any experience with vitex / agnus castus / herbs? Help!

[CarlottaD27]

I’m in a real panic. I took the Holland and Barrett vitex/Agnus castus supplement for about a week in December (at a high dose).

I immediately experienced sore boobs and my period came dramatically a week early. The two cycles after this i have not ovulated but had a period. As I’m TTC this is the most worrying thing to me and it’s scary to know how long my system will be disrupted. only after trying the supplement did I realise how potent it could be and completely regret it!

Fortunately I’ve got a FS appt next week and I’m hoping something like clomid can restart my cycle … however since I’ve been messed up for two cycles now at the back of my head I’m so worried I’ll never ovulate naturally again.

does anyone have experience of this supplement of knowledge of it??

I’m really struggling to stop beating myself up for taking it and I’m catasrophising the worst.

If anything, this post can be a warning to others that herbs are not to be taken like vitamins and can be really strong! X

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Carlotta. Agnus Cactus has been known to help regulate menstrual cycles, although it is not proven. It is sometimes recommended to those who suffer badly with PMT as it is believed to regulate prolactin levels, and has been known to relieve breast tenderness associated with PMT. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain, and some women who take agnus cactus do suffer from headaches. It is not recommended to be taken when going through infertility treatment cycles as it can interact with the drugs given. If you do decide to take it, then take the smallest dose that suits you and just during the first half of your menstrual cycle. You should definitely stop taking it when you become pregnant, as it is believed it can cause miscarriage. Always check with your GP/consultant before taking it, for their best guidance. Diane

[EndowarriorIvf]

Hi , did everything get better? Was it vitex that messed up your cycle? Please share

[CarlottaD27 in reply to EndowarriorIvf]

Hello! Vitex was the worst mistake I made. I took the max recommended does (from Holland and Barrett) so that may have complicated matters. That cycle I did not ovulate and bled a week early. Next cycle was also disrupted.

I then went in to have fertility treatment which included the drug letrozole which stimulates ovulation so I overcame the problems and it was thought they were caused by the vitex, as id done nothing else to impact my very regular cycle.

So please don’t take vitex! Vitamins are fine but herbs like this work in weird ways and impact people quite unpredictably. Drs atre of course not trained to deal with herbs so there is little guidance or help when things go wrong. Lots of luck x

[EndowarriorIvf in reply to CarlottaD27]

When you say max dose , how much is that per day?

[EndowarriorIvf in reply to EndowarriorIvf]

400 mg ?

[CarlottaD27 in reply to EndowarriorIvf]

hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

It was these I took and had 4 per day for about two weeks over the first half of my cycle.