PCOS Coach

Using herbs for PCOS requires care. Please understand that I am NOT a doctor or herbalist and that ANY herb should be used under the direction of a qualified medical practitioner.

Vitex (also known as chaste berry or agnus castus) is a very popular herb for PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. It is easy to find and inexpensive. You can find it as a capsule, a tincture (an herbal extract), or in the natural form as a small grey berry about the size of peppercorns. I have used all of these forms and don’t notice any difference in how they work for me. Vitex is also used in many mixed herb formulas for women. I prefer not to use most of the herbal mixes as they often contain herbs I am not using (such as wild yam).

Vitex is also called chaste tree in English because it was once believed that it would suppress a woman’s libido and thus keep her “chaste.” Some women do see a slight decrease in their sex drive when they start taking vitex. This is because vitex helps lower abnormally high testosterone. This is a sign that it is working and not a cause for alarm. As your hormones return to normal you will begin to see the monthly ups and downs in sexual interest that are normal for a woman.

Vitex has been used since at least the 4^th century BC when it was mentioned by Hippocrates in his writing. Vitex is thought to act on the hypothalamus and pituitary. It increases LH production and inhibits FSH production. It also indirectly increases progesterone levels.

When the ovary produces an egg, the follicle becomes a small hormone factory called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum produces progesterone. If you do not ovulate or you have a corpus luteum deficiency, you are probably low in progesterone. Progesterone increases the blood supply to the endometrium (uterine lining) so the fertilized egg has a place to nestle in. If there is no fertilized egg, the corpus luteum recedes, causing progesterone production to stop. This decreases the blood supply to the endometrium and causes menstruation to start.

Another important hormone is prolactin. Prolactin is produced in the pituitary and should be in balance with FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). Too much prolactin can interfere with the maturation of follicles in the ovary, causing menstrual problems. Prolactin can be increased in times of stress, interfering with the ability to ovulate and delaying menstruation.

A corpus luteum deficiency can cause low progesterone levels and can result in ovarian cysts, heavy periods, too frequent periods, lack of periods, or persistent bleeding. Vitex acts much like the corpus luteum in helping to cause the hormone phases needed for regular cycles.  Vitex is particularly valuable when you are under stress as it can help lower prolactin levels.

Vitex has been studied extensively in Europe and is often the first herb used to treat many menstrual problems including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), frequent or heavy bleeding, lack of ovulation, skipped periods, infertility, and uterine fibroids. Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome report good results with regular use of PCOS.

In one study over 90% of PMS sufferers had complete relief of their symptoms after as little as one month on vitex. The women in the study had a reduction in headaches, breast pain, bloating, fatigue, food cravings, anxiety, irritability, lack of concentration, depression, mood swings, and aggressiveness. It also helped to correct luteal phase defects.

In other studies, it helped to start cycles in women who had no or infrequent periods, shortened bleeding for women with heavy bleeding, and helped normalize the length of the women with short or long cycles. In several women it even resulted in pregnancy for those who had been infertile for 2-15 years.

Treatment with vitex is not fast! Expect it to take 1-3 months for herbs to treat PCOS symptoms and at least 6 months for treatment of ovulation problems or infertility. For PCOS it is recommended to take for at least 18 months. Many herbalists recommend a cycle in which you take vitex for 6 weeks, then take a break for a week to give your body a chance to rest.

Vitex has very few side effects, but some women may notice itching or a rash. Some women notice a heavier period with vitex. It should not be used during pregnancy but is safe to use while breastfeeding and may increase milk production for some women. There are no known interactions with other drugs. If you are taking metformin or Glucophage for PCOS it is usually safe to take it with vitex. Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any herb with a prescription drug.

If you buy vitex in capsules or tincture, use the directions on the package. If you are using the dried berries, the standard dose is 1-2 teaspoons in a tea ball or strainer for each 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep 5-10 minutes. The dried berries have a slight peppery smell. I use them to make my own herbal teas. I use spearmint leaves to add a pleasant flavor and I brew enough at one time to have two glasses of iced herbal tea a day for two days. I don’t brew more than that at one time because I am afraid vital essences will deteriorate if it sits in the fridge too long.

Using herbs for PCOS is just one part of the solution. However, many women report a reduction in PCOS symptoms when using vitex or chaste berry along with other herbs to treat PCOS.