Don't be stupid like me and take herbs without consulting an expert?

Question

I read such great things about Vitex so I started taking it in the beginning of this cycle for about a week and a half, then I started to get the feeling I shouldn't be taking it until after ovulation since it is supposed to help sustain progesterone. So, I stopped. Now it is CD 21 for me. I only got a faint positive for an LH surge on CD 18 (usual), I feel cramping in the ovaries, yet there is still no temperature shift. So, my guess is that it got screwed up from the Vitex (Vitex can inhibit FSH production, FSH is what develops the follicles). Obviously my eggs did not mature enough to be released. Please get professional consultation before trying any drugs or herbs!

Answer 1

Excellent advice!  Fertility is so complicated . . . it is best to leave it in the hands of the professionals, do your research and discuss it with a doctor that you like . . . but don't self-medicate whether it be with herbs or meds from some random on-line pharmacy!

Best wishes & loads of baby dust!

Answer 2

Thankyou for this posting. I did a similar thing with progesterone cream which sent me up the wall with überPMS and other nasty stuff, all for no reason. Daft me!

Just to add my tuppence (that's 2-cents!) LOL...

Why oh why is Clomid available on the web?! Anyone say OHSS?!

Answer 3

Absolutely.  I am a RN and I have taken care of numerous patients who had some very serious complications when trying to self-medicate with herbal remedies.  

1.  Herbal remedies are not regulated or approved by the FDA.  There is nothing that guarantees that what is in the bottle is what the label says it is.  This includes: ingredients, dosages, effectiveness and side effects.

2. Herbs are drugs, make no mistake about that!  They have reactions and interactions with other drugs.  Many of these interactions are unknown because they have not gone through the trials and tests.

3. Take no comfort or assurance in the "all natural" label.  Opium and Arsenic are also "all natural".  Doesn't mean they are good for you.  

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

I already know that

Answer 5

Wow...its crazy I came across this post but I am so grateful. I was browsing the TTC section on YA today and was considering looking into some TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) herbs to take to help me with TTC and was actually browsing various websites (in another window) but after reading this question I take it as a sign and warning. I'm not going to bother with them at all. Thanks so much for posting this.

Answer 6

Hi,

Just thought I would give my two pence worth on this, I have taken Agnus Castus (Vitex) for 4 months and it has had no affects so far, but it is said to improve the environment for sperm survival and regulate hormones. It has not stopped my cycle from behaving how I would expect by BBT's, ovulation or cycle length so no complaints here.

I would say ask advice before you start taking anything, but everyones experience is different and it wont affect everyone the way it has done you. I would not soley put down the use of vitex to you not ovulating, could be any reason.

As the other comment suggests vitex does usually take 3months to make any difference, so should not have affected your cycle this early on.

I spoke to a reflexologist, who used to be a mid wife about this, and she had no concerns about me using this.

good luck ladies! x

Answer 7

if you're just going by what people here say about it and not doing your own research, then yeah, that it is stupid.  if you did your research and talked to your dr, you'd know that vitex doesn't work the same for everyone.  it's also very slow acting (so chances are if it did mess something up, it'll be corrected next cycle) and some people might need a higher dose while others don't see any results until the switch to a low dose.

it only mildly inhibits the FSH production and "It suggests that the body is producing enough FSH to stimulate the ovaries, and that the ovaries can develop follicles."

also, if you didn't have any problems before (no PCOS, no luteal phase defect, etc), then vitex probably won't do a darn thing for you.

and I'm not sure why the doctor of the person above me would recommend no vitamins when mine has always told me I should be taking prenatal vitamins if I'm trying to get pregnant.

Answer 8

I agree, I asked my doctor if I can use vitamins and he advised me that it is best not 2 take vitamins when trying to concieve. Some Vitamins can effect the prossess of trying 2 concieve. I don't take any vitamins, I ask my doctor first before I do. Thanx for pointing this out. Enjoy ur day!

Answer 9

Yeah, the internet can be dangerous so it's definitely best to do your research and make informed decisions.  I met with an RE today for the first time and we talked briefly about Fertility Blend, which is something I ordered for myself and DH after hearing about it here on Y!A.  She said it's fine to continue taking it but not necessary.  She didn't seem to think that it would have any benefit to TTC but also wasn't worried that it would inhibit the process either.  Since I spent money on it and have heard success stories (granted, from the Fertility Blend website), I'll continue to take it (and it does have VITEX in it) but I canceled an order for another supplement for DH and won't go crazy if I hear about any other "wonder drugs".  Plus, my RE will have me stop everything except for a prenatal vitamin when we start Clomid or another med so there you go.  But your point is very  important and so noted.  Good luck to you!