Is vitex good for trying to conceive?
Women who produce high levels of prolactin, however, can experience a shorter luteal phase during menstruation, which makes it more difficult to become pregnant. Known to decrease the production of prolactin, vitex thereby helps to lengthen the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and improve the chances of conceiving. Vitex also blocks prolactin secretion in women with excessive levels of this hormone; excessive levels of prolactin can lead to breast tenderness and failure to ovulate.Some research suggests it can improve symptoms of PMS and menopause, and help with PCOS, but more research is needed. Vitex is generally considered safe. However, it may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications including oral contraceptives.A study by Jelodar and Askari25 demonstrated that the Vitex extract can increase the progesterone level and decrease the testosterone level, but Vitex does not change the levels of dehydroepiandrostenedione and estrogen in animals with PCOS.Yet another study gave 93 women — who had unsuccessfully tried to become pregnant over the last 6–36 months — a supplement containing Vitex agnus-castus or a placebo. After three months, women in the vitex group experienced an improved hormone balance — and 26 percent of them became pregnant.
Does vitex affect pregnancy?
VAC extract may affect pregnancy rate, live birth rate, abortion and stillbirth rates. Its effect on the weight and the sex showed dual pattern depends on the time of initiation and pregnancy trimester of evaluation. Prescribing this medicinal plant for patients being prone to pregnancy should be with caution. Three-month treatment with VAC extract substantially decreased the percentage of patients with irregular cycle (from 9. Improvement in bleeding intensity, frequency and menstrual pain was experienced by 83.
Why is vitex not good for PCOS?
This sounds like a perfect scenario for PCOS sufferers, but there’s a problem. Vitex can actually worsen PCOS for some because their LH levels are already high. If you know your LH level is high (if you don’t know, ask for a hormone panel blood test from your doctor), you should not use Vitex. Vitex can promote ovulation and menstruation but does not work for everyone and can, in some cases, worsen PCOS. At the same time, vitex can relieve the androgen excess caused by high prolactin. Read 4 causes of androgen excess in women.Vitex is one of the primary herbs to be considered for stimulating the ovary and encouraging ovulation, thus increasing progesterone secretion.Vitex is thought to reduce breast tenderness at menses because of its ability to reduce elevated levels of the hormone, prolactin. Doctors typically suggest 40 drops of a liquid, concentrated vitex extract or 35–40 mg of the equivalent dried, powdered extract to be taken once per day in the morning with some liquid.
Does vitex increase egg quality?
Scientific Evidence: Research shows that Vitex may boost fertility in women with luteal phase defects when the second half of the menstrual cycle is shorter. This can make conception more difficult. Studies suggest that Vitex reduces prolactin levels and lengthens the luteal phase, aiding fertility. We don’t know for sure, but there’s reason to believe taking vitex may help with some fertility issues. It may depend on the reason for the infertility, but abnormal hormone levels (and an irregular menstrual cycle) often play a role, and vitex has shown to help with that in some studies.Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) is being studied for its use in balancing a woman’s hormonal system – and thereby boosting fertility for some women. While you don’t need a prescription to try it, you’ll want to work with your healthcare provider to find the right product and dosage.It usually takes a few menstrual cycles of consistent use to notice Vitex working. Most women see some effect by about 3 months, and significant improvements by 6 months . Vitex is a slow-acting herb, so you won’t typically get immediate results.
What are the negative side effects of vitex?
In general, Vitex is well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events are nausea, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual disorders, acne, pruritus, and erythematous rash; urticaria, fatigue, headache, dry mouth, tachycardia, nausea, and agitation. Vitex is a slow-acting herb, so you won’t typically get immediate results. In general, if you take it daily (commonly in the morning) for 3–6 months, that’s when to expect clear signs of hormonal balance (such as more regular cycles or less PMS).