If you're using vitex, a couple questions...

Septmomtobe

I've read a few articles about Vitex and how it can help if your LP isn't long enough and may help increase production of progesterone. 

Do you buy it at a health/alternative medicine store?
Did your doctor suggest it or did you decide to?
Do you take it all month?
Would you stop taking it if you got a BFP?
Would you take it with B6 or instead of?

I only charted on the cylce I got a BFP but I O'd on day 18 and my cycle is usually 30 days.  I typical will spot a day or two before AF arrives. So I'm wondering if my LP is not long enough (O to spotting would be like 8 days).  

I just had my second early m/c and have an appt with my OB on Wednesday but I want to be prepared incase he decides to not do any testing unless another m/c occurs. 

Thoughts? TIA!
Heather

AppleRidge

I got mine from drugstore.com.  I got one bottle that was a blend with 100mg of B6 (called Femaprin) and another that was straight vitex.  I took one of each every day from CD1 until a few dpo, then just took one Femaprin until AF.  I stopped when I got my bfp.

I took it on my own initiative and didn't mention it to my doctors.  It moved my O date up by about a week and extended my LP by 3-4 days, starting the first cycle I took it.   

PrincessDi80

I can't answer all of your questions.  But I do know that you must stop taking Vitex once pregnant...so most ladies take two pills per day pre-O and one post-O (until AF or BFP).

You can buy Vitex online at Amazon or any natural health food store that has a hug selection of vitamins (We have a store called Mrs. Greens here in NY that carries it).  

mrs.gee

Hi there.  I just started taking Vitex about 3 weeks ago.  I had already had my 7DPO progesterone tested and it came back borderline low so my doctor prescribed progesterone supplements to use after ovulation.  To answer your questions, though:

Do you buy it at a health/alternative medicine store? I bought it from my acupuncturist.
Did your doctor suggest it or did you decide to? Recommended by my acupuncturist, but after my progesterone deficiency had already been confirmed with a doctor. I have always thought Vitex was something you'd most likely hear about from an alternative practitioner, but I could be wrong.
Do you take it all month? Would you stop taking it if you got a BFP?  Yes, based on a question I posted on here yesterday or the day before.
Would you take it with B6 or instead of? I tried B6 a couple years ago and don't think I saw significant results.  I don't know the risks of taking B6 with Vitex (if any) and I have always understood that your body just rids itself of extra B6 so it's not risky (although it seems the party line on this site is that it can cause nerve damage so ask your doctor before taking it).  

CashewsMommy

Do you buy it at a health/alternative medicine store? I get mine at vitamin world.

Did your doctor suggest it or did you decide to? I decided to. But my doctor said it was okay. Well, her exact words were "It wouldn't hurt."

Do you take it all month? I take it my whole cycle.

Would you stop taking it if you got a BFP? Yes, you are supposed to stop taking it when you get your BFP.

Would you take it with B6 or instead of? I also take B6 with it too. I've been thinking about switching back to femaprin, which is vitex and B6 together.

CashewsMommy

BBHME:

I got mine from drugstore.com.  I got one bottle that was a blend with 100mg of B6 (called Femaprin) and another that was straight vitex.  I took one of each every day from CD1 until a few dpo, then just took one Femaprin until AF.  I stopped when I got my bfp.

I took it on my own initiative and didn't mention it to my doctors.  It moved my O date up by about a week and extended my LP by 3-4 days, starting the first cycle I took it.   

I took femaprin but forgot to order more and i had to run out and buy just regular vitex. But i think I like this idea!

Did you take them at the same time, or one in the morning and one in the evening?

TeacherVicky

I will be watching this thread as my LP is on the short side and the dr won't do anything...

BBHME: Were you on prog supplements once you got your BFP?

AGFaso

I followed the recipe in my siggy.  Helped me immediately but I stopped to start fertility meds (Rx'd)

shanna82

This is my first cycle using Vitex, so I don't have much to report. It looks like I will be Oing 2 days earlier than last cycle and I'm hoping my LP is longer than 10 days. I take 1 in the morning and one at night and will continue until I get a BFP, then I will stop.  I bought mine on amazon.com. I asked my dr about it and he said that there isn't much info out there about it--basically he's not going to tell me to take it, but he won't tell me not to. I take an additional 100mg of B6 every day.

AppleRidge

Cashew - I took one in the morning and one in the evening.  No real reason why, though.

Vicky - Yeah, on this cycle, I was on progesterone from 3dpo through the first tri. 

Fififa21

This is my second cycle on Vitex. I bought it from Vitamin World online. I have not discussed it with my doctor, I just decided to take it. I take one a day every day for the entire cycle. Yes, you should stop taking it once you get a BFP. I?m considering adding in B6 the next time I order more stuff. My O date moved from CD 24 to CD 13 last cycle and my LP went from 8 days to 12 days last cycle. Good luck!