How long did you take Vitex for?

[ktgirl]

I don't know if I am crazy or not but I think I want to try for another baby next year but not until later in the the year. I suffer from verrrrry long cycles due to PCOS and I thought after doing a bit of research I might start taking vitex to try and regulate my cycle.

Has anyone taken it for a long period of time? Did you get many side effects from it long term and is it safe to take long term?

In my heart I really want to conceive naturally and I was hoping if I started taking it soon it might have a chance to work before I want to start trying.

I would love to hear others experiences taking Vitex.

Thanks, Kate

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Hi Ktgirl,
I took Vitex earlier on in my TTC journery. After temping and realising that my Luteal Phase was too short for a sticky baby. I took it for about 3-4 cycles and things started to settle down to a regular pattern.

Side affects I noticed was high temps.... I also spoke to my TCM man about when to start and stop during my cycles and he recommended taking it until pregnancy. However, I took it after AF had finished until O'ing.

HTH and all the best

[Laranna]

I took it after I was diagnosed with endo, but only took it for two weeks because it reacted badly with me. I had horrid mood swings and felt sick all the time and had high temps. Not fun, so I stopped taking it after two weeks and went down other routes like diet etc.

[ktgirl]

Thanks for replying. Lets hope it works for me and I can get some sort of normal cycle happening!

[Elzi]

hey ktgirl,

i took vitex for my long and irregular cycles (PCOS) and fell pregnant the first cycle i took it. Unfortunately it ended in M/C and thought it might have beenfrom thevitex as it is said to possibly cause mc due to the fact that it promotes progestrone levels and once you stop them the body has to step in with the progestrone production to sustain the preg and this is when things can go wrong. But this is what ive read, dont take my word on it pls. There's heaps of info on it.

it did definately help with regulating my cycles, but i just got too scared after my loss that i havent taken it since. Mind you my mc could very well have been caused by the fact that my DH has poor sperm quality (to the point where i cant even be prescribed clomid and have been told ICSI was our only option).

and all the best!!!

[~*Kat*~]

I have never heard of that before
can u get from any health food/ vitamin store?

[didispunk]

I took Vitex for a month and concieved DS.

Its fantastic stuff!!

Good luck!!


You can get it from health food suppliers and stores.

[Aurian]

I've been taking it for eight months so far, had a few mood swings to begin with as my hormone levels begun to even out - but within 3 months my ovulation/luteal phase had shifted to a more normalised pattern (I have short cycles).

Still no pregnancy as yet, but coupling it with other natural therapies to try and boost my chances.

[~Aveta~]

if PCOS is your main problem, try chromium supplements. vitex is hormone balancing (especially progesterone) but chromium regulates blood sugar levels and so the knock-on effect is lowering estrogen levels (which is why PCOS sufferers have weight issues)

[ktgirl]

Aurian - Good luck. I hope you get your BFP soon Its good to hear it has normalised your cycle.

Aveta - Thanks for the tip re. chromium. I will look into that now as I do have PCOS.

AFM - I have been on the vitex now for almost two months and the last two cycles according to my charts I have ovulated. Last cycle on Day17 and this cycle on day20. So the O date is a little later than the regular 28 day cycle but I am super happy that I have had a pretty normal cycle two months in a row. Previously I have had 100+ day cycles.

I haven't actually had any side effects from it yet so it has been smooth sailing so far. I am hoping it is the Vitex helping with my cycles and hopefully these shorter cycles continue.

Thanks for the replies to this thread ladies

[tweety]

Hi ktgirl,

I have been taking these herbal tabelts for a month now and it does contain vitex, i haven't had any side effects either with them and i just recieved my AF's and they weren't heavy at all? And i had a very sore back a week before hand, so i dont know if vitex tabs made them come or they just came on there own, i have to wait till next month.

My last AF'S were in nov 09 so to me it's a surprise that they came so quick, normally i dont see them for at least 5 to 6 months lol .

best of luck