Clomid and Vitex are among the most commonly used fertility remedies for women who want to conceive. If a woman plan to use Clomid or Vitex, she needs to know about these products. This article will reveal the effects of Clomid and Vitex, how it works, and more. 

How Clomid works?

Clomid also acts on the pituitary gland like Vitex. However, it works by having an anti-estrogenic effect. Clomid can interact with different estrogen receptors in the body. It includes receptors in the endometrium, vagina, brain, and cervix. Through this, Clomid may prevent a woman’s natural estrogen from binding to such receptors. 

With this, a woman’s body thinks that her natural estrogen levels are lower than they are. In this case, it may lead to releasing more FSH and LH. Clomid causes a surge in FSH and LH that may affect different aspects of the menstrual cycle. 

Right now, there’s no clear evidence indicating that Vitex can increase the chance of having twins. However, it may boost the likelihood of multiple pregnancies. Thus, Clomid stimulates the ovaries where it releases more than one viable egg during a woman’s cycle. 

Benefits of Clomid 

Clomid has the following benefits.

• It is a cost-effective infertility treatment compared to other treatments like IVF. 

• It can be prescribed by a primary care provider or OB-GYN instead of going to a reproductive specialist.

• Clomid is an oral medication, making it less invasive than other treatments.

• It comes with few side effects and is well-tolerated by women using it. 

Side effects of Clomid 

If a woman takes Clomid, she may experience the following side effects:

• Mood swings

• Hot flashes

• Bloating

• Breast tenderness or discomfort

• Vomiting or nausea

• Headaches

• Difficulty in sleeping

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

• Irregular menstrual bleeding or heavier menses

How does Vitex work?

Vitex is also known as chaste tree berry. It’s a peppercorn-sized berry that acts on the pituitary gland. Generally, the pituitary gland releases two hormones, the FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). 

These hormones can regulate different aspects of the menstrual cycle, including ovulation and follicle development. Vitex affects the pituitary and other hormones in the following ways.

• Boosts the release of LH

• Mildly inhibits FSH release

• Increase progesterone indirectly 

Benefits of Vitex for pregnancy and ovulation 

Improves Luteal Phase Defect

Vitex is helpful with LPD or Luteal Phase Defect since it can boost progesterone and LH. The two leading causes of LPD are endometrium doesn’t respond to progesterone or low progesterone. 

Prolactin regulation 

Aside from boosting LH levels, Vitex is also beneficial for regulating Prolactin production. Prolactin is the hormone needed for breastfeeding. Meanwhile, some women have high levels of Prolactin even though they’re not breastfeeding. 

The bad thing is that high Prolactin may stop ovaries from producing estrogen. It can lead to missing or irregular periods, which lead to difficulty in conceiving. According to research, Vitex can reduce elevated Prolactin levels and facilitate conception. 

Improves endometrium thickness

Progesterone thins the endometrium while estrogen thickens it. The right balance for these hormones is crucial to have successful implantation and healthy endometrial lining. Additionally, healthy endometrium lowers the risk of miscarriage. It allows a woman to carry her pregnancy forward. 

Side effects of Vitex 

In taking Vitex, a woman may experience the following side effects.

• Headache

• Skin rash

• Nausea

• Upset stomach

• Weight gain

• Difficulty in sleeping 

Frequently Asked Questions about Clomid and Vitex

Can Clomid and Vitex be taken together? 

Clomid and Vitex both act on the hormones and brain. It is not advisable to combine them since it can lead to unwanted and unexpected side effects. 

Can taking Vitex lead to birth defects? 

Fortunately, Vitex is not known for causing birth defects. 

Can Clomid cause miscarriage? 

According to data, Clomid doesn’t cause miscarriage. Meanwhile, it has an anti-estrogenic effect, so it may interfere with a woman’s natural estrogen’s ability to thicken endometrium. If the endometrium isn’t thick enough, there’s a possibility that the chance of miscarriage increases.

Are there natural alternatives to Clomid?

Luckily, there are different herbal alternatives to Clomid. These include black cohosh, cinnamon, and ginger. 

Can you take other hormone therapy with Vitex? 

Vitex can affect hormones, so it is highly recommended to avoid other types of hormone therapy like progesterone or estrogen therapy.

What are the risks of Clomid?

Some risks on taking Clomid include:

• Visual disturbances

• Ovarian cancer

• Multiple pregnancies

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (causes pain in pelvic area/ abdomen, enlarged ovaries, or distention)

Why does she’s not getting pregnant on Clomid?

It is possible that a woman may not ovulate even taking Clomid. If this happens, it is best to talk to a doctor. There is also a possibility that the cervical mucus is unhealthy. 

Conclusion 

To sum it up, both Clomid and Vitex can be beneficial for those trying to conceive. However, it also comes with potential side effects. So, it is better to talk to a professional before taking these fertility remedies.