What does Vitex do exactly?

Maureen77 · 01-28-2003, 03:56 AM

All I have read so far is the extremely vague "it balances women's hormones". Well ok... does it work for ALL women, how can it do that.

So my question is specifically what is the mechanism of action of vitex? Does it increase something like Sex Hormone Binding Globulin-SHBG? Increase or decrease certain hormones?

I'd love links if you have them, thank you!!

SPCnut · 01-28-2003, 11:16 AM

There are many, many websites out there that explains what Vitex does. Go to Yahoo and type in Vitex and you can start your search.

Vitex
This is one of the most important herbs for PCOS because it helps to stimulate and normalize the function of the pituitary gland, which controls the release of LH (luteinising hormone).

paigettie · 01-28-2003, 11:59 AM

http://www.health-pages.com/ct/ is a web page that has a really good history on it and what it does...

As for me, yes it's worked...and no it hasn't. When I first went on the vitex it started working right away. (i only took 400 mg./day and did that for 9 months...) it worked better that the clomid....with clomid my cycles were getting longer and longer, and my leutal phase shorter and shorter... When I switched to vitex my cycles stayed within 30 days and a 13-14 day post leutal phase! Well, our schedule got really shook up for about 3 months and I didn't take it. When I went back on I decided I should up the dose to the max. recommended, 1200 mg/day. I didn't do squat! after about six months of that I decided to back off and just do a single 400mg/day again...I regulated right away...So basically you might need to work with it for a while....

Also, one of the cysters I had been emailing said thata sonogram or ultrasound showed the vitex actually helped shrink the cysts on her ovaries....Her doctor was amazed and it was the only thing she had done...

hope that helps you some...

Maureen77 · 01-28-2003, 04:24 PM

I have a question on this article:

"Vitex seems to stimulate the production of leutinizing hormone which in turn results in an increase in progesterone production, hence it mimics corpus luteum function. "

But aren't cysters too high in LH? Why would this help? I agree deficiency in progesterone is a symptom, in anovulatory cysters, but increasing LH doesn't make sense to me when it's already high as a general rule?

Maureen77 · 01-28-2003, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPCnut
There are many, many websites out there that explains what Vitex does. Go to Yahoo and type in Vitex and you can start your search.

Vitex
This is one of the most important herbs for PCOS because it helps to stimulate and normalize the function of the pituitary gland, which controls the release of LH (luteinising hormone).

Maybe I'm being dense about this but I have read many references on the 'net about Vitex without really answering the question in my mind ... Google is my dear dear friend

but I still don't understand the mechanism of action on this herb and how it relates to PCOS. Stimulating the pitutary gland just isn't specific enough for me, since the pituitary is quite complex in it's function. I'm sorry if I'm being obnoxious and overly pedantic.

paigettie · 01-28-2003, 05:31 PM

don't worry, I don't think you are...after all, I think a lot of what we are all looking for is knowledge to take control of our own health. Starting anything without satisfactory knowledge is unwise. With me, I just felt really strongly after what I read that it was what I needed to do...From what I understand, the level change is slight, and the progesterone effect is more important, but I also have a sister who is pcos with exactly the opposite symptoms of me...you know, we are all different and what works for one of us may or may not for another....there are several who didn't get results from the vitex or another option out there...Keep looking until you are satisfied. There are a couple of articles in the reseach section you might be able to get some help for. If you haven't already, search under chaste berry....I wish you luck with your efforts!

(GO GOOGLE!)

Paige
(I have a good article on vitex, but I'm not sure what happened to it, if I find it I'll post it...Maybe it will hep if I can find it.)

Maureen77 · 01-28-2003, 06:59 PM

Thank you

The reason why I'm asking is I'm TTC and using NPC right now, so I'm thinking I don't need vitex, as my prolactin is normal and I got the progesterone covered... ?

paigettie · 01-28-2003, 07:47 PM

are you ovulating? That's about where I have been up until I added in the vitex. I would have a period, but I wasn't ovulating. So...If you are ovulating, i would just keep up the npc and not worry about the vitex, but it you are not, or if your cycles are outragously long, I would suggest giving it a try over the next few months and see if your body responds to it....it is an individual thing really....

Paige

P.s. I'll know if I'm preg or not by this weekend....I've been using the vitex for about 7 month after a 3 month break and 9 months before that...before that I was on clomid for 9 months...wow, I just realized that is 2 years!

Maureen77 · 01-28-2003, 10:20 PM

You and me both - I've been TTC off and on for about 2 years too. Can't wait to test this weekend!!! I'll be wishing and hoping for you too.

Yup, I'm laying eggs regularly. My cycles tend to be short, but on the NPC, the luteal phase is longer, which is what I want.

paigettie · 01-28-2003, 11:55 PM

Don't worry about trying vitex then. Just keep on doing what you are doing, it's working, and the longer you are on the progesterone cream, the more stable your leutal phase will get. If you get to a point where you are not ovulating anymore over more than two or three cycles, then give it a go...Good luck, and thanks...I'll be hoping for you too....