Vitex

[Oh_Clementine]

Hello

I have PCOS, and long cycles that are annovulatory. Althought, last cycle, I am 98% sure I ovulated - because around 14 days later - I got AF. This was because of Metformin, which I am no longer taking, as it was way too harsh on my stomach and liver - not good.

On CD1, I began taking 2x 660mg of Vitex a day. I am now going on to CD10, and I'm not sure whether to stop taking Vitex after ovulation, or not. I ordered a whole bunch of OPKs - so I'm good for this cycle and ready to give them a shot, but also unsure if OPKs will work for me, if I even ovulate at all.

So:

Do I stop taking Vitex after ovulation?
When should I start taking OPKs, and how many a day should I take?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, but please keep in mind that I have PCOS and irregular cycles.

 

[Kim_27]

Hi,

I have irregular cycles but not PCOS (not that I know of anyway). I've been taking vitex (800mg) until day 14 and stopped. I've read that Vitex can delay ovulation. I've been using opk since CD12, currently CD20, haven't got positive yet.

 

[Oh_Clementine]

Thanks for your reply!

Hmm, it's very confusing, as I've read a lot of conflicting information!

I guess my fear is stopping Vitex too early, and my cycle not regulating/no ovulation, or stopping too late, and it interfering with any possible implantation.

It's super difficult to figure out a timeline when you have nothing to base it off.

 

[Kim_27]

This is my first month of using vitex so no idea if it's working or not.

 

[JLeeCT]

Hi Clementine! I too have PCOS (just found out yesterday ) and spoke with my fertility specialist about Vitex. He said that if you are not taking any other prescribed hormonal medications that you can start it any day and take it throughout your cycle. It sometimes can delay ovulation if you have super regular and predictable cycles...but people who have wonky hormones and long cycles rarely have that problem!

FYI if you are on Metformin/Clomid/etc make sure that you speak with your doctor about taking Vitex!!!

Good luck to you! I hope you (and me!) get your BFP soon

 

[MaggieGreame]

I think I may have PCOS, too. what is Vitex? Why you are taking this?

 

[Oh_Clementine]

Kim: I hope it works how you want it to!
How regular are your cycles?

JLee: Sorry to hear about your PCOS, there's a great forum over at soulcysters.net/forum.php full of an array of information I am not taking anything else other than Vitex, and that is because I have long, irregular cycles (meaning I've had 2 periods since June 2012) - so I'm a perfect candidate for Vitex! Best of luck with your journey!

Maggie: Vitex is an extract of the chasteberry tree, which can be used to help regulate your cycles. If you think you have PCOS, please go and see a doctor for a full panel of bloods and a pelvic ultrasound if possible. It's important to know what you're dealing with, if you're wanting to have a baby. My fiance and I started trying in March and I wasn't diagnosed until November, and all of that time was wasted because I wasn't ovulating and I didn't know what was wrong with me. Good luck!

 

[Oh_Clementine]

Anyone?

 

[wish4baby]

My fiance and I started trying in March and I wasn't diagnosed until November, and all of that time was wasted because I wasn't ovulating and I didn't know what was wrong with me. Good luck!

I'd like to ask you a personal question, so if you don't want to answer, I understand!
During the time from March to Nov, when you were ttc, were you getting AF?

I ask b/c we are having trouble conceiving and I am starting to wonder if I have PCOS. But, I do have a pretty regular cycle, with o "confirmed" by my bbt chart. Tmi...the only abnormal thing was I'd always spot/light flow on cd 7-8, and have a light, short AF (1-2 days). Plus, severe PMS symptoms - IMO, PMDD - and other symptoms of pcos, which I googled online.

And, regarding your original post...here's my limited experience with vitex!
I have taken vitex for 2 months now, 1100 mg all cycle except AF. I noticed a difference right away. Actually, the first month, I took vitex from cd 1 on. My AF was longer (3 days) & heavier and I did not bleed on days 7-8. I o'd (temp rise following morning) on cd 15. This month, same thing with AF, and I o'd cd 14.
Anyhow, I do believe that I had/have a hormone imbalance and vitex helped. It didn't make my cycle longer or delay o. I haven't gotten a bfp on it yet, so I can't comment on it preventing implantation. I plan on continuing to take it all cycle except AF, and then after a bfp until I see my doc & I'll just do whatever he says. Vitex is supposed to help progesterone, so I don't see how it can hurt?

HTH a bit!
Good luck

 

[Oh_Clementine]

My fiance and I started trying in March and I wasn't diagnosed until November, and all of that time was wasted because I wasn't ovulating and I didn't know what was wrong with me. Good luck!

I'd like to ask you a personal question, so if you don't want to answer, I understand!
During the time from March to Nov, when you were ttc, were you getting AF?

I ask b/c we are having trouble conceiving and I am starting to wonder if I have PCOS. But, I do have a pretty regular cycle, with o "confirmed" by my bbt chart. Tmi...the only abnormal thing was I'd always spot/light flow on cd 7-8, and have a light, short AF (1-2 days). Plus, severe PMS symptoms - IMO, PMDD - and other symptoms of pcos, which I googled online.

And, regarding your original post...here's my limited experience with vitex!
I have taken vitex for 2 months now, 1100 mg all cycle except AF. I noticed a difference right away. Actually, the first month, I took vitex from cd 1 on. My AF was longer (3 days) & heavier and I did not bleed on days 7-8. I o'd (temp rise following morning) on cd 15. This month, same thing with AF, and I o'd cd 14.
Anyhow, I do believe that I had/have a hormone imbalance and vitex helped. It didn't make my cycle longer or delay o. I haven't gotten a bfp on it yet, so I can't comment on it preventing implantation. I plan on continuing to take it all cycle except AF, and then after a bfp until I see my doc & I'll just do whatever he says. Vitex is supposed to help progesterone, so I don't see how it can hurt?

HTH a bit!
Good luck

Hi! I went from June-March with no AF! And only then was it because of BCP.

It doesn't really sound like you have PCOS, from what you've written, but it might be worth getting a full panel of bloods just to make sure all your hormone levels are where they should be. I'm glad Vitex has helped you

My questions are more of a - when should I start OPKs, and how many a day? Because my cycles are usually annovulatory and therefore very long, I have no clue if they'll even work.

My other question is about Vitex and when to stop when you have PCOS with long cycles. I'm just really confused on whether to stop approaching O (if it happens!), after O, or keep going the entire cycle until AF/BFP/12 weeks pregnant.

Sigh!

 

[wish4baby]

Thank you, I appreciate you letting me know. i'll be heading to the doctor soon for bloodwork - if theres no bfp in 3 more cycles. Wish I could help with your questions. My vote would be to continue taking the Vitex until AF (for a short break, it worked for me) or after bfp +12 weeks/doctors advice...GL

 

[Sunkissed]

I temp and take vitex. So once Ff confirms O I stop taking. Since taking it my cycles have been super regular and I O on the same day every month which hasn't ever happened. I also conceived dd with vitex but can't remember if I took it past O or not.

As for when to start opks I would try temping to see if vitex is even helping unless you have tons of opks and don't mind using them. Temping is free and you can see if you even ovulate.

 

[Oh_Clementine]

Thank you, I appreciate you letting me know. i'll be heading to the doctor soon for bloodwork - if theres no bfp in 3 more cycles. Wish I could help with your questions. My vote would be to continue taking the Vitex until AF (for a short break, it worked for me) or after bfp +12 weeks/doctors advice...GL

Thanks! Baby Dust to you!

I temp and take vitex. So once Ff confirms O I stop taking. Since taking it my cycles have been super regular and I O on the same day every month which hasn't ever happened. I also conceived dd with vitex but can't remember if I took it past O or not.

As for when to start opks I would try temping to see if vitex is even helping unless you have tons of opks and don't mind using them. Temping is free and you can see if you even ovulate.

I have temped 3 days this cycle, but then got sick and stopped. Once I'm feeling better, I'll start temping again - but I may miss picking up my temp shift.

Do you have PCOS?

 

[Windelyn399]

Hello

I have PCOS, and long cycles that are annovulatory. Althought, last cycle, I am 98% sure I ovulated - because around 14 days later - I got AF. This was because of Metformin, which I am no longer taking, as it was way too harsh on my stomach and liver - not good.

On CD1, I began taking 2x 660mg of Vitex a day. I am now going on to CD10, and I'm not sure whether to stop taking Vitex after ovulation, or not. I ordered a whole bunch of OPKs - so I'm good for this cycle and ready to give them a shot, but also unsure if OPKs will work for me, if I even ovulate at all.

So:

Do I stop taking Vitex after ovulation?
When should I start taking OPKs, and how many a day should I take?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, but please keep in mind that I have PCOS and irregular cycles.

Hi, I've just started taking Vitex since CD1 and I am currently 2dpo (CD13). I began having really irregular periods after I got married. My hormones went bazerk! I struggled with that same delima about Vitex myself but one thing that I've found is that it works differently for each person. It's meant to regulate YOUR hormones so whatever it is the YOUR body needs is what it's going to do. For me, I thought it was best to continue to take throughout my cycle to get it in my system since I was just starting it. It didn't delay my ovulation at all. Now I'm just waiting to see what happens. It is slow acting and I've ready countless articles and reviews that it takes 3-6 months to really take effect. Many people have seen immediate changes. Honestly, you won't know how it's going to affect you until you try it. So think about your body and how it responds to meds/herbs and go from there. Once you see how it affects your body, you can tweak it on the next cycle to better fit your needs. Hope this helps!

Lots of baby dust to you!!

 

[Kim_27]

Oh_clementine- Before I had my LO, my cycle ranged from a shocking 80 days to 28 days with the average of around 49 days. Since AF returned after LO, my cycles have been 29-37 days. So they are more regular than before.

 

[Sunkissed]

Oh clementine- no I don't have pcos but before I had dd I had super irregular cycles ranging from 40 days to some 90 days