menstrual cycle

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @LAK we’ll need more info to help you determine what may be going on with your cycle changes, and whether Vitex might be contributing. I would also encourage you to make time to fill out your Profile information – this is a new feature we’ve added recently so our members don’t have to repeat basic information every time they post a question. You have the choice to make it public or private so only practitioners can see. You can edit the info fields by clicking on your Profile icon, then clicking Profile>Edit.

Please answer the following:

1. What’s your age?

2. What’s your average cycle length before June 2024? Regular 28-day cycle?

3. When did the cycle changes begin – were they shorter, longer, irregular?

4. How many days is your cycle now (from the first day of bleeding to the next first day)?

5. How is your bleeding now, and has the flow changed (heavier, lighter, more spotting)?

6. Are you spotting between periods?

7. Have you had any skipped periods in the last year?

8. When exactly did you start taking Chaste tree (start date, and also what day in your cycle)?

9. What’s the dose of Chaste tree you’re taking?

10. Taking any other supplements, herbs or medications (including hormonal contraceptives)?

11. Have you done any recent hormone testing that you can share – like thyroid, progesterone or estrogen?

12. Any recent stress, illness, major travel, or weight changes?

Once we have this info, we can give you a clearer picture of whether the Vitex is likely contributing or if there might be something else to look into.

[LAK]

good morning B,

these are my responses, I will also update this on my profiile.

. What’s your age? 44

2. What’s your average cycle length before June 2024? Regular 28-day cycle? 28 day cycle

3. When did the cycle changes begin – were they shorter, longer, irregular? since June they became shorter (day 21) and heavier but always 5 days. And at times longer (day 35). so irregular bu I would still also get my period on day 28

4. How many days is your cycle now (from the first day of bleeding to the next first day)? i got it on 8 th May and still have it

5. How is your bleeding now, and has the flow changed (heavier, lighter, more spotting)? it started off normal, then nothing overnight, and it started again the next day, for a few days and slowed and then got a little more overnight again.

6. Are you spotting between periods? never have

7. Have you had any skipped periods in the last year? no

8. When exactly did you start taking Chaste tree (start date, and also what day in your cycle)? started 2 May

9. What’s the dose of Chaste tree you’re taking? 1 in the am and 1 in the pm

10. Taking any other supplements, herbs or medications (including hormonal contraceptives)? I take my regular supplements, Vit D/K, Magn, omega, joints, citrulline (for my ankle OCD), NAC, b vitamins

11. Have you done any recent hormone testing that you can share – like thyroid, progesterone or estrogen? I have done them in november 2024 I see Dr Amel for my thyroid and initially I thought it was that as we had to adjust my dose and i take t3 10mg now. but my thyroid is under control with him and I do have a new blood test to run in two weeks for it.

my progesterone was 1.78ng/ml, prolactin 8.67, estradiol E2 88.70pg/ml, FSH 9.10 and LH 13.10

I did take this test on day 3 though so Im not sure the progesterone levels are reliable.

12. Any recent stress, illness, major travel, or weight changes? honestly no changes.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

@LAK thanks for sharing the additional info. You didn’t mention the dose of vitex you’re taking. But I’m going to assume it’s 500mg per capsule, so you’re taking 1000mg per day, correct? And are you still taking it while you’re on your period?

Given the timing of when you started Vitex on May 2nd and your period beginning on May 8th, the off-and-on extended bleeding is likely linked to it. And the best way to know for sure, is to stop it for now if you’re still taking it, and monitor the next cycle to see if things normalize again.

Keep in mind that Vitex works on the H-P-O axis (brain-ovary axis) to enhance ovulation, which helps progesterone production. So it’s best to take it a few days before ovulation during the 2nd half of the cycle and then stop once the period starts.

Although you didn’t provide the reference ranges for your hormone levels, FSH should typically be slightly higher or equal to LH. However, in your case, LH is a bit higher, which can happen in PCOS-like patterns especially if other symptoms are present like irregular cycles, acne, or elevated androgens. But you’re 44, so it could also be due to temporary perimenopausal hormone fluctuations as well.

And yes, day 3 progesterone is not useful. Progesterone needs to be tested between day 19 to 21.

So next steps:

1. Stop Vitex for now if you’re still taking it, and monitor your next cycle without it to see if things normalize.

2. Investigate the possibility of PCOS and test sex hormones (with gynecologist):

• Progesterone (day 19 to 21 if that makes sense)
• Estradiol
• Testosterone (total and free)
• DHEA-s
• Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c (to assess insulin resistance)
• AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone – often elevated in PCOS)
• Abdominal ultrasound

3. Track ovulation with LH strips or basal body temp to see if you’re ovulation. Vitex is helpful when ovulation is happening or needs support. Otherwise, it might not be the right herb for your body.

[LAK]

Hello B,

Yes that is the correct dose and I stopped the vitex about 5/6 days ago.

With regards to PCOS, i had checked this back in november as at the time I had low DHEAS and was asked to take the supplement but when I tested my androgens to check for PCOS, my androstenedione was high ( over 10 with a range of 0.30-3.30). So I stopped taking DHEAS and retested and my levels were normal again at 1.07. I had also tested my ACTH which was 15.7pg/mL (range below 46) – so we dismissed PCOS. I also dont suffer from acne and never have.

At the time my testosterone total was 0.359 (range 0.084-0.481) and free Testosterone 1.40pg.mL (range 0.00-1.70)

My Fasting insulin 7.82 IU/ML (range is 1.90-9.90) back in November as well.

I saw the gyne yesterday and she checked me and said my lining was thin and my ovaries looked good (and silent) so maybe this is hormonal or linked to the supplement? I am still on my ‘period’ day 14 now. She checked my thyroid and prolactin and all levels were okay. One thing she did say which got me thinking, if the bleed doesnt stop she may consider the pill. What are your thoughts on this?

I will check my estradiol and testosterone again on day 2 of my next period.

[Bernadette_Abraham]

Hi @LAK – yes, it could just be hormonal fluctuations and/or a result of Vitex. Even if estrogen is normal or slightly low, if progesterone is too low to stabilize the lining, then spotting and prolonged bleeding can happen.

The pill can help stop the persistent bleeding if it doesn’t stop soon (a thin lining is a good sign), but it doesn’t address the cause. I’m not sure which doctor you’re working with, but I would also recommend a 2nd opinion from a functional gynecologist. Dr. Liliana Skorski works at Women’s Health Bay.

Please do keep us posted!