Vitex/Chasteberry?

Re: Vitex/Chasteberry?

• Caricus member

  September 2011

  Hey, I'm new here too, I've been lurking for a few weeks, and learning a lot. I got off of birth control (NuvaRing) about two months ago, I didn't start charting right away, so I wasn't sure when to expect my period or if I was even ovulating. After waiting about 5 weeks and reading about all the delayed ovulation's and menstruation's after birth control, I decided to try Vitex. I took it for less than a week and started spotting, a few days later I started my period. I can't say for sure that the Vitex helped, but I didn't experience any side effects, and as long as you're not pregnant, I don't think there's any harm in trying it. Obviously you shouldn't take my word on it though, definitely ask your doctor at least do your own research. Good luck!

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• rrcraz7 member

  September 2011

  Vitex works on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to help regulate hormones, primarily increasing progesterone. Vitex is not hormone, the side effect is hormonal. It also reduces prolactin output by the pituitary gland. Immediate results should not be expected and it usually takes 3-6 months of use for the full results to be felt.  

  While you can buy it in any Vitamin World/GNC/ect. nothing I read made me think it should be taken with out speaking to a medical professional. I would not take it upon myself to diagnose a hormone issue and self medicate with herbs.

  

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• Angelstar_bc

  September 2011

  What types of issues are you seeing with your cycles? Are you ovulating? Do you know when you are ovulating? Is your luteal phase a normal length?  I had some issues with my cycle (sometimes it would be 50 days but most were around 35).  I ovulated late in my cycle and my luteal phase was too short. I tried to fix it with Vitex (the drops) and spent a lot of money on it hoping it would work but it didn't work at all. I ended up going to a fertility specialist who did tests and found out my testosterone levels were too high and that I had a mild form of PCOS. He prescribed a drug which helped me get pregnant.

  From my experience, I would go see someone. I wish I had done it sooner instead of trying to fix it on my own. It would have saved me a lot of money and stress. Good luck!

  

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• Jacquie14 member

  September 2011

  I haven't tracked ovulation in a few months so I am not sure if I've ovulated or when or anything.  I was going to start temping and using OPK's again this month but AF just isn't rearing her ugly head (never thought I would want her to come so bad lol).  I've had blood work, I have had a sonogram and my GYN says everything looks 'normal'.  I am just very eager to star the net cycle.. it's very frustrating

  Married My Best Friend 8-29-10 TTC #1

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• kellseey

  October 2011

  Hello! I've been on vitex(pill form) and B-6 Vitamins for a month now, just finished my first bottle of Vitex today actually. My results have been GREAT! Im really irregular, AF comes once every 6 months. Last time she showed up was in June and before that was the end of December. I have PCOS and figured there was honestly nothing I could do to control it, other then BC..which since we're ttc I really didn't want that! Well, I researched Vitex for a while and heard so many positive things and of course a few negative things. Mostly the Negative things were "it made my cycle even more crazy" which when you dont really have a cycle, your not to concerned about it getting more messed up, lol! Well, after about 3 weeks of being on these pills, I started having slight cramps. Nothing too big, hardly even noticed them until at night when we were relaxing. Then just about 4 days ago, I finally started getting actual period cramps and spotting! Was NOT expecting it to start working that fast!  I'm so excited about these vitamins and I HIGHLY recommend them! I haven't O'd yet but I'm far more optimistic now than I was with 6 months between periods!  I'm starting the liquid form tomorrow because its supposed to get into your body faster then the pills, which they say takes 3-6 months. But everyone is different, some take longer, some take shorter and some dont ever see a difference. Also, another thing some people complained about was they noticed more hair was falling out, I haven't notice that on me in fact, my eye lashes even grew longer...That may have been the B-6 though..Lol. Good luck on the vitex!
  

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• kellseey

  October 2011

  Oh and, my only weird side effect was burping = It made me burp a lot and it tasted like the vitex, ick! but so worth it!
  

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• Mrs.KLF member

  October 2011

  I took Vitex 3x a day this cycle from cd1 to O. This is my 3rd post partum cycle. My first two were really long and it took a lot longer than normal to ovulate, so I took the Vitex with hopes that it would regulate my cycle. Sure enough, I ovulated right on schedule this cycle. 

  I've read mixed recommendations regarding taking Vitex after ovulation, so I stopped at O just to be safe.

   Regarding consulting your doctor, this is just my opinion, but I think very few OB/RE's are going to push the use of Vitex. Much more likely is that they'll scoff at the idea. OB/RE's tend to be very medically minded and they aren't going to put much stock into a natural supplement. If you want real information on Vitex from a professional, consult a naturopath. 

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