Vitex for Reproductive Health?

Vitex (also known as Chasteberry and agnus castus among others) first appeared on my radar a few years ago. I didn't pay much attention. Although I've been leaning towards more natural living choices, I still have a tendency to be a little skeptical, especially with the tendency of various natural health advocates to attach long lists of supposed healing properties to the supplements they're selling.

However, this year I was ready to try it. After 3 children, increasing vague and unpleasant "female problems", two miscarriages in less than a year, followed by even more unpleasant problems, I wanted to see if there was any possibility of a change for the better.

I started taking a low daily amount of Vitex with equally low expectations. The most immediate result was a pretty dramatic intestinal cleansing. Apparently Vitex contains a lot of fiber (or something!). More importantly, about 2 weeks into the regimen when I was due to start bloating and expecting what had become regular insane PMS symptoms...they didn't happen. And by the end of the month I had experienced for the first time in many years a hormonal cycle that didn't leave me crazed, 10 pounds bloated, or worried about hemorrhage.

So, why would a bit of dried herb in a capsule have such a dramatic effect? What are the properties of this supplement?

In the ground, agnus castus is a very pretty shrub with lavender flowers. It used to promote good honey production.¹ Its fruit and seeds are used to make the supplements that are now on the market. But chasteberry or vitex is not a new treatment. It has been used to treat "women's problems" for many years, apparently with some success.

According to WebMD, there is evidence that chasteberry/vitex may be of some use in treating symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).² This is due to the fact that chasteberry effects the hormonal system, though in a rather complex way.

Because of this hormonal effect, it is not recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding use chasteberry. It may also be contra-indicated for women with hormone-dependant illnesses like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and estrogen-related cancers. Chasteberry can also interact with drugs that effect hormone and brain-chemical functions.³ As mentioned previously, it is important to seek medical counsel before beginning any treatment.

How vitex actually works appears to be still something of a mystery. It is not a direct hormonal agent. Thus far, what's known is that it affects the hormone production of the pituitary gland, and stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine which also affects the reproductive cycle. It makes sense that both of these actions could have a notable impact on a woman's psychological and physical symptoms during her menstrual cycle.

Ultimately, with so much unknown, it is difficult to say for sure who can be helped by vitex, and to what extent. But after careful consideration, many women may find it worth a try. There are many anecdotal praises for the benefits of Vitex, my own now included.

¹Vitex agnus castus Chaste tree, Gillman and Watson, US Forest Service, Dept. of Agriculture

²Chasteberry: Uses, WebMD.com

³Chasteberry: Interactions, Web MD

⁴Home Remedies for Reproductive Health, Eric Yarnell, HowStuffWorks.com