After bbt charting for a couple of months and realising how terrifyingly short my luteal phase was, I decided to start vitex. I did some research prior to this and read some really good reviews and some terrifying ones too. I know that vitex isnt for every woman but I decided to take the risk.

A little back story: I was on a hormonal bc pill from March to June 2019. Even though I ovulate almost every month and all my tests came back clear, all I have been getting since last year has been a BFN.

I started vitex on April 12 (CD1). Even though am currently in my TWW, I just wanted to share my experience so far.

I must add that I also take;

omega 3&6 (from CD1 until ovulation)

Omega 3 (after ovulation until AF begins)

Folic acid + B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin B6

Dosage: 800mg (i take 2 pills, 400mg per pill all at once on an empty stomach). There are a lot of ways people take vitex but I am going to be taking it all cycle long.

1. I experienced a slight headache the first two days but that disappeared. On the first week I noticed that I was beginning to sleep better. I used to struggle to sleep at night and will often be awake after a few hours of sleep, tossing and turning. I take my temps for my bbt at 4:30am each day and will be awake 30 mins or more before my alarm will go off. But all this stopped on the first week. I sleep much much better now.

2. Secondly, I used to experience this heat in my throat usually at dawn. I cant really pinpoint exactly when this stopped but I havent felt this since the first week.

3. Again, I suffer from acne and had some rashes on my chest and back. This has slowly cleared up well.

4. My moods are better.

5. Even though vitex didnt bring my ovulation forward, it didnt delay my ovulation either. I usually ovulate either CD 18 or CD 19. This cycle I ovulated on CD 18.

6. Vitex altered my cervical mucus. I didnt get a lot of EWCM as I used to get before vitex. Instead, I noticed that about 5 days to my LH surge (positive opk), I was experiencing A LOT of watery cm. So much so that the first time it happened I legit thought it was pee. I usually start opk testing based on my changing CM but for this month I had to start testing early because I thought vitex was going to cause an early ovulation. But I am glad I started testing early because I would have missed O if I had relied on CM this cycle. It was just watery CM.

7. Vitex alleviated my PMS. I usually experience sensitive nipples, sore boobs and excrutiating ovulation pains and cramps (these cramps even persisted several days after ovulation). So far the only thing I have experienced has been a heightened ovulation pain on CD 17 which disappeared after a couple of hours and a warm shower (I ovulated on CD 18).

8. Even though my bbt chart for this cycle is completed, I have noticed a difference in my follicular phase compared to other cycles. My temps during my FP this cycle has been steady and not zig zagged like the teeth of a saw. My temps in the lower 35°C are few compared to previous cycles.

I am currently on my TWW.

I apologise for my long post but I feel it may be helpful to someone. I know everyones experience is different on this herb but I hope someone can relate to a few of what I have experienced so far. I dont have a BFP yet on vitex and I dont know how it will lengthen my luteal phase but so far am happy with vitex in conjunction with the other supplements am taking.

I WASNT prescribed this by any Doctor or naturopath, I did my research and decided on this path all by myself based on my needs.

I will come back with an update (no matter what it is, whether a BFP, BFN or a lengthened luteal phase).

UPDATE

I didnt get a bfp on this cycle on vitex but it extended my luteal phase from 8 to 11 days. AF showed up on the 12th day.

Am on my second cycle of vitex. Praying for a bfp 🙏

vitex/ttc