Wild Yam as an antiandrogen? That is a new one for me. Actually, it seems to increase male hormones (see:
http://www.hemingways.org/GIDinfo/herbal.htm ). And I still don't know why so many people are taking Saw Palmetto as it only works for some men and for women with PCOS. When women
think they are seeing results from SP, it's because of the mild phytoestrogenic properties of the herb. It's primary effect is blocking DHT, which most of us women DON'T have an issue with.... only those with PCOS. And there are so many other effective antiandrogens out there. So what is the hype with something meant for those with DHT, which we don't? Idk, I guess most girls think that "more is better" with everything, including what kills the androgens for those girls who have the MOST androgens, must work for us, right? Not really....
And what ever happened to understanding that a program is designed to work for an individual? Chiyo's program may not work for many of us because, well, it's
Chiyo's program, not ours, and I know for sure that my body is
nothing like hers. If she had an antiandrogen in her program or not. I used her program more as a launch pad to better understand my body and how my body responded to things and go from there. No one--hopefully--should look at Chiyo's program as "the best program" or "the right program." It has many good balancing principles, but is geared more towards those who already have all their hormones perfectly in balance, or for those who are slightly estrogen deficient. And honestly, having antiandrogens in one's program
only works for some, like myself, because I am testosterone dominant. Most girls are not T dominant, so antiandrogens are not the miracle cure for them. Theoretically speaking, it
should be for me, knowing my hormonal makeup, but we'll find out I guess! But, if someone followed Chiyo's program the way Ginie did, hopefully it would be because they were deficient in progesterone. Ginie slightly altered her Chiyo program to meet her needs as well. Chiyo's program should be more viewed as a launch pad, more than as a miracle program. (and iamsorpor, this rant is
not directed at you, as I know what your understanding and intention is. I just know that a lot of newbies read your thread and the way that you wrote things above could easily be interpreted the wrong way... and newbies are very susceptible to the idea of the notion of "the best" program. There is no such thing. So I just wanted to clarify those things for the sake of readers.)
And for how long have you been on BO? For almost two weeks, right? And what part of your cycle are you? Interestingly enough, I was about two weeks in when I felt very sore and swelling, too! But it quickly subsided because it was during my luteal phase, of course. And do you define "working" as making you swell or as making you grow? Because it is not possible for you to have any measurable growth yet, I hope you know. Hopefully your swelling is from the BO! But I would give it over a month before proclaiming anything about it, and anyone on any program, for that matter.