Another Vitex question....

So I have been taking Vitex with B6 for a few months now and it seemed to be helping my short LP, going from 9 days to around 11 days. This month however I am day 22 of my cycle (has been 25/26 days) and I am spotting like i do when my period is coming so i know its going to be full on by the end of the day. I am so over this TTC business and really thought i was on track to regulating my period. Has anyone else experienced success with Vitex sorting out their cycle only to suddenly change one month to a very short cycle?

Congrats on your BFP ooligator, was thrilled for you. Gives me some hope!    I guess my main concern was the the actual length of my cycle was alot shorter than normal 22 days oppose to my standard 25/26. Its making me skeptical about using Vitex. Did you end up getting pregnant naturally or did you go through Clomid etc? I see you have done acupuncture, do you feel this helped? Thanks, and sorry for all the questions :-)

i was under the impression vitex slowed down milk production, therefore not recommended while breastfeeding unless its fully established and baby is over 6 months?

I found this site on vitex http://natural-fertility-info.com/vitex and it says both; increases milk supply but also decreases prolactin levels - interesting but confusing

Mumma2be, sorry, I only saw your question today. Thanks for the congratulations Yes we conceived on a natural cycle. I did 2x clomid cycles (June & July this year) but found it made my endo symptoms worse, so stopped it. Then the cycle we conceived on, was our 2nd post-clomid cycle, when I'd started back on the vitex (stopped it during clomid cycles as they can counteract each other).

Yes, I most definitely think the acupuncture helped. That's how we conceived our DD after 5 years TTC was using acupuncture and herb treatment. Worked quickly that time (within 3 months treatment) not so quickly this time round, but when combined with seeing an osteopath to keep my body physically/structurally in balance (optimising the blood flow), and started seeing a naturopath the cycle we conceived.

Vitex can help with breastmilk production, but from what I've read, it's a fine balance between getting the dose right to help or having it effect milk supply, so if you are breastfeeding, I personally wouldn't start taking Vitex until baby was well established on solids.


I started taking Vitex when my DD was about 18 months old, I did notice a decrease in milk supply, but not enough to make her wean, just not as full before a feed.

Edited by ooligator

Hey sorry to just jump in!
My Naturopath has just put me on a vitex supplement, and I was just wondering does it make your LP longer by making your whole cycle longer, or by making you OV earlier??
Thanks    

Just a wee comment from me on this. I just started taking Vitex on the recommendation of TripleJ about 10 days ago when I was on something like CD63. Now I've got four zits. I cannot even remember the last time I have more than one at a time, so I'm taking this as a sign of impending AF and increased hormones due to the Vitex. (Correct me if I'm wildly wrong) but it seems to be a positive sign. Thanks TripleJ!

Kazza, as Raspberryjam said, the way vitex tends to work is it helps balance the hormones (though it is not a hormone itself) so if your issue is not ovulating, it will balance the hormones enough so that you will. If you have short cycles, it will help lengthen them, whether that's by bringing OV forward (if you OV later in the cycle), or just lengthening your LP. If short LP is your issue, I suggest adding in a B-100 supplement too, as vitamin B6 in particular, helps lengthen luteal phase issues.


epictraveller, that's a good sign, it could be your body building up to OV. Have you got any signs of fertile CM? As often it may make you OV before you get AF. Even on such a long cycle.

TripleJ and ooligator - the wait is over. AF is here and I will hopefully be on normal cycles after this. Hopefully! Thanks a billion again for your help! Raspberry Jam - what are you waiting for - jump the man when he gets home! ;)