Good experience with Vitex?

[Freespiritedjem]

I've been recommended by a herbologist to try Vitex to help regulate everything and help the process along. Is this a good thing to try or is there anything better (besides or instead) that is natural to use that might be helpful, before we start trying other means? My doctor just wants to put me on Clomid, but I'd prefer to try a natural approach first. Thanks.

[cincynana]

You could try taking vitex and false unicorn root together. They both stimulate ovulation much like clomid does, although it could take up to 3 months to work. It didn't work for me, but it did regulate my cycles.

HTH and good luck!

[Mylie]

I was also told to try vitex with royal jelly...

Some background...Had miscarrige in oct/Nov...

Took clomid for my december cycle...Got nothing but a cyst from that on my left ovary.Doc said leave it alone cause it will go away on its own...No period since November...3 weeks ago I was also told that vitex would regulate my periods back to normal and too also add royal jelly cause they call it the "perfect" food and it will not only help regulate my hormones but also strengthen my ovaries/egggs..Whatever...

I started the royal jelly 1000 mgs in the am 2 1/2 weeks ago...I started the vitex 1 1/2 weeks ago...also 1000 mgs in the am..

Didn't exspect anything for at least a couple months cause they say it sometimes takes a few months and with my luck welll.....

But about 2 days after starting the vitex/1 1/2 weeks after royal jelly I got a period...6 day flow...

Today I started having super strong pain in my lower right side..Hmmm ovulation pain? At first I didn't think so cause I have felt ovulation cramps before and they never hurt...Just a cramping...But this HURT!!! The first few I felt this am I panicked cause I thought oh no not another cyst...But It didn't feel like the cyst pain I had on the right ovary..And I noticed it wasn't all the time ...Just here and there...So on the way home tonight I thought well I will use an OPK to make sure...Sure enough within 3 minutes a line appeared.Not as dark as the control line but about 1/2 way there..So I don't think I have ovulated yet...Just getting ready too...I am going to use another OPK tommorow am...

I go see my doctor on the 5th to see if the cyst is gone...Hopefully I will get the okay to go ahead and try to concieve in April...But I am going to track my cycle this month and next too see...

I don't know if it was the vitex or the royal jelly or both but they have made a believer out of me...

I got the royal jelly at Walmart for a couple bucks for a bottle of 60 and I got the vitex from GNC..8 bucks for a bottle of 100 I think...

Good luck and let us know how vitex works for you...Love Sheila xx

[barose]

I take Vitex in tincture form. I took that and False Unicorn together some years back, but its endangered so it shouldnt really be used at all IMO.

Right now, I take Vitex (tincture) now and its working for me so far. The dried herb in capsules didnt work for me but the tincture does. I buy mine at the health food stores and I know a private vendor at my local Farmers Market and his formula is even beter (pure, fresher, made in small batches).

I am starting to ovulate much sooner now than before.

[barose]

Originally Posted by cincynana

You could try taking vitex and false unicorn root together. They both stimulate ovulation much like clomid does, although it could take up to 3 months to work. It didn't work for me, but it did regulate my cycles.

HTH and good luck!

What do you mean when you said 'it didnt work for you but it regulated your cycles?' Did you mean you didnt ovulate on it, but had regular "periods"?

[cincynana]

Sorry I wasn't so clear...it made me ovulate (I wasn't before taking the vitex) but I didn't get pg. My periods also became more regular, as did my luteal phase. I was also doing accupressure and fertility hypnosis.

And you're right...false unicorn root is endangered, so I would only add it after taking vitex and not having any success in getting pregnant. It can take 3-6 months for supplements/herbs to work. Also, and I'm not sure why, but I've read not to take vitex or false unicorn root while menstruating. If I can find the "why" I'll be sure to post.

[barose]

Thats interesting, I would like to know why not to take it during that time as well-- Ill do some searching. Thanks for your response.

[oceanmommy]

I took vitex for 7-8 months, it was a good experience for me and if I am still TTC when I run through my last clomid cycle (I have one more, but am on a break this cycle) I will take vitex again. Vitex and clomid cannot be taken together, that's why I am off it.

The vitex seemed to help smooth my erratic BBT temps, generally raising them in my LP. It also eased my PMS, improved my skin, and it supports progesterone. From what I understand, it is generally considered a useful, safe herb for women in every stage of womanhood, although most people don't use it during pregnancy. It acts on the brain to create balance in the body's hormones, really supporting all stages of the cycle. It is slow-acting and can take a few months to become fully effective.

Here are some links, I hope you find them helpful:


http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb135...tegory2Herb135

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Vitex_RedMoonHerbs.htm

http://www.raysahelian.com/chasteberry.html



This site has info about TTC and many different herbs:
http://www.babyzone.com/preconception/herbs/

[stacey2061]

hi ~ i'm no fertility expert but i'll share my vitex experience:

i realised that i had a short luteal phase (prob caused by low progesterone) so on the advice of the mamas here started taking vitex and vitamin b6. i expected it to take a while to work, and in the first month saw no change. the second month taking it though, i ovulated a few days later than usual and surprisingly also got pregnant. good luck to you!

[blueyezz4]

Is there any reasons/contra-indications why someone should not take vitex that anyone knows of????? Everything I read about it makes it sound great!! Where do you buy vitex at???
TIA

[cincynana]

I haven't read anything about people who shouldn't use vitex. Only not to use them if you're taking fertility meds (clomid, injectables, etc) b/c you'll overstim. You can buy it at any health store, or online.

[Pookietooth]

What is the dosage and frequency for vitex? I took it before using the instructions on the bottle and it didn't seem to work.