Tell me your vitex story

[babymango]

I'm trying to TTC #2 while still nursing #1 5-7 times a day. My follicular phase is super long (33 days last time) and my luteal phase is shortish (10-11 days)
I'm going to start taking Vitex this cycle, and I was wondering how this herb had affected other people's cycles? Would you mind sharing your experience?
(x posted on the pregnancy board... I guess i have a better chance on getting some positive stories there?)

[babygrey]

from Nursing Mamas...
No BFP to show for it yet, but my experience with Vitex so far has been really good.

For history, I've always had long, irregular cycles. I used the CBEFM pre-dd (didn't temp, but fairly certain I was O'ing when it said- my CM always matched up and, well, I ended up pg :P) For the 7 cycles pre-DD, I O'd around CD20-25. (I used to have a super long 18-20 day LP, too... *grumbles to current LPD* )

I have endometriosis. I had surgical removal of a lot of endo this past Oct. Started taking Vitex on the recommend of my mw and herblaist to help decrease endo symptoms, and only later found out about its ttc value.

Since I started taking Vitex, I've had 3 cycles. 1st was 50 days anov. But, then, something amazing happened- the 2nd was 21 days and I O'd on CD12. This has never happened to me before in my life. Honest. The 3rd, the one I'm currently on, I O'd so early that we missed BD'ing prior. Chart confusion aside, it looks like I probably O'd on CD9. I'm on CD19 now and spotting like AF is coming.

My endo/PMS symptoms have been incredibly decreased.

Disclaimer, tho, I do wonder how much of the change in my cycle is actually due to the removal of my endo and the positive effects of nursing on my endo, so what I'm attributing to Vitex might not be Vitex... buuut, I've certainly been happy with it and I've never heard that removing endo can make O date earlier, and I HAVE heard that about Vitex.

I still have a pretty bad LPD, tho. (I guess my LP *could* be shorter, but not much ) My nursling is young and a constant nurser, so there may just be no helping it.

i will say that I had to play around with dosing a lot to find a dose that doesn't give me headaches. Other than that, no neg side effects.

Ok, that ended up being a novel. Hope you find the advice you are looking for. Do you have a local herbalist you could talk to?

[katiecornflakes]

I took Fertilaid when TTC DS (basically Vitex plus a prenatal, but I didn't get that at the time!). I had a long, anovulatory cycle and around CD 30 I'd say, I started it. 2 weeks later got AF and 2 weeks later Ov'd and that was that for DS! I'm taking it again now since I'm nursing and on my 2nd PP cycle. Hoping it will get my LP sorted out but that remains to be seen.

GL!

[bunziemom]

My ppaf's were nightmares. 40 some odd day cycles with af bleeding lasting sometimes for two weeks!

I turned to vitex in desperation. Immediately the bleeding stopped. and within a couple cycles I had a 28-29 day cycle with midcycle O and 4 day AF!

I took NOTHING else so I give vitex all the credit. I do advise people with fairly normal cycles to stay away from it because it usually messes them up.

I followed the recommended dose in the bottle. Planetary herbals makes the best in IMHO. Hope it can help you.

[TonyaW]

For me Vitex was not good. I have a 10 day LP. It made me have super bad PMS and an annovulatory cycle. It seems as if it made my progesterone lower in my other cycles out of 3.

[gen24]

I was TTC#2 while nursing too and my LP was 8-9 days long. I took vitex and I guess it made my LP longer because I got pregnant right away. Good luck!

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

For me Vitex was not good. I have a 10 day LP. It made me have super bad PMS and an annovulatory cycle. It seems as if it made my progesterone lower in my other cycles out of 3.

Nope, it wasn't good for me either. I took it and I O'd 12 days later than normal and my lp was messed up...it took my normally 32 - 35 day cycles and turned it into a 46 day cycle! Vitex is definitely not for everyone

[Newbian Mama]

I too take FertilAid and I find it to be very helpful. It takes an average of three months for the effects to kick in. My LP has gone from 10 days to averaging 15 and my overall temps have increased. I did have one long anovulatory cycle during the second month but I think it was because my cycle was working itself out.

Best of Luck!