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Vitex and Fertility
on Jul 31, 2012
by Dr. Prabha Sahgal, MD
Vitex is an old folk herbal remedy that many women have sought to assist in increasing their fertility. Find out what it is and what conditions it can help with.
One of nature’s best remedies for female infertility, as well as a special friend of all women, is an extract from the fruit of the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) which is able to balance out the feminine hormonal system in a natural, safe and effective way, with no side effects. The standardized Vitex fruit extract is a natural tonic targeting the female reproductive organs. Vitex is an over-the-counter herbal remedy, which can easily & fairly inexpensively be found at most health food stores. Additionally, Vitex is often found as a key ingredient in various fertility supplements on the market, including ConceiveEasy Advanced Conception. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
Studies have shown the effectiveness and safety of the Vitex (Chaste berry) extract in the case of a variety of medical conditions affecting women:
premenstrual stress syndrome
cyclic breast pain
irregularities of the normal menstrual period
hormonally-induced acne
infertility
Since it safely addresses the imbalance of the pituitary gland, the extract is useful for lowering the high levels of prolactin present in the blood. This is a hormone connected with lactation and breast development during pregnancy. Moreover, the Vitex extract boosts fertility, and represents a reliable natural treatment for improving the chances of pregnancy.
Clinical data supports the oral use of Vitex for the symptomatic treatment of other gynecological disorders, as well, such as corpus luteum insufficiency, because the corpus luteum is vital for establishing and maintaining pregnancy. The Vitex dried, ripe berries are considered to be herbal remedies, and their uses are described in well-established pharmacological documents which point out their efficiency in treating endometrial hyperplasia, excessive menstrual flow or lack of menstrual flow, endocrine-related eczema, luteal phase defect, decreased levels of progesterone, fibroid cysts and hot flashes during menopause.
The extract increases and improves fertility also due to the fact that it stops miscarriages on account of progesterone (the hormone related to the luteal stage) insufficiency, during which it should be higher. Endometrial hyperplasia which consists of an excessive growth of cells within the inner layer of the uterus also interferes with fertility, and could ultimately lead to uterine cancer.
The Vitex extract is mainly recommended for the most frequent female endocrine condition, called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), responsible for a high percentage of women’s infertility. The chaste berry fruit restores the balance between estrogen and progesterone levels, with no side effects reported.
The average treatment with Vitex lasts about 3 months, and it proved to be successful in open clinical trials involving women with menstrual cycle abnormalities, as well as in the case of other endocrine imbalances. Vitex is taken orally, as capsules or tincture. The only notable contraindication is that this extract should be avoided during pregnancy.
Ultimately, the Vitex extract will get you on the path to pregnancy, if you take the daily dose correctly, as improved luteal hormone concentration will effectively increase your chances of becoming pregnant and experience motherhood. Therefore, Vitex will offer you all of nature’s best advantages regarding fertility restoration and a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Prabha Sahgal MD, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and subspecialty board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Sahgal holds a B.S. degree from MIT in molecular biology and currently serves on the ConceiveEasy board of directors.
I’m in the same boat! I’ve had pcos for 5 years and now I’m ready to be a mom. I have decided to ask my dr about vitex. I found it at Walgreens for 7$!!!
i been trying to conceive for over a year with no sucess, ive gone tru test to see if theres something preventing me from becoming pregnant, ultrasounds blood test and everything comes back normal, no cyst, no fibroids, my uterus ok ect ect everything normal my hormones are normal. the only think that started going on about almost two years ago was inregular cycles and my then doc check my hormones and she said my progesterone was low so she gave me hormones and since then i been having regular cycles and now my new doc check my hormones and she said there normal and all my ultrasounds come back normal so i dont really know whats preventing me from getting pregnant. also can i take vitex if i dont have any medical conditions such as pcos, cyst ect
After getting your hormone level issue corrected, it will just be a matter of time for you to get pregnant. Vitex can help increase chances of getting pregnant and can help regulate hormone levels, which could be a good fit for you. It can be taken in the absence of the medical conditions you mentioned for the purpose of boosting your fertility. Although, it is recommended that you talk with your doctor regarding the medications you are taking. Bear in mind that it generally takes a couple, without any fertility issues, at least 6 months to a year to conceive. So just keep fit and healthy, stay positive, and keep trying.
Lack of ovulation is usually the reason for fertility problems in women with PCOS. Fertility problems experienced by women with PCOS may be related to the elevated hormone, insulin, or glucose levels, all of which can interfere with implantation as well as development of the embryo. Additionally, abnormal insulin levels may also contribute to poor egg quality, making conception more difficult. Before any treatment plan is started though, I highly recommend seeing a fertility specialist. Both you and your partner’s histories and medical issues are taken into consideration. The man may also be tested for
male fertility problems along with the woman. All fertility issues should be ruled out before starting a medication.
is chaste tree extract & vitex extract the same? i bought a liquid chaste tree extract in hopes of trying to get pregnant?
Yes, chaste tree extract is the same as vitex or chasteberry extract. Taking the correct daily dose will help balance your reproductive hormones, therefore increasing your chances of pregnancy and becoming a parent.
thanks, i have alos been taking damiana leaf, should i use these in combination? i have a 13 year old & i have been trying to conceive with my husband for 2 years, he was checked & everything is right with him, i was also checked & had a hsg, & was told everything is fine, so i’m not sure what is going on, but i do know & i have discussed with my doctor about my irregular periods & seems like the tests i ask for she does not want to give me…. clomid has notworked for me, so i am concerned the problem is deeper
Should I stop taking vitex after ovulation if I want yo get pregnant?
Can I take vitex after ovulation if I want to get pregnant
I have one child. I had an ovarian cyst before I got pregnant and it mysteriously was gone before I got pregnant. My son is now 3. I have now had a cyst for over six months and I want another child. I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year but nothing has worked. I can’t afford to go to the doctor. I have gone to the hospital for the pain and they keep telling me that it is the cyst. Please help… I don’t know what else to do.
hi, i’m still breastfeeding my 26 months old DD and just had a miscarriage. may i know is vitex safe for me to consume?
There does not seem to be a lot of evidence to support chasteberry being safe or unsafe for women who are actively breastfeeding their babies. While there have been a lot of women who have used this herbal remedy with absolutely no ill effects, this is not necessarily proof that none could occur. I recommend you consult your doctor before taking it while breastfeeding.
Can you take vitex everyday of your cycle??, how much should you take in capsule form or tincture??? Is it safe to take vitex when you are pregnant? some people say stop it soon as you find out you are pregnant, others say you can take it until the end of your third trimester.if you have to stop taking it straight away what is the reason??
I have vitex 400mg how many pills should i take?
I have a six year old son,haven’t really been on any birth control and I’m irregular..at times i get it for a couple month straight or it passes a month the most almost three months I really want another baby… What could I do to help me conceive?
I have been taking vitex 1000 mg every day for about 3 months. Last period i noticed a huge difference in my cramps. They were much less severe. Unfortunately for the past 6-7 months Ive started spotting 6-7 days before my period. Only one month did i not spot and that was month before last. I do not have heavy spotting but i have enough that it worries me. While Im not trying to get pregnant right now it is something i would like in the future. I am 3 months away from 35 and have never been pregnant. Aside from the recent spotting I have had regular periods my entire life. I did have a yearly exam 7 months ago and all was ok. This was right before thhe spotting started so this problem wasnt addressed (as it wasnt a problem at the time). Any suggestions? Should I continue Vitex?
There are a lot of women who have experienced mid cycle spotting while taking vitex. The spotting you are experiencing is probably your body cleaning out the old buildup in your uterus. If you are concerned, you may want to consult your doctor to run more tests to make sure that vitex is not messing up your cycle.
One way to get pregnant faster is to know when your ovulating. You can do that with the help of an ovulation prediction kit (OPK). What it does is detect a surge of luteinizing hormone in your urine which tells you that ovulation is about to occur within 24-36 hours. Having intercourse at that time greatly increases your chance of getting pregnant.
I started taking Vitex because of the spotting. One month I didn’t spot at all but last month it was 6 days prior. Thank you for responding. I will probably go back to the doctor soon. I don’t have health insurance yet but will in a few months. Thanks again!
Hi, I am 25 years old. I had 2 children in the past 3 years and because of a cervical condition I have had to have c-sections and then Unfortunatly I got a divorce. my new fiancé and I have talked about wanting more children (2 more) but my doctor has informed me that do to accessive amounts of scar tissue I can only have one more c-section safely. So my fiancé and I are wanting to try to take natural methods to get pregnant with twins. I am going to start taking vitrex to hopefully see. but is there anything else you can suggest?
can i keep taking Vitex once i find out am pregnant?
My husband and i have been ttc since late June. i was recently diagnosed with PCOS just last month. However, i was told that I had released an egg according to my ultrasound I had prior. my sister in-law took vitex after having a chemical miscarriage- due to very low progesterone. Two months later, she got pregnant again and has a healthy baby growing inside her:) She suggested vitex to me to try because she had success after taking the supplement. i guess what i am asking is should i take this supplement even though i am able to release an egg? I see a fertility specialist later this month but wonder is this might be my booster to get pregnant.
i was taking vitex for 2 months on the second month my period did not come. i did blood tests and hpt test all negative i took vitex all month long should i have not taken the vitex while on my period? i still have not got my period which was due on the 21st feb i stopped the vitex 2 days ago and still waiting for period to come my question is should i take 2 capsuels a day only before and after my period
I was diagnose with PCOS in oct-nov. My husband and I are trying to conceive for the past two months. I had my regurlar mens until last month. My period was due Feb 12, 2013 and till today nothing. I have taking pg test negative. I wll get what are usually my signs of my mens and it doesnt come on. I will have bloatting, tenderness of breast, spot, fatigue, ect. for a day or so and no bleeding. This hppened last month and this month as well. Of course i am going to schedule an appointment but in a way i do not see why because i am use to not seeing my mense. Thank you
hi i dont have irregular periods but i do wont another child, i am taking them to increse my chances of another child, is that good or bad?
If I have regular cycles is it ok to take vitex for Pms and fertility?
Please help, I just wanna know
I’ve had irregular periods for years now but for
The past 3 months I tracked them and everything seemed to be in order. Today is the first day of my missed period and I tested negative and im having problems with becomin preg… should I start taking vitex or wait until I find out if I’m for sure pregnant and where can I find vitex at?
Normally, for capsules its 900-1,000mg a day, so you can take 2 pills a day.
Since Vitex is able to balance out the feminine hormonal system in a natural, safe and effective way, with no side effects, it is still alright to take it if you have regular cycles.
I was wondering if its safe to take Vitex and DCi at the same time. I was diognosed with PCOS in 2004 and have been TTC since 2010. I started taking DCI 2 months ago. My blood work did show a change for the better but even with taking DCI and Metformin no AF. Can Vitex help?
It is not recommended that you take Vitex if you have regular cycles. It is best that you stop taking Vitex if you have normal cycles, since it can disrupt your regular cycles and can prevent you from ovulating.
Yes, it is safe to take Vitex when pregnant. It is best that you continue taking Vitex once you’re already conceiving, since it can prevent the risks of miscarriages to your pregnancy. Vitex is considered to be safe to be taken when pregnant, given that it triggers the production of estrogen and progesterone which may prevent miscarriages during your pregnancy.
Hello, I have high prolactin levels right now is at 36 and we have been TTC for a year now w/o success. I was wondering if vitex works better in pills or in extract? What dosage should I take? Please let me know the dosage in pills and in drops?
Thank you
I am experiencing spotting since I started vitex two weeks ago
Given that this fertility supplement can help induce your ovulation and balance your hormones, I do recommend that you take Vitex to improve your likelihood of getting pregnant. For effective results, you should try to take a 1000mg capsule of Vitex each day for a month to improve your likelihood of getting pregnant. Vitex usually takes action after 10 days, and it is important that you don’t miss taking this supplement within your cycle.
It is best that Vitex should be taken every morning regularly throughout your cycle to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Taking Vitex during your ovulation can reduce its effectivity, as well as your chances of getting pregnant.