I have a question for everyone. I need a definitive answer on the whole Vitex issue.
Most of my research indicates that its a "normalizer" . Most of the posts here on the board seem to go along with that as the primary effect. However, more than once now, I've come across info stating that chasteberry actually raises your LH levels. Can anyone give me a real, concrete answer/link to clarify this for me once and for all? I know most of us with pcos have elevated LH levels....so I'm wondering if Vitex is good for some, but not for all.
I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance ladies.
__________________ Savannah
" Believe and receive it!"
I've run across many articles stating that Vitex raises LH, but, as you said, most herbalists view Vitex as a hormone balancer. The argument made by many women on these posts is that the studies which say vitex raises LH levels were done on women without PCOS...whose LH levels could stand to be raised a bit. If a study were done specifically on women with significantly raised LH levels (PCOSers) it certainly might show that it lowers them. I have yet to come across a study on the effects of vitex on women with significantly elevated LH. Believeing that Vitex is a normalizer I would assume it would decrease such elevated levels.
Many women choose to stay away from vitex because of the current studies and certainly many websites advise against it's use for PCOS. I have seen one post in which a PCOSers already high LH levels were elevated even higher after using Vitex, but the majority of women have had positive results as far as I can tell. Until a study specific to PCOSers comes out I suppose we will never know until we try. HTH
__________________ [color=light blue]Ophelia(22) DBF(21)[/color] To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Thin cyster
Traditional PCOS: Anovulatory, hyperandrogenic ovaries, no IR Vitex, Dong Quai, Saw Palmetto, EPO
Multivitamin, B Complex, Vit E & C, Calcium/Magnesium 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds a day - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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I've been wondering about the conflict for a while now...out of concern for it, I'm lowering my dosage this cycle to 500mg CD's 1-ovulation. I'm not sure if this will do anything, but I don't want to drop it altogether and this is the only compromise I've come up with. I SEEM to be ovulating on the Vitex, but since I wasn't really great about minding my temps/cycles before, I don't have much to compare my charts to.
You seem very well-versed about your herbs..thanks again for responding, and please let me know if you come up with any new info.
__________________ Savannah
" Believe and receive it!"
I can't give a definitive answer... but may be able to tell you my experience soon... I have very high LH and I've been taking vitex for a couple of months since my dx. I just got some more blood tests done, and I'm looking forward to seeing if LH has gone up or down (or done absolutely nothing!). i'll post here when I find out!
Sarah
Thanks Sarah...yes, definately keep me posted. I'll be looking forward to hearing your results.
I'm looking to schedule an appt to have bloodwork done too. I'm just gonna go through an outside lab since I have no desire to deal with a doc right now.
Keep me posted and thanks!
__________________ Savannah
" Believe and receive it!"
Vitex raising LH 
