[luhluhlaura]

I'm eager to start an NBE program but I've had so many bad experiences with birth control pills that I recently quit using them and I an suspicious if my hormones are totally out of wack.

I SHOULD be getting my period right about now (been off of it for about a month) but I have a feeling I will be late (and no, no chance of pregnancy).

Before I ever went on birth control (I was 18), I hardly ever had a regular period and I think that was a huge sign that I wasn't developing right. I tried to tell my mom and doctors but they all dismissed me, and I was too embarrassed to tell the doctor about my breasts. I have mildly tuberous breasts and I think my hormones were largely to blame.

So my question to all of you nbe experts out there is should I use vitex to balance my hormones? How should I use it? What dosage and for how long? And what are some possible side effects? I've researched the herb a bit already, but I would like to read up on it from those who have actually used vitex

Thanks everybody!

[surferjoe2007]

My sister was having excessive bleeding problems and got better on vitex after maybe 2 or 3 months. Vitex works in part by weakly activating prolactin receptors, which leads to more progesterone I think. Too much will flood the receptors and block your own stronger prolactin, making things worse rather than better. Try around 100 mg. I think 40-125 mg is fine.

www.pubmed.gov also has a hundred positive studies on vitex. Search "vitex agnus castus" since there's another different "vitex" plant.