Vitex (Chaste Tree/Angus Cactus) to aid in Ovulation. Have you used it?

Well after a email from a gorgeous BB'er a few months ago.. she told me about this herb that you can take which she believed aided her in falling pregnant (as well as the fab weight loss etc ;)). Anyhoo, I brought some today and have just researched it some more and it looks fantastic. So I was wondering, has any of you used it?? What are your thoughts???

For those who have no idea what I'm on about, heres some copy and pasted info.

Increasing Fertility with Vitex Agnus Castus
Herbs for helping you become pregnant...


Chasteberry or vitex (vitex agnus-castus) is a fertility-promoting herb with a long, safe history of human use. As far back as ancient Greece, vitex agnus castus was recognized for its herbal-medicinal properties and was utilized for a number of health complaints. The Germans call vitex "Monk's Pepper" and for centuries women in Europe have used vitex to increase their odds of conceiving a baby, as well as to treat symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, skin condition, or PMS.

More recently, science has validated the fertility-enhancing properties of this dynamic herb. Vitex has been shown in several clinical studies to help stimulate and stabilize the reproductive hormones involved in ovulation, cycle balance, and menstrual regularity. These studies also document a statistically-significant increase in fertility among women using vitex, with more pregnancies than in control groups using a placebo.

To understand how vitex works, let's first look at female fertility. In order for conception to take place, a woman must have a regular menstrual cycle and ovulate (release an egg from an ovary). Hormonal balance is key to regular ovulation - particularly the ebb and flow of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, which both prepare the body for ovulation (estrogen) and ensure that a pregnancy, once achieved, is maintained (progesterone). Regularity of both menstrual cycle and ovulatory function, dictated by the complex play of these hormones, are key factors in successfully becoming pregnant. Vitex increases fertility by helping regulate hormonal and menstrual balance. Vitex is a key ingredient in fertility supplement products like FertilAid for Women.

How Does Vitex Promote Cycle Balance?

Vitex or chasteberry is not a hormone; however, vitex works by acting on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which in turn secrete hormones or send signals to other parts of the body to trigger the production of reproductive hormones. Vitex has been shown to help increase the level of luteinizing hormone (or LH) while gently suppressing the secretion of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). In effect, vitex stimulates the hormones involved in ovulation and assists in restoring overall hormonal balance. More specifically, vitex is effective in regulating pituitary gland function and in normalizing the balance of progesterone to estrogen levels. Vitex is particularly supportive in maintaining progesterone levels during the "luteal phase", or second half, of a woman's cycle.

A large percentage of menstrual problems and infertility issues are related to insufficient progesterone production during the luteal phase, which can result in a shortened luteal phase and may possibly contribute to PCOS. With regard to the former, a "short" luteal phase is often referred to as corpus luteum insufficiency or LPD (luteal phase defect). Luteal phase defect is characterized by low progesterone levels during the second half of your cycle. With regard to PCOS, hormonal imbalance (namely insufficient levels of progesterone) may also contribute to the formation of cysts on your ovaries, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. As vitex agnus castus has been shown to support progesterone production, vitex may be suggested as a treatment for menstrual cycle imbalances, luteal phase defect, and possibly PCOS (as normalized progesterone levels and cycle regularity may suppress the development of ovarian cysts associated with estrogen dominance).

Clinical studies now support the fertility-enhancing claims associated with vitex agnus castus - as well as its facility in treating common fertility disorders. In one commonly-cited study, sixty-seven women with fertility or ovulatory disorders were given a vitex agnus castus preparation, which resulted in a marked improvement of progesterone levels during the luteal phase, earlier ovulation, and thirty-eight achieved pregnancies (Bergmann, 2000).

In another study (Milewicz, 1993), vitex agnus castus was administered to hyperprolactinaemia female patients. The use of vitex resulted in reduced prolactin levels, as well as the normalization of luteal phase progesterone levels for women with luteal phase defect. Shortened luteal phases were therefore normalized (lengthened).

An earlier German study by Amann (1982) reveals that vitex exerts a favorable, positive effect on women with amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual cycle or period), further establishing the efficacy of vitex in restoring hormonal balance and cycle regularity. In another clinical trial conducted at Stanford, women with fertility disorders benefited from using a vitex-containing supplement, with more pregnancies in the vitex group than in placebo groups. Each of these studies demonstrates the fertility-enhancing properties of this unique herb.

Vitex is also recognized as a safe herb. It has no known side-effects, and chasteberry can be taken for up to 18 months continuously. When pregnancy is achieved, discontinue use of vitex-containing supplements, as well as any other herbal-nutritional supplements not specifically approved by your doctor. The benefits of vitex will increase over time, and maximum benefits are typically achieved after a few months of use. It is suggested to not take vitex or fertility supplements while you are using prescription fertility drugs.

I used it and got pregnant with my DD. I had a really wonky LP when BF - it was only 5-7 days and I wasn't having any luck TTC. I used it for a couple of months. The first month it stretched out my LP to 10 days and the following month I was pregnant. I dropped the dose down over the next week and a half and everything was fine.

Good luck. And OMG at your weight loss! Well Done!

As with everything TTC there are varying opinions and contradictions.

When I was taking it on it's own without my Naturopath I was taking it from CD1 to Ovulation.

Now I take it in the liquid form with various other herbs all cycle.

If you're temping it has a habit of playing with them as well, so just a heads up if you see any unusual patterns.

All the best in your TTC journey.

Hi,

I swear by vitex as the reason why I have a sticky pregnancy this time around :)

I was on the pill for 10 years, came off it and had been off it about six months, fell preg, m/c, waited a few months, fell preg, m/c again and went to see gina fox at fertile ground in Melb. She put me on vitex and I was on it a few months and fell preg and success :D
My cycles were all over the place, heavy bleeding, cramps, clotting, late AF etc.
First month on vitex had a perfect cycle, no clots whatsoever and the same for the following months after that.
I would recommend vitex to any of my friends having irregular, painful cycles and i'm so glad I took the time and money to see Gina.

thanks for your replies!!

CBG - I understand there will be different opinions, thats what I love about BB :) I was wondering about what to do in the LP as it says not to take in pregnancy but then other things say u need to keep taking it as it keeps your progesterone levels up. So confused a little on that part. I have an ultrasound on day 14 and 16 to see if anything is happening and a day 21 blood test. I was meant to be starting Clomid this cycle, but after talking to my gyno today, we are going to hold off for another month. Also hoiping this will help seeming my LP was only 10 this month. Would like to try and stretch it out a day or 2.

So like any obbsessed TTC'er im trying everything to improve my chances.

I used it when ttc with dd1 and it still took 12 months.

I think it aids more in regulating cycles, not so much a herb that will necessarily help you fall preg more quickly.
I took mine all cycle as suggested by my naturopath and stopped it when I got my BFP.

My naturopath/chinese herbalist prescribed a formula for me which included vitex whilst she was trying to regulate my cycle. I hadn't had a cycle for 10 months, and within 2 months, I had my first AF, and the next month I was utd! Once i got my bfp, she then put me on straight liquid vitex to support my pregnancy.

So again, contradictory to alot of the info found on the net. I think its really hard to make a decision based on info you find on the net. Personally, I think your best bet would be to see a naturopath, and that way they can address your specific issues, and will give you the herbs you need.

Hth, and good luck hun xo

After going off the pill back in 2007 before ttc DD a few months later, it helped me to regulate my cycle as it was all over the place. I do believe it helped me regulate my cycle, however I didn't take it once we started ttc so not sure how it would help ttc or not... it's worth a go?!

thanks for the replies girls!!

Seems like its just what I need. A "normal" cycle would be devine. The lady gave me a card to see a natropath, im going to give her a call on monday.

Ive heard heaps about it but havent taken it myself. I hope it goes well.

Few questions - do you ovulate?, vitex will help regulate cycle but I havent seen much success in ovulation using it when I had lots of friends on it when I used Clomid

Please do not take Vitex and Clomid together, its really not good, and totally not recommended.

I think its a great idea to try the herbal vitex first to see if that works.

Clomid worked for us we didnt try vitex to be honest as we were TTC for 16 months before using clomid and didnt want to mess around longer as I was 35.

Hope it goes well.

I have been on it for 3 cycles.. My LP was averaging 10 days 3 being the shortest, 11 being the longest before I started.. 1st cycle on it LP - 14 days.. Next cycle - 11 days then the 3rd cycle - 12 days.. So it has seemed to have lengthened LP but only a day or 2.. I am hoping it helps me fall pg too! Good luck :)

My story is quite complicated but Ill try and cut it short.

I have PCOS. I was TTC DD for 2 years, fell preg on 1st cycle of clomid back in 2008.

to now,

I Still have PCOS, though it is becoming much more "controlled" now I have lost almost 45 kgs. I have been TTC #2 since Feb. I have had 27-28 day cycles since about May this year. I had a day 21 blood test taken last cycle and progesterone came back at 27.4. Gyno tells me that is ovulation (though im not 100% convinced as Ive been told it should be over 30). I was going to get Clomid this month, but after an appointment with her this morning, we have decided against it as she doesnt want to over stimulate my ovaries. Fair call. So I spoke to her about taking this herb and she said it was fine and a good idea and if it helps to tweek my cycles, its a better road to go down than Clomid. I would never dream of taking Clomid and Vitex at the same time.

I look back at how I was taking vitex and laugh. I knew nothing about it!

I have PCOS and very irregular cycles. I'd heard it would help regulate my cycles therefore ensuring I ovulated more so I started taking it. I had been off the pill for 2 years with no pregnancy. Within 2 months of taking it I fell pregnant but had a miscarriage. I took it continuously.

About 5 months later we headed overseas. I couldn't be bothered taking all the vitamins so stopped taking it. About 3 weeks into the trip I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. This one stuck.

I have no idea about the various views of taking it continuously vs. stopping... My second pregnancy may have been a sticky regardless of the fact that I stopped taking it.

I hope it works for you.

I took it when trying conceive my 3rd son as I was having short luetal phase, luckily for me it worked in the first cycle or it may have been a conicindence but I had been trying the previous couple of months with no success.

The advice I have heard is if you do fall pregnant you don't stop taking it cold turkery as it will drop your progesterone levels and could cause a miscarriage, it is better to slowly reduce your dosage down to nothing. I probably only kept taking it for a couple of weeks after I found out I was pregnant.

I guess if you had hormonal issues it may be recommended for the duration of the pregnancy if it were required but I think I would speak to a naturopath about that one.

MM - just a thought, many women experience nausea if they take vitex on an empty stomach. I need to take it with food or it comes straight back up. Hope that the vitex tweeks your cycle enough for a bfp.

HTH, PX.

ahhhh PX!! thanks for telling me. After my first dose today, after about an hour i felt mighty queasy. Ill remember that for tomorrow! thanks again :hug:

Thanks so much for everyones replies and views, it means alot :)

I had a terrible experience with it. Made me really moody, well, mostly teary, but uncontrollably so. My regular 29 day cycle ballooned out to 40 days, so I stopped and it went back to normal.