VITEX and What Else are you taking????

MOE · 12-31-2002, 02:11 PM

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are having a Happy and Safe Holiday.

For those who haven’t read any of my other post I will brief you on my history with the herbs I’ve taken.

I have been taking Vitex since June 1. I had my first mild cycle in the middle of August. I then got a full cycle the beginng of October and then the following that cycle 2 weeks later I bleed heavy for about a week, then I spotted for 2 weeks. Then AF went away, (during all this time I am assuming that my body is trying to get it together. 22 day’s after my last spotting I got AF again, which is now.

Can you ladies share your experience with me. I was thinking about adding NPC to ease the spotting, but I didn’t want to mess up the VITEX.

I know we have some CYSTERS who have been successful.

scarletakb · 12-31-2002, 05:29 PM

okay, I'll jump in here, because you have me slightly worried. I started to go the herbal route on December 18th.. almost 2 weeks now.

I'm taking Vitex... to work at evening out my hormones...

Saw Palmetto.... to lower my testosterone.. and also to help regulate my AF (I've used it before, and it seemed to help)

Raspberry leaf tea to strenthen my uterus...

AND, I'm using progesterone cream... I'm doing 21 days on.. 7 days off to help clear up my cysts... when the 3 month phase is over, I'll switch to a 14 days on 14 days off program.

So, my question is.. should I ONLY be using Vitex???? I guess I assumed that I could use several different herbs because I've seen others posting that they are using a combination... but, now I'm wondering if I am making a mistake??

could someone tell me if I am over doing it?? I'm not on ANY other medications at all.. and am have also started a low carb diet, and exercise program...

Torie · 12-31-2002, 05:33 PM

I am doign the 14 on and 14 off of NPC. I haven't really started it yet because after 3 days of NPC and 2 days of Dong Quai and Vitex, AF came! I am due to start NPC tomorrow for 14 days but I heard it messed up ovulation?? Anyone know?

Also, when looking on a site about Vitex, I read that Vitex and NPC were NOT supposed to be taken together AT ALL! It didn't say why just said not to use them together.

angela r · 01-01-2003, 10:49 AM

From what I have gathered about NPC is that it is used in place of provera. If you are trying to conceive, you should probably leave off the NPC and just try the Vitex. You may want to add a B6 vitamin (100mg a day) and a B-Complex. That is said to help balance out estrogen and progesterone. When I was on Vitex (GNC Brand), my cycles were every 40-43 days. Vitex has the effect of legthening many womens cycles. I started Femaprin, B-Complex, and EPO and so far am waiting for AF in a few weeks. I have a problem with progesterone in the second half of my cycle aslo. Red Raspberry is a good choice also

scarletakb you may want to watch the saw palmetto because it increases estrogen. So if you are trying to regulate progesterone you may be overdoing the estrogen. Red Raspberry is a good choice.

Good Luck!

Coniela · 01-01-2003, 08:05 PM

Hi ladies,

I am as well on an herbal cocktail. Vitex, Saw Palmetto (wich doesn't increase oestrogen since it lower testosterone and testosterone get transfromed into oestrogen into the ovaries therefore, it cannot increase it, if anything, it will decrease it. ) and Dong Quai and Red raspberry leaf and FUR and Fo-Ti. This is until day 14. After day 14: NPC since, no, you cannot mix Vitex and NPC. NPC itself can be use to prevent ovulation. If you mess up and start the NPC before ovulation, you will prevent if from happening... But, once the egg is release, it is necessary to maintain an healthy pregnancy. On the other hand, if I am not ovulating with my little cocktail, (wich might be the case), I still want to have a cycle that look somewhat normal and prevent any further damage of lenghty exposure of elevated oestrogen. So, that is why, I'll be starting the NPC on day 14 and stop it on day 26 or so. Scarletakb, I don't think you are taking too much. Low carb and exercice are very important, especially if you are overweight and are found to have insulin resistance.

I am CD 6 today and will definitely keep you posted on what happened with the cocktail and myself...

Cheers... and most of all, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

scarletakb · 01-02-2003, 12:08 AM

why can't you take NPC and Vitex at the same time?

Coniela · 01-02-2003, 12:52 AM

Vitex promotes ovulation.
NPC if taken before ovulation: suppresses it.

If you are sure you have ovulated, you may either continue Vitex that will improve your luteal phase but that is not recommended if you are pregnant ( so usually, if you are trying to get pregnant, you take if only until ovulation. ) Or, after ovulation, you take NPC, to increase your progesterone levels, if they are too low.

And, if you have not ovulated but you do want a cycle that is of a normal lenght, you take the NPC day 14-28 or so. This way, your period start at the end of the NPC. ( in the book. wich is not always the case in reality...!)

scarletakb · 01-02-2003, 11:53 AM

I had a completely different understanding of what Vitex does. I understood that it worked at balancing your hormones, overall....

I'll have to go back and reread some stuff.. because I am very confused...

angela r · 01-02-2003, 12:26 PM

Coniela you may want to take another look at saw palmetto according to half of the things i have viewed online and in the book "Overcoming Infertility Naturally" by Karen Bradstreet. Saw palmetto contains estrogenic compounds in which it converts excess testosterone into estrogen (aromatization). Which is why it is used my men for prostate problems. So if one is having problems with estrogen then this herb could cause one to not ovulate as well.

Good Luck!