Anyone ever use Vitex?

[barnone]

Hi!
I have very crazy cycles. When ttc #1, I had very long cy (70+ days) and eventually went on Clomid. That helped me O and was able to conceive DD after 3 mos.

After 3 yrs, I finally got AF back. My cycles seemed regular from Dec till April, even though a little long (35 days). Now everything seems to have stopped again. I'm on CD 51 and nothing. This is literally the exact same thing that happened when ttc #1. Stopped cycles in April. Very strange coincidence.

Anyway, I can't take Clomid this time b/c I'm still nursing DD. Someone suggested Vitex, saying it's supposed to be a natural Clomid. I'm wondering if anyone has ever used it or had success? How much do I take?? And is it something I take every day? When in my cycle do I start...does that matter?

TIA,
Barbara

[Rainy229]

I took vitex for six weeks, or so... I had that prob too - I'd try to remember the last season I had a period, not the last month... once I was on vitex regularly, I actually started a period, shortly thereafter, though, I started acupuncture and Chinese herbs, which have helped A LOT! I actually have a predictable cycle (other than this month, my first full cycle on metformin and synthroid... )...

I'm not sure about taking it while nursing.... herbs may be safer than western meds, but in such high doses, I'd be afraid it might not be the safest thing. I also just heard about soy isoflavones, which have been suggested to take like clomid (5 days, cd 1-5, 2-6, 3-7, 4-8, or 5-9) as well... just another idea.

Good luck!

Rainy

[zanelee]

I've taken Vitex for years to help even out my cycles.
I started taking it about 6 years ago, as my cycles have never been normal.
We started ttc and we got pregnant that first try. I've been on it ever since, but still haven't conceived again, more due to other issues than my cycles.

Vitex works on the pituitary gland to help regulate your hormones.

HTH!

[barnone]

Thanks to both of you. I'll look into the soy, but DD has an intolerance so we'll have to see about that one.

How much of the Vitex did you both take? And do you take it every day, regardless of where you are in your cy?

[zanelee]

I still take it daily. Unless I'm being lazy.
I just take one capsule a day. Off hand, I can't think of how much that is.

[Rainy229]

I took it in two daily doses - as it's effect is based on consistent blood levels. I don't remember the dosages I took, it's been more than a year... sorry.

Rainy

[justimaginelove]

Suggested Dosage for Vitex:

Capsules: 1,000mg a day is the suggested amount to use. For best results use vitex capsules all month long except during menstruation.

Tincture: Suggested usage is 10-15 drops of vitex extract, 2-3 times a day all month long except during menstruation.

However, unlike powerful hormone drugs, vitex works slowly to normalize the body. Maximum benefits are often achieved after 6-12 cycles with vitex.

Vitex is NOT considered like clomid at all. Vitex increases luteinizing hormone production while mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This indirectly boosts progesterone production and chances of achieving and maintaining a successful pregnancy.**

Some say that soy isoflavones are like clomid.

What makes soy isoflavones similar to Clomid
Soy isoflavones are phytoestrogens known as SERMs, or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. Clomid is also a SERM. Some people believe that soy isoflavones function in the same way to block estrogen receptors as Clomid.

Researchers have found that soy isoflavones weakly bind to estrogen receptors. This evidence may support the idea that soy isoflavones can work as a natural ovulation inducer like Clomid. But, there has not been sufficient data to safely say that soy isoflavones can or should be used to induce ovulation.*

*http://www.justmommies.com/getting-p...-alternative-t

**http://natural-fertility-info.com/vitex

Before choosing an herbal remedy on your own it is good to do some research as each herb has specific actions. Vitex has been found to normalize ovulation and help lengthen short cycles as well as shorten long cycles. Vitex is an incredible hormone balancer, which adapts to women’s different needs.

I hope this helps you understand Vitex a little more!

[luminesce]

I took it for a while several years ago. I seem to remember that it helped even out my crazy cycles a little bit but it didn't change things drastically.

(Correcting my vitamin D levels, however, seemed to make a world of difference. I've not researched in detail why this might be or if it is connected to irregular cycles but I know it definitely helped.)