Taking Vitex During Cycles

Disclaimer

I encourage everyone to do their own research and not to use any advice they read online as a replacement for discussing and planning with health care professionals. Experiences with supplements may vary in results and reactions to taking them. Also, I am not associated with any links mentioned.

Q: Can you take Vitex if you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?

Naturopathic doctor, Lara Briden says, “It [Vitex] does not work for everyone and if you have PCOS, it may actually worsen things” (Briden).

Q: Can Vitex start your postpartum period?

Dr. Briden also says, “Vitex promotes ovulation and can bring on a period in two to three months” (Briden). I once read about a poster who said she used Vitex for 2 weeks, after 6 days of using it she got her menstrual cycle. To read about my experience taking Vitex, click here.

Q: Can Vitex lengthen a short luteal phase?

A woman from one of my online forums said, she takes Vitex from cycle day 1 to cycle day 14. She stops taking on cycle day 14, to help ovulate earlier. However, she continues the other supplements she is taking throughout her entire cycle.

Q: Can Vitex lower a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply?

It is said Vitex could potentially lower a nursing mother's supply. This particular woman who was mentioned above updated that Vitex worked, however, it did lower her supply while breastfeeding and she had to quit taking it.

Q: How long can you take Vitex for?

Dr. Briden says, “Vitex is good for the first 3-6 months. After that, its effect on the pituitary starts to diminish” (Briden). Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Mary Vance, says, “If you’ve been taking it [Vitex] for 6 months but noticed it stopped working, take a break. I have read and experienced that in some women herbs use their effectiveness after 6 months” (Vance). After a 1-2 month break, she says you can start taking it again.

Q: When in your cycle should you take Vitex?

Dr. Briden recommends taking Vitex in the follicular phase, the first part of your cycle before ovulation and continue until the first day of your period (Briden). For more information on her Dos and Donts of Vitex, click here. Ms. Vance says in her post, How To Use Vitex for Hormone Balance & Fertility, “Use the herb [Vitex] continuously throughout the month" (Vance).

Sources

1. Briden, Lara. "The Do's and Don'ts of Vitex for Period Problems." Lara Briden's Healthy Hormone Blog. Lara Briden's Healthy Hormone Blog, 25 May 2017. Web. 18 July 2017. <http://www.larabriden.com/vitex-for-period-problems/>.

Last Edited: July 18, 2017

Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test (Blue Dye)

Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test with Blue Dye (+ / - ) This is what a negative looks like: Side Note: Blue dyes are often said to more frequently give false positives than pink dye. Some online boards that will tweak (alter) a pregnancy test photo to help individuals identify if the test is a faint positive or indeed negative, often will not do blue dyes.

Frida Mom for Post Laparoscopy Care

My Frida Mom Basket for Post-Laparoscopy Care. Why I Love the Frida Mom Line (Even Beyond Motherhood) One of the things I’ve really come to appreciate is how versatile the Frida Mom line is—not just for new moms, but for anyone recovering from abdominal surgeries, such as laparoscopies for endometriosis. After surgery, comfort and gentle care are everything. That’s where the C-section recovery underwear comes in. Even if you haven’t had a baby, the design makes sense—when you have incisions on your abdomen, you need something soft, high-waisted, and non-restrictive. These disposable underwears are a lifesaver compared to standard disposable Depends. The big difference? You can build your own pad system . Start with the underwear. Add a menstrual pad. Layer on a witch hazel perineal liner, perineal cream, or both. Attach an optional heating pad for cramping. It’s completely customizable depending on what your body needs that day. I also want to mention the liners pack...

My Laparoscopy Recovery Essentials: What’s Actually Helping Me Heal

Disclaimer: Links to all the products I mentioned are included. I am not being paid to promote any of them and do not receive payments. Skin sensitivity may impact your experiences with these products. Recovering from my laparoscopy has been a journey, and honestly, some days are more uncomfortable than others. Over the past week, I’ve found a few products that have made a huge difference in how I feel—both physically and mentally. Here’s what’s been helping me get through it: 1. Body Wash That Feels Safe Before and after surgery, I wanted something gentle that still felt clean. I’ve been using Dove Antibacterial Body Wash , and it’s been perfect. It keeps the incision area clean without stinging or irritating my skin, which is such a relief. 2. Underwear That Actually Works I never thought I’d get excited about disposable underwear, but Frida Mom Disposable C-Section Underwear has been a game-changer. They’re soft, supportive, and don’t press on my stomach—exactly what ...

Unfolding Dreams

Search This Blog