How much agnus castus should i take ttc

Vitex has been shown to help re-establish normal balance of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. Vitex also blocks prolactin secretion in women with excessive levels of this hormone; excessive levels of prolactin can lead to breast tenderness and failure to ovulate.

A double-blind trial has confirmed that vitex reduces mildly elevated levels of prolactin before a woman's period. Studies have shown that using vitex once in the morning over a period of several months helps normalize hormone balance and thus alleviate the symptoms of PMS. Preliminary and double-blind research has found that vitex relieves PMS symptoms. The amount in most of these trials was 20 mg per day of a concentrated vitex extract for three menstrual cycles experience a significant reduction in symptoms of PMS.

Vitex has been shown to be as effective as mg vitamin B6 in a double-blind trial of women with PMS. Two surveys examined 1, women with PMS who had taken a German liquid extract of vitex for their PMS symptoms for as long as 16 years.

Some healthcare practitioners recommend 40 drops of a liquid, concentrated vitex extract or one capsule of the equivalent dried, powdered extract once per day in the morning with some liquid.

Vitex should be taken for at least four cycles to determine efficacy. Vitex is occasionally used as an herbal treatment for infertility—particularly in cases with established luteal phase defect shortened second half of the menstrual cycle and high levels of the hormone, prolactin. In one trial, 48 women ages 23 to 39 who were diagnosed with infertility took vitex once daily for three months.

Seven women became pregnant during the trial, and 25 women experienced normalized progesterone levels—which may increase the chances for pregnancy. In another double-blind trial, significantly more infertile women became pregnant after taking a product whose main ingredient is vitex the other ingredients were homeopathic preparations than did those who took a placebo.

The amount used in this trial was 30 drops of fluid extract twice a day, for a total of 1. This specific preparation is not available in the United States. Some doctors recommend taking 40 drops of a liquid extract of vitex each morning with water. Approximately 35—40 mg of encapsulated powdered vitex one capsule taken in the morning provides a similar amount. Vitex should be discontinued once a woman becomes pregnant. Since many women with FBD and cyclical breast tenderness also suffer from PMS , there is often an overlap in herbal recommendations for these two conditions despite a lack of research dealing directly with FBD.

In one double-blind trial, a liquid preparation containing Vitex is thought to reduce breast tenderness at menses because of its ability to reduce elevated levels of the hormone, prolactin.

Doctors typically suggest 40 drops of a liquid, concentrated vitex extract or 35—40 mg of the equivalent dried, powdered extract to be taken once per day in the morning with some liquid.

Vitex should be taken for at least three menstrual cycles to determine efficacy. In herbal medicine, vitex Vitex agnus-castus; chaste tree is sometimes used to treat female infertility and amenorrhea.

Elevation of prolactin can be a cause of amenorrhea, and vitex has been shown in animals to reduce elevated prolactin levels. In a controlled trial, prolactin production was normalized in women with high prolactin levels after three months of treatment with vitex. Vitex has also been found to raise levels of luteinizing hormone and subsequent progesterone levels in women with luteal phase defect—a condition that can also lead to menstrual cycle abnormalities, including amenorrhea.

To date, only one small preliminary trial has studied the effects of vitex on amenorrhea. This study found that ten of fifteen women with amenorrhea began having a normal period after taking 40 drops of a liquid vitex preparation once daily for six months.

Further research is needed to determine what role vitex may play in the management of amenorrhea. Numerous herbs are used traditionally around the world to promote production of breast milk.

Herbs that promote milk production and flow are known as galactagogues. Stinging nettle Urtica dioica enriches and increases the flow of breast milk and restores the mother's energy following childbirth.

Vitex Vitex agnus castus is one of the best-recognized herbs in Europe for promoting lactation. An older German clinical trial found that 15 drops of a vitex tincture three times per day could increase the amount of milk produced by mothers with or without pregnancy complications compared with mothers given vitamin B1 or nothing. Vitex should not be taken during pregnancy. Goat's rue Galega officinalis also has a history of use in Europe for supporting breast-feeding.

Women who have been on hormonal birth control will find Vitex useful whilst they transition off it. The second half of the menstrual cycle is called the luteal phase. It is at this time when progesterone production is stimulated. Short luteal phases in women can be caused when women are not ovulating, or when their progesterone levels are very low.

By increasing the luteinizing hormone, ovulation is promoted, and progesterone levels are improved as a result. Due to the properties that enable the herb to boost progesterone levels, it can be very helpful in preventing miscarriages. Vitex or chasteberry increases luteinizing hormone and inhibits the release of follicle stimulating hormone, which thus boosts the levels of progesterone production and improves the chances of getting pregnant and maintaining the pregnancy.

Though the prolactin hormone stimulates milk production and promotes breast growth during pregnancy, high levels of it are linked to fertility issues.

High levels of prolactin can also lead to hyperprolactinemia in women, which can lead to problems in conceiving. Vitex can decrease the levels of prolactin being produced in the body, and increase your chances of pregnancy. Vitex also helps normalize menorrhagia heavy menstrual flow and amenorrhea absent menses , and decreases polymenorrhea very frequent periods.

As it is capable of reducing inflammation of the uterus or the ovaries, it works well for women who are prone to painful fibroids and cysts.

Herbal remedies take their own time to show results, but when you do start seeing them, they are long-lasting. Also, these herbs have fewer side effects. Vitex works in such a manner. Here is how to take Vitex for fertility and to regulate the menstrual cycle:. In order to give the herb some time to optimize the hormonal levels, it is best to begin taking it three months before you would like to conceive.

The time can be utilized to slowly change your diet, if needed, and develop healthy eating habits. A balanced diet along with this herb can help you conceive and maintain your pregnancy.

You will need to take the herb for at least six months to regulate your menstrual cycle. This is not because experts advise against it, but when you know how it works and how the pregnant body works, it does not make much sense.

Vitex, in the end, helps your Luteinising Hormone levels be higher. The corpus luteum produces progesterone. However… once you fall pregnant, it is NOT LH that keeps the corpus luteum alive and kicking to keep your progesterone up, but it is the pregnancy hormone HCG. If you want to continue though, it is safe to take in pregnancy. Do however stop after 12 weeks and make sure to take it only under the guidance of a trained herbalist. Since Vitex can stimulate early lactation, I prefer to prescribe homeopathic remedies to support the ovaries before 12 weeks to produce progesterone and the placenta after 12 weeks.

These are absolutely safe and will not stimulate any other hormonal processes. Vitex can only address one issue and that is the dopamine issue. It also does not solve the root cause of your infertility or hormone imbalance. Homeopathy, however, CAN do that. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.

Of the study participants, 33 percent experienced major improvements, and another 36 percent reported moderate improvements in symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes However, not all studies have observed benefits. One recent and larger double-blind, randomized, controlled trial — the gold standard in research — gave women a placebo or a daily tablet containing a combination of vitex and St.

After 16 weeks, the vitex supplement was no more effective than the placebo at reducing hot flashes, depression or any other menopausal symptoms Keep in mind that in many studies reporting benefits, women were provided with supplements that mixed Vitex agnus-castus with other herbs.

Vitex may improve female fertility due to its possible effect on prolactin levels This may be especially true in women with luteal phase defect, or a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle. This disorder is linked to abnormally high prolactin levels and makes it difficult for women to become pregnant.

In one study, 40 women with abnormally high prolactin levels were given either 40 mg of Vitex agnus-castus or a pharmaceutical drug. Vitex was as effective as the drug in reducing prolactin levels In another study in 52 women with luteal phase defect, 20 mg of vitex resulted in lower prolactin levels and prolonged menstrual phases, while participants given a placebo saw no benefits Yet another study gave 93 women — who had unsuccessfully tried to become pregnant over the last 6—36 months — a supplement containing Vitex agnus-castus or a placebo.

After three months, women in the vitex group experienced an improved hormone balance — and 26 percent of them became pregnant. In comparison, only 10 percent of those in the placebo group became pregnant Keep in mind that the supplement held a mix of other ingredients, making it difficult to isolate the effects of vitex. Irregular periods can also hamper women in planning a pregnancy.

Three additional studies report that vitex is more effective than a placebo in improving menstrual cycles in women with irregular periods 21 , 22 , Vitex agnus-castus may reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause, though study results are mixed.

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 ,