Has anyone tried Vitex or Maca powder for fertility?

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Have been reading up on these online for the past few days and the testimonials from conception and fertility boards has been very impressive. I'm not holding out hope for myself really - we've been trying far too long for any of that to be left . Just wondering if anyone has tried either/both of them?

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Bumpity bump

Nobody?

[Nonconformist34]

Hi,

DH and I have both been on Maca for about a year now. They are in the wellmans's conception tablets for Men plus we take tablets as well. We also have the powder to put in smoothies.

We haven't naturally conceived yet, just had IUI this week. I really do believe that it has improved DH's sperm count and quality, although we have no comparative results. He was told this week he had donor quality sperm. Worth a try?.

[Solaia]

Is vitex the same as Agnus castus? I bought some but have read mixed reviews so have never used it. Think I might try it next month though in a final attempt to avoid IVF, which we start in the new year... Have you tried it op?

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Yes, Vitex Agnus Castus AKA Chasteberry. I can't see the harm in trying as it's only a herb, and it isn't a hormone, it just helps level out hormone imbalances apparently. I started on the vitex 3 days ago and have already noticed a slight mood shift, I'm not getting as stressed as I usually do and CM seems slightly improved already.

I started on the maca powder yesterday so I'll give it a while before I give an opinion on that.

I'm taking a 400mg vitex capsule twice a day and 1tbsp maca twice a day, mixed in with a little milk. Lots of people rave about the disgusting taste but I actually find it quite pleasant. I have the organic maca powder from Holland & Barrett.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Just to say as well that I've been TTC for 10+yrs so this is more of a fun experiment for me to pass the time more than anything. I think I'm beyond help and at this point have long ago come to terms with that but hey, with no DC it's hella boring around here so I've nothing better to do than be a guinea pig.

[Justgotosleepnow]

Oh yes! Angus castus & milk thistle took 3 months to sort out my progesterone levels, another 3 months for the timings to be right (luteal phase I think it's called). That was after 2 years trying & no luck. Turned out I wasn't ovulating. Then after 6 months it worked.

Give it a go

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Just a mini update to say I've been on the vitex 10 days and maca 8 days now and have noticed an increace in CM. Also having mild hot flashes, so definitely doing SOMETHING at least. Am hoping it can stretch out my cycle a little as it's common for mine to be 22 days, which is not exactly ideal. Fx.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Also looking into trying milk thistle and red clover.

[Justgotosleepnow]

Fab!
The milk thistle is just to help your liver process the hormone changes that the angus is rebalancing. That's what my herby guy told me anyhow.

[TheRainDrops]

Hey just, congrats on the hard won success - just a quick q, did you have any day 21 tests during that 2 years or did you only find out about the lack of OV after starting the herbs?

I got pg last October after taking vitex (cycle 18) but sadly lost it in November. It's been a year since and nada, considering going back on it otherwise it's ivf next year...

op let us know how you get on this cycle!

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Will do. Also during my research I've heard many women saying they miscarried after conceiving on Vitex if they stopped cold turkey once they got their BFP. Something to do with the rapid drop in progesterone and that it's better to wean down during the first trimester.

So so sorry for your loss TheRainDrops. May I ask did you stop the Vitex when you conceived?

[TheRainDrops]

I did, the recommendation I was given was to only take it during the first half of the cycle so what you say is interesting! Can you remember where you read that, I'd be interested to find out a bit more before I start on it again! Mine was a missed miscarriage so it seems my body was only too happy to continue supporting the pregnancy even tho it had ended (embryo stopped growing at 6 weeks, didn't miscarry till 12 weeks).

I wish I knew why my body was able to conceive that one time and not the 29 other ones.... so bloody frustrating!

[Justgotosleepnow]

Sorry for everyone's losses by the way.

I have been really thinking to remember when I stopped taking the vitex. I think it was after I got the positive pregnancy test. But I can't remember how long.

So sorry to hear it can affect the prog levels so much that it can cause miscarriage.

Yes I had day 21 tests done, and they came back as ok. But that was after I had started the vitex.
I started doing ov tests when I thought it was ridiculous that we were 2 years ttc & no luck at all. Then discovered no ov boy do I wish id tested up front, rather than assuming everything was working ok.

I really do recommend seeing a qualified British medical herbalist. They will take a full history and recommend what you should take. No amount of lay person internet research can replace a herbalists knowledge and experience. As herbs are strong stuff, you need to know what you are doing.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

PM'd you TheRainDrops.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Good advice JustGo, although I don't think it's dangerous as such as they are herbs, I do think it's wise to get informed advice, if nothing else it could save you money buying things you don't need. Also what I didn't know is if you take them unnecessarily it can throw your cycle out of whack, which will waste months of your time to get back to normal.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Hi DHand

Just wondered if you have an update on this?

I did start with vitex 6 weeks ago but stopped taking after some contradictory info on internet. I must add that I didn't buy my vitex from the UK. The dosage is really poor - I bought from Jersey.

I am currently seeing a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist. Have you any experience?

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Hi, I think I've been on them just over 3 weeks now. I had a 25 day cycle this time around so not great, hoping to increase it to 28 days. Although my shortest is 22 so not too bad this cycle. I've started raspberry leaf tea, red clover and motherwort last week as well and this week will be my first cycle temping and using OPKs so hopefully I'll be able to see if I'm actually ovulating or not and mark any actual improvements from the herbs.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

I haven't tried acupuncture yet, no. I'm giving this 6 months before I go that route.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Oh and I've upped my vitex this cycle from 800mg to 1200mg.

[Cantbelieveimdoingthisagain]

Right I see, so you are using to lengthen your cycle? I'm trying to do the opposite! Sounds like it's starting to work for you though ??

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

Yeah, I want to get it to 28 and keep it regular. I've heard many good stories of people with ridiculously long cycles, like over 100 days, managing to get it back to normal so just stick with it a while. It's a herb so it's not likely to do you any harm.

[DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot]

I got a positive OPK today and am getting ovulation pains quite badly, which I've never had before so I am over the moon about. Just waiting for my BBT to confirm ovulation but I am so excited, it seems like something is happening to my body, I just hope it's enough to finally conceive in the near future.

[Iwantiwantiwant]

DHandhisghastlyhauntedfoot---- please help. You sound in the same situation as me? We're you breastfeeding???

[Iwantiwantiwant]

Were not we're

[British40]

Hello.rather shy.1st post
I can get high levels of prolactin and I don't produce enough cortisone.I was getting regular periods but 2 mths ago missed 1 and went 65DAYS. Then bled 4 7 days.
I'm now on day 27 of my cycle I'd had bloods done and although my prolactin had got to normal due to stress? I don't know it had climbed to 1000.I've been trying to stay calmer.AS I am a 40yrs old single woman people have been mean as I'd need a donor.I don't qualify 4 the NHS.
But I want to see a joint gynaecologist and endocrinologist that is different from family planning.my gp referred me straight to the family planning when I don't know if I even ovulate? So need to be rereffered.
I've been reading posts on vitex and maca
1.would this help at all?
2.what dose is actually correct?
I've read about dopermine and prolactin and that u can buy it all it seems but I'd really like these consultants to help me but times running out and I've had prolactin issues for yrs.thought I was mad.
Since Jan have come off a lot of medications in 6 weeks will be done.
Any help would be great.
With respect Brit40x