Miss Conception

What if the herb monks once used to *suppress* their libido is the same one helping women restore ovulation, lengthen a too-short luteal phase, and finally see two pink lines after failed IVF? In this episode of The Miss Conception Show, clinical herbalist Veronica Ricksen breaks down Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry), one of the oldest documented herbs in women's reproductive health.I talk about why so many women today are dealing with missing ovulation and luteal phase deficiency, which is one reason behind severe PMS, short cycles, low progesterone, infertility and recurrent early miscarriage. These patterns are often overlooked in a standard fertility workups. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, I walk through how Vitex works upstream at the pituitary gland to help recalibrate hormonal signaling, and why that "top-down" mechanism makes it a foundational herb in my clinical practice.Drawing on nearly two millennia of recorded use (Vitex appears in the first-century text De Materia Medica) and my own years of one-on-one client work, I share three real case studies— including a client who conceived naturally within a month of starting her protocol after a failed IVF round, and another who was told she'd entered early menopause (after IVF) before going on to have a healthy baby girl. As a registered clinical herbalist who has worked both in private practice and inside a fertility clinic setting, I bring a credible and hopeful attitude to what herbal medicine can do alongside nutrition, stress reduction, and proper medical care. Etc. You'll Learn- What Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry) is, where it grows, and how it's traditionally harvested and prepared- Why it's called "monk's pepper" and the surprising history behind that name- How Vitex works on the pituitary gland to indirectly support hormonal balance- Two main ways Vitex is used clinically: restoring missing ovulation and supporting a healthy luteal phase (Ant there are many other uses for it as well)- What luteal phase deficiency is and the signs that may indicate it (short cycles, severe PMS, low progesterone, recurrent miscarriage)- How charting basal body temperature and fertility signs can confirm whether ovulation is actually happening- Real client stories of using Vitex after failed IVF, with PCOS, and after an “early menopause diagnosis” after medically induced amenorrhea - Why herbal dosing is highly individualized and best guided by a qualified practitioner- How Vitex fits into a broader natural fertility protocol alongside nutrition and stress reductionIf you've been told your options are limited, or you're looking for a natural complement to your fertility journey, this conversation offers hope.https://www.kapu.community/

What if your body knows how to return to a state of fertility and vitality? Most women are handed a prescription and sent on their way. Whether it's hormonal birth control at 15, an IUD that "shouldn't" cause pain, or a round(s) of IVF with little to no consideration of if it’s really needed, and if it’s really what’s best for women. The Miss Conception Show exists to offer an alternative. My path to herbalism is personal. After a decade on hormonal birth control, my IUD dislodged from my uterine wall, causing years of stabbing pain, and my OB-GYN still tried to convince me to keep it. That moment changed everything for me. I stopped outsourcing my health, dove into herbal medicine and fertility charting, and built a practice that aims to help women, including those who've been through failed IVF, to find another way forward.In this debut episode, I introduce the two pillars of my practice: strategic herbal formulas that bring the body back to baseline, and the Symptothermal Method — a multi-biomarker approach to fertility charting that reveals what's happening in your cycle. This is a podcast about finally understanding your body.You'll Learn:Why I left hormonal birth control after 10 yearsHow herbs can restore missing ovulation, thicken the uterine lining, and help prevent recurring miscarriages and so much moreWhat fertility charting reveals about your hormones and why it goes far deeper than any femtech gadgetHow the Symptothermal Method works: tracking basal body temperature, cervical fluidIt is possible to have a failed IVF round(s), then go on to conceive naturally using herbal strategiesThe simple 30-second daily practice that builds profound cycle awareness over timeWhy becoming "cycle aware" can improve your fertility, your overall health, emotional clarity, and connection to selfThe role of herbal formulas in supporting conception, early pregnancy, healthy pregnancy, and postpartum recoveryIf you're navigating fertility challenges, this podcast is made for you. I bring a combination of clinical herbal expertise and deep respect for the female body. This first episode sets a tone for my hopes with The Miss Conception show, which is to be honest, empowering, rooted in nature, and sharing about holistic remedies to support natural fertility.https://www.kapu.community/