Agnus castus

Casualcontrol1

Just wondering has anyone heard much about agnus castus or if it as worked for you or someone you know? Reading threads online and it seems to works miracles for women with irregular cycles!

pwurple

Mixed. I tried it for my irregular long cycles, and it sent me way too far the other way with super-short cycles, less than 17 days long, for months after taking it for only a few days.

I was kinda desperate and willing to try anything at the time, but I wouldn't do it again. It's completely unregulated, sold as a food supplement rather than as a medicine. I had no idea of the potency or doasge, or any contaminants, or even what effect it might have had on any baby that was concieved.

But, I have heard it helps other people, and it probably won't kill ya. (assuming you don't have a nut allergy). http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4408/20131011/herbal-products-fillers-contaminants.htm

Neyite

If you are on existing medications you will need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a herbal supplement like this.

lazygal

Didn't do a thing for my (very long cycles). Only after my second child was born have my cycles been semi-normal.

Casualcontrol1

On no medication neyite. But it says on the bottle use with little water how much is little water?

Ms2011

Casualcontrol1 wrote: »

On no medication neyite. But it says on the bottle use with little water how much is little water?

I take it you have the liquid form, I would just take it with a mouthful of water as I didn't like the taste & wanted it gone in one go.

Casualcontrol1

That's what I was thinking, take it like a shot! Takes like alcohol anyway!! How did you find it?

Ms2011

Casualcontrol1 wrote: »

That's what I was thinking, take it like a shot! Takes like alcohol anyway!! How did you find it?

Well I got pregnant both times I used it so it worked for me. I found the liquid form alot stronger than the tablets though.
I take it for a week ( I alway bled lightly when using it) then stop & within a day or 2 I ovulate. My cycles are long & irregular so without using AC pinpointing when I was going to ovulate was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
It's hard to tell how your body will react to it though some people have good experiences some bad, I definately wouldn't use it long term, a week was always enough for me!!

Casualcontrol1

Ok so you only use it for about a week or two? I was under the impression you take it every day! Thank God i created this thread!

Ms2011

Casualcontrol1 wrote: »

Ok so you only use it for about a week or two? I was under the impression you take it every day! Thank God i created this thread!

Well you see that's the thing with taking something that is unregulated, you're not really sure of the effect it will have on you until you take it.
Alot of people find they have to take it for months before it takes effect others (like myself) find it has an immediate effect, whether that effect is one you want again is something you won't really know until you've taken it.
Almost everyone agrees though that you should stop once you've ovulated & begin again if your period arrives.

Lucyfur

So, do you take it from day 1 to day 12-ish?

I've only taken it once, after a miscarriage, to try to bring on my period....I've never tried to take it from a TTC point of view

Ms2011

You can take it that way if it suits you, for me the effects were so strong & so immediate that I'd only start around day 3 until about day 10. It would bring on period like bleeding & sometimes headaches so I would stop after a week & by day 13 I'd ovulate.
There'd be no way I'd ovulate on day 13 without AC, it could be any day from 17-30 so it made pinpointing when I'd ovulate & therefore when to dtd v.hard.

Casualcontrol1

I am having the spotting at the minute like you said. Did you find it's makes you very bloated looking? I look like I put on half a stone but I know I haven't!!

Ms2011

I don't remember too much bloating but everyone's different. I mostly got headaches.

yellow hen

Ms2011 wrote: »

I don't remember too much bloating but everyone's different. I mostly got headaches.

I'm on cd2 and just started it again today. How much do you take? Is it 15-20 drops twice per day or is once enough?

Casualcontrol1

I only take it once a day it says twice but I think it would be too much, each to their own though

Ms2011

yellow hen wrote: »

I'm on cd2 and just started it again today. How much do you take? Is it 15-20 drops twice per day or is once enough?

I took 16 drops once a day, I found the liquid form v.strong so I didn't take it a second time per day.

yellow hen

Ms2011 wrote: »

I took 16 drops once a day, I found the liquid form v.strong so I didn't take it a second time per day.

Thanks, I think I only took it once last time too.

yellow hen

Just an update. I took agnus castus for the first 14 days of my cycle. On cd15 now and never got a positive on the cheapie ov sticks. I'll try again next month but I had zero side effects this time around. Hopefully will get hycosy done by the end of the month.

Ms2011

Everything I read about AC said it takes awhile to take effect, I just had the opposite experience but that doesn't seem to be the norm.
Hope you have some positive results soon x

Lucyfur

Ladies, where did you buy it? H & B used to stock it but it's no longer in my local shop or online

yellow hen

Lucyfur wrote: »

Ladies, where did you buy it? H & B used to stock it but it's no longer in my local shop or online

I got it in the health food store on the top floor of Dundrum but I imagine other health food stores might stock it.

Neyite

Lucyfur wrote: »

Ladies, where did you buy it? H & B used to stock it but it's no longer in my local shop or online

There is a place very near me that might do it, I can pop in on the way home today, I can check and send it on if they have. If you tell me what exactly to ask for? I'll probably be going up town during the week on my lunch too so can also check a few local independent health shops.

I'm tempted to try it while waiting for my march appointment. Good/Bad idea?

Lucyfur

Neyite wrote: »

There is a place very near me that might do it, I can pop in on the way home today, I can check and send it on if they have. If you tell me what exactly to ask for? I'll probably be going up town during the week on my lunch too so can also check a few local independent health shops.

I'm tempted to try it while waiting for my march appointment. Good/Bad idea?

You're a star! Gonna pop over to another health shop here, I'll let you know!

Good idea? Can't make me any more not pregnant would be my way of looking at it! I wonder would the clinic have an opinion?

yellow hen

Lucyfur wrote: »

You're a star! Gonna pop over to another health shop here, I'll let you know!

Good idea? Can't make me any more not pregnant would be my way of looking at it! I wonder would the clinic have an opinion?

I floated it past my GP last time and I got a look of consternation. I think many medical practitioners have little or no time for herbal or homeopathic remedies. I felt a bit like you Lucyfur, it couldn’t make me less pregnant and it also made me feel less helpless whilst waiting for the appt for the Hycosy.

Neyite

Lucyfur wrote: »

You're a star! Gonna pop over to another health shop here, I'll let you know!

Good idea? Can't make me any more not pregnant would be my way of looking at it! I wonder would the clinic have an opinion?

Well, I do know that they said you shouldn't mix anything, even herbal, with any fertility meds when you are on them, due to possible contraindications, and I'd agree - herbal stuff can be powerful and its not given the full testing rigmarole as other medications so they dont really know how they interact with prescription meds.

But I'm off the Clomid now, and other than a HSG which will probably be next cycle, I'm guessing end of January, I'm only waiting until March to see Dr. E and make a plan. Did you hear he is retiring from the public system in the new year? He'll still be working in the other clinic though. I heard that at my appointment just before Christmas. Dont know who will be replacing him yet.

So yeah, like you, it cant make me any more unfertilised, so no harm to give it a month or two I guess!

Lucyfur

I'm done with the public system. I'd much prefer to pay. I found my last public appointment to be frustrating and left with unanswered questions, where as in brookelawn, everything was answered and nothing rushed. Brookelawn were also really interested in all the supplements we take!

yellow hen

So just to update on what's happening with me. Last time I took ac it was because my cycles were up to 60 days long and I wanted to shorten them. After one month it had the desires effect so I was delighted. Three years later I'm taking it to see if it helps me ovulate. My cycles are somewhere between 25 and 29 days. So I'm only on cd17 now and I am totally crippled with period pain. It's the sort of pain I'm used to so there's no mistaking it. I'm so disappointed. 17 days! Anyway, just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who hasn't yet started it!

pwurple

Yes, that was my experience too yellow hen. Neyite, to be honest, I wouldn't take it if you have an appointment in just two months. It took me a good while to get back to anything resembling a normal cycle after taking it.

yellow hen

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, that was my experience too yellow hen. Neyite, to be honest, I wouldn't take it if you have an appointment in just two months. It took me a good while to get back to anything resembling a normal cycle after taking it.

Still nothing but it'll make its appearance sometime soon I think. I had reservations about taking it in the first instance and I'm so annoyed I didn't go with my gut. For a natural remedy, it does what feels to be unnatural things to your body.

Neyite

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, that was my experience too yellow hen. Neyite, to be honest, I wouldn't take it if you have an appointment in just two months. It took me a good while to get back to anything resembling a normal cycle after taking it.

That's actually what I was thinking the last day or so. I'll hold off I think, I'm a bit wary of it.

LegacyUser

Hi there,

as a silent follower of this forum, I have come across questions regarding Agnus castus a few times, so I thought I'd share some information. I am German, and in Germany, Agnus castus (or "Mönchspfeffer") is regulated and, as far as I know, only available over the counter in pharmacies. As such, it comes with a pretty extensive patient information leaflet which states quite clearly that Agnus castus should only be taken after consulting with your GP. It is used to regulate short cycles, reduce cyclical breast pain, and help against PMS. It is not to be taken if you suffer from breast cancer or tumors of the pituitary gland. Research shows it can help with fertility issues based on low progestogen levels.

Now the most important thing (which seems to be debated a lot in this forum): it is to be taken for the length of the ENTIRE cycle. You start taking it on the first day and take it every day at the same time. If you forget to take it, don't take it later but simply leave it out for that day and continue as normal the next. It is to be taken for a minimum of 3 cycles for it to take effect.

Agnus castus works in two ways: it inhibits the production of prolactin and stimulates the production of progestogen. The latter is particularly useful when it comes to fertility treatment if the second half of your cycle is too short or you show signs such as spotting before your period. That's why you need to take it for the entirety of your cycle, and that's why it isn't indicated for regulating very long cycles.

I'm taking tablets I got back home after consulting with my gynecologist (who also happens to be German) here in Ireland. The tablets contain 4 mg of Agnus castus, one to be taken a day.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try and help.

yellow hen

Hi FurtherInfo, thanks for posting that. I must admit I didnt consult with my GP but I did read alot and took the general consensus as my guide to using AC. I understood that if you are taking it to regulate your cycles, you should take it for the full cycle. If you are taking it just to generally help the TTC process, you should only take it until ovulation and then cease.

As you probably read, I have taken it for 14 days. I'm on CD19 now and have had period type cramps as well as a sort of ovulation pain on my right side for over two days. Still no AF though. Either AC has completely buggered up my cycle or I'm pregnant and I'm more inclined to lean to the former though. I'll keep you updated.

Nead21

Hopefully it's the later Yellow Hen. I had period type symptoms around 2 weeks before my period was due the last time and I was actually pregnant. Didn't experience anything like that with my first pregnancy so was really surprised. I've been dipping in and out of this forum for awhile while planning number 2 so I have everything crossed for you Yellow Hen

LegacyUser

Hi yellow hen,

I am myself trying to conceive my second child after successfully using AC for my first (after 4 months of TTC). Both back then and now again, my gyn stressed that I was to take it for the entire cycle. The leaflet says the same, and all the German sites do too. Exceptions are not mentioned at all. In fact, I have been told that it is a common misconception that AC should only be taken for the first 14 days.

However, I am not an expert!! I'd say discuss it with your GP in any case, see what they say. They know you better than some stranger on the internet, after all, and (hopefully) know a whole lot more on AC too.

Ms2011

Interesting reading especially as I had almost the opposite experience.
It had an immediate effect on me & shortened my ovulation day from CD25-30 to CD13 both times I used & conceived with it.

yellow hen

Nead21 wrote: »

Hopefully it's the later Yellow Hen. I had period type symptoms around 2 weeks before my period was due the last time and I was actually pregnant. Didn't experience anything like that with my first pregnancy so was really surprised. I've been dipping in and out of this forum for awhile while planning number 2 so I have everything crossed for you Yellow Hen

I know, I'm allowing myself to get stupidly hopeful now! Almost afraid to go to the loo in case my period has arrived

Ms2011

yellow hen wrote: »

I know, I'm allowing myself to get stupidly hopeful now! Almost afraid to go to the loo in case my period has arrived

Any idea when you could do a test or would it still be too early?

yellow hen

Ms2011 wrote: »

Any idea when you could do a test or would it still be too early?

It's only cd19 and if I ovulated (which I mightn't have), it was prob only around cd14 so I'll have to wait. To be honest if rather wait than be keep disappointing myself with tests. I'm trying to channel your AC success

Ms2011

yellow hen wrote: »

It's only cd19 and if I ovulated (which I mightn't have), it was prob only around cd14 so I'll have to wait. To be honest if rather wait than be keep disappointing myself with tests. I'm trying to channel your AC success

I shall be keeping an eager eye on this thread

yellow hen

So still no period. I'm only on day 22 so I wouldn't expect it for at least another 4 days but honestly the pains were like those I get every month before my period. I refuse to let myself get excited as my body has played every trick in the world on me in the last few years.

(Still hoping like hell though )

Ms2011

yellow hen wrote: »

So still no period. I'm only on day 22 so I wouldn't expect it for at least another 4 days but honestly the pains were like those I get every month before my period. I refuse to let myself get excited as my body has played every trick in the world on me in the last few years.

(Still hoping like hell though )

Oh I've everything crossed for you x

yellow hen

Ms2011 wrote: »

Oh I've everything crossed for you x

Well all out crossing didn't do much. Period arrived today. I was actually in agony yesterday so I knew it was coming. Booked in for hycosy next wed so am hoping they'll put me on clomid pretty quickly. OH's sperm analysis showed lower morphology figures than the norm but I've read that that's not the most essential metric for conception. (Hope it's not anyway)

Ms2011

yellow hen wrote: »

Well all out crossing didn't do much. Period arrived today. I was actually in agony yesterday so I knew it was coming. Booked in for hycosy next wed so am hoping they'll put me on clomid pretty quickly. OH's sperm analysis showed lower morphology figures than the norm but I've read that that's not the most essential metric for conception. (Hope it's not anyway)

Ah sugar, I thought I was about to read good news.
Maybe AC isn't the 'drug' for you & Clomid will give you more success, I hope so anyway.
Is there any things your OH can do to increase morphology?

yellow hen

Ms2011 wrote: »

Ah sugar, I thought I was about to read good news.
Maybe AC isn't the 'drug' for you & Clomid will give you more success, I hope so anyway.
Is there any things your OH can do to increase morphology?

Completely change his diet? He's booked into coombe for a recheck so hopefully next one might show a different result.

Nead21

So sorry Yellow Hen
I wish it was better news for you.

Neyite

yellow hen wrote: »

Well all out crossing didn't do much. Period arrived today. I was actually in agony yesterday so I knew it was coming. Booked in for hycosy next wed so am hoping they'll put me on clomid pretty quickly. OH's sperm analysis showed lower morphology figures than the norm but I've read that that's not the most essential metric for conception. (Hope it's not anyway)

Is the hycosy a hsg xray or are they different Yellow? I'm due to get a hsg on my next cycle, but just came off six months of clomid. It didnt work for me this time - I'd high hopes considering it worked for me the last time. So not sure what is beyond that for me until my next review in March.

yellow hen

Neyite wrote: »

Is the hycosy a hsg xray or are they different Yellow? I'm due to get a hsg on my next cycle, but just came off six months of clomid. It didnt work for me this time - I'd high hopes considering it worked for me the last time. So not sure what is beyond that for me until my next review in March.

Just checked. It's an ultrasound followed by a catheter. I've had a lap and dye about 3 years ago and it was clear so hoping this will be clear too. Clomid didng work for me before either although I conceived about 2-3 after coming off it. Consultant in the coombe suggested that the conscription was as a result of the clomid and it's after effects. Not so sure myself but for your sake lets be hopeful.

I think because I have my period at the minute and it's painful and I'm hormonal, I got really upset today. So fed up. The world seems to be pregnant right now!