vitex advice please

[mrsp1969]

hi some advice from some1 with knowledge of vitex please xx i have been having anulvatory cycles i bought some vitex to take when af started ive been spotting for 4 days so thought to hell with it and took my 1st yesterday morning and 1 last night af arrived full force at midnight lol my question is has im confused ive heard to take until ovulation then stop but i dont ovulate thats why im trying vitex i cant do charts or temps cos of the shifts i work so im stumped ive been waiting 57 days for this af could i take it all the way until next af to get some sort of idea as to how long my cycles are thanx all xx

 

[dachsundmom]

Can you use OPKS to get some idea?

 

[NorthStar]

Have you sought proper medical advice over this?

This might be a better option than messing around with herbs, a doctor could write you a script for eg Clomid and put you on monitoring you will find out if you are ovulating.

 

[Angelicdragon]

I took vitex every single day without fail to stay regular. I have now quit for the time being.
There is some confusion too over whether you can take it after a BFP. I saw a well respected naturopath who said that with my miscarriage history to take it until 12 wks pg. Wel it sure didn't help the last 3 times and m/c at 8 wks so now I have quit.
It can take anywhere up to 3 weeks to have any effect on your system so taking it for 2 weeks then off for two weeks really wouldn't accomplish anything.

 

[dodgercpkl]

Just as an FYI - my work schedule is allll over the place as well. My OB wanted me to start temping. I reminded her of my schedule, and she told me to just temp when I woke up and as long as it was 3 or more hours after I went to sleep, I'd be fine.

I don't know much about vitex, so I can't help you there, but I thought I would let you know about the temping.

 

[mrsp1969]

Have you sought proper medical advice over this?

This might be a better option than messing around with herbs, a doctor could write you a script for eg Clomid and put you on monitoring you will find out if you are ovulating.

hi yes been seeing my doc for a year theywont refer me to a fs cos im 42 and already have grown up children im going it alone for 6 months xx

 

[NorthStar]

That is terrible that your doctor won't help. Can I say that you don't have to put up with that, find another doctor and you may get a very different response, that's what I did (different issue).

Because ultimately this is your health, and it's not up to the doctor to decide how many children you have.

 

[Janie66]

Have you sought proper medical advice over this?

This might be a better option than messing around with herbs, a doctor could write you a script for eg Clomid and put you on monitoring you will find out if you are ovulating.

hi yes been seeing my doc for a year theywont refer me to a fs cos im 42 and already have grown up children im going it alone for 6 months xx

this is the same response I have had off three different GP's they will not priscribe clomid anymore, you have to be reffered tp a fertility specialist now, and because of my age (45) and have two children already, even tho my present husband has none, I do not meet NHS criteria for fertility treatment, so have to go private, which we just cannot afford. That really does suck for people like us in same situations

 

[NorthStar]

I know the IVF cutoff is 39 but Clomid is a relatively cheap drug, and commonly prescribed in the USA, so I'm really surprised that you have to see a FS for it, and the GPs can't help at all . I wonder if it is available over the counter in Europe anywhere?

Seems really unfair, sorry ladies.

 

[peacebaby]

mrsp, is it possible to consult a trained herbalist or naturopath before you start the vitex? There are many who specialise in fertility issues and can be very helpful in directing usage of herbs like vitex.

Vitex can and does work for some ladies and not for others. For some taking it until OV can help regulate hormonal imbalances, for others taking it throughout the cycle works, it really depends on your body and other factors can play a role. A good herbalist will know what to do and it may even be that a combination of herbs may help.

ahh, the unfairness of the NHS...just today I had to pay a private GP for a simple progesterone pessary prescription because the NHS won't give it unless you're doing IVF. It costs so little but they won't do it.

best wishes

 

[Mandie831]

I have been taking vitex for the last 3 weeks with no changes, went to the doctor today and was prescribed some provera to bring on my period. Anyone know if I can take them together, vitex to help ovulate and provera to bring on my period.

I started another thread with all the issues I have had since stopping BC, doctor I saw today thinks PCOS but can not yet get to a more special doctor to get clomid.

Any suggestions?

 

[Mandie831]

I have been taking vitex for the last 3 weeks with no changes, went to the doctor today and was prescribed some provera to bring on my period. Anyone know if I can take them together, vitex to help ovulate and provera to bring on my period.

I started another thread with all the issues I have had since stopping BC, doctor I saw today thinks PCOS but can not yet get to a more special doctor to get clomid.

Any suggestions?

 

[peacebaby]

hi mandie831

I know that vitex is said to slow be acting, it takes at least 2-3 cycles for most people, but of course we're all different and for some people it works faster. Though I would think that 3 weeks may be too soon to tell, it also depends on whether the dosage you're taking is right for you. I really don't know whether it is ok to take it provera, probably best to check with your dr.

good luck!

 

[Mandie831]

Yeah I thought the same thing, and when I asked the doctor she just did not know, she did not even know what vitex was and so she had no suggestions for me other than since it is an herb it is likely alright but that she just did not know.

I really would like to get some clomid but apparently here in New Zealand you have to see an actual fertility doctor to get it.

Not like back in Alaska/USA when I could just get it from basically any GP.

Might be worth it to get it here if I need it though, despite the still "hig" cost it is nothing compared to the USA.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[mrsp1969]

im still taking the vitex it made my af arrive last thurs for 3 days really heavy then stopped but i have started again today heavy i have posted a thread on this xx

 

[littlepeps]

hi there .. I have pcos and I am on my 4 month of vitex .. the first 3 months it has me on a regular 35 day cycle Oing @ day 21 and usually from O onwards my BBs are SOOOO sore but not this month ... so maybe it is starting to balance out my estrogen dominance

 

[StranjeGirl]

I took vitex everyday, including during af, and up until 16 weeks pg. I would definitely try something natural before clomid, as clomid messes with your hormones. Vitex works with the glands that regulate hormones. That is just my opinion, but for me it worked.

 

[peacebaby]

I've read of lots of ladies take vitex during the 1st tri and provided all else is ok, it does seem to work for many.

Stranjegirl, if you don't mind sharing were you taking the tincture or pills and what dosage did you follow? Congrats and good luck, not long to go now for you!