Agnus Castus success..ish. Now confused!

[Ramie80]

Hello ladies!

Firstly, I'm new to this so be gentle!

Secondly I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on when you should stop taking AC?

I have been taking it for 5 weeks and after six months of waiting for a period I finally came on last week. I had a massive bleed in october that I was told was either an early miscarriage (too early to show up on a test) or a burst cyst. They did tests but couldnt find anything wrong and I was told to go away and come back after we had been trying for 12 months.

After no assistance from the GP when I went back saying I'd had no period for two months I investigated and started taking AC. Its obviously done its job but I have also seen postings on the web about not taking it when you are trying to concieve because the hormone levels could cause a miscarriage. Some have said take it until you ovulate.

Can any one clear it up for me?

P.S - Any chance of a breakdown of what all the abbreiviations are? I think I've worked out TTC and BFP but have no idea on the others!

Thank you ladies!

 

[pinkishgirl]

If you take this, as its suppose to be very good for bringing on periods if not regular (or had one for 6 months!!) what do you do as you're not supposed to take this if a chance you could be pregnant - do you test everyday to check??? Sory if this post sounds dumb

 

[angel11]

I also started taking Agnus Cactus for the first time this cycle. This is my 2nd cycle TTC after coming off of BC. So far it seems that I did get my first period so I am hoping that I get lucky and that my periods are normal. I did however start Agnus Cactus just in case as I read a lot of women start taking it once they go off of BC so that their cycles regulate faster. It has also helped me a whole lot with my skin breakout after stopping the pill.

From my research on the internet, I have found the following things:

1. AC can take some time to build up in your system. Some women feel the effects within a few weeks, others take months.
2. You should not stop taking Agnus Cactus because your period started. From what I read, if you are actively trying to conceive, you should stop taking Agnus Cactus after you ovulate. Reason being, it could be dangerous if you take it whilst pregnant. So after ovulation, you might be pregnant and therefore shouldn't take it. You can then start taking it again if AF arrives again.
3. Some women that got their BFP, took Agnus Cactus through their whole cycle, and stopped only once they got a BFP. This is mostly women that have irregular cycles and therefore needed to take the Agnus Cactus.

I personally, will be stopping it once I get a positive OPK. When AF arrives, I will again start taking it. If I find that my second cycle after BC is irregular (AF doesn't show up), then I will start taking it again once confirmed that I am not pregnant.

With regards to the abbreviations, here is a link to a post that explains them all. The ones in my post is

AF = Aunt Flo (periods)
AC = Agnus Cactus
OPK = Ovulation prediction kit

Hope this helps you. I personally would not stop taking AC now that your period has arrived as you might still need another few weeks on it for your periods to truelly regulate.

 

[angel11]

Sorry - I forgot the link

LINK

 

[Sunkissed]

Also if you stop suddenly it will mess up your hormones. I'm taking 3 a day now until O then 2 a day for one week then 1 a day for the next week and if I get a bfp then I won't continue and if I don't then I'll start again.

 

[Ramie80]

Thank you ladies.

I am taking the Premcare ones from Boots where you just take one a day. The thing that is confusing me is that they have obiously worked on this dose as I had AF after waiting since October but its clearly only a low dose.

I dont want to mess my hormones up again as its taken so long to get them sorted but also dont want to cause any harm if I do concieve. I was thinking of taking half tablets if I get the sign that I have OV and then stopping should I eventually get the BFP, but some say to stop altogether as soon as you've OV.

Angel11 thank you for the link... was very useful!

Pinkishgirl - that's the same as I am thinking... if I've not had AF for six months and my cycle isnt completely sorted its going to cost a small fortune in OPKs!!!! I'd have to test every day, or every other day at least!

Thank you again guys... its good to have somewhere to go to ask these questions. My GP is really unhelpful and no one else I know has ever had this situation... most of my friends have had it easy getting PG!

 

[angel11]

No problem girls. Glad I could help.

@Sunkissed - I was also wondering whether I shouldn't perhaps switch to one a day after O instead of just stopping. Think I might do this. It doesn't make sense that it could harm the baby in the long run as being pregnant increases your progesterone and so does AC.

Either way, if you take it only up until BFP, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Sunkissed]

Angel how many are you taking before O? If you are taking 2 I would say just do 1 after O then stop while on af or when you get your bfp

 

[nevernormal]

I am currently taking 40 mg/day -- a really low dose. I take them the whole cycle, and when I get a bfp I will try to see a doctor right away about it. I'm taking it to up my progesterone levels, so I'm not sure that I want to remove that without having something else to help with that issue. I am thinking about ordering progesterone cream though to have on hand, so if I got a bfp I could switch to that.