Vitex Agnus Castus - anybody tried it? Please share...

[Moondance]

I went to the health food store and asked what they would recommend for me, as I've been ttc, but with no luck, as while I DO ovulate, my cycles are alllll over the place.

She recommended I try Vitex Agnus Castus to help with sorting out my cycles. I'd never heard of it before, and never seen anybody on the forums mention it.... So does anybody out here know anything of it?

 

[Andrina]

Vitex is a herb that you take 2-3 times a day. Mines come in 400 mg capsules so I'm taking 1200 mg a day. It helps your periods stay on track and hence helps with ovulation too.

 

[Moondance]

the stuff I got is a liquid, and I was recommended to take it just once a day, in the morning.

I decided not to take it until I knew my periods were near, so I took it yesterday... and again today. And today AF came heavy duty mamajama. And I have the most chronic pain I've had in a very long time. It HURTS!!!

 

[wanabeamama]

i tried it last year just once a day and on cycle 3 found out i had a huge cyst not sure if it was because of the agnus castus but i have herd it can cause cysts

 

[Moondance]

wow... that has to be the first I've heard of that. I'll have to look into it some more...

 

[Feb4th2011]

I've read tons of threads about it on here. Lots of good feed back. Search for those threads!

 

[littlebird28]

Vitex acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands by increasing luteinizing hormone production and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This results in a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, with a rise in progesterone. I started taking it because my cycles are totally irregular, but I stopped because I had my progesterone levels checked and they were normal. Taking vitex with normal progesterone levels (but abnormal estrogen or low FSH, another reason your cycles could be funky) can make you ovulate very late or not at all. I didn't need the extra progesterone, so I stopped taking it. It works for many, many women, however! Getting a blood work up from your doctor to see why your cycles are irregular can be pretty beneficial in this situation. Good luck!

 

[Baby2012]

Just wanted to say I'm using AC, I've just come off the pill aftyer 14 years and I think AC is the bees knees but yes do lots of research and a visit to the DR is a good idea. Good luck x