Question re: vitex

Pale Pink Aura · 06-30-2004, 11:42 PM

Just a question about Vitex. You aren't supposed to take it during pregnancy, are you? If you are taking it to TTC, when do you stop it??

AndreaC · 07-01-2004, 11:04 AM

Hi again

Well, I think it's OK to just stop it as soon as you find out (which is usually pretty early with us impatient ttc'ers isn't it?!).

But, I have also heard on here that taking it for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can help reduce miscarriage risk if you have low progesterone. Vitex helps the production of progesterone so this does make sense but I'm not sure about taking anything during pregnancy which is not recommended.

I remember when I got pregnant with ds in 2001 and the whole "taking Met during pregnancy" debate was going on on here but I just didn't feel comfortable with it so I stopped it. That's just MY opinion though. Having now had a miscarriage though, it would definitely be harder to stop taking something which COULD prevent it from happening again

So, if you wouldn't feel comfortable taking it during pregnancy then just stop ASAP when you get the BFP!!

Hope this helped.

Andrea.

Pale Pink Aura · 07-01-2004, 08:55 PM

Thanks Andrea. I wondered if I could take it during the first 12 weeks. I also have had a m/c and it broke my heart (as they do), so I'm inclined to want to keep taking it if I can. I took progesterone pessaries with my DD and managed to hold onto her, but my first m/c was due to low progesterone.

AndreaC · 07-02-2004, 09:38 AM

I suppose that maybe the best thing for you to do would be get you levels checked when you do become pregnant and then maybe you could use the pessaries again?

I know that the Vitex does help with progesterone but if you know for definite you have low progesterone then it would probably be best to go the 'medical route'.

JMO!

See you around

Andrea.

Pale Pink Aura · 07-03-2004, 08:39 AM

The only problem I have with the medical route is the last time I was referred to an OBE by my GP and I started to bleed before I got an appointment. Maybe with my history of previous low progesterone they may see me earlier this time.

AndreaC · 07-04-2004, 10:18 AM

Hi again,

I think what I was trying to say, but actually forgot to write

is that I don't think the progesterone increase from Vitex would be enough if you have a progesterone deficiency.

This is what I MEANT to say!!!! Maybe you could find something herbal that will increase progesterone MORE?? I think some women with low prog use the NPC to reduce miscarriage risk but I'm really not sure so don't do it without checking it out.......I am known for getting things a little mixed up :o

There, that is what I meant to say. The Vitex probbaly isn't enough on it's own but you could find something else and that would keep you going until you did get in with a dr.

Phew.....hope this helps a little more.

Andrea.

toogasmamma · 07-04-2004, 12:36 PM

Hey ladies, don't know how I missed this thread. Anyway-- Vitex has NOT been studied in pregnancy, and that is why it is NOT to be taken in pregnancy, thry claim that it cannot hurt if taken in the first few weeks of pregnancy though, which is why they tell you to stop taking it as soon as you get a + hpt. After doing some extensive research on the vitex and NPC, what I am going to do is to take the Vitex until I get my BFP as well as taking NPC, once I get my BFP, I will stop the vitex and continue the NPC. NPC raises your progesterone 20-30 units, I will be taking the NPC until the beginning of my third trimester, which is when I stopped getting the PIO shots.

Vitex does help to raise the progesterone levels, but not directly, it does it by raising the LH which in turn raises the progesterone levels in your luteal phase.

HTH

Pale Pink Aura · 07-04-2004, 08:39 PM

Mmm - I think I'm going to have to find a GP who will prescribe NPC for me. I wanted to see what Vitex alone did first, but I don't want to run the risk of miscarrying early if I do ever happen to ovulate. Thanks for the info all!