When in your cycle do you take vitex? - Page 2

[LadyJennifer]

I took Vitex when breastfeeding my daughter two years ago. I was trying to regulate my cycles as well as get pregnant again. I took it for 3 months all cycle long. My o day moved from cd18 to cd14 the three month I was taking it. I was pregnant by the 3rd month! My temps jumped up quite nicely every o day. My son is now 16 months and I just got my period back. I started taking Vitex again right before my af started to try to get my cycles back again. I am still bfing my son (and my dd, lol).
So that is my Vitex experience so far:)

[advisor]

1.Vitex works on the Brain....the brain is "more responsible for the progesterone in the first half of the cycle"......hence better to take it in the first half of the cycle. 

2. Take the herbal in the first half of the cycle if Progesterone levels are decreased or the Luteal phase is shortened:

--then supplement with a progesterone cream in the second half of the cycle. 

--continue the cream 12 days past ovulation......stop for two days and check if you are pregnant......if pregnant continue cream thru the first trimester. see your OB. 

--if not pregnant wait for menses to restart 

3. Ideal combination is Vitex in the first half and progesterone cream in the second half of the cycle

4. Don't take higher than recommended doses of Vitex (too much progesterone will counteract ovulation)

5. Vitex also affects LH rise, decreases prolactin etc. so it will have a different effect on everyone's body. It may help you or it may cause side effects. Be prepared for this before you start the herb. 

FYI: 

Follicular Phase ( Day one of Menses to Day of LH surge)

Luteal Phase     ( Days past ovulation so From the day after ovulation to the day before your first day of Menses)

Pre-ovulatory rise in progesterone is mediated by the adrenal cortex ( the brain). The ovaries serve to regulate this process in in the first phase.

Post Ovulatory Progesterone shifts towards the ovaries.......Supplement with a prescription progesterone (intra-vaginal is a good start).

FYI: If you choose to use progesterone cream (over the counter).....It should state USP (United states Pharmocopeia Progesterone)....usually sold 2% OTC......this ensures it is bio-idential hormone (same as what you would make naturally) so it will attach to your receptor sites in the body. 

Good Luck to all!!

[newtoTTC]

I tried Vitex for 1 month (on top of the B6 I take every month) and instead of Oing CD 17-18 I Oed on CD20 but no effect on my stubbornly 9 day LP.  thinking of trying it again this month on before O only.  I did have overall higher numbers that month, which I took as a good sign.  I had lots of nausea, jitters, overall just not feeling well the first week or so but then I adjusted and it went away.  A little concerned that I might have to go through adjusting to it every time.  What do people think?  Also what is RLL tea?  I am up for anything at this point!