How to Use Vitex for Fertility
Vitex is such an amazing herb! In fact, it’s one of the top fertility herbs that we work with and an ingredient in many of the herbal formulas that we use at the Natural Fertility Shop. This video was shared live! Download the Instagram App to watch our live broadcasts!
Vitex (Vitex agnus castus or Chastetree berry) works by supporting the pituitary gland, which is responsible for many actions, one in particular being communicating with the ovaries about when to secrete hormones (hormones such as progesterone). Vitex does this without containing any hormones itself. This is why fertility herbs are so great; because you’re not actually consuming condensed hormones, you’re consuming something that helps to support a system of the body so that system is healthy and functioning as it should be.
Studies have shown that Vitex can have an effect on many fertility health issues. In Germany, Vitex is prescribed and used by practitioners of all healing traditions, including medical doctors. It’s an herb that has been traditionally used for thousands of years as well. We hold traditional uses just as important as medical and scientific studies; each are of great value. Here is what the studies have shown:
- Vitex has an effect on FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). Fertility doctors will test your FSH level if you’ve been on your fertility journey for some time or are dealing with a fertility health issue. If FSH is high, that can sometimes indicate poor egg health or poor response to fertility treatments. Vitex can have an effect on lowering FSH and increasing progesterone.
- Vitex has been shown to lengthen a short luteal phase. The time between ovulation and the end of your cycle is called the luteal phase. Practitioners feel that a healthy luteal phase needs to be at least 12 days or longer. If the luteal phase is too short, progesterone levels may not be adequate to sustain a pregnancy, or healthy implantation of a fertilized egg. The good news is that this is something that is fairly easy to fix. Vitex can help to lengthen that second phase, the luteal phase, of the cycle.
- Vitex can help to increase progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone necessary to build the uterine lining and for the lining to stay in the uterus long enough for healthy implantation to occur; for the embryo to implant, to begin to grow, and for pregnancy to begin. Progesterone is the “pregnancy hormone” – “pro” meaning in favor of, “gesterone” – meaning gestation or the process of being nourished in the womb from conception through birth. Progesterone is incredibly important for conception and maintaining a pregnancy.
It may also be hard for some people who have low progesterone to maintain pregnancy; that is one of the causes of miscarriage. If you’ve had more than one or two miscarriages, progesterone levels may be something to get tested. In one study* of 45 women, 86% of participants progesterone levels increased when taking Vitex. - Vitex may help to prevent miscarriages. There are many reasons one might miscarry. Women who have had a miscarriage as result of low progesterone may want to consider Vitex as one part of their pregnancy preparation plan.
- Vitex can help the body overcome PMS and absent periods. Vitex helps to balance the hormonal levels/hormonal ratios (through its actions on the HPA Axis, the hormonal feedback loop within the body) which are often out of balance, causing PMS and absent periods. Vitex has been found to support most cases of irregular menses.
- Vitex may help with hormonal acne. Vitex may work for acne due to hormonal imbalance or PCOS, as well as for young adults going through puberty.
There are many things that Vitex can be used for. It is not just used for infertility, but Vitex really is a fertility powerhouse!
How to Use Vitex
Vitex is best taken in one dose, first thing in the morning with water. If you’re taking capsules, you need to be taking about a 900-1000 mg a day. Vitex is also available as a liquid extract. If you choose this option, take 2-3 dropperfuls (or follow the suggested use of the manufacturer of the product you purchase).
Factors for Effectiveness
Clinical research has shown that you can start to see results in about 10 days. Vitex, however, takes some time to be effective. The amount of time it takes to see results in part depends on the severity of hormonal imbalance or fertility issues you might have. Diet is also very important for Vitex to work properly. Making changes to your diet will impact how well Vitex work for you.
In general, it is best to take an herb or to stay on your natural fertility program for at least 3 months, especially if your goal is to influence hormonal balance.
Choosing Vitex…
If you would like to know if Vitex may be right for you, in addition to other natural ways to support your fertility, we are happy to offer guidance through a Fertility Consultation. Through this experience, you receive a 3-6-month natural fertility program designed especially for you.
Resources mentioned in the video:
Fertilica Vitex Capsules
Fertilica Vitex Liquid Extract
Natural Fertility Consultation
Natural Fertility Shop.com
*The study is shared in the guide, Vitex… Fertility Super Herb?
Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Birth Doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
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Hello,
Should I take Vitex during the first part of my cycle or can I take it all cycle long as I’m TTC ?
Thank You !
Dear Sophie,
Based on our research and work with clients, we’ve found Vitex is best taken all cycle long without taking a break for a minimum of three months consistently. It can be taken while actively trying to conceive. Upon first determination of pregnancy, it can be weaned off of with the help of your herbalist or midwife.
I have a question if I may.
I was wondering if it ok to use vitex and HDEA together at the same time.
and if it is working, when to take them during the day??
thank you
appreciate your answer
Dear Alia,
We prefer DHEA only be used with guidance of your healthcare provider who can help you know the best dose for your needs. If he/she is willing to guide you do ask them about also taking Vitex.
Thank you so much for your information and support.
I’ve been taking Vitex for a month now. I live in Switzerland and it’s called here prefemin. After watching this video I went to check and it says on the box each pills is an extract of 20mg. It’s way far from 1000mg…. Could it be a difference of company production or is it just not enough? :/
Dear Shelly,
Prefemin is an extract of Vitex agnus-castus. This means that one or more components of the whole plant were isolated out and that is what is being taken. This differs from a whole plant product (such as those in our Fertilica Line). Both can be equally as effective and doses may vary. It is always best to follow the suggest use of as stated by the maker of the product chosen.
I think moving forward, it may be best to simply pay attention to how you feel; try to notice if the reason(s) you started Vitex is changing at the dose you are taking. Vitex takes time to be effective. So, try to give the body a couple more cycles to show you its using the herb.
Hi, quick question about Vitex. The one I buy says on the bottle not to take if pregnant or trying to become pregnant, so as I’m trying to conceive, is it OK to take every day of my cycle and should I stop taking it when I know I’m pregnant?
Thanks
Hils x
Dear Hils,
Legally nutritional supplement and herbal companies cannot say it is safe to use certain products into pregnancy. Therefore, this warning must put this on product labels. Information and some research has been shown on these supplements/herbs, Vitex being one of them, that it is indeed safe to use them into pregnancy when used appropriately and under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner and in the case of herbs, a skilled herbalist or midwife trained in herbal medicine.
If you would like to continue these into pregnancy we urge you to do so under your own awareness you are taking your health into your own hands and it is your responsibility to find a good healthcare practitioner to work with.
Vitex can be taken while actively trying to conceive and weaned off of in early pregnancy.
I hope this is helpful!
I purchased Vitex from my local health food store. They are 400 mg capsules. I know you recommend to take about 1000mg in the morning. Do you recommend I take 2 capsules, or 3? Thanks in advance!
Dear Sue,
General suggested use of Vitex is 900-1000mg daily. It is always best to follow the suggested use on the bottle you purchased. There are however two options…
– one could start with two capsules for 800mg and work up to three caps. for 1200mg if needed, or
– take two capsules for 800mg and empty the contents of half of a capsule into a bit of yogurt, oatmeal, honey, or water and to take that for 1000mg (closing the 2nd half up to take the next day)
Hi!
Thanks for this great article, it’s nice to see your passion and enthusiasm on the video 🙂
I have a 28 day cycle, but I always have about 3 days of spotting before it starts. Does that mean I have a short luteal phase? Vitex really helps me a lot with PMS, period pains and ovarian cysts that I used to have, I was taking it every day of my cycle just to increase progesterone in general. Eating a plant based diet has helped a TON as well. But am I taking the Vitex wrong?
Dear Milla,
Taking Vitex every day is not wrong. How great that is has helped you!
Spotting before menstruation begins in part of the previous cycle’s luteal phase. Spotting does not immediately indicate to me that the luteal phase of short though.