Vitex Agnus Castus
(Chasteberry/Chaste Tree)
Vitex for Fertility

Learn how vitex agnus castus (botanical name) can help you get pregnant. Common names are chasteberry and chaste tree among others. This fertility herb works to regulate the hormones that are necessary for you to conceive.

Chasteberry extract works by acting on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These are responsible for reproductive hormone production. This herbal remedy is considered a tonic for the endocrine system. This means that it helps to normalize the hormone imbalances that cause infertility problems.

More specifically, vitex would be indicated in cases where estrogen levels are high and progesterone is low. And may be contraindicated in cases where estrogen is low and progesterone is high. So by all means, do have your hormone levels checked and consult with a herbalist or naturopath doctor before taking vitex.

Some difficulties to getting pregnant occur when the hormones estrogen and progesterone are out of balance. Luteal phase defect is one such problem. Most often estrogen is high and progesterone is low. Another is miscarriage that is a result of low progesterone. Click here to discover how natural progesterone cream can also help with this.

Chaste tree promotes balance of these hormones by acting on the the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Thereby raising LH and slightly inhibiting FSH.

FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) acts indirectly to increase estrogen. So the effects of agnus castus will lower estrogen levels.

LH (luteinizing hormone) indirectly promotes the production of progesterone. With higher LH levels, progesterone will also be higher.

So with the help of the chasteberry herb, your hormones are brought back into balance the way they were meant to be.

Vitex Chasteberry also relieves other problems associated with hormone imbalance. Such as PMS and PCOS, just to name a few.

The beauty of vitex for fertility is that it works with your system in a way that is best for you. It does what it needs to do to balance your hormones that your particular reproductive system needs.

In other words, if you have a short cycle and/or light periods (both are causes of fertility problems), then vitex agnus castus can indirectly help to lengthen your menstrual cycle and thicken the lining of your uterus.

But, if you have long cycles and/or heavy periods, then this natural remedy can indirectly help to shorten your menstruation and ovulation cycles.

Vitex agnus castus has shown to also regulate the hormone prolactin. High levels of prolactin are one cause of PCOS. So lowering it will be beneficial for this disorder.

For more information, check out this web page on the scientific studies and history of Vitex agnus castus (Chasteberry) at StevenFoster.com. I have found this to be an excellent reference site if you are interested in more in-depth research.

Note: I recommend you consult an herbalist or your health care provider for the exact dose of vitex agnus castus for your problem. As with any remedy, everybody is different in their requirements and in their own particular circumstances and fertility problems.

As a general guideline: The recommended dosage for Vitex agnus castus (Chasetberry) is 500 to 1000 mg of dried extract in capsule form, once a day and in the morning. This dose is for the imbalance of high estrogen-low progesterone and for high prolactin levels (luteal phase defect, miscarriages due to low progesterone, PCOS with high prolactin levels). You should always start with the lowest dose, then work up to the highest dose as needed.

Alternatively, you can take vitex in tincture form (This form is actually preferred by herbalists that I have spoken to). Take one dropperful several times a day while trying to conceive and into the first trimester for continued support of the pregnancy. Then taper off by the third trimester.

Chaste tree berry extract is taken every day throughout you ovulation cycle even during your luteal phase, the second half of your cycle. This is for the continued support of the corpus luteum to produce progesterone.

If you have problems with early miscarriage, then it is recommended to continue through your first trimester of pregnancy. As low progesterone is often the cause of this early loss. Then slowly decrease the dose so that you are not taking any by the third trimester.

Lower doses are recommended for higher prolactin levels. Whereas higher doses will help to lower this prolactin. Studies have shown that lower doses of this herb will raise prolactin, which is necessary for breastfeeding. So if your production of milk is low, then it can help with this. 30 to 40 mg (again, once in the morning) is usually sufficient for this as higher doses may actually lower prolactin levels.

So, take Vitex all through TTC and into your first trimester of pregnancy. Then taper off until you are not taking any by the third trimester. And finally take smaller doses after delivery for milk production.

If you have a short luteal phase with low progesterone levels, it is a good idea to use progregerone creams to boost progesterone during the luteal phase of your ovulation cycle along with taking Vitex agnus castus throughout your cycle.

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Related pages

Luteal Phase Defect | Low Progesterone | Progesterone Creams | Irregular Periods | FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) | Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | Getting Pregnant After the Pill | How Long to Get Pregnant? | Menstrual Cycle Length | Weight and Fertility | Ways to Increase Fertility Naturally | Ovulation Cycle |