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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Evening Primrose oil and delayed AF

16 replies

Khanny · 14/03/2023 15:02

Hi, I have not had a period since 29th December. Pregnancy tests negative and transvaginal scan showed clear. The only thing I have done differently is start EPO and Angus Castus . I stopped the AC after 2 weeks thinking that was delaying my AF and carried on the EPO to increase CM.

I haven't noticed a difference in CM but its the only thing I can think that has caused anovulatory cycle. I'm not taking them as of tomorrow now, just going to stick to Folic Acid as anything I take unbalances my cycle. FIngers crossed I get AF soon and can start to track properly for a BFP again.

Anybody else had negative experiences of Evening Primrose Oil?

OP posts:
TTC0123 · 14/03/2023 19:25

I know you’re only supposed to take evening primrose oil up until ovulation as it can have a negative impact on pregnancy.. could it be that something has affected your cycle if you’ve taken it past your ovulation date?

Original poster
Khanny · 14/03/2023 22:49

TTC0123 · 14/03/2023 19:25

I know you’re only supposed to take evening primrose oil up until ovulation as it can have a negative impact on pregnancy.. could it be that something has affected your cycle if you’ve taken it past your ovulation date?

Quite possibly, I have taken it everyday as I’m not 100% certain I ovulated. I’m not taking anymore now, I just pray I get AF (or even better a bfp) soon x

OP posts:
MK85 · 15/03/2023 02:13

From what I've researched epo can lengthen the luteal phase. I also started epo last month and I have not ovulated this cycle. I took it years ago (perhaps 10 yrs) and made no difference so I don't know if it's the epo this cycle or my cycles just going wonky again

Summer2424 · 15/03/2023 03:31

Hi @Khanny i stopped taking EPO two months before i got pregnant.
I just took Vit D and Folic Acid.
Hope the above helps x

Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 08:22

MK85 · 15/03/2023 02:13

From what I've researched epo can lengthen the luteal phase. I also started epo last month and I have not ovulated this cycle. I took it years ago (perhaps 10 yrs) and made no difference so I don't know if it's the epo this cycle or my cycles just going wonky again

Hi, thank you. I’ve not taken it today but I did have what I think is the start of AF which is 76 days after my last AF! Here’s to a new month but I am not taking epo anymore, just folic acid x

OP posts:
Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 08:23

Summer2424 · 15/03/2023 03:31

Hi @Khanny i stopped taking EPO two months before i got pregnant.
I just took Vit D and Folic Acid.
Hope the above helps x

Hi thank you, I’m not taking it anymore but I have had the start of AF today (I think) so fingers crossed things are back to normal and we can get back to tracking and trying x

OP posts:
MK85 · 15/03/2023 15:30

Have you had your hormone levels tested? Or may I ask why you took agnus castus ?

Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 16:34

MK85 · 15/03/2023 15:30

Have you had your hormone levels tested? Or may I ask why you took agnus castus ?

Hi, I had my bloods done in June 2021 and they were all 'normal' but I have been referred to the fertility dept at my local hospital so maybe they will do more checks. I took Angus Castus because I had read a lot of success stories of people getting their bfp after taking it. I could start it again today as it is my CD1 but to be honest I'm a bit wary now about ruining my cycle again as my last cycle before today was 76 days and the only thing I did differently was use the AC and EPO.

OP posts:
MK85 · 15/03/2023 17:34

I asked that as I'd just realised you said you took agnus castus aswell.
I wouldn't advise taking something based on what other women are taking . Agnus has a hormone like action and is recommended for women with a specific hormones imbalance . Its a herb and herbs are powerful and not something you should mess with especially since your blood tests were normal. Some women do take it for period pain but I have also seen so many women say their cycles messed up from taking supplements like agnus. Unless you have a issue that your trying to address then I would mess with any supplement. Agnus isn't going to improve your fertility. Like i said If you have a specific hormone imbalance like high estrogen and elevated prolactin as an effect of excess testosterone ect it can help support the balance in your body. There are a few studies out there that have demonstrated it can cause irregularities in people with normal cycles
. Your tests are normal and the last thing you want is to disrupt the balance of your hormones which I suspect is what you've done

xKri55yx · 15/03/2023 17:41

Like last user said you shouldn't be taking vitex just cause you've seen other women take it. If you start messing with stuff you'll knock your cycles off and it can be difficult to get the balance back for some people. You carried on with the epo past 2 weeks , your not supposed to do this

MK85 · 15/03/2023 17:52

@Khanny How long were you taking the epo ? Have you been taking it steadily every day ? As @xKri55yx said , you don't think it past ovulation. It's not for long term all month long use. Cut everything out and take a prenatal vitamin folic and vitamin d that's all my fertility doctor recommends. You don't need anything else since tests are indicating there's nothing wrong . How long have you been trying?

Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 19:04

MK85 · 15/03/2023 17:52

@Khanny How long were you taking the epo ? Have you been taking it steadily every day ? As @xKri55yx said , you don't think it past ovulation. It's not for long term all month long use. Cut everything out and take a prenatal vitamin folic and vitamin d that's all my fertility doctor recommends. You don't need anything else since tests are indicating there's nothing wrong . How long have you been trying?

@MK85 i was taking the epo for about 5-6 weeks and I took it every day!

We’ve not used contraception for 3 years this month and have been tracking for about 2 years now. I was only tracking LH up until about 3 months ago and I don’t think I was testing enough. I would stop testing after around cd14/15 so don’t know whether I ovulated later but I am now tracking bbt too. Just glad AF finally started today so that I can track again x

OP posts:
Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 19:07

MK85 · 15/03/2023 17:34

I asked that as I'd just realised you said you took agnus castus aswell.
I wouldn't advise taking something based on what other women are taking . Agnus has a hormone like action and is recommended for women with a specific hormones imbalance . Its a herb and herbs are powerful and not something you should mess with especially since your blood tests were normal. Some women do take it for period pain but I have also seen so many women say their cycles messed up from taking supplements like agnus. Unless you have a issue that your trying to address then I would mess with any supplement. Agnus isn't going to improve your fertility. Like i said If you have a specific hormone imbalance like high estrogen and elevated prolactin as an effect of excess testosterone ect it can help support the balance in your body. There are a few studies out there that have demonstrated it can cause irregularities in people with normal cycles
. Your tests are normal and the last thing you want is to disrupt the balance of your hormones which I suspect is what you've done

Thank you. I think you’re right, I think I have upset my hormone balances but out of pure desperation as I’m not getting any younger at 42 x

OP posts:
MK85 · 15/03/2023 19:14

@Khanny glad to hear AF arrived :)
Has your gp referred you on for further tests ?

Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 22:08

MK85 · 15/03/2023 19:14

@Khanny glad to hear AF arrived :)
Has your gp referred you on for further tests ?

@MK85 yes my gp has referred me to the fertility dept at the local hospital, I’ve had a letter from the nhs confirming an appt will be sent out shortly🙏🤞🏻
Im just glad for CD1 so that I can begin a fresh track of things x

OP posts:
Original poster
Khanny · 15/03/2023 22:11

xKri55yx · 15/03/2023 17:41

Like last user said you shouldn't be taking vitex just cause you've seen other women take it. If you start messing with stuff you'll knock your cycles off and it can be difficult to get the balance back for some people. You carried on with the epo past 2 weeks , your not supposed to do this

Hi thank you for replying. I agree I think I have knocked my hormone balance off by taking what I thought would work for us. I think at 42 I’m just desperate before it’s too late. I’m not taking anything other than folic acid and vitamin B from now on x

OP posts:
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