Vitex - A Miracle Herb for Fertility Issues!

Vitex which is also known as “women’s herb” is a shrub native to southern Europe which is used for hundreds of years for women issues. It is one of the most famous herbs in Europe, America and other western nations for gynecological issues.

Modern research and traditional use in different countries showed its amazing results to balance the hormones. Vitex is one of the most useful and safe herb over the world in gynecological issues. It does not contain any hormone; it works in indirect way on the body to regulate the hormones without disturbing the other ones.

How Vitex Works 

Vitex does not contain any hormone but it regulates the hormones by regulating the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland is the Master gland because it controls many hormones in the body such as sending signals to the ovaries, how much and when to release the hormone. This communication for hormonal control known as the “Hormonal Feedback Loop”.

What the Vitex has shown in studies?

Vitex is one of the best herbs over the world in balancing hormones and regulating menstrual cycle.

Inhibit Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Balanced level of hormones both in men and women is necessary to avoid the fertility issues. FSH or follicle stimulating hormone, is a hormone that is naturally produced by pituitary gland in the body. Low or high FSH levels does not have any direct impact on fertility it is just a signal that there is some problem occurring in the balance of fertility system which may leads issues in conceiving.

Vitex increases the production of luteinizing hormone and slightly inhibit the production of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH). Which boost the production of progesterone and increases the chances of getting a pregnancy.

Vitex also reduce the high levels of prolactine which cause breast pain. Prolactine is a hormone which is responsible for milk production and breast growth during pregnancy. High prolactin levels create the fertility issues and in absence of pregnancy cause very common issue in women named as endocrine disorder called hyperprolactinemia.

Vitex is a miracle herb for hormones balancing and getting a successful pregnancy. 

Lengthen a Short Luteal Phase: It is proven that Vitex helps to lengthen the luteal phase while it accelerates the body to produce its own luteinizing hormone which also accelerates the production of progesterone in the luteal phase.

Increased Progesterone Levels: Production of progesterone depend upon the corpus luteum which is produced when Vitex create the stimulation effect on the body. In a clinical study conducted on 45 women, 86% responses showed normalized or significantly improved progesterone levels.
Reduce the Advancement of Mild Endometriosis: Use of Vitex by German gynecologists for the treatment of mild endometriosis and it put a stop on the advancement.

Vitex Saves from Miscarriage: As per German experts Vitex helps to secure the pregnancy from miscarriage especially due to low progesterone levels and has beneficial impacts to boost the progesterone production. Vitex is considered safe to use in pregnancy but must consult with your healthcare practitioner before use. Also must read our ‘Use in pregnancy’ section below.
Relieves PMS: Clinical studies shows that Vitex is very valuable herb for PMS symptoms, like depression, allergies, rashes, mood swings and sensitivity of the breasts. In a study shown that 32% women experienced progress in PMS in the first month and in third month percentage of the women was the 84% those feel the progress in PMS symptoms.

Lac of Menstruation (Amenorrhea): In another study, 65% women facing amenorrhea have experienced resumed menstrual cycle after six months of use and progesterone level also enhanced.
Irregular Menstruation: Vitex shown the improvement both in the absent as well as in too frequent and heavy menstrual cycle.

Endometriosis: As unpredictable development of the endometrial covering results in the disturbed menses and Vitex support the reproductive system to bring the menses inline.
Uterine Fibroids: Vitex may help in diminishing the uterine fibroids under development in the serous layer of the uterus.

Uterine Cysts (PCOS): In studies Vitex has shown reducing effects on cysts those are growing in the smooth muscle layer of the uterus.

Stabilize the Menstrual Cycle After the use of Birth Control Pills: Vitex stabilize the menstrual cycle after stopping the use of birth control pills and induce ovulation more quickly and efficiently.
Stimulate Milk Production in New Mothers: Vitex has been used for over 2000 years to stimulate the milk production in new mothers’ right after the birth and continues use of 10 to 20 days as needed.
Removes Acne: Many studies have shown that Vitex removes the acne and improves the complexion of the skin along with appropriate diet.

Most hormonal issues those disappear with pregnancy and appear after the end of breast feeding can be accelerate with the use of Vitex.

How to Use:

For optimal results it must be taken long term as for three months to twelve months or more. Clinical studies show that it may start working within 10 days and shows a significant improvement just after the second menstrual cycle in case of PMS.

Vitex is a harmonizing and nourishing herb which works behind the scenes unlike a synthetic drug in a gentle way by accelerating the body to produce and maintain the hormonal level by itself and by making the fundamental changes in the delicate body chemistry.

Dosage: Vitex generally suggested taken on an empty stomach in the morning throughout the whole month without any break. But some women may face stomach issues using the full dose at once so they can divide into two equal doses.

Capsules: 800 – 1,000 mg per day

Best Vitex for Use: Vitex available in many forms but due to a very strong bitter taste I would not suggest to take in form of a tea, tincture, powder or loose herb so best option is to use capsules which is easy to manage the dosage and taste.

Best Available Brands in Market: Mostly Vitex capsules available with single ingredients Vitex agnus-castus also good but some brands are in combination with other herbs those boost the efficacy of the Vitex are more better. According to observations Vitex capsules of Herbo Natural Company is one of the best brands available in the market because it contains the combination of Vitex agnus-castus, Maca root and Licorice. Maca root is an excellent herb for fertility issues which boosts the efficacy of Vitex capsules while Licorice has Anti-inflammatory properties which is best for inflammatory issues in women.

Is Vitex Useful for Everyone?

Vitex mostly useful for most of the adult women in their childbearing years ranges from age 18 to perimenopause but there are some cases in which it may be useful especially in the women those do not have good life style, low energy reserves, weak immunity, eat mostly fast food, processed food, using steroids or antibiotics from a long time but with making the changes in life style Vitex can be more beneficial for these women.

Perimenopause usually begins in age of 40 which leads toward the menopause and menstrual cycle becomes irregular. For some women it may be helpful but cannot reverse the aging process so it may or may not be useful for women during perimenopause but it cannot bring back the menstrual cycle after going through menopause due to being overage.

Safety & Side Effects

Vitex is in use from 2,000 years with no considerable side effects but some users (ranges 1 – 2%) may face minor side effects like gastrointestinal upset, headache, skin reactions, nausea etc.
It has no interface with birth control pills as research is limited on this topic but avoid using with medicines having hormones because it may interfere with them.

Some women face changes in their cycle as it may be shorten or lengthen in the start of using Vitex as it is due to the body is balancing itself so it is normal before the final stabilization.

Safety Ratings: 

The Botanical Safety Handbook has categorized the Vitex as a class 1 herb those are highly safe for use.
German Commission E has approved the use of Vitex for menstrual cycle issues, PMS and mastodynia.

Use of Vitex during Pregnancy:

Traditional use showed that use of Vitex during the pregnancy may show the positive impacts due to increasing ability in progesterone level as experienced by herbalists and midwives to prevent the miscarriages. But there are no scientific studies have conducted in humans to support this use so these facts are only based on traditional use.

According to the German researchers Vitex can be taken even after the third month of the pregnancy but it may accelerate the lactation too early so due to this issue not to be taken after third month. Also placenta takes over the progesterone production after the third month of the pregnancy so Vitex is not needed after it.

So if you are planning to take Vitex during pregnancy then we suggest you to consult with some herbalist or healthcare practitioner.

Summary 

Vitex is a versatile and incredible herb help in a wide range of issues related to fertility like PMS, lack of ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles, absence of a cycle, progesterone, acne and many more but it needs patience and consistency.
References:

Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. (Eds.). (2013). American Herbal Products Association’s botanical safety handbook (2nd ed., pp. 930-931). Vitex agnus-castus L. Boca Raton, Florida: American Herbal Products Association, CRC Press.

Hobbs, Christopher, L.Ac. (2003). Vitex, The Women’s Herb. Summertown, Tennessee: Healthy Living Publications.

Mills, Simon; Bone, Kerry. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. pp. 333-36. St. Louis, Missouri: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Romm, Aviva. (2010). Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. St. Louis Missouri: Churchill Livingstone.