[jaybee11]

So I was wondering, in both my pregnancies my breasts did not change at all and as far as they were aware I wasn't even pregnant. No swelling, no size change, nothing. However I successfully breastfed both babies full time. I hear about everyone's boobs growing during pregnancies and it makes me wonder what the implications are towards my nbe results. Like if my breasts didn't even respond to pregnancy hormones how could I use that information to tweak my program?
Anyone?
Thanks

[EllaC]

So I was wondering, in both my pregnancies my breasts did not change at all and as far as they were aware I wasn't even pregnant. No swelling, no size change, nothing. However I successfully breastfed both babies full time. I hear about everyone's boobs growing during pregnancies and it makes me wonder what the implications are towards my nbe results. Like if my breasts didn't even respond to pregnancy hormones how could I use that information to tweak my program?
Anyone?
Thanks

This doesn't answer your question but adds to the mystery of the human body and how you just cant get some answers
My boobs looking back did go up say a cup size but I couldn't breast feed at all - bigger boobs but very little milk.
The human body is a complicated thing.

[jaybee11]

Wow, it really is a mystery then..the human body is very complicated, and manipulating our hormones seems like something we can grasp but what if a lot of the time it only works in theory? For the women who just don't respond, I can't help but wonder why. Can we beat genetics only in theory? Ugh so frustrating.

[EllaC]

Wow, it really is a mystery then..the human body is very complicated, and manipulating our hormones seems like something we can grasp but what if a lot of the time it only works in theory? For the women who just don't respond, I can't help but wonder why. Can we beat genetics only in theory? Ugh so frustrating.

Yeh I hear you. But a few months down the track I realise now if i'm going to try and manipulate the hormones thing you REALLY need to know what your hormones are doing or its all guess work and potentially harmful. Don't know if you've had yours done yet?
ME personally, herbs scare the **** out of me so i'm just going real mild at the moment with just fenugreek, massage/noogle etc. I have herbs ready to do an actual programme but i'm going to take a break for a bit and then get my hormones checked before I dive back in.

But look women who've never been pregnant and growing boobs from nothing, and as for genetics, all the women in my fam are BIG! and I've always been small, don't let genetics put you off

[jaybee11]

I'm going to have mine done soon, do you think it's ok to do it after starting a program already? Or if there's an ideal time of the month to do it since I'm sure I've already altered my hormones with what I've been taking?
I'm just glad we all have each other to bounce ideas off and support, that's for sure.

[EllaC]

I'm going to have mine done soon, do you think it's ok to do it after starting a program already? Or if there's an ideal time of the month to do it since I'm sure I've already altered my hormones with what I've been taking?
I'm just glad we all have each other to bounce ideas off and support, that's for sure.

Peggy can tell you when to it, she is brilliant! If I were you, Id stop any herbs for a while before you did the test, you want to know how your hormones are normally without any influence of hormone altering herbs that may affect the results That's what I'l do, like cold turkey ha ha

[peggy]

Hi,

I agree with Ella, stop taking the herbs for a couple of days before you test your hormones.

Progesterone should be measured between cycle day 20-22 if you have a 28 day cycle (so basically one week before menstruation). Because then the Progesterone level is on it's highest.

Check out this chart, you will see that Progesterone (yellow color) is at it's highest in luteal phase, one week after ovulation resp. one week before menstruation. You need to know how much your Progesterone value can rise in luteal phase. To measure in follicular phase (like many do) doesn't make any sense, because as you can see in the diagram, Progesterone is low from cycle day 1-13 (without any fluctuations). But you want to know if you produce enough Progesterone in luteal phase and then you can also calculate the Progesterone / Estradiol ratio and you will know if you are estrogen dominant or not. Every woman has the same low Progesterone value in follicular phase, but not every woman can produce enough Progesterone in luteal phase. Some women produce just 3 ng/mL and others produce 20 ng/mL and you want to know how much you can produce.



You can measure other hormones like estradiol and testosterone on the same day.

[jaybee11]

Ellacraig and peggy thank you both so much.
I remember reading this chart somewhere on the forum...
So is 2 days enough of a break before getting tested?

Thanks again!

[EllaC]

Ellacraig and peggy thank you both so much.
I remember reading this chart somewhere on the forum...
So is 2 days enough of a break before getting tested?

Thanks again!

Ooo id be inclined at least a couple of weeks :s il be interested to see what peggy says though!

Peggy???? *grabsmicrophone* Where for art thou Peggy

[peggy]

I don't think two days are enough, two weeks would be better.