I have PCOS andon the 19th of January 2008 I started taking Vitex, 400 mg capsules. I take one in the morning and one before bed. I just bought a tincture because I heard it worked better, and I wanted some information about it.
Firstly, it is in grain alcohol. Doesn't alcohol inhibit fertility? I heard even a sip can harm your chances of conceiving if you already have fertility problems. It says: Dry herb/menstruum ratio: 1:4. Contains certified organic grain alcohol (70-75%), distilled water & chaste tree extractives. Is this a good ratio? It seems a little diluted. It is Herb Pharm brand.
Also, am I taking too much Vitex? I started it on the two week mark of my menstruation, and am now well into week five of it. It's been a very heavy flow, it hasn't been this heavy since I became vegan several years ago. It might be a coincidence, but I was just wanting some input.
One thought I have is that progesterone is what leads the uterine lining to build up and get hospitable for an embryo, so maybe if vitex is increasing your progesterone (as it should do), you might have more lining than before. But 2 weeks of bleeding is too much. Had you been menstruating regularly beforehand?
My periods have always been bad. There were times I would go many months on it and many months off of it. I've never in my life had a one week period or less, they all last over two weeks. I did pass a lot of lining, now it's just little bits instead of big ones. That could be it, maybe. The only thing unusual about this period is that there is very very little cramping for the amount of blood, and it is all bright looking.
Today I decided to give myself a two day break from Vitex and see how that works out. It's just beyond normal for me right now and I can't find any other culprit but the Vitex. So if it doesn't lighten up in two days, or stop completely, I'll start looking for another cause.
Today I decided to give myself a two day break from Vitex and see how that works out. It's just beyond normal for me right now and I can't find any other culprit but the Vitex. So if it doesn't lighten up in two days, or stop completely, I'll start looking for another cause.
i had spotting heavy and light for 2 months then extrem heavy bleeding for almost 2 weeks, i have had times where i have not had anything for up to a year before but never anything like this and it was on nothing my doctor said not to worry about ti and we would do tests after to see what the cause is , i have heared that vitex will do this sometimes as it needs to completly "clean" your systems after 3-6 months then the system is back to normal...im starting it on the 8th i have been infertil forever lol and have not 1 time had a regular period in the 21 years i have had a period....i have read so much about the vitex herb i do not believe it is effecting you badly but talk t a homopath/or your doctor to see what they say
i had spotting heavy and light for 2 months then extrem heavy bleeding for almost 2 weeks, i have had times where i have not had anything for up to a year before but never anything like this and it was on nothing my doctor said not to worry about ti and we would do tests after to see what the cause is , i have heared that vitex will do this sometimes as it needs to completly "clean" your systems after 3-6 months then the system is back to normal...im starting it on the 8th i have been infertil forever lol and have not 1 time had a regular period in the 21 years i have had a period....i have read so much about the vitex herb i do not believe it is effecting you badly but talk t a homopath/or your doctor to see what they say
I plan on taking it for a long time, but I've heard giving your body a two day break per week is also good. I am just trying it out. Already on the first day my period has lightened significantly. On Wednesday I am going to start the Vitex back up and see how that effects me.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to go to a doctor or herbalist, and the free clinics have been giving me the run around. I have to make the best decision I can based on what I know and learn, it's what I've always done, and it's seemed to work for me so far.
Also, I wanted to mention that I can feel how much Vitex has improved my body already. One day of being off of it and I am back to being horribly lethargic and tired in the middle of the day. On Vitex, I don't feel tired at all until it's time to sleep.
I have been taking vitex since January 5th. I have seen a huge difference in my body and my moods. I had my period on day 30 and it was much different than normal. Really felt great!
I have been taking Vitex since January 5th. I have seen a huge difference in my body and my moods. I had my period on day 30 and it was much different than normal. Really felt great!
That's great to hear!
My husband convinced me to only take one day off of Vitex, and not go off of it again for a while after that one day. I took a dive right back into the way I used to feel and he doesn't like seeing me that way.
The good news is my menstruation is coming to an end, after over 30 days. It may stop completely within the next couple of days!
I will use this topic to keep updating how the Vitex is working for me, so other women can read and judge for themselves whether or not they should go on it.
How much vitex should a person take? We're ttc and thinking of starting on vitex but don't know how much to start with. Also, we've read that vitex should NOT be taken when pregnant-- so what do you do during the time between your ovulation and your period (or missed period if you're pregnant)? Feeling so sad that we're still ttc... it seems like every day another friend calls announcing their good news. I want to have some good news of my own. All advice is SOO appreciated!
I am taking 400 mg three times a day right now, along with black cohosh and dong quai. At my three month mark I am going to change to taking 800 mg two times a day, as directed on the bottle. Even with the dosage I am taking now I can feel a difference in my body.
How much vitex should a person take? We're ttc and thinking of starting on vitex but don't know how much to start with. Also, we've read that vitex should NOT be taken when pregnant-- so what do you do during the time between your ovulation and your period (or missed period if you're pregnant)? Feeling so sad that we're still ttc... it seems like every day another friend calls announcing their good news. I want to have some good news of my own. All advice is SOO appreciated!
Hi Krissie,
That is the fateful question everyone starting Vitex asks, and no one seems to be able to give a good answer, LOL!
It's okay though. The correct answer is, first and foremost, follow the instructions on the bottle. You can adjust it safely from there. Taking three pills a day is too much for me, but is perfect for other people. I started taking one 400mg pill in the morning, and one at night. I switched to one 400mg pill in the morning, and 30 drops of Vitex tincture at night. That seems to be working well for me. I do have a concern about the alcohol though, because I have always been told that alcohol inhibits fertility, but at the same time, the experts seem to say that taking a dose of tincture is no more alcohol than eating a very ripe banana. Although it tastes pretty bad! I mix it in with a little almond milk or juice.
The one thing you can count on is that Vitex is very safe. You shouldn't take it while pregnant, but otherwise it won't hurt you. I hope it works out, please let us know!
I've been on Vitex 27 days now, and been off AF for about a week (longer if you count that it was very very light near the end, almost gone). I've been having really weird symptoms I can't explain.
I have butterflies in my stomach, AF-style cramps and twinges, lower and mid back pain, nausea, mood swings (irritation really), headaches, and for a couple of days I was pretty dizzy. I had a tiniest bit of spotting.
I've been charting my BBT since January 25th, and my temps have been erratic. My chart only goes as low as 96.9, but my temps have been much lower on occasion. Here they are:
I know it doesn't seem that erratic looking at it here, but on my chart it looks a lot more crazy than other people's charts seem to. If anyone knows where I can find a printable BBT chart that goes lower than 96.9 I'd be much appreciative!
Anyway, I don't know why I'm mentioning all of this except that I don't know where else to talk about it. I don't know if this has anything to do with the Vitex or not, but the symptoms are not something I've experienced off of it.
And then there's the nausea.. uggghhh..
Oh, and also I've been breaking out on my face a little bit. I never break out. Even as a teen. It's really strange.
Last edited by AmberTheVegan; 02-14-2008 at 09:37 PM.
Wow Amber, I'm sorry you are having those side effects. I will tell you that I am on my sixth week of Vitex, and I have had only one of the items you are having - and that is the AF style cramps. I had them on about the seventh to tenth day, on and off, and it wasn't bad enough that I was stuck in bed or anything. Not a huge deal, but noticable. Otherwise I have felt great! I have suffered from acne since I was a teenager, but it got REALLY bad when I became an adult and this is the first time in probably fifteen years i have gone two full months WITHOUT a zit and the huge AF breakout. It is amazing to me! Of course, we are all different, so I can't say that what you are experiencing is NOT the vitex. Are you taking anything else? Experiencing any new stress?
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The Vitex made me feel great this entire time, it's really been since I've gotten off my AF that I have felt a slow pile up of these symptoms. The nausea is really bad tonight. I am going to try to get to the doctor tomorrow because I just feel generally unwell and don't know the cause. I can't say it's a bug or anything, it doesn't feel like one. The back pain and sick feeling is especially there whenever I get out of bed.
I don't take anything except the Vitex. I haven't been on my multi-vitamins in about two months because I haven't been able to afford them. Maybe I need to get back on those.
Need some help with Vitex. 
