Starting Vitex tomorrow--anyone with these symptoms?

washdc03 · 01-14-2008, 12:53 AM

I bought Nature's Way Vitex today and am starting it tomorrow. I wanted to share some of my symptoms to see if others in a similar situation have had success with Vitex and, if so, how long it took for them to see some improvement in their symptoms.

I went off the pill last March after about 7 years and, after 3 regular cycles, my husband and started TTC. Since then, my cycles have been totally off (one 8-week cycle, one 7-week cycle, and now I'm in the middle of a 3-month cycle!!!!). My doctor wanted to put me on Clomid right away, but I really want to avoid it.

I am 29 years old and normal weight/height (5-4, 125 pounds). I exercise regularly and eat a very well-balanced vegetarian diet that includes lots of nuts, eggs, cheese, beans, lentils, whole wheat, etc. I also take fish oil, an iron/folic acid supplement, and Women's One-a-Day everyday.

In addition to the ovarian cysts, other symptoms I've had since going off the pill, even in the months when I had a regular period, are acne on the chest and shoulders, hair loss (head), hair growth (body), anxiety.

I've had 3 acupuncture sessions and I'm taking Women's Precious, a Chinese Herb the acupuncturist recommended (been taking it for about 3 weeks). Now I'm ready to add Vitex to the mix after reading about it here . I'm also going to start charting my BBT. I'm trying to stay positive about this whole thing. Right now, I'm more frustrated by the fact that I haven't gotten my period in 3 months and by the acne and hair loss than by the fact that I'm not pregnant. I just want my body to get back to normal!!!!

I know there's already a lot of information on this board about Vitex, and it's all been very helpful to me. I guess I wanted to post this because I'm a little nervous about starting the Vitex (nervous about it not working and having to come to terms with the fact that I may need the regular drugs/hormones) and wanted to hear from some people who have been successful. You know, some reassurance....

Thanks for reading!!!!

AngLynn · 01-14-2008, 01:53 AM

Hi! Ive been taking Vitex along with the other things in my signature for over 3 months now. I had the same problem as you, my periods would be anywhere from 33-170 days and it was so frustrating!
I was on something like CD46 when I got my Vitex in the mail. Exactly 2 weeks later AF showed up, and then again 31 days later.. then the next month was 37 days long but I still consider that "regular" compared to what I would have before. I also started charting this cycle and I think I'm about to O again because my CM is getting more abundant and my temps are so evened out compared to other cysters and even non-cysters!
If your temps are erratic, I would definitely suggest you try some Vitex. Some women get bad side effects like dizziness and the most common is headaches. Ive been taking 800mg everyday but I dont feel any side effect from any of the vitamins Im on

Hope this helps you!! Good luck!

BeckyS727 · 01-14-2008, 04:34 PM

I took Nature's Way Vitex as well for about 3 months when I got my BFP. I was also on 1500 mg Met and I think that the combination of the 2 worked really well for me (obviously......

).

I never had any s/e's from the Vitex (or at least none that I knew of) - Clomid gave me horrible s/e's and I later found out that one of them could have been more serious than what my dr. made it out to be. As for my PCOS symptoms - definitely the irregular cycles. They could go anywhere from 3 weeks to 4 months (possibly longer, but the longest cycle I can remember was about 4 months). Acne, thinning of the hair, excess body hair (face, feet, stomach), weight gain (I was 5'2" and 120 when I met my now DH and got up to almost 160 when we got married - he was shocked when I told him last night that I weigh less now at 32 weeks pg than I did when we got married).

Hopefully Vitex along with the other things you're taking will help you get that BFP!!

cheech · 01-14-2008, 10:35 PM

What does Vitex do? Is anyone familiat with Saw Palmetto?

washdc03 · 01-15-2008, 11:13 PM

Thanks for your replies. Becky, congrats on the BFP!!!! I'm hopeful that the Vitex + acupuncture will help me get my hormones in balance. I started the Vitex and charting yesterday.

nene1981 · 01-15-2008, 11:54 PM

hello

I have a question about vitex i started it a week ago. two days after i started it i started to spot. is this normal then a couple of days later my flow became muc heavier. i have not had a flow since july of last year but i cant help but wonder if it was a coincedence or the vitex has anyone experienced the same or similar thing? dont know if i should stop it or continue Thanks

elwaldrop · 01-18-2008, 02:22 AM

I was on met 1000 mg/day for a year and got cycles more often than when I was not on it but still not every month. The I was on met 2000 mg/day and got cycles most months but not every. Since I have added vitex (500 mg/day) all my cycles have been between 29 and 32 days long. I have not experienced and side effects including spotting.
Nene my guess is that it was either a coincedence or a result of not having a period since July. When you started the vitex maybe your body like jumpstarted into working right and the spotting was because of that.

nene1981 · 01-18-2008, 07:12 PM

thanks for your reply. maybe; It is just driving me crazy because I dont know that is all.

jdreams76 · 01-22-2008, 12:58 PM

Just a quick question about vitex here

Currently i take 2500mgs of metformin and get regular cycles.. 30-32days. I have also used clomid and Oed from that but nothing. I was wondering if you think i could add vitex this cycle when it starts or should i not because I do already have regular cycles?
Thank u

Kelly

brokenbabymachine · 01-22-2008, 10:30 PM

i am thinking about trying vitex but i'm not sure how much to take! what dose should i start with? thanks!