here out of fear of sounding like a whiner.

However, my traumatic past experience with infertility and my now increasing obsession with having a baby in the near future has made me want to revisit ways in which I can help my body regulate itself naturally. My doctor has suggested going on birth control until I am really ready to try to conceive but, I really don't want to go that route.

My cycles are still irregular (usually appearing once every 3 months) but, I noticed that when I workout consistently every week Aunt Flo makes an appearance every other month or even every month sometimes. I have also started juicing almost daily and I can really tell the difference in my body. I'm in a better mood (most days), my skin is clearer and I'm not dealing with that annoying mid-day fatigue I used to get every day (it is such a great feeling!). I will juice 3 times a day for forever if it means I can feel like this all the time!

I am thinking of going back to using maca root powder. I was taking it about 3 years ago and stopped because of one side effect--increased libido. Yeah, let's just say it was too much for me and I couldn't deal with it. Ha! What a problem to have, huh?

I have been researching natural remedies for PCOS and all signs point to maca root and its benefits. They include:

Support proper hormonal balance in both men and women

Encourage a healthy libido in both men and women

Support normal egg health

Promote normal sperm health

Support normal FSH levels

Encourages normal endometrium health

May be beneficial in preparation for IVF

Other facts about maca root:

Maca is a nourishing food for the endocrine system, supporting the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands (all involved in hormonal balance.) Maca has the ability to assist the body in maintaining normal hormonal levels in both women and men without containing hormones itself.

Maca is beneficial in supporting reproductive health prior to becoming pregnant. It can be taken daily all month long and combines well with other herbs and herbal formulas.

*Information from http://www.naturalfertilityshop.com/Fertility-Maca-Capsules-p/104721.htm

I was even watching a talk show the other day, Bethenny to be exact, and maca root powder was discussed as a supplement that every woman should take. I've gotten all the confirmation I need! I am ordering my maca root powder this week and will just deal with the increased libido the best way I can *wink*.

If I want to get my body right to be able to have a healthy, beautiful baby one day then I will have to start doing what I can to make my body become capable of doing just that. With the regular workouts, watching what I eat, de-stressing, and taking maca root I'm hopeful that this PCOS can be a thing of the past. Ya'll pray for me!

Have you ever heard of maca root or taken it?

Most of the time when we think about supplements and vitamins, we think about all of the good things they can do for us. You know, more energy, clearer skin, easier digestion and all that good stuff. Well, have you ever experienced some very unexpected side effects from your supplements and vitamins?

I have been taking maca root off and on for the past two years after reading about how it could balance your hormones and give you clearer skin too. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and after I refused to go back on the birth control pills my doctor prescribed in an attempts to 'balance' everything out, I decided to give maca root a try. I was very pleased with the benefits I was experiencing. I felt more energized throughout the day and it helped somewhat to bring my non-existent periods back.

My one bad though is the increase in sex drive. I know some of you might think, "why is that a bad thing?" Well, I have never had an issue in the area to begin with and then pair that with the fact that I will be 30 in the next few months...let's just say it is too much for me sometimes! I am constantly thinking about it and I can't seem to focus on the five hundred and one things that need my undivided attention right now.

At first, it was fun but as time went on it was unbearable to deal with. I felt like I wanted to climb the walls..TMI? So, I said goodbye to my maca root a few months ago and I feel like I am back to my normal self. I will just have to find other ways of balancing out this wacky hormone levels of mine.

What are your good, bad and uglies that you've experienced from taking supplements and vitamins?