Vitex (Chasteberry) Aids Fertility and PCOS

Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree berry) is a well-known herb that has been used for centuries in Europe for hormonal imbalances in women.

It may help women with PCOS who are lacking a normal menstrual cycle and thus don't ovulate or menstruate.

A high percentage of these menstrual problems are related to insufficient progesterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This condition is called a luteal phase defect or corpus luteum insufficiency. A corpus luteum insufficiency is defined as an abnormally low progesterone level 3 weeks after the onset of menstruation. Insufficient levels of progesterone may result in the formation of ovarian cysts.

In addition, some PCOS women have too much prolactin, which can inhibit fertility. Vitex may help with both of these problems

How does Vitex Work?

Chaste tree berry acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands inside your brain by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) production and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The result is a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, in favor of progesterone. The ability of chaste tree berry to raise progesterone levels in the body is an indirect effect, so the herb itself is not a hormone.

When you don't ovulate to start the second half of your monthly cycle, your body does not produce enough progesterone. The resulting progesterone deficiency contributes to symptoms of PCOS. It also contributes to a hormone imbalance called "estrogen dominance". Women with polycystic ovary syndrome frequently have estrogen dominance combined with a progesterone insufficiency. This is part of the hormonal imbalance typically associated with this disorder.

If you were to take oral progesterone or apply progesterone cream to your skin, and a normal cycle occurs, then you can suspect that you have a problem producing enough progesterone.

Chaste tree berry helps your body to solve this problem.

A progesterone-induced menses indicates an intact reproductive system that just isn't going through its cycle. It suggests that the body is producing enough FSH to stimulate the ovaries, and that the ovaries are able develop follicles. It also indicates that production of estrogen by the follicles is sufficient to cause the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to grow and that the sloughed endometrium is able to pass through the cervical opening and the vagina.

Therefore it's possible that the problem is a dysfunction in your hypothalamus or pituitary glands in your brain. The ability of chaste tree to influence the hypothalamus or pituitary then makes this herb a good possibility for treating infertility associated with lack of a normal monthly cycle.

Also, high levels of the hormone prolactin are commonly found with corpus luteum insufficiency. Vitex is useful for reducing high prolactin levels. It inhibits prolactin release by the pituitary gland, especially when you are under stress.

Is Vitex a Hormone?

Chasteberry is not a hormone, nor does it contain hormones. It is a gentle and slow-acting herbal extract as opposed to a hormone prescription that can be expected to have a forceful and immediate impact on your glands and organs.

It does not have the side effects that synthetic hormones have.

There's not a huge body of research about the chaste tree berry in relation to PCOS. However, there is enough evidence to suggest that it could be useful for issues associated with polycystic ovary syndrome such as infertility, acne, hyperprolactemia, female hair loss, and chronic inflammation.

See Related Articles

• Aids Fertility and PCOS
• Fertility and Progesterone Production
• Acne, Hair Loss and Inflammation
• Will It Increase Luteinizing Hormone?
• Progesterone Cream and Chasteberry

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