long road TTC before BFP? Vitex?

[kristyny02]

Hi Ladies!

Congrats on your BFPs! Still waiting for mine! Anyone have a long TTC road?

Curious if you have used Vitex aka angus cactus ? If so, what brand? Where did you purchase it? What dosage? Any success?

 

[mislaww]

I used Vitex the month we got preggo! Don't know if that was the magic bit, because I was also taking EPO, aspirin, chromium, robitussin, acupuncture and using a CBFM! Plus diet changes too. I bought mine at GNC, they only had one brand at the store I went to. I just followed the package directions.

I was taking my temperatures, and the month we added vitex and acupuncture, my previously erratic temperature chart became perfect and we got our BFP.

I had nine cycles TTC, followed by a BFP and then followed by a miscarriage, 2 more cycles of TTC and our BFP. I'm 9 weeks tomorrow, and we've seen a very healthy heartbeat. So a total of 1 year (13 cycles) for us. I know others have had a much longer road, and each month is exponentially worst than the next, but that felt like a very long year for us.

How long have you been trying?

Good luck to you Kristy! I hope to see you on these boards as a member very soon.

 

[UkCath]

Yes we did have a long road, 2 years, had tests, there was nothing specifically wrong and were about to make the move to start further treatment.

In July we went on holiday, we had given up hope of it happening, didn't even think about it or talk about it while we were away. We were just very relaxed and had a really chilled out holiday and that's when it happened.

Also leading up to the holiday, because I wanted to be beach-ready I was eating very healthily and not drinking much at all to try to loose a few pounds. I think that might have helped too as I did used to like a glass of wine quite regularly.

So for me I think it was total relaxation + cutting out alcohol which made the difference.

 

[kristyny02]

Thank you for responding! And I am so glad your TTC journey has lead you to BFP!

TTC is a long hard road and different for everyone! We have been trying for 2 years. I have had irregular cycle my whole life. BCP was the only thing that keep them on track. I have had every test and all the doctor can say is that I have stubborn ovaries!?!? We first tried clomid, my second round I got my BFP but ended in MC at 6 weeks. We tried that a few more times and moved to IVF. We have been on a break from fertility treatments since our failed FET in June. I have since have lost 40 lbs, which I had gained from all the hormones and probably some depression as well.

Day 1 of my last cycle was July 3rd, I am now on day 45. I have had cramps on and off for two weeks, but still nothing. I did take a home pregnancy test (wishful thinking) last week and it was negative. I was interested in trying a natural supplement like Vitex in hopes it will get my cycles on track and not have to go for more treatments.

 

[UkCath]

I really hope it works out for you. I know it's awful to keep seeing the first signs of a period or those BFNs. It really got me down sometimes.

And all those friends during that time who announced they were going to start trying and a few months later broke their news. I am happy for them of course but it's so so hard.

Good luck.

 

[maddog37]

I fortunately didn't have a long journey, only 2 cycles. But the second and last cycle I wasn't ovulating and my chart was very typical of anovulation. At CD22, I started Vitex. At CD24, I ovulated (or approx, my temp went up on CD25).

I don't think Vitex helped me get my BFP directly, but I'm positive I would not have ovulated without Vitex that cycle. The additional help I had was almost daily sex and using Preseed.

I used EPO and B-100 complex as well, but I don't think either was helping me. I didn't actually have a short LP so the B6 wasn't really necessary.

 

[mislaww]

Kristy, I really recommend the book "Making Babies" - it's by a RE and an acupuncturist. the advice is very natural and goes well beyond what REs do alone. I followed their advice and my cycle evened right out within a month (together with acupuncture). You categorise yourself into one of their "types" and take the supplements that are right for your situation. That's why I took Vitex.

My cycles weren't as irregular as yours, but perhaps it'll help (and probably won't hurt). Apparently, if you email the authors they get back to you right away too. Also, they're both in NY if you wanted to consult!

Good luck. I hope you get your BFP very soon!

 

[tink28]

i was ttc about 5 yrs ago but wasnt ovulating, i tried vitex and it didnt work for me, i was taking it as a tincture. i actually felt that AF was much worse when i was taking it, really heavy with bad cramps.
having said that i have heard of women who it has helped, mainly with regulating cycles. my cycles werent irregular they were just annovulatory.
clomid was the only thing that got me ovulating in the end

 

[mislaww]

Yeah, for me, my luteal phase was a bit short, that's why I took it. Not so short I needed medical intervention. I'd be cautious about just using Vitex as a panacea for irregular cycles. Just for certain types of irregular cycles. Don't worry, though NY - I have no doubt there's a natural remedy out there that might help. Seriously - try acupuncture. If nothing else, it's an hour of sleep in the middle of the day - that relaxation can't be bad!

 

[2016]

I had a relatively short road (about 10 months) but 2 ectopics and loads of tests/surgeries. I took Vitex for a few cycles and it totally messed me up! Delayed ov, midcycle spotting! I would avoid it like the plague!

What I would recommend:

- Royal Jelly
- Ginsen, Ginko Biloba & EPO before ov
- Robitussin
- Taking extra folic (up to 5mg which is about 12 of the cheap 400mcg tabs a day) carry on up until 12 weeks if you get a bfp then drop to normal 400mcg
- Good prenatal (I use Pregnacare conception)
- Tilting pelvis for 30 mins after BD
- Accupuncture!!!

But please stay away from the evil Vitex!

Good luck!

 

[sezrah]

Strangely I used to use Agnus Castus for herbal relief of anxiety, it made my CM very pregnancy friendly and was a pleasant experience using it.

 

[kristyny02]

Kristy, I really recommend the book "Making Babies" - it's by a RE and an acupuncturist. the advice is very natural and goes well beyond what REs do alone. I followed their advice and my cycle evened right out within a month (together with acupuncture). You categorise yourself into one of their "types" and take the supplements that are right for your situation. That's why I took Vitex.

My cycles weren't as irregular as yours, but perhaps it'll help (and probably won't hurt). Apparently, if you email the authors they get back to you right away too. Also, they're both in NY if you wanted to consult!

Good luck. I hope you get your BFP very soon!

Misslaww, I will look into the book, Thanks!

Thank you all for sharing I will keep you posted...

 

[KandyKinz]

We weren't trying and not preventing for 4 years and actively trying for 6 months. My periods during that time were very irregular (every 28 to 45 days.... cycles under 32 days were rare) and my cycles were very very very heavy... would typically last 10 to 12 days and I would have to double up by using pads and tampons for atleast 3 or 4 of those days and would usually still leak past them. I'd also get tons of clots as well yucky.... I had charted for the first 2 years of us not trying not preventing and approximately 75% or more of my cycles were anovulatory.

Anyways a month after actively trying to conceive I started using vitex (two a day... don't remember brand) for anxiety and depression as it became quite severe and was negatively impacting my ability to function normally to the point where I actually had to take a leave of absence from my job. It took about two months and the change in my mental status was enormous. I felt normal again and was no longer experiencing panic attacks... My periods also became normal again. They became shorter, regular, and lighter. My PMS symptoms also alleviated and I started ovulating..... To me vitex is a wonder herb!

I was on vitex for 5 months and then quit the cycle I got my bfp to try soy. I ended up not making it to the health food store in time to purchase the soy so I got my bfp taking no supplements. Hubby on the other hand was on tons... I had him taking a multivitamin, as well as 1000mg Vitamin C, 2mg Folic Acid, and 30mg Zinc, and 2 capsules of maca (forget the dosage). I was also using ovulation predictor tests.

Anyways... I love vitex... and once I have baby I'm gonna go back on it.... not for the fertility side of it... but because it made my periods livable and helped so much with my depression and anxiety.