Vitex, also known as chaste tree, has been used to balance female hormones and regulate menstruation. It may be a useful treatment for amenorrhea, although more research is necessary to confirm this. Always speak to your doctor before taking this herbal product, as it may have adverse effects and negative drug interactions.
Amenorrhea
Amenhorrhea can be primary or secondary. Primary amenhorrhea occurs when a girl is older than 15 and has not yet started menstruated despite going through other normal changes of puberty. Secondary amenhorrhea occurs when a woman who has been having regular menstrual cycles stops menstruating for six months or more. Many things may cause secondary amenorrhea, including very low or high body-mass index, severe anxiety or stress, regular strenuous exercise, tumors, certain medications, and hormonal imbalances. Although vitex may be useful in restoring menstruation due to hormonal imbalances, it may not be effective at treating amenhorrhea due to other causes.
Vitex
Vitex regulates hormone production by influencing the function of the pituitary gland. Regulating hormones in this manner may correct long, irregular or absent menstrual cycles. You should not use vitex without first consulting your doctor. Vitex may interact negatively with certain medications, particularly dopamine agonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, fertility drugs and birth control pills. It also may produce adverse reactions, including rash, headaches, acne, gastrointestinal upset, itching and hair loss.
Time Frame
The effects of vitex may not be noticeable for quite some time. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that it can take up to 18 months for some women to experience the effects, although others may experience effects before this time. If you take vitex for several months without noticing any changes and have specific concerns about the product's effectiveness, ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.
Dosing
The specific dose for vitex will vary depending on individual circumstances. Some women may take 30 to 40 mg of crushed fruit or 1.6 to 4.2 mg of dried extract. Always talk to your doctor or a health care provider to determine the appropriate dosage for your situation.
Considerations
Unlike medications, herbal products do not undergo testing and evaluation procedures through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The safety of taking vitex for extended periods of time remains unclear. Always defer to the advice of a doctor or health care professional when deciding how to treat your amenorrhea.
