How Does Vitex Work?

Vitex has been used for centuries to help women deal with "woman issues," but science still doesn't know how exactly vitex works. Vitex doesn't have hormonal properties by itself, but it does help balance your hormones. It appears to support the pituitary gland function more optimally. The pituitary gland controls when and how much hormone is released in your body. Too much of one hormone can stop other hormones from doing their intended job. Vitex helps to create a hormonal balance that helps your reproductive system work as it should.

Vitex and Your Fertility

Also known as Chaste Berry, Vitex Agnus-Castus is an herb that has used to correct hormonal imbalances in women for centuries. The berries from the Vitex agnus-castus tree are used to create herbal supplements that can help improve your hormone balance and increase your fertility. If you have any of these hormonal issues and want to get pregnant, vitex may be beneficial to you.

• PMS or PMDD
• Missing or Irregular Periods
• Anovulation
• Estrogen Dominance
• Low Progesterone Levels
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
• Short Luteal Phase

Vitex can help relieve these issues and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

How Much Vitex Should I Take?

The amount of vitex you should take depends on how your system reacts to the herb. Most women start at 500 mg a day and increase up to 1000 mg if the lower dosage doesn't appear to be helping. Vitex isn't a magic herb that fixes your imbalances immediately. Vitex works very well for alleviating symptoms of hormone imbalance, but it is slow acting. It can take three months, or more, of daily usage to see the full benefits of the herb. If you can't seem to find the right level of vitex for you, you might want to find a licensed naturopathic physician who can help you find the correct dosage that works for you. Hopefully, you will be able to get pregnant within a couple of months, but you have to keep taking vitex, you can safely continue to take it for up to 18 months. 

Is It Safe For Me To Take Vitex?

You shouldn't take vitex if you are still taking any form of hormonal birth control. Vitex can render birth control ineffective. You shouldn't take vitex if you are currently under the care of a doctor and taking medications meant to increase your chances of getting pregnant. While vitex should be safe in the first trimester, you should stop taking it once you have confirmed your pregnancy.