Should i take agnus castus after ovulation

Sources 1. Related Topics Hormones. Suggested Articles. This shrub has the potential to relieve PMS symptoms. Discover more health benefits of Vitex agnus castus, how much to take and possible side-effects here.

Vitamin B6 is your secret weapon B6 helps transform food into fuel but this vitamin offers a lot more. It can help with symptoms of PMS such as low mood and water retention.

Discover more about vitamin B6 including its best food s Certain nutrients have been shown to soothe PMS. Here are the top five foods to help tackle PMS symptoms. I'm hoping it will be 3rd time lucky for me as the thought of a 3rd miscarriage is horrendous! Trying for a baby Cramping 4 days after ovulation - any advice?

Trying for a baby Period soon after ovulation. Trying for a baby opks getting darker after ovulation!? Hi Pippa, I really really appreciate you coming back to let me know what your nuutritionalist said so thank you so much for that - to be honest the only thing i found was that it has a very slight chance that it can cause uterine cramps and this is why they say not to but its only a slight chance and with most herbal remedies they do say that.

Thank you also for the advice with the docs, i will book myself in, do i need to be tested on a specific cycle day? I agree with you, its an awful rule and as i said previosuly im sure they would test if it was themselves or a loved one before the standard 3. Most of the smaller tests like Hughes syndrome etc are inexpensive tests so surely there can be some allowances on the less intrusive tests like these.

I also asked if I should take a junior aspirin since they wont test for hughes yet , the doctor said it wouldnt do any harm apart from possible mild stoach irritation but they wouldnt harm a pregnancy, however they dont offer any suggestions unless theyre published in their guidelines first.

My first AF since my miscarriage has finally arrived today, 8 days late! So i can also take my agnus castus today. Can't find your answer? Sorry - 1 more question - i am OK to take this whilst AF is still here? Hello, I was wondering if this post is still available, because having just had a MC I'm really interested in naturally increasing my progesterone as I can't get it supplemented here in the UK. Currently I'm too scared to try again to get pregnant because I'm scared of miscarrying again; but I've just turned 40 and so I need to get this sorted as soon as possible.

So I'm wondering if my levels do seem low to any of you, and whether agnus castus has worked for you? I stopped the afternoon dose 2 days ago but still have morning headache. My question is… Can I just take the mg dose in the early morning and see if headaches subside? Hi lara thanks for this article! So i have recently been getting my period 2x a month now for the past three months and not sure whats causing it and was wondering if i should start taking the vitex agnus castus suppliment to regulate it?

The ones i bought are mg and said to take them x a day but i would only feel comfortable taking it once a day to see how i do.

I recently been stressed after selling my home and moving in temporarily with my brother and sister-in-law until i find a new home and i find that im always getting my period right before her since i moved in not sure if that plays a role and again after that. Its very draining and would just like to know if this is a good treatment option for me and if so how long should i take it for and with or without food etc or any other advice you have,thanks! Thanks for the information! Good Afternoon Dr.

I have not seen any medical practitioner for it, just used my own research. I took it every day. I felt good, my hair started to look better and my periods are regular now. Is it safe to carry on taking it for long time even if I will take a month break on regular basis please? Or, are these a symptoms for a different supplement?

Thank you for your time. How long should I wait to start Vitex after stopping the pill — since you say not to start too quickly?

I am 21, have been on the pill for the majority of the time since beginning college, struggled with irregular periods in high school, and have been diagnosed with HA. I have recently decided to go off the pill woo! Doctors always told me to just gain weight or to go on birth control. I eat a healthy diet and have a low activity lifestyle. I recently did some labs and I would appreciate it if you can take a look and give any advice for my next steps to help me get my period back naturally.

Hallo Lara, I have missed my periods now for more than 6 months. Should I start with Vitex any time? Is Vitex good for a menopausal woman? I took it during peri to great effect, and have continued due to it reducing break outs from Biotin. Keeps skin clear. Any reason I should not be taking it now, I am 6 years post meno. I have a couple questions.

Tests came back with HiGH progesterone. Can chaste tree help modulate this? I also suffer from terrible hormonal migraines at ovulation and the end of my luteal phase before bleed. Is there any evidence chaste tree can lessen these headaches? Any interaction with medication to be concerned about? Was that blood test or a urine test?

See my blog post about hormonal migraines and look at treatments to reduce histamine. Can I take with a Mirena? I have had horrible periods for years and am miserable. I have one week a month where I am not in pain or wanting to scream at everyone in my house.

I removed my nexplanon implant in May of and I have not regained my cycle. I did a provera test and had a bleed but since then I still have not gotten my cycle back. I have begun to increase my calories and reduce my workouts but in my case would vitex be beneficial if my prolactin is not high? Good Afternoon I am estrogen dominant and have extremely low progesterone levels which we have tried to fix with natural progesterone replacement I been taking Vitex for a month now. I have picked up 4 kg in the time that I have used it.

In your experience is weight gain a side effect of Vitex and will it stabilise after 3 months? I have PCOS. Does Vitex work to reverse estrogen dominance or am I just making things worst? I was hoping that Vitex will balance my hormones and then I can get rid of this excess weight but instead I have gained weight and my emotions are all over the place. I eat very clean, low carb no sugar and do exercise every day… Any advice on reversing this estrogen problem would be greatly appreciated.

My version: I took Vitex for hot flashes for one month May The hot flashes disappeared, but I stopped taking the Vitex because I gained 15 pounds of mostly belly fat quickly while taking Vitex.

I changed nothing else so it seems I rapidly gained the belly fat due to Vitex. I previously maintained my desired weight for 7 years on a low carb diet. I am so happy that I found your blog. Every word of it makes so much sense to me. I have PCOS, diagnosed 2 yrs ago. My hair has been thining since yrs and my cycles were always irregular between days. I started taking inositol, vitamin D suppliments. He prescribed Letrozole and metformin.

I was ovulating on Letrozole but did not conceive. Later I added metformin for about more cycles but nothing. I have insuline resistance type of PCOS. My Prolactine levels were higher than normal but subsequent tests showed that they came back to normal. I use a special kind of monitor to track ovulation and the technical team supplied me with hormonal graphs.

From those graphs, I can see that my LH is not rising in middle of cycle. It remains more or less the same. Can Vitex help me in my case? I also do intermittent fast and fast for about 16 hours most of the times. Hi — i have a 15 year old who gets terrible sharp period pain with onset of period, with migraine, and vomiting. She also has a tendency to joint pain and hayfever.

I have mild endometriosis, sister same plus fibroids. Any suggestions for easing symptoms at her age? Well her first book did and so I can imagine the update would be pretty awesome. Hello, My 17 year old daughter has recently lost 20 pounds. She has started exercising and watching what she eats. Her last period was 6 months ago. I know this is due to a combination of exercise and diet. Is vitex safe to give her to get her levels back to normal? We are not interested in putting her on birth control.

Thank you! I took Vitex for 2 or 3 months to see would my period come back after trying different birth control options. Should I go see my DR? Is my body just regulating after Vitex? Please help. Tried for 3 years to get pregnant and finally after changing diet and lifestyle it happened.

Every since the miscarriage my periods seem longer and heavier, and even one cycle was longer than 40 days. This cycle, I took Vitex and for the first time ever I ovulated on day 14! I also just started taking a magnesium supplement per your recommendations. Any insight is appreciated- love your book!! Thank you!! The first cycle I had was similar to usual, but the more recent one was incredibly painful. Curious to hear if you have any recommendations — should I keep going with it?

Is it normal to have a few weird periods before it settles in? Any advice appreciated! Hi, I just took Vitex on day 14 for breast pain which Ive been having since my last period. I always have a 25 day cycle so this is abnormal. I do not have pcos but I did have a two small cysts on both ovaries on my recent ultrasound just done 2 weeks ago. Any advice is appreciated! I am breastfeeding my 12 months baby and starting to think about another pregnancy.

I have a short luteal phase days whith spotting before period. What do you suggest? Vitex is great as it increases dopamine but that means it also reduces prolactin which you need for breastfeeding. Whats more important for you right now. Would you recommend Vitex for amenorrhea due to weight loss and low body fat from exercise and under eating? Increasing weight and body fat but still no period and insomnia. These are great steps! See if that helps first but it might take time.

For aromatherapy, what I like to do is put essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus plus Epsom salts in the bath. Had my period within the 28 days but this one is late..

Is this normal.. Horrible, Sorry to say and there are not many negative posts about it and if you dig deep enough you will find the bad posts about it.

This is a painful tablet meaning it causes severe cramps. I do not recommend, oh and did nothing for my fertility but I think made it worse! It is very unlikely it has anything to do with the vitex. You should consult a health care provider about what occurred. Same to me. I didnt period for about 3 months and hot flashes has started and after taking vitex for 37 days I got period but with horrible cramps which i never had it before and today again I got period with horrible cramps.

Im sure its related to Vitex and I dont know what to do continue or discontinue? But after that this symptom went away. Vitex is a slow-acting herb though so it may take time to work, but maybe check with your health practitioner to rule out anything else that may be contributing to fertility issues.

Hi, my natural path recommended I take this to raise my estrogen levels. However my progesterone levels are not low, and my periods have been normal. If I take this will it mess up my menstrual cycles?

And will it help to raise my estrogen? Thanks so much! I took Vitex for hot flashes for one month. The hot flashes disappeared, but I stopped taking the Vitex because I gained 15 pounds of mostly belly fat while taking Vitex.

Hi there! Can I take Vitex if I am already taking Dostinex cabergoline for my high prolactine levels? I bleed lightly for days before my actual period but my luteal phase length is ok 13d of regular 26d cycle. My proper periods are then very heavy and painful for 2 days and then light for further 5 days. Is Vitex likely to help? I think this still constitutes luteal phase defect even though my luteal phase is a normal length? I already take high dose vit C, magnesium, b6 mg.

Nothing helps. Thank you xx. Sounds like you have low progesterone which is causing the pre period bleed in the luteal phase and as further shown in blood test.

Thank you for the suggestions. I am already taking omega 3 and CoQ10 so will try the progesterone cream. I had a very similar experience and vitex saved me. Low progesterone for me was caused by stress and I had very heavy periods for the first few days and then light for the rest. I also found my pms real bad. Vitex and zinc on an empty stomach seemed to do the trick just expect to stay on it for a few months around 4 -5 before you see the results.

I started taking Vitex for a similar problem — very heavy and long periods some months I was bleeding three weeks out of four, much of it very heavy for me — changing super tampons every hour when usually one would last all day.

It took a while to work and I ended up taking four capsules every day, but it got then under control and back to normal. Tried clomid, injection. Now dr suggest for leproscopy. But I start vitex few days ago 4 day. Its is beneficial for me? Hi Lara, Interesting reading. I am a student naturopath currently treating a client for acne possibly related to PCOS. Do you have any links to research regarding the dose for taking a break for the first five days of cycle?

I have loved reading Period Repair Manual for my perimenopause management! The question I have is about my teenage daughter! She is 17 and has been menstrating for 3. Her periods are wildly erratic still! For example, this summer her period lasted all of July and then most recently, she had it for 9 days, then 5 days later her period started again. Her cycle has been constantly erratic like this, with absolutely no consistency.

I know they say that teen cycles take a while to regulate, but this seems really extreme to me. Any direction you could point me in would be soo appreciated. Hey Marci.. I had been taking gitex since an year and now stopped it and my periods have stopped since last 2 months.. Thanks for all of your incredible information on this subject.

I have post pill amenorrhea, not sure if it is HA or pcos, I also am hypothyroid. I only have one ovary due to torsion in the past. I had my AMH taken while on Vitex and it was extremely high Thank you so much for the reply. Do you think I should stop taking vitex so that I can diagnose appropriately? I worry that the vitex may give us an unclear picture if it is working. Hello, I have a question. My doctor said he can put me on Vitex, does this sound right?

Hello, Im taking provera and vitex 60 drops B. D started the vitex Sept. Hi Lara my follicular phase is shorter now, I start ovulation literally after my period and I have a terrible time with it I become exhausted and feel dreadful. I was taking eu fertility pills now my period been on for 12days i took 25pill then i stoped now my period still on when will it go back to normal..

Will Vitex help for a very heavy flow. It comes very regularly every 28 days but the flow is so so heavy. Please do not take iron without getting bloodwork done ferritin, serum iron, liver function, etc.

That said, heavy flow can be a sign of something else, so investigate! Fish oil the week leading up to your period, clary sage rubbed on the abdomen can help reduce the flow. Hi Lara, I absolutely love your book, it has been so informative and easy to read.

I am interested in trying Vitex again as I have had a positive experience with it before — it previously helped me to fall pregnant by regulating my cycle. Now I am 2 years postpartum and I finished breastfeeding about 3 months ago but I am still without a cycle. Would you recommend giving it a try to help my cycle return so I can try for another baby? Any ideas as to why this might be? Chaste tree can be tricky to use.

Calcium-d-glucarate is usually fairly reliably calming, but the priority treatment is usually magnesium, zinc, dairy-free and maybe iodine. Have you tried those? My prolactin levels have been testing high for the last 2 years so I want to give a try to Vitex.

What dosis do you recommend? I have hypothyroidism, inflammatory acne 3 years now and irregular periods. I take zinc 25mg wich helps with my periods but not enough because I still have acne. Your opinion will be really appreciated! She has been taken them for about a week now..

Did you ever get an answer to this? I have a 15 year old in the same situation. I would like her to try Vitex before the pill! Faith, did you receive a response to your question? I read it can messed up more your period if your menstrual problem is not related to a high prolactin level. I have low androgen levels, premature LH that creates a short follicular phase, very poor endometrium, light and super short periods.

I have insulin resistance, high blood glucose around 6. I love Vitex. It is the Only supplement or medicine that has reduced my PMS and even menstrual cramps. It has improved dramatically my quality of life.

Is Vitex suitable for severe pms? Hi Lara I have been on Vitex without any break at all for 3 or 4 years! This has been under the care of a naturopath. I am now 40 and symptoms and bloods shows signs of premature menopause. My naturopath has suggested during my next cycle I take a different brand of vitex which has 5x the amount of the herb in it compared to Premular which is what Ive been taking.

Do you agree with this?? I really need some sort of support to manage my peri menopausal symptoms. Hi carly which brand of vitex currently taking..

I have been having Thompson since last one year.. I also have perimenopause and my periods have stopped since last 2 months.. Dear Lara, I have started taking vitex almost a month ago to fight my terrible PMS and promote ovulation.

Four days ago I should have gotten my period but till no sign of it. I have noticed a little spotting yeterday and today though. I read that vitex can prolong cycles. Mine have been super regular always. Hello Lara, I am 33 years old, I am thin, healthy and I have no children yet. My cycles have a short luteal phase days and I also have spotting from day 9 of the luteal phase until the beginning of the menstrual period. I took a mid-luteal progesteron test and found that I had ovulated.

Would taking vitex help me to prolong my luteal phase and stop spotting? Hi Lara, I have been taking Vitex for 5 months. The bleeding is light ranging from red to more often brown colour, with cramps…I am 46 years old and believe I am experiencing perimenopause.

I have tried TCM, hormonal yoga and now Vitex was recommended for me. Any recommendations? I have been taking Vitex eveyday, without the 5 day break recommended by you.

I visited a gynekologist, she found nothing wrong there…. Hi Lara, can you take Vitex while you have a Mirena in place? I was thinking not, but would like your opinion. Thank you, Clarissa. I took Vitex for about six months and felt much better physically, but stopped because I read it should not be taken long term.

I was recently prescribed the lowest dosage of Prozac to take from ovulation until the start of my period. Do you recommend taking both? I wanted to try it for my teen daughter She hated feeling this way.

Can I give it to her? Ive been taking Vitex, non stop for about 4 years. At first my cycle was very regular, PMS reduced and no breast pain.

Now my cycle ia no longer regular, I have terrible PMS, almost depressive and my breasts swell and are painful a week before my period.

Could the long term use be causing this?? I have been taking chaste tree for several months now. For me, it prolongs my period from 21 days to 31 days. It was just dark spotting. I stopped taking chaste tree a week after and now I am experiencing a period in the middle of my cycle. I am not sure what to do. Do you recommend chaste tree vitex for endometriosis? If so, do you recommend stopping for a period of time and possibly restarting to help control endometriosis?

Thank you, Lara! See my blog post Immune treatment for endometriosis. These side effects were generally rare and participants and healthcare professionals in most studies reported that side effects are, at worst, mild 2 and stop upon discontinuation 9. In one study, 6 in 10 participants said they would continue using an effective dosage of the extract after 3 months This suggests the benefits from the extract outweighed the negative side effects for these participants.

Agnus-castus may improve cycle regularity in some people. In studies comparing agnus-castus extract to a placebo, agnus-castus led to improved cycle regularity in people with irregular periods or hyperprolactinemia 5. In these subgroups, the length of the luteal phase was increased by agnus-castus 5. This is important because a shortened luteal phase is associated with decreased fertility and period irregularity via progesterone insufficiency 5, More and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, but studies using animal models have found similar results 5.

Agnus-castus may also cause irregularities in people with regular cycles, though this has been rarely reported in clinical trials 9. The primary way agnus-castus affects the menstrual cycle is by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain 2,9—11, Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects many bodily processes, including alertness 22 and hormone release Agnus-castus binds to dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland 1.

This can lead to a decrease in the release of the hormone prolactin 9—11 , among other hormones. Prolactin is the primary hormone responsible for promoting lactation, or the creation of milk in pregnant and postpartum people Your body releases this hormone during the luteal phase in order to prepare your body for pregnancy if one should occur during your cycle 2.

Prolactin release is one of the reasons people may experience enlarged, swollen or tender breasts approaching menstruation 2.