Is there any safe vitamins/supplements to help regulate your menstrual cycle

amberes22

I suffer from irregular periods and am looking for a safe vitamin or supplement to take to help regulate them so that I can get track of my ovulation dates. Does anyone know of any safe ones that have worked without risking a lot of side effects or complications to conceive? 

EmeJay

Can we have more info on your irregular periods?

amberes22

I haven't had a period since October 9/10ish, I didn't write down exact date because my husband and I hadn't decided we wanted to try to conceive. I have been off Birth control (Pills) for about a month and half know and I know that can mess up your cycles, but that is truly the original reason for me going on bc when I was younger so my cycles could be regulated. I have already consulted my Doctor and not much help there. I made a preconception appointment with an OB, but I have been reading there are a few things out there to help with regulating a women's cycle. So i wanted to ask before jumping right into something.

amberes22

These are some of the things that I have read….Take a fertility-enhancing supplement: Every "trying-to-conceive" woman should be taking a prenatal vitamin, simply as a way to ensure that they are taking in all of the nutrients they need to sustain a healthy pregnancy and support a growing fetus. In addition, the herb Vitex agnus-castus (commonly known as Chasteberry) has been shown to help promote hormonal balance, restore cycle regularity, and increase ovulation frequency. Supplementing your diet with a fertility-enhancing supplement that contains a full prenatal vitamin and hormone-balancing herbs like Vitex, such as FertilAid for Women, might be just what you need to get your cycles back on track. 

Gizmo36

Messing with your hormones, when you don't know what needs to be balanced, can cause more harm than good.  

amberes22

Thats why I am asking. Im not trying to get attacked or whatever and thought these message boards were to get help and advice…..Not for people to make you fell stupid

jaytee16

amberes22 said:

I haven't had a period since October 9/10ish, I didn't write down exact date because my husband and I hadn't decided we wanted to try to conceive. I have been off Birth control (Pills) for about a month and half know and I know that can mess up your cycles, but that is truly the original reason for me going on bc when I was younger so my cycles could be regulated. I have already consulted my Doctor and not much help there. I made a preconception appointment with an OB, but I have been reading there are a few things out there to help with regulating a women's cycle. So i wanted to ask before jumping right into something.

You just came off BCP, I would suggest giving your body a chance to adjust before jumping to conclusions about irregular cycles and looking at supplements.  

Ceridwen21

I had considered Vitex to help regulate my cycles (based on what I read online).  I posted about it here and got some horror stories, so I'm really glad I didn't take it.  I agree with the PPs.  Ask your doctor before taking anything, whether "natural" or not.

RunBooRun

amberes22 said:

These are some of the things that I have read….Take a fertility-enhancing supplement: Every "trying-to-conceive" woman should be taking a prenatal vitamin, simply as a way to ensure that they are taking in all of the nutrients they need to sustain a healthy pregnancy and support a growing fetus. In addition, the herb Vitex agnus-castus (commonly known as Chasteberry) has been shown to help promote hormonal balance, restore cycle regularity, and increase ovulation frequency. Supplementing your diet with a fertility-enhancing supplement that contains a full prenatal vitamin and hormone-balancing herbs like Vitex, such as FertilAid for Women, might be just what you need to get your cycles back on track. 

Why are you asking if you apparently already have an answer?

Seriously, you ask a question, pp's give you their answer, then you post this.

catmagick

I say this every time someone comes and posts this: I am an herbalist. Herbs are very strong medicine and should not be taken lightly. There are many out there that are great alternatives to medications. That said, you need o know what is happening with your body first. If you have irregular periods, go to a doctor and find out why. You don't want to take something like vitex without a good reason. Once you have your why, you can take it from there. And always make sure you consult someone knowledgeable about herbs and supplements before taking anything.

ngolimento

There ARE 'natural' plants that will trigger bleeding, but I think it's dumb to prefer them over what the doc can give you. Everything is chemical. Any homeopathic item that works, works because of chemicals in said item. I'd rather skip the 50 cups of tea, and just get the same dose out of a pill.

Bottom line, go see your doc.

mmb248

If your last period started on October 9th, then you're on CD49 now so it may just be a long cycle.  If you get to CD60 without a period, contact your doctor.

If you have been off BCP for a while and your cycles are consistently 60+ days, you should contact a doctor to determine why.

I took Vitex to help regulate my wonky cycles and royally screwed myself.  Here's my cautionary tale:

I started taking Vitex a few months after I came off BCP because I had irregular cycles and everything I read said that it would help. My pcp at that time said it was fine to try. I thought that the Vitex was working because my first cycle on it, my cycle was 35 days instead of 39 days.  However, my next cycle was 94 days.

I scheduled my annual exam with my ob/gyn around day 60 and we discussed my long cycles.  She said that I should stop taking Vitex immediately.  She said that it took a while for the Vitex to get into your system, so that 35 day cycle was really just my body continuing to regulate after BCP and the 94 day cycle was at least partially due to the Vitex.  So, just when I was starting to regulate, I fucked myself.  Yay me!

mikescutie7

Check with your doctor, but I use evening primrose oil, it's perfectly safe

princessyetz

At this point in time it sounds like you just need to let you body remember how to regulate itself (w/o BC) and that takes time.  You can do a few things to help.  but still give your body time to heal from the BC.  Possibly take a look at these and see what you think.

9 Tips to Balance Hormones

Mindful Conception is a radio interview with a clinical nutritionist and she has some interesting things to say.