Talk to me about Clomid, Vitex etc.

DF are thinking about TTC again. I have been having annovulatory cycles since an early m/c in november. We have been unofficially TTC for 9 months (3 m/c in that time :() and officially for 5. I would like to start taking something to help a) regulate my cycles and b) get me to ovulate. As I am aware, there is Clomid, Vitex and TCM. I don't really know much about any of them :redface: so hopefully someone can fill me in. I guess I'd like to know:

-how exxy each of them are per month
-what they do
-would I simply be turned away because of my age (and the fact that I've been TTC for 9 months, not a year), or would my history of m/c count for something
-could I go through a gp, or would I need to see an obgyn

TIA ladies :D

Hey hun,

I don't know much about Clomid, but I can help with Vitex...

In my experiences with it (purely my opinion / experience)... I feel that it has helped regulate my cycles. I was having super crazy cycles since coming off the BCP and within 3 days of taking Vitex, I got my AF - on CD49 I think? - if you have a look at my FF, scroll all the way to the bottom and look at my first few cycles, you'll see what I mean about crazy cycles.

My cycles still aren't perfect (Oing around CD20 and AF arriving around CD33-35) but I haven't had any long cycles since starting Vitex.

I buy the Blackmore's brand tablets which I think are about $10-15 a bottle. It says to take 3 a day I think... I take one in the morning with my conception vitamins and if I remember, I'll take another one before bed.

I take them from CD1 until I ovulate.

I just buy mine from the chemist - no script from the dr needed - they are located where you would get your conception vitamins from.

I hope this helps :hug:

I have a feeling you would get a referral to a FS/gyno considering your history... I know you haven't been trying for the magical 12 MONTHS but 3 m/cs in 9 months is pretty full. Obviously something isn't working for you...

(doin a little :dance: for you re starting to TTC again!!)

Nic so nice to hear from you :D I didn't know you could get Vitex just from a pharmacy, so that's good news. Doesn't sound to exxy either. Hm I can see what you mean about the earlier charts...woah mumma!

I've been stalking you :lol:

I just jumped on the Chemist Warehouse website and they sell bottles of 40 for about $12... pretty reasonable.

As I said, that's just my take on it. It could've been good timing with the BCP leaving my system, but I don't think it was a coincidence that 3 days after I started taking AF arrived...

I definitely think you should talk to your GP about Clomid / seeing gyno...

Maybe the vitex would be a good option to start with if it helps shorten your cycles. Clearly you are ovulating due to past pregnancies (although looking at one of your charts it doesn't look like it) so maybe not every month or since your m/c recently things are all over the place.
To be honest I think it would be very difficult to get a Gyne to prescribe you Clomid. Normal GP's can't not prescribe it. Even with proof of annovulation (you would need BT's probably) I don't think they or most of them would prescribe it to you simply becuase of your age. I know thats not a reason in our books not to prescribe it for you but thats what I think they would say to come back in another few years. Also alot of Gyne's won't even investigate until you have been ttc for 2yrs at your age and they are also more likely to investigate if you have had no pregnancies. Have you had any testing for recurrent m/c? Thats something that perhaps should be looked into and they can't descriminate because of your age.
I'd go to a Gyne and get their opinion. Hopefully they will runs some tests to check for ovulation and if your not ovulating surely they would or should do something about it.
As for expense I don't know how much clomid costs. I haven't heard women complain about how ridiculously expensive it is so it mustn't be to expensive.

Hi Pumpkin,

Sorry about your m/cs. I know it can take awhile for the body to regulate after a m/c, but I don't really know much about that side of things. With 3 m/cs I would probably want to get checked out...hormonally etc...but that's just me.

I know there is 12 month standard before being referred on to a specialist, but I also know that there are exceptions based on history and maybe even assertiveness. If you think you want to see a specialist go for it.

Clomid can be used to help people ovulate. I've used it because I had late ovulation. A doctor can technically prescribe but my doctor didn't want to and referred me to a FS. I'm now happy that decision was made because they sometimes like to run tests to check on your ovulation and see how the clomid is working. Some people get a range of side effects from physical to emotional and some get none. It was about $35 for a box and depending on the dose you're prescribed will depend on how many cycles it lasts for. You only take it for about 5 days (I think, memory a bit foggy) in a cycle but the effects last longer. I was responding well in most respects because I ovulated on or around day 14 when previously it was 20+ days. I had a side effect of having no CM at all (very ouchy and can effect the endometrium lining) so they changed me to FSH which has resolved that problem.

Anyhow good luck with whatever you decide to do. It's your journey and you should progress at a pace that you are comfortable with. I hope your journey ends really soon.

Thankyou all so much for your imput. It's definitely all food for thought, eh? I think I might try starting with Vitex and see what that can do for my cycles etc. Will have to think long and hard about the ramifications of starting up the old TTC machine again :think:

Xx

I have PCOS and was not ovulating and I was given clomid after I had a MC to gt me ovulating again. It cost 35 bucks for th tablets and that would last 2 cycles.
Not sure if they would turn you away by your age. My DH and I had only be trying for a few months but because my gyn knew they were annovulatory and very long he started me on he clomid quickly.
All the best hun, hope you get your sticky BFP soon. I know the pain of loss and wanting to be pregnant again as soon as possible! xox

Sorry about your losses

I tried Vitex to regulate cycles. I thought my LP was a bit short (11-13 days). What I didn't realise is that Vitex can affect your estrogen levels. I had a CD3 blood test that showed low estrogen and stopped the Vitex. I have no idea about what effect it actaully had.

It may be worth while getting some blood tests done - CD3 and 7DPO. Also worth talking to a naturopath who specialises in fertility re: Vitex. Or try acupuncture/TCM - I don't know the cost, but have heard some great things. btw - no doctor should proscribe Clomid etc without you and your partner having some basic tests.

re: waiting times, if you've been trying for 9 + 5 months, then that's more than a year (unless I've misinterpreted). With 3 m/c's there should be more follow up testing, if you haven't had it done. See a specialist about getting a recurrent m/c panel done

GL

Woot woot woot darl! On the thinking of coming back onto the TTC bandwagon that is :) I've missed having on the board full time!
Vitex is supposed to help regulate the cycle, so give that a try for a month or two and see how it goes (even if you don't TTC those months, just do a test cycle or two).

Here's a list of a few other things I just looked up that are supposed to help induce/regulate ovulation:
1. Rasberry Leaf Tea/Tablets
2. Ovulex
3. Fertile Aid (possibly American?)
4. If it is a nutritional deficiency of some sort (trace minerals etc) that is stopping ovulation, Alfalfa, Clover & Nettles can sometimes help
5. Apparently having soy in your diet on a daily basis can also help with ovulation (not sure if that's true or not though)
6. Stinging Nettle
7. False Unicorn Root

I hope that helps darl :)