Vitex?

[Nicambhar]

Anybody googling some more, I seem to be getting a heap of conflicting stuff.
I might go and ask a Naturopath and also the Pharmacist and see what they say. Can't wait to get to the Dr now and ask him...

[kaib]

Hi all,

I've just been to my Naturopath to ask the same questions about vitex, as I have been wondering many of the same things. My cycle has been 28 days ever since D&C in early July, but my PMS has been quite intense every month since - extremely sore breasts, intense emotional lability (will cry at the drop of a hat), abdominal cramping etc. So I asked the naturopath about whether vitex would help, and she agreed for me to trial the vitex, but more for PMS rather than cycle regulation per se. So the dose she has put me on is 1x500mg tablet first thing in morning, from day 20 through to day 1 of cycle. She has also put me on a few other things to help 'relax' my system, all of which I would need to stop as soon as I was to find out I'm pg. She also indicated to me that if I didn't notice any significant difference in PMS next month, I should go back to her for review of the dose (ie it's likely she would up the dose). I'm still apprehensive about the whole thing, especially given there's so many different opinions about dosage and when to/when not to take it.

[treelo]

Yes Nic and i am getting all confused too, i have just put a post in the ask a professional section for platinum members, maybe that will be of some help.
Im starting to wish i didnt bother taking it...

Thanks for that info Kaib, i hope it works for you.

Hugs
treelo

[shereejoy]

Sorry I don't understand what the fuss is, in taking it - no offence. But I guess if you aren't sure, don't take it.

[treelo]

Shereejoy - the problem we seem to have is not in taking it, it obviously does a lot of good in many different area's and has helped many people, we wouldnt be taking it if we didnt think it would help. There is alot of conflicting advice on when to stop taking it and that is what we are trying to figure out.

[shereejoy]

Treelo - I thought about my post afterwards, my intention was not to offend anyone and I hope I haven't. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I am no expert, but my understanding and from what I have even read and also looking at the jar I have infront of me, says not to take it when pregnant, so that would be at ovulation as obviously we are all hoping we hit the jackpot. Maybe these women that have taken it during pregnancy are taking it under doctors advise or guidance. I wish you luck in finding out, but for now I would be stopping it at around mid cycle.

[satya]

I took 1 tablet on waking. That's how you are supposed to take it as it gets your pituitary gland started for the day. You need to take it every day of your cycle as it can take weeks to work in some women, if you only take it in the first half of the cycle and then stop it may never work for you.

Everything I've read on it suggests not using it in pregnancy at all so you should stop taking it as soon as you suspect that you are.

It helps regulate the production and release of LH & prolactin which in turn affects ovarian follicle function and can increase progesterone.

I believe it helped me achieve my two pregnancies this year.

[shereejoy]

Well I am only going from my experiences which I don't believe was a coincidence that I took it from start to mid cycle both times first cycle and fell pregnant. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe it wasn't.

Goodluck to you all with your decision.

Hey Satya, sorry to hear about your loss again, you were in the April Buddies group with me. I am also sorry to read you will not be ttc again. You poor thing. Take care of yourself.

[mammal]

I took the last vitex in the bottle this morning and the shop didn’t have any more. I’m 8DPO. Think it’s bad to stop cold turkey? I wish I could just buy a few days worth, but all the shops are out for a few days or a few weeks.

[diva det]

i tried vitex from the natropath for six months, but with no luck. It did cause my temps not to be so up and down and got my luteral phase to 14 days rather than 12.
I had to take in only part of my cycle and it was safe to use even if i fell pg, but to then stop.
HTH and interested to hear more of your reseach
Odette

[Darily]

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd add my experiences to the list.

I read a lot about Vitex on this very site, and decided to try it. First cycle, wham . . a BFP. I lost the baby at 10 weeks on 22nd October 2007. I am still in shock and feel very deep sadness.

I am by no means an expert on Vitex, but what I will say is that I would have felt a lot more comfortable about the reason for the miscarriage if I hadn't taken it. I'm not saying that Vitex causes miscarriages, but what I am saying is that there seems to be a lot of conflicting information about what it does for each individual woman, when to take it, how much to take etc etc. I would also be interested to see the rate of loss in women taking it, and if there was any pattern there. If there was, of course it would be banned or a warning would appear, however the research may not have even been done yet.

My personal opinion and decision is that I won't be taking it when TTC again, which I pray will be soon (waiting for AF at the moment). It is really up to each individual person and their beliefs when making that choice. I do believe it helped me concieve first attempt, however I need to conceive naturally without supplements this time to put my mind at ease. Hope that makes sense!

Good luck everyone.

[shereejoy]

I hear you Em and have wondered the same just recently too, but then know that my son survived.

This is my experience to date:

*m/c twins - weren't trying - no vitex
*tried for 4 months, then took vitex for one month fell with my son
*tried for a month, then took vitex for one month and fell instantly with the twins - ended in m/c
*tried for a month, then took vitex for one month and fell instantly - this is my current pregnancy and have been discharging (don't know the conclusion yet)

I am freaking about this current pregnancy, and if I m/c again, I too won't be taking vitex again! Its funny how my son was ok though????

[Darily]

I wish you all the luck in the world Shereejoy, and I'm sure you will be absolutely fine this time around. It seems like forever until the magical 12 week mark, but you'll get there soon.

I guess the Vitex thing is a little bit of an unknown bag of goods, as there isn't any research around (that I have found) and most people are using it simply because others are falling pregnant so quickly after taking it, and when you've been trying a while a BFP is a BFP after all!!

For me, I need to keep fit, eat healthy, keep off the caffeine/alcohol and get my BD timing right. I'm really hoping all of those things working together will bring me my little miracle.

Don't freak out if you can (I know that is near impossible), you'll be just fine.

Take care x

[shereejoy]

Gosh Em for someone who has never had a child and has also had a loss you are an inspiration of your positiveness. Good on you, I too am sure you too will have a baby soon, it has gotta happen. I hope and pray for you.

[satya]

Just thought I'd add that my current pregnancy was achieved without the use of Vitex. My losses were very very early whilst taking vitex and I have to wonder if stopping taking it as soon as I suspected I was pregnant might have contributed to the m/c's. Anyway I don't have that issue this time as this one was conceived with no help whatsoever whilst drinking buckets of coffee and being stressed to the max and not even trying.

[treelo]

Thanks Satya,

I have decided to not take it anymore. I am only 5dpo so i dont think it will make a difference if i stop today.

Ems and Sheerjoy, thanks for your input too. you have helped in my decision.

treelo