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Vitex is a plant that can be used to treat PMS symptoms, menopause and many other things. Available in oil, powder or capsules, continue reading this blog post to find out more about the health vitex benefits!
What is Vitex and How Do I Take It?
Vitex is a plant that is a part of a plant family with over 250 species across the world. The vitex plant produces a fruit called a chasteberry and both the fruit and the plant is used medicinally as an herbal supplement as the result of the vitex fruit benefits and the vitex supplement benefits. Vitex has been used to treat health for a very long time, having been used in ancient Greece. Today, vitex is available in the form of an oil, as a powder or in capsules.
Who Can Take Vitex?
You should speak with your doctor before taking vitex as a supplement, but it is safe for people to use. There are some exceptions and that includes women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as vitex has the potential to interfere with breast milk production. Given that vitex changes the levels of hormones in your body, it may not be recommended to people who are on hormonal birth control or receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Vitex for PMDD
Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is a popular herbal supplement that is sometimes used to alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Vitex has several potential health benefits, including regulating hormones, reducing prolactin levels, and increasing progesterone levels.
Research suggests that vitex may help alleviate some of the physical and emotional symptoms of PMDD, such as breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, and irritability. By balancing hormone levels, vitex may also have potential benefits for other menstrual-related issues, such as irregular periods and infertility.
Health Benefit of Vitex #1: Relieving PMS symptoms
Vitex is known for its use in treating the symptoms associated with PMS. Vitex may be effective in relieving constipation, depression, irritability, migraines and breast pain. It is thought that vitex works by decreasing the amount of a hormone called prolactin in the body, which helps to bring other hormones into balance, such as estrogen and progesterone. This rebalancing of hormones allows PMS symptoms to become less severe.
Health Benefit of Vitex #2: Relieving menopause symptoms
As vitex is effective in balancing hormones in our body, it can also help to relieve the symptoms of menopause. In certain studies carried out on the effectiveness of vitex, women reported better sleep, improved mood, and improvement in night sweats and hot flashes.
Health Benefit of Vitex #3: Improving fertility
There are many occurrences in the body that might affect fertility, but vitex can be used to improve it due to its effects on the hormone prolactin. In some women, fertility might be negatively affected due to a luteal phase defect in which there are very high levels of prolactin in the body. As vitex reduces prolactin levels, it may combat this defect. In a study of 93 women who were given vitex after not getting pregnant in the previous 6-36 months, 26% became pregnant in the following three months. Only 10% of the placebo group became pregnant.
Health Benefit of Vitex #4: Balancing hormones
Due to vitex’s impact on the hormone prolactin, it can be very useful in balancing our hormones. More particularly, it can help prevent and treat a condition called hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia occurs when there are abnormally high levels of prolactin in the body, which can cause vaginal dryness, irregular periods and difficulty conceiving. Vitex can help to bring your hormones back into balance.
Q & A
How does vitex help fertility?
It is believed to help fertility by regulating hormone levels, particularly by increasing progesterone and reducing prolactin levels. This may help regulate menstrual cycles and improve ovulation, making it easier to conceive.
How to take vitex to get pregnant?
- Consult a healthcare professional.
- Take consistently for 3-6 months.
- Start with a low dose of 500-1000 mg per day.
- Take in the morning to avoid sleep interference.
- Monitor menstrual cycle for changes.
- Combine with other fertility treatments if necessary.
What does vitex do to hormones?
Reducing prolactin levels
Increasing progesterone levels
Balancing estrogen levels
Modulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
What are the vitex benefits for menopause?
Some potential benefits of vitex for menopause include:
Reducing hot flashes and night sweat
Improving mood
Alleviating vaginal dryness
