Vitex?

[treelo]

Ok so i have purchased my Vitex and im abit confused about how much to take? It just says 1-2 tablets before breakfast. I got the Natures Own brand.
How long before i notice a difference?? Im on day 4 of my cycle and i took 1 tablet yesterday.

any information would be a great help,
thanks
treelo

[mumstar]

Hi Treelo,

I started taking vitex about 1 1/2 weeks ago. As I am still waiting for AF to come after D & C (will be 9 weeks on Monday). I have the blackmores brand - which states 1 tablet before meals 3 x day. From previous threads, it has been said that it can take upto 3 months to work properly. So heres hoping for a BFP for both of us soon (or at least AF for me!) Let me know how you get on.

[Nicambhar]

Teelo, you probably know my story.. I have the Natures Own brand and take 2 before breakfast each day. I have been TTC for 8/9 months and had m/c's so started taking the vitex after reading so many success stories. I didn't need it to regulate my cycle as such, and didn't notice a difference at all physically but I did get pg that very cycle and you know what happened from there. I am back on them again now and hope to get pg straight away. Goog luck with it..

[treelo]

Im certainly praying for a miracle mumstar...for all of us.

Nic - yep im much the same. My cycle is not too bad but i seem to be getting AF two days early and i used opk's last cycle and i seemed to O a day or two early as well. This has only happend since the m/c. I just read that it can help with healthier follicles and getting pregnant, i guess im a bit worried though about the rate of m/c from people taking it, there seems to be a few.

treelo

[SallyJ]

Treelo the first time I took vitex I got pg - my son is now 8 1/2 years old. I had been having very irregular and long cycles due to the pill messing up my hormones. (I also took evening primrose oil for the first 2 weeks of that cycle too, it helps increase cm).

The second time I took it was after my d & c in March - given that I have a history of my cycles being easily disrupted (both times I bfed it was about a year before AF returned) I wanted to make sure that AF returned quickly so I could get on with ttc - anyway AF came 4 weeks to the day after the d & c, whereas I have read on here that some women have to wait longer.

It is really good for regulating your hormones. I have read that for some women it makes them ovulate earlier, others manage to extend their LP if needed.

I am taking it again this cycle (same brand as you and Nic - I take 2 tablets every morning) together with EPO, B6 and Folate. Not sure if my cycle needs regulating but can do with any help it can get I think!

[Nicambhar]

Treelo - Oooh, I never really thought of that. I am going back to the Dr on Monday and will take the bottle with me and ask him. The people that are turning to Vitex, are the ones that having m/c's or it is taking so much time to fall pg, so maybe there is a possibility that there are underlying problems for the women taking vitex that have m/c's. IYKWIM....

[treelo]

Thanks SallyJ, I might look into the epo as well. And thanks for the positive story, did you stop taking the vitex as soon as you found out you were pregnant?

Nic - let me know what he says? im sure its just coincidence but it would be reasuring to hear it from a professional !!

treelo

[shereejoy]

I take the Blackmores brand - Agnus Castus Vitex. Mine says to take it 3 times a day. Both times I have been on it now, I conceived first cycle. Now you can't say that is a coincidence.

Go the Vitex.................

GL gals.

[Nicambhar]

Sheree - when did you stop taking the Vitex when you got pg?

[Heaven]

Shree- I certainly hope it's not a coincidence, this is my first cycle on vitex

[shereejoy]

Nicambhar - Yeah I stop taking it at ovulation.

SaraJane - Goodluck honey, I know plenty of people who have used it and fell on the first cycle.

[Nicambhar]

Hmmm, confused now.. I have just googled some stuff on Vitex and miscarriage. It says not to stop it suddenly. One woman took it, but weaned off it by 20 weeks to keep her progesterone levels high enough to support the pg....

Here is some more stuff from the net ( ooher, I don't know if I am allowed to put this in here though )..

I use Vitex as a supreme hormonal tonic for women. Both extensive clinical studies, as well as over two thousand years of use in folk medicine, have proven the effectiveness of this remedy. It works by stimulating and normalizing the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
In a normal menstrual cycle estrogen is higher before ovulation and progesterone is higher after. Many women don't realize that an imbalance of these hormones can lead to the entire range of symptoms associated with PMS and menopause! Vitex usually has the effect of enhancing progesterone and decreasing estrogen levels.
Vitex itself has none of the hormonal building blocks that many of the medicinal plants used for the reproductive system contain. Instead, this herb nourishes and supports the endocrine system to find its own balance. David Hoffman, a well-known herbalist, says "Vitex will always enable what is appropriate to occur."
Almost all of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle can be treated with this plant. It is the single best herb for treating the many possible symptoms of PMS: cramps, flooding, headaches, depression, water retention, constipation, acne, breast tenderness, and irritability. It can help normalize irregular or scanty periods.
It is especially helpful for women who are coming off the birth control pill. For many women, cycles remain irregular for up to two years after stopping the pill. Vitex can greatly shorten that time and helps ease the body into regaining its own natural rhythm.
It is a wonderful tonic to enhance the chances of conception through its ability to regulate ovulation and if taken through the first trimester, vitex will reduce the chances of miscarriage. After the birth, it helps a new mother to produce plenty of milk.
Vitex also offers many benefits to women who are menopausal. It helps to relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms of this transition time, including hot flashes, irregular cycles, depression, and flooding. Vitex is also an indispensable remedy for women with uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, or endometriosis. All of these conditions proliferate under the influence of estrogen and shrink under the influence of progesterone.
This plant may be taken in tea form, although I prefer the tincture (alcohol extract). The dosage of is usually 30-50 drops, three times per day. Like all herbs, Vitex works best when combined with a lifestyle that includes pure water, whole food, gentle exercise, and plenty of self-love. Although you won't find it in the wild, Vitex is easy to grow in our bioregion. Just remember to leave it plenty of space, since it can get up to seventeen feet tall!
Vitex is a slow-acting herb. I usually recommend allowing three full cycles for the plant to really work its magic, and many women take it for up to several years. In the thousands of years that it has been in use, there are no reports of even the mildest side effects. Vitex is a safe, gentle, and effective remedy, with something to offer women in every cycle of life.

[Wowzer]

I was never on the Pill should I be taking this stuff. Excuse my ignorance I am confused, my cycles before m/c were 28 days, my first cycle after m/c was 25 days.

[shereejoy]

Nicambhar - interesting literature. I am not sure it is the Vitex I am taking thought, they talk about a liquid which I think you can get this one in too, but I choose the tablet. I take Vitex - Agnus Castus. And it particularly says on the label that it shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. Anyway I do think Vitex is vitex thought, so I am not really sure. I have done it twice now to conceive and both cylces I fell for cylce and I also stopped taking the tablets around ovulation and I haven't had a problem. One successful pregnancy and one unsuccesful. I am not only taking it for pregnancy, but I am sure if it has worked twice it will work again, I am also taking it as I have this pain in my boobs and so far so good, pain has subsided heaps.

Wowzer - It is your call really, it is a natural herbal remidy for PMS but I do believe it gets everything working down there. GL.

[SallyJ]

Vitex is short for Vitex Agnus Castus, whcih is the botanical name for Chasteberry.

I *think* I took it up until I found out I was pg.

FWIW I did get a faint positive the day before AF came after my d & c - still wonder whether that was a chemical pg.

[shereejoy]

Yes that is right it is Chasteberry

[treelo]

mmmmmm some interesting stuff here, thanks guys, i really appreciate the input. i am very interested to hear what your Dr says still Nic, whether you stop after O or when you get a positive or do you gradually stop while your pregnant. I might do some more googling myself !!

I decided to take the two tablets today.

treelo

[mumstar]

Hi Treelo,

As you already know, I have using vitex for 1 1/2 weeks now, as I am waiting for AF (from d & c), The last few days have down OPT, and all negative (well the lines were faint - so that is negative). This afternoon, I got a darker test line, which hopefully means I will be ovulating in the next few days. The mucous signs look good aswell. Can't say for sure if it down to vitex. But gee, what a coeincidence (however spelt). Hopefully, I do realease the egg and catch it. Time will tell. I will keep you posted.