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Vitex (Chasteberry) is the fruit of a small shrub-like chaste tree native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. Chasteberry has been used for thousands of years to ease menstrual problems and to stimulate the production of breast milk. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use chasteberry regularly and find that it helps with ovulation.
In Germany, physicians prescribe the herb for luteal phase disorders, often a result of low progesterone after ovulation. A small German study suggest that chasteberry can help regulate imbalances in reproductive hormones and ovulation. Some practitioners also recommend it for PCOS. Note that vitex can take 3-7 months to have an impact
There are no large, well-controlled studies in reputable journals on vitex/chasteberry. Note that some women have reported that vitex delayed ovulation and made their cycles worse instead of better.
Anecdotally there are many women who share vitex success stories online, and they often tend to have had very abnormal cycles, luteal phases, or PCOS. Do your research. If you do want to try it, be sure to check with your doctor, and above all else go to a trained herbalist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who has lots of experience with administering the correct dosage. Stop taking vitex when you achieve a pregnancy, as it can be harmful to the fetus.
Sources: WebMD, NIH, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, American Family Physician
In Germany, physicians prescribe the herb for luteal phase disorders, often a result of low progesterone after ovulation. A small German study suggest that chasteberry can help regulate imbalances in reproductive hormones and ovulation. Some practitioners also recommend it for PCOS. Note that vitex can take 3-7 months to have an impact
There are no large, well-controlled studies in reputable journals on vitex/chasteberry. Note that some women have reported that vitex delayed ovulation and made their cycles worse instead of better.
Anecdotally there are many women who share vitex success stories online, and they often tend to have had very abnormal cycles, luteal phases, or PCOS. Do your research. If you do want to try it, be sure to check with your doctor, and above all else go to a trained herbalist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who has lots of experience with administering the correct dosage. Stop taking vitex when you achieve a pregnancy, as it can be harmful to the fetus.
Sources: WebMD, NIH, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, American Family Physician