Should I consider trying Vitex??

[LindsG]

Ok heres the scoop. DH and I are TTC #2. We are on CD3 of our third cycle trying (which I know isn't long). The first cycle I wasn't really charting but from what i'm guessing (based on CM and ovulatory pain) I think I only had an 8 or 9 day luteal phase. Last month I charted and about half way through I started taking B6 100mg. My chart looked decent. I had an 11 day LP and my temps went pretty high so I don't think I have progesterone issues based on that.

When I conceived my DS, I took Vitex my very first month trying because I had just come off the BCP and I thought I was going to have trouble ovulating. Well...apparently I did not because we conceived him first try! Now i'm wondering if the vitex contributed to conceiving him so quickly - or maybe it was coincidence? I had always assumed it was just coincidence and I didn't actually NEED the vitex that month..

I'm sort of nervous to take Vitex again but I really want to maximize the chances of getting pregnant as quickly as possible. I think typically I ovulate around CD18 and have a 10 or 11 day LP. Is that long enough?? Should I just stick with the B6 and give it a few more months or would I benefit from trying the Vitex again? What would you do??

[zoe77]

I just started taking vitex for the current cycle I'm on.  But I am pretty confident that I have low progesterone (still breastfeeding my 3yo).  If you are pretty certain that you are ovulating and have sufficient progesterone then I'd keep trying with out it.  I've heard it takes a few momths for the vitex to make a difference.  I'd love to hear others opinions also.

[LindsG]

I should also mention i'm concerned I may have had a very early miscarriage this month? I swore i was feeling pregnant from like 2DPO with all sorts of "signs" like sore nipples, constant crampiness, creamy cervical mucus (even EWCM on like 7DPO), headaches, dizziness, restless nights. Maybe that ALL was in my head. I took HPT's on 8DPO and 11DPO but both were BFN. My temps even looked triphasic but alas, period came on friday. Now today my period seems heavier than usual and i just passed the most humungous clot I ever saw. It was probably the size of a golfball. Maybe slightly smaller. I just got a Diva cup (present to myself to make me feel better for not being pregnant lol) and maybe i'm just not used to seeing that much blood in a cup vs in a tampon. The directions on the cup said the cup holds 1 oz and the average period is about 1-1.4 oz. Well I filled half the cup in about 4 hours this morning. I'll never really know if this is an early miscarriage but it just adds to my worry that my LP isn't long enough to support implantation. I had very slight spotting starting on 10DPO but my temps stayed high until my period came 2 days later.

I think maybe i'll stick to the B6 for at least another month since I didn't start it from the very beginning last month anyway. I don't want to get too crazy with supplements if i don't have to. I'm only 29 and had no problems with conception the first time so i'm trying to stay optimistic!

[sraplayas]

Linda--I agree with zoe about waiting a bit, just to see how the next few cycles go. If you get a good cycle or two fully charted (I'm still working on that!), that should help give you a better picture.:)

I've used Vitex twice (before #2--great, TTC #3...not so great)---each time for at least 4 months. Goes to show that it so depends on your cycles at a given time as to whether Vitex will be helpful or not.

That sounds like a wild AF, I haven't passed a clot that large and I am using a cup. Interested to hear other comments on this.

Hope you get a BFP soon!