When should i start agnus castus

When taking the capsules, start with a dosage of 20 mg per day. If you are taking the tincture, go for about 60 drops a day. The last half of the cycle or the luteal phase is the period between ovulation and the beginning of the next menstrual cycle. This is often the best time to take this herb.

However, some women can also take the herb throughout the month. You will have to take the herb for at least three months to notice any changes. It may work slower than usual in some women, hence, they may have to take it for up to six months to see any changes. Vitex comes in numerous forms like dried herbs, capsules, and tincture.

The capsules are the best to take, and tincture comes second. This is because the herb is very bitter, and making a tea from the dried herbs will not go down well, unless blended with other herbs. Capsules are very convenient, as they can be swallowed in one go. Alcohol brings out the needed properties in Vitex much better than water does, which is why tincture is better than chasteberry fertility tea.

Though Vitex has amazing benefits, not everyone should take it, as it may not work on everyone. Some women may need to change certain lifestyle habits before taking this herb.

The following women should avoid taking Vitex:. Women who are in their reproductive stage can take Vitex; women from about 18 years of age until perimenopause can derive benefits of this herb. However, Vitex may not treat fertility issues in women over 40, as women of this age reach perimenopause. Vitex for fertility has been used for a long time now, and there have been very few side effects.

However, the following side effects may occur:. Vitex has been used to treat fertility issues in women for a long time now. There are some women who respond very quickly to the herb, but for others, it takes a while for any effects to be seen. Have patience, and make sure to stick to a healthy and balanced diet in order to ensure that you are doing your best to help the herb work.

Also Read: Unexplained Infertility. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. By potentially decreasing prolactin hormone levels and stabilizing menstrual periods, it may also enhance fertility. In one study, an extract made from vitex seeds helped repel mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and fleas for about six hours Another study revealed that a spray containing vitex and other plant extracts protected against head lice for at least seven hours Research further shows that vitex may kill lice larva and impede adult lice reproduction 25 , Vitex agnus-castus may offer some protection against insects, particularly mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, and head lice.

That said, research supporting these benefits is limited. More studies are needed before strong conclusions can be drawn. Vitex may offer multiple other benefits, but the evidence is weak. More research is needed before any claims can be made. Vitex has been traditionally used to treat a wide variety of ailments. However, many of its uses are currently unsupported by scientific evidence.

While Vitex agnus-castus is used as an alternative remedy to treat various symptoms, many purported benefits are not backed by research. Researchers report that 30—40 mg of dried fruit extracts, 3—6 grams of dried herb, or 1 gram of dried fruit per day appear safe 9. Reported side effects tend to be minor and include 41 :. Therefore, you may want to discuss vitex with your doctor before taking it 9.

Vitex agnus-castus has mild and reversible side effects and is considered safe for most people. However, pregnant or nursing women, as well as individuals using certain types of medications, may want to abstain. Vitex agnus-castus , or chasteberry, may boost fertility and reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause.

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John's wort is a medicinal herb that functions as an antidepressant. I started taking inositol, vitamin D suppliments. He prescribed Letrozole and metformin. I was ovulating on Letrozole but did not conceive. Later I added metformin for about more cycles but nothing. I have insuline resistance type of PCOS. My Prolactine levels were higher than normal but subsequent tests showed that they came back to normal.

I use a special kind of monitor to track ovulation and the technical team supplied me with hormonal graphs. From those graphs, I can see that my LH is not rising in middle of cycle. It remains more or less the same. Can Vitex help me in my case? I also do intermittent fast and fast for about 16 hours most of the times.

Hi — i have a 15 year old who gets terrible sharp period pain with onset of period, with migraine, and vomiting. She also has a tendency to joint pain and hayfever. I have mild endometriosis, sister same plus fibroids.

Any suggestions for easing symptoms at her age? Well her first book did and so I can imagine the update would be pretty awesome. Hello, My 17 year old daughter has recently lost 20 pounds. She has started exercising and watching what she eats. Her last period was 6 months ago. I know this is due to a combination of exercise and diet. Is vitex safe to give her to get her levels back to normal? We are not interested in putting her on birth control. Thank you!

I took Vitex for 2 or 3 months to see would my period come back after trying different birth control options. Should I go see my DR? Is my body just regulating after Vitex? Please help.

Tried for 3 years to get pregnant and finally after changing diet and lifestyle it happened. Every since the miscarriage my periods seem longer and heavier, and even one cycle was longer than 40 days. This cycle, I took Vitex and for the first time ever I ovulated on day 14! I also just started taking a magnesium supplement per your recommendations. Any insight is appreciated- love your book!! Thank you!! The first cycle I had was similar to usual, but the more recent one was incredibly painful.

Curious to hear if you have any recommendations — should I keep going with it? Is it normal to have a few weird periods before it settles in? Any advice appreciated! Hi, I just took Vitex on day 14 for breast pain which Ive been having since my last period. I always have a 25 day cycle so this is abnormal. I do not have pcos but I did have a two small cysts on both ovaries on my recent ultrasound just done 2 weeks ago. Any advice is appreciated! I am breastfeeding my 12 months baby and starting to think about another pregnancy.

I have a short luteal phase days whith spotting before period. What do you suggest? Vitex is great as it increases dopamine but that means it also reduces prolactin which you need for breastfeeding.

Whats more important for you right now. Would you recommend Vitex for amenorrhea due to weight loss and low body fat from exercise and under eating?

Increasing weight and body fat but still no period and insomnia. These are great steps! See if that helps first but it might take time. For aromatherapy, what I like to do is put essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus plus Epsom salts in the bath.

Had my period within the 28 days but this one is late.. Is this normal.. Horrible, Sorry to say and there are not many negative posts about it and if you dig deep enough you will find the bad posts about it. This is a painful tablet meaning it causes severe cramps. I do not recommend, oh and did nothing for my fertility but I think made it worse! It is very unlikely it has anything to do with the vitex. You should consult a health care provider about what occurred.

Same to me. I didnt period for about 3 months and hot flashes has started and after taking vitex for 37 days I got period but with horrible cramps which i never had it before and today again I got period with horrible cramps. Im sure its related to Vitex and I dont know what to do continue or discontinue? But after that this symptom went away.

Vitex is a slow-acting herb though so it may take time to work, but maybe check with your health practitioner to rule out anything else that may be contributing to fertility issues.

Hi, my natural path recommended I take this to raise my estrogen levels. However my progesterone levels are not low, and my periods have been normal. If I take this will it mess up my menstrual cycles? And will it help to raise my estrogen? Thanks so much! I took Vitex for hot flashes for one month. The hot flashes disappeared, but I stopped taking the Vitex because I gained 15 pounds of mostly belly fat while taking Vitex. Hi there! Can I take Vitex if I am already taking Dostinex cabergoline for my high prolactine levels?

I bleed lightly for days before my actual period but my luteal phase length is ok 13d of regular 26d cycle. My proper periods are then very heavy and painful for 2 days and then light for further 5 days. Is Vitex likely to help? I think this still constitutes luteal phase defect even though my luteal phase is a normal length?

I already take high dose vit C, magnesium, b6 mg. Nothing helps. Thank you xx. Sounds like you have low progesterone which is causing the pre period bleed in the luteal phase and as further shown in blood test. Thank you for the suggestions. I am already taking omega 3 and CoQ10 so will try the progesterone cream. I had a very similar experience and vitex saved me. Low progesterone for me was caused by stress and I had very heavy periods for the first few days and then light for the rest.

I also found my pms real bad. Vitex and zinc on an empty stomach seemed to do the trick just expect to stay on it for a few months around 4 -5 before you see the results. I started taking Vitex for a similar problem — very heavy and long periods some months I was bleeding three weeks out of four, much of it very heavy for me — changing super tampons every hour when usually one would last all day.

It took a while to work and I ended up taking four capsules every day, but it got then under control and back to normal. Tried clomid, injection. Now dr suggest for leproscopy. But I start vitex few days ago 4 day. Its is beneficial for me? Hi Lara, Interesting reading. I am a student naturopath currently treating a client for acne possibly related to PCOS.

Do you have any links to research regarding the dose for taking a break for the first five days of cycle? I have loved reading Period Repair Manual for my perimenopause management! The question I have is about my teenage daughter! She is 17 and has been menstrating for 3. Her periods are wildly erratic still! For example, this summer her period lasted all of July and then most recently, she had it for 9 days, then 5 days later her period started again. Her cycle has been constantly erratic like this, with absolutely no consistency.

I know they say that teen cycles take a while to regulate, but this seems really extreme to me. Any direction you could point me in would be soo appreciated. Hey Marci.. I had been taking gitex since an year and now stopped it and my periods have stopped since last 2 months..

Thanks for all of your incredible information on this subject. I have post pill amenorrhea, not sure if it is HA or pcos, I also am hypothyroid. I only have one ovary due to torsion in the past. I had my AMH taken while on Vitex and it was extremely high Thank you so much for the reply. Do you think I should stop taking vitex so that I can diagnose appropriately? I worry that the vitex may give us an unclear picture if it is working.

Hello, I have a question. My doctor said he can put me on Vitex, does this sound right? Hello, Im taking provera and vitex 60 drops B. D started the vitex Sept. Hi Lara my follicular phase is shorter now, I start ovulation literally after my period and I have a terrible time with it I become exhausted and feel dreadful. I was taking eu fertility pills now my period been on for 12days i took 25pill then i stoped now my period still on when will it go back to normal..

Will Vitex help for a very heavy flow. It comes very regularly every 28 days but the flow is so so heavy. Please do not take iron without getting bloodwork done ferritin, serum iron, liver function, etc. That said, heavy flow can be a sign of something else, so investigate! Fish oil the week leading up to your period, clary sage rubbed on the abdomen can help reduce the flow.

Hi Lara, I absolutely love your book, it has been so informative and easy to read. I am interested in trying Vitex again as I have had a positive experience with it before — it previously helped me to fall pregnant by regulating my cycle.

Now I am 2 years postpartum and I finished breastfeeding about 3 months ago but I am still without a cycle. Would you recommend giving it a try to help my cycle return so I can try for another baby?

Any ideas as to why this might be? Chaste tree can be tricky to use. Calcium-d-glucarate is usually fairly reliably calming, but the priority treatment is usually magnesium, zinc, dairy-free and maybe iodine. Have you tried those? My prolactin levels have been testing high for the last 2 years so I want to give a try to Vitex.

What dosis do you recommend? I have hypothyroidism, inflammatory acne 3 years now and irregular periods. I take zinc 25mg wich helps with my periods but not enough because I still have acne.

Your opinion will be really appreciated! She has been taken them for about a week now.. Did you ever get an answer to this? I have a 15 year old in the same situation. I would like her to try Vitex before the pill! Faith, did you receive a response to your question?

I read it can messed up more your period if your menstrual problem is not related to a high prolactin level. I have low androgen levels, premature LH that creates a short follicular phase, very poor endometrium, light and super short periods.

I have insulin resistance, high blood glucose around 6. I love Vitex. It is the Only supplement or medicine that has reduced my PMS and even menstrual cramps. It has improved dramatically my quality of life. Is Vitex suitable for severe pms? Hi Lara I have been on Vitex without any break at all for 3 or 4 years! This has been under the care of a naturopath. I am now 40 and symptoms and bloods shows signs of premature menopause.

My naturopath has suggested during my next cycle I take a different brand of vitex which has 5x the amount of the herb in it compared to Premular which is what Ive been taking.

Do you agree with this?? I really need some sort of support to manage my peri menopausal symptoms. Hi carly which brand of vitex currently taking.. I have been having Thompson since last one year.. I also have perimenopause and my periods have stopped since last 2 months.. Dear Lara, I have started taking vitex almost a month ago to fight my terrible PMS and promote ovulation.

Four days ago I should have gotten my period but till no sign of it. I have noticed a little spotting yeterday and today though. I read that vitex can prolong cycles. Mine have been super regular always.

Hello Lara, I am 33 years old, I am thin, healthy and I have no children yet. My cycles have a short luteal phase days and I also have spotting from day 9 of the luteal phase until the beginning of the menstrual period.

I took a mid-luteal progesteron test and found that I had ovulated. Would taking vitex help me to prolong my luteal phase and stop spotting? Hi Lara, I have been taking Vitex for 5 months. The bleeding is light ranging from red to more often brown colour, with cramps…I am 46 years old and believe I am experiencing perimenopause. I have tried TCM, hormonal yoga and now Vitex was recommended for me.

Any recommendations? I have been taking Vitex eveyday, without the 5 day break recommended by you. I visited a gynekologist, she found nothing wrong there…. Hi Lara, can you take Vitex while you have a Mirena in place? I was thinking not, but would like your opinion.

Thank you, Clarissa. I took Vitex for about six months and felt much better physically, but stopped because I read it should not be taken long term. I was recently prescribed the lowest dosage of Prozac to take from ovulation until the start of my period. Do you recommend taking both?

I wanted to try it for my teen daughter She hated feeling this way. Can I give it to her? Ive been taking Vitex, non stop for about 4 years. At first my cycle was very regular, PMS reduced and no breast pain. Now my cycle ia no longer regular, I have terrible PMS, almost depressive and my breasts swell and are painful a week before my period. Could the long term use be causing this?? I have been taking chaste tree for several months now. For me, it prolongs my period from 21 days to 31 days.

It was just dark spotting. I stopped taking chaste tree a week after and now I am experiencing a period in the middle of my cycle. I am not sure what to do. Do you recommend chaste tree vitex for endometriosis? If so, do you recommend stopping for a period of time and possibly restarting to help control endometriosis? Thank you, Lara! See my blog post Immune treatment for endometriosis. FYI — I have endo. I also find zero sugar diet or at least zero refined sugar makes a dramatic improvement with my endo.

First day of my period the pain was so bad during BM that my HR would reach scary levels and even just sitting on a hard chair brought me to tears. It was bad…. Now I am almost always okay…just FYI of what worked for me. I have my period twice a year approximately..

I started to have facial hair at I tried all te complements you recommend in your book but nothing worked so far.

Do you think vitex can help me? I am on anticoagulants too so not sure if that would interact with Vitex? I have a 1cm fibroid slowly growing in the wall of my uterus. Periods are increasingly painful after years of painless periods. Some small uterine polyps have grown in the past too, and I had a polypectomy. I guess that means her pituitary-ovarian communication is still developing but should I be worried. I got my periods at I hear that Vitex can increase estrogen.

Is it problematic to take if you have a history surgical diagnosis of endometriosis? Hi Lara, I took Vitex to help lengthen my short luteal phase 9 days and it helped increase it to 11 day so I was able to conceive my first child. I am still breastfeeding and we would like to try for a second baby. Would you have any advice on what I could do to naturally support my cycle that is safe while breastfeeding?

Many thanks for all you do. Now I have trouble sleeping, tender and painful breast, cramps and lengthy periods with the IUD. Do you feel like chaste berry would be a good addition for me?

Hi, I have high prolactin and irregular periods long cycles and acne. If I were to stop, could I start taking vitex right after? Short answer, yes, but also look at the treatment I describe in How to prevent and treat post-pill acne. When do you recommend weaning off of Vitex after confirmed pregnancy? I have heard immediately and after 14 weeks. When do you recommend to start weaning off of Vitex in pregnancy?

I have heard immediately and 14 weeks once the placenta has taken over. I love Vitex, it helped me regulate my cycle at age 38 — at least enough to get pregnant after almost 20 years of assumed infertility. I also have an integrative doctor. I tried Vitex for a short time, but I started missing my oral progesterone, which I had gone off when I started the Vitex. My cycles have been irregular and gettting moreso. Could I take half the pill in A.

I do have some small clots with a Paraguard copper IUD. Are you doing any consultations? Thanks for all the information on vitex.

I will like to know more about bringing my menses after sizing for 2 months plus now. I read your articles, bought and read both editions of your books. Because I have chronic hyperprolactinemia and this causes severe hair loss I took Vitex. I always took only 7 to 10 days, approximately mg, and it was enough to lower my prolactin and stop hair loss for about 6 months.

Again the hair loss came back and took vitex for another 7 to 10 days and stopped. Hair loss was my signal that prolactin had gone up. Please, I would like to know if I can take Vitex forever as a way to control my hyperprolactinemia?

One day it will stop working entirely? Is there another way to control chronic hyperprolactinemia? Which dose do you prescribe? Also what if you have both high prolactin and high LH? Only testosterone and insulin HOMA index are too high. Is Vitex a good idea in this situation, of course only in addition to a low-sugar diet? Dear Lara Briden, thank you for your excellent book!! I have some pquestions, with adrenal and inflammatory pcos- Dheas aways high, sometimes Testosteron- can i try Vitex?

LH is normal. But i think there ist cronic Stress in my Life.. Or is it because of my genes and disfunctional hpa-acis..? Thank you for this article. You explained so much. I really really wish I had have stumbled across this information years ago. I am in premature menopause and on bodyidentical Hrt. I would really like to have an another child and like to use Vitex to help me to ovulate. Is it okay to do so? Will l start after the end of my withdraw bleed and use it till my next period start which is around 28 days.

Is it ok to use ut this long especially alongside the mg progesterone l use for 14 days? How can you use vitex for polyps? Have you heard of it actually working uterine polyp?

I am ttc and wanting to avoid surgery. I had my first capsule yesterday morning around 7am on day 22 of my cycle. I noticed some light darkish spotting around 7pm. Can vitex cause spotting? I just took vitex in liquid form yesterday And I fully got my period then on day 14 which is very abnormal for me.

I always get it on day I think the liquid herb is really strong compared to pill form and I do think it made me bleed. FYI — I want to take Vitex for pms symptoms such as headaches and mood swings.

I have adeno and endometriosis and pcos. Hi Lara, Would Vitex help with insomnia specific to the follicular phase? Thanks, Claire. Hi Lara, I get insomnia and poor quality sleep in the first half of my menstrual cycle rather than premenstrual , and sleep much better and deeper after ovulation. Because of the pattern of sleeping better after ovulation I assume due to the progesterone , my naturopath has just given me Vitex Premular and asked me to take it from day one until ovulation to promote sleep in the follicular phase.

Though I do get environmental allergies dust, pollens maybe and tend to be affected more by that also in the follicular phase, coinciding with the insomnia and bloating, so get blocked nose, puffy fluid retention in the eyes in the morning. Hi Lara, Thanks for this post. I used to take Vitex regularly until i experienced pesticide exposure which dramatically affected the way I metabolise many things. She took Carbogoline for about 8 months and then switched to Quinogolide when it caused acne, low mood and weight gain.

She is getting her period more than once a month and they are extremely heavy. She wears a tampon and pad and still bleeds through her clothes and bed sheets. Her breasts are often sore and have gone from a size B cup to double GG which she finds very uncomfortable. Two weeks ago she was lactating milk over a three day period and says she feels tired and unmotivated all the time. Since being diagnosed with prolactinoma two years ago she has continually gained weight despite her best efforts to eat healthy and exercise.

She was approximately 68 kilos when diagnosed and just recently was weighed at 93 kilos. As I hope you can imagine, this is very difficult for Abigail to deal with.

She is very frustrated and down. Any advice or suggestions that you can provide to help her overcome these complications would be greatly appreciated. I have a question I started taking vitex over a week ago for irregular menses, first time ever. Doc prescribed provera but hesitant on taking it. I had bleeding from dec 20th to january 7th and back again on January 16th. Would you prescribe this to someone after a miscarriage?

To help their cycle get back on track or no? Hi there Lara, would you reccomend taking this even if you have a non functioning Pituatary microadenoma? I have low oestrogen and low testosterone and no period for nearly 3 years. Failed rounds of clomephine and superovulation. Hi Lara, Is it ok to take Vitex if you have regular ovulation and nothing apparently wrong?

I have had all the tests including a diagnostic laparoscopy, and they have found nothing wrong. We have been trying for three years, I am now Very healthy diet, and BMI, no pcos or endo obviously, tubes are clear, no damage. Naturopath thought I might have high cortisol due to problems with insomnia and stress in the past, but found it was actually low apart from at night, so put my on an adrenal herb liquid, but has also given my a fertility mix which includes Vitex.

I have been taking it for two months and noticed my usual breast swelling not pain in my luteal phase was much less, and ovulation symptoms were stronger, i. Can Vitex be of benefit for conception when there is nothing specifically wrong? And should I be breaking from the fertility mix during my period?

The first round of Clomid worked for me. I have taken 50 mg of Clomid for days of my cycle. Around day 29 of my clycle I started having period like symptoms and thought my period was about to start. A few days later, when I had NOT started bleeding, I thought it would be best to take a pregnancy test. Lara- I am still struggling to have a normal period and ovulate since I was put on the pill at the young age of It was recommended to take vitex along with the maca, what are your thoughts?

I have PCOS irregular cycles and high androgens. I weigh lbs. My recently had blood tests and my LH was Thoughts on if I am a candidate for taking it? Is it normal for Vitex supplement to smell like expired almond? I just got my first bottle from Amazon and when I stuck my nose in the bottle it reminded me of rancid oil or nuts.

The exp. Hi Lara, how do you feel about vitex for Hypothalamic Amenorrhea if prolactin is low? I only took depo once and wont taking again. It stopped period but gave me spotting. How soon can i start taking vitex?

I will be turning 34 soon, and the 12th week wherein there will ve no more depo at injection site will b the 25 July…please advise further. I googled side effects of qlaira and dont think this would apply to me.. I also have a history of pcos and I was on qlaira for 5 years to address this.

Please I would be very greatfil for your input. Lara, thank you for your wealth of information!! I actually do the 25 on and one week off, method it actually has been helping me tremendously! Dear Lara, regarding high prolactin, do you have any opinions about the treatment with cabergoline?

My doctor prescribed me 0,25mg of cabergoline half pill per week for 6 months. I went to your book to check what do you prescribe for high prolactin and found vitex, so I wonder if you know about any cons of cabergoline. I am currently on a 1mg troche of testosterone per day. Can I use Vitex while taking the testosterone? I took agnucaston just a month bass on irregular menstration. I got some relief from it during meno and had more recently tried taking just a small pinch of dried whole berries daily less has always seemed like more with this herb.

Is it still nourishing to the pituitary gland?