Can Agnus Castus help sort out post MC cycles ?

[Joolsiam]

Hi

Have been reading lots on Agnus Castus and it sounds like good stuff - just wanted to see what other people thought ..

MC on Nov 11th, followed by a 35 day cycle that I am certain was anovulatory. I think I am heading for another anovulatory cycle. I am 39, so don't feel I have time for the GP to tell me to give it some time and see what happens - would love to try and take action now if I can.

I've read that AC can stimulate ovulation, which is what I need and is often very effective in people who are peri-menopausal - I am worried that the MC may have triggered menopause, especially as my family history indicates menopause takes place at age 40 - 42

Any opinions appreciated

[minxofmancunia]

Following this with interest Joolsiam as had mc in Sept and have had 2 v short cycles and am now on cd37 of 3rd cycle no af no bfn .

Body seems to have packed up a bit, know the gp will fob me off, any links to info on Agnus Cactus (think I may well have just had an anovulatory cycle even though I've got sore boobs)

[Joolsiam]

Hi

I didn't get the sore boobs (which I normally do a day after OV), and I had multiple instances of EWCM, which apparently suggests a body that is trying and failing to ovulate I then had an 8 day very very light bleed - barely enough for a pad at its heaviest and bright red / pink - not like AF at all, so I figured it was just breakthrough bleeding.

As for links - I've gone back and looked and there isn't any one that stands out. I think I googled Agnus Castus and picked out a few sites from the long list - there is one old MN thread that is useful aswell - do a search and you will find quite a few

It sounds like it is recommended for fixing luteal phase defects (a common cause of early miscarriage) aswell as prompting a more "normal" cycle, with OV closer to day 14 on a 28 day cycle. I've always ov'ed on day 16 and had a 13 day luteal phase, but with brown spotting up to 4 days before full AF, so I do wonder if that was my problem - will never know as the MC was on the day of my 12 week scan, so I never got to see the baby or get any idea when it died

[Joolsiam]

Bumping to see if anyone else has any thoughts ?

[Sheila1975]

I have been taking angus castus for approx 4 months now was told about it via a friend. I suffer with pcos and my average periods are 4-6 months apart and although not a period every month the PMT is most definitely there each month! This was the reason I started taking Angus Castus to calm me slightly! Funny things have started happening with my periods I have gone literally from one extreme to the other for example, 20 days, 28 days then 15 days (
Have just saw GP about it who has completely dismissed angus castus and looked at me like i was a bit daft for mentioning it and is sending for menopause screening, thyroid tests etc I'm only 35!!!! Has this happened with anybody else and do you think it is in fact the angus castus causing the frequent periods??

[chocciechip]

Hi jools . I'm wathcing this as well. My last MC was in Dec 09 and I'm lucky in that my cycle has returned and charting suggests I've been ovulating. But like you I am 39 and have brown spotting for up to four days before AF and am also wondering if that has anything to do with my miscarriages. I also get sore breasts straight after ovulation, but noticed that the pain declines significantly (but doesn't totally go away) at about 7-8 DPO. I've wondered if this too is a sign of progesterone levels suddenly droppping early.

I've had near zero luck with GPs: gave mine my charts and asked these very questions and she said she couldn't help. Likewise DH's GP, who wouldn't give him any idea what his SA results meant. Neither offered us referral to someone who could answer our questions until we both went in and I cried. Don't know what the point of tests are if you GP won't tell you what they mean.

I am beginning to wonder if there is an unspoken rule for GPs to not actively help or encourage older women to seek help on the NHS until they demand it.

[bessie26]

I had irregular periods after coming off the pill (think I was 34) - Dr gave me menapausal check as I think that's the only one they can do when you can't predict when O will be.
I randomly read an article about acupuncture helping, so found myself a lady who got me into charting & Agnus Castus - my cycles immediately went down to 5 weeks & I was pg 3 months later

Now we're TTC#2. Started Agnus Castus & acu again about 10 months ago & got my cycles fairly regular again, but I had MC a couple of months ago & don't think I have O'd in the 2 cycles since then

My new Dr has been much more supportive than any others I have seen, so I would suggest you try all the Drs at your surgery until you find one who is willing to help! (I wish I had done this sooner) Having said that, I was told the "cut off" for NHS help is now 40, so they may not be able to help even if they wanted to...