Vitex = high BP?

[Blackout81]

I just had my annual with midwives and my blood pressure was 148/92 (she took it at the beginning and end of the exam). I usually run low, so I was surprised. She told me I need a check in 2 weeks to see if it's still high, and I will monitor it - my mom is a cardiac nurse and I see her a few days a week so she's going to check it for me. I have no major changes and actually just returned to my yoga practice. On a whim I google vitex and high blood pressure and apparently it can increase it. I told my midwife I was taking vitex, though I'm not convinced she knew what it was (she also told me she's brand new to the practice....). 

I guess I'll monitor it and if it's not going down in 2 weeks (when AF is due) I will stop it and see if I see a difference. She said high BP on its own shouldn't impact TTC but of course it could impact pregnancy and since I want to VBAC that is a major consideration. 

Anyone hear if this or have any experience with it? I took vitex when TTC my first because I knew from charting my LP was 10-11 days and it got it up to a steady 12 days. From just my CBEFM (which I know doesn't confirm O), my LP seems to be a consistent 12 days, I've been on vitex for 4 months.  Thoughts?

[loira]

I hadn't heard of this, but I'd be interested in knowing what you find out. I'm currently drinking Fertili.tea, which contains vitex.

[Blackout81]

I will keep you posted. I'm not going to stop taking it mid-cycle - my mom said she doesn't think I need to. If my BP stays up (or if I end up being PG fx) then I will stop it at the end of this cycle and see if it makes a difference.

[Blackout81]

Jan 20, 2015 6:19:28 GMT -5 loira said:

I hadn't heard of this, but I'd be interested in knowing what you find out. I'm currently drinking Fertili.tea, which contains vitex.

I took it again today - 132/89 - still highish, and definitely high for me since I run 120/70 pretty consistently. Not convinced it's the vitex, I'll keep monitoring it though.

[jessnpaul]

Jan 21, 2015 20:31:01 GMT -5 Blackout81 said:

Jan 20, 2015 6:19:28 GMT -5 loira said:

I hadn't heard of this, but I'd be interested in knowing what you find out. I'm currently drinking Fertili.tea, which contains vitex.

I took it again today - 132/89 - still highish, and definitely high for me since I run 120/70 pretty consistently. Not convinced it's the vitex, I'll keep monitoring it though.

That seems really high. What does your mom think?

[vanillahip]

If it's the vitex I want to start taking it, my bp is so low it's really fucking with me lately

Keep us posted!

[Blackout81]

Jan 22, 2015 9:40:24 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Jan 21, 2015 20:31:01 GMT -5 Blackout81 said:

I took it again today - 132/89 - still highish, and definitely high for me since I run 120/70 pretty consistently. Not convinced it's the vitex, I'll keep monitoring it though.

That seems really high. What does your mom think?

Keep monitoring since at least It's lower than it was and both times were not in a relaxed state. I'm also trying to make sure I'm eating well, which I usually do but haven't been great about lately, and I just started back up at yoga. If it's still high in a week she wants me to go to a cardiologist (conveniently, my uncle). If it's still high I'll also stop the vitex and see if that makes a difference.

[Blackout81]

So I went off the vitex a week ago when my period came. I haven't made any other major changes in my life at all and just took my PB - 123/75. And that was my 1st try (it tends to get lower - I idiallu do 2-3 times). Onviously I have no hard proof, but I think I'm putting it on the vitex.

[awick14]

Your taking the vitex to lengthen LP right? If so have your tried taking Vit B complex? This is what I take and it has changed my LP from 9-10 days to 11, and my last cycle 12 days.

Obviously I am not a doctor and I could be wrong but if the vitex is giving you hypertension I would defiantly stop it and find something else to take.

[Blackout81]

Feb 6, 2015 1:12:31 GMT -5 awick14 said:

Your taking the vitex to lengthen LP right? If so have your tried taking Vit B complex? This is what I take and it has changed my LP from 9-10 days to 11, and my last cycle 12 days.

Obviously I am not a doctor and I could be wrong but if the vitex is giving you hypertension I would defiantly stop it and find something else to take.

Yes, I'm on B6 and will continue that. I will not take the Vitex anymore. Again, there's no hard proof that's what it is, but there's enough correlation for me to stop it for good.  I didn't have that issue (at least to my knowledge) 4-5 years ago when we were trying for our first.

I'll remain on the B6 along with my prenatal and vitamin D even though we're no longer actively trying. I figure none of those have any dangers for regular, daily use.