Vitex may improve female fertility due to its possible effect on prolactin levels ( 17 ). This may be especially true in women with luteal phase defect, or
a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle
.
How does Vitex affect the cycle?
Bleeding. Research suggests that taking vitex agnus-castus three times daily from the first daily of menstruation until day 8 of the cycle for four cycles
reduces bleeding caused by an intrauterine device
. Difficulty in becoming pregnant (infertility).
Does chasteberry shorten your period?
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 178 women found that
treatment with chasteberry over three menstrual cycles significantly reduced general PMS symptoms
. The dose used was 1 tablet 3 times daily of a dry chasteberry extract.
When in my cycle should I take Vitex?
Because it works by promoting ovulation, vitex should be
started early in the follicular phase and then continued until day 1 of the period
. Taking regular breaks from vitex can prevent attenuation of its effects. If you have regular periods, take five days off from the first day of your period (day 1 to 5).
Can Vitex cause mid cycle spotting?
I did some research about Vitex and seems like
for some women it causes bleeding between menstrual periods
. Although this side effect is not very common, I think if you already have a regular cycle and have no hormonal issues or anything, you do not really need to do take any fertility aid supplements.
Does Vitex increase fertility?
Vitex or chasteberry increases luteinizing hormone and inhibits the release of follicle stimulating hormone, which thus boosts the levels of progesterone production and
improves the chances of getting pregnant and maintaining the pregnancy
.
How long does it take for vitex to balance hormones?
How you should use Vitex. Vitex is a relatively slow-acting herb. Therefore you need to commit to taking it for
up to 6 months
to see any change in your cycles or improvement of symptoms.
How much vitex is too much?
The maximum daily dose is
1800 mg per day
.
When can I stop taking vitex?
Vitex should be taken for at least four cycles to determine efficacy. Vitex has been shown to improve fertility, particularly for women with luteal phase defect, it should be discontinued
once a woman becomes pregnant
.
Can vitex stop heavy bleeding?
A study in the Aromatic Medical Center showed that
vitex agnus reduced bleeding
. A research on 57 women with severe menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) who were treated with vitex agnus drops showed that 40 patients after the period of treatment had significantly been improved.
Does vitex increase progesterone?
Vitex increases progesterone
by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibiting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In most reproductive conditions involving hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance or progesterone imbalance tend to be common.
Can vitex suppress ovulation?
No: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
Some people suggest taking Vitex to help increase progesterone levels, but in a normal cycle, progesterone is only elevated after ovulation. Consistently higher baseline levels of progesterone would not be helpful, and
according to some studies in primates, may even prevent ovulation
.
Can vitex shorten luteal phase?
As you can see, with Vitex’s ability to support the body in producing more progesterone,
Vitex effectively lengthens the luteal phase
, allowing sufficient time for the endometrium to thicken and a fertilized embryo to implant and grow.
How long does vitex take to conceive?
How long does it take for vitex to work for fertility? Within
three months
, the vitex group showed better hormonal balance. Further, 26 percent of these women became pregnant, while only 10 percent of those in the placebo group did.
Are vitex and chasteberry the same?
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is a plant used in herbal medicine.
Also known as chaste tree or chasteberry
, it’s often used to remedy women’s health problems. Vitex supplements typically contain extracts of the fruit and/or seed of the plant.
Does vitex interact with anything?
No herb-drug interactions have been reported
, but caution is advised for its concomitant use with dopamine agonists or antagonists. Optimal standardization and dosing recommendations await clarification in clinical studies. Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), or monk’s pepper, is the fruit of the chaste tree.
What are the side effects of vitex?
The most frequent adverse events are
nausea, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual disorders, acne, pruritus and erythematous rash
. No drug interactions were reported. Use of VAC should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation. Theoretically, VAC might also interfere with dopaminergic antagonists.
Does vitex increase estrogen?
Vitex significantly increased the estrogen level in the Vitex + d-galactose group
, compared to the d-galactose group (p < 0.05). Vitex also significantly increased the estrogen level in the Vitex + Aging group, compared to the Aging group (p < 0.05; Fig.
Can you take vitex while trying to conceive?
Conclusions:
The supplement may be used by women trying to conceive
. The patented blend consisting of a combination of Vitex, Maca and active folate regulates the menstrual cycle, stimulates ovulation and increases the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Does vitex lower prolactin?
Vitex is believed to shift the estrogen–progesterone balance in favor of progesterone through increased luteinizing hormone levels and mild inhibition of follicle-stimulating hormone secretion.
Vitex also reduces prolactin secretion
, which may inhibit fertility when elevated.
How do I know if I have estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance can affect a woman’s body in many ways, including abnormal menstruation (heavy/painful periods), PMS, headaches, decreased sex drive, bloating, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety & depression, breast tenderness, endometriosis, fibroids, and hormonal weight gain.
What are the signs of low progesterone?
The most noticeable manifestation of low progesterone levels is
irregular periods and short cycles
, but sometimes symptoms like premenstrual spotting may appear. Other symptoms may include mood changes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Progesterone affects the regulation of fluid levels in the body.
Can you take vitex and Maca together?
Conclusions:
The supplement may be used by women trying to conceive
. The patented blend consisting of a combination of Vitex, Maca and active folate regulates the menstrual cycle, stimulates ovulation and increases the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Does vitex increase testosterone?
Animal studies have also shown that
Vitex normalizes elevated testosterone levels
,
16
which are often found in women with PCOS, and contributes to hirsutism and amenorrhea.
