Research and consumer awareness are booming in the fields of infertility treatment and herbal therapies. Many women turn to the Internet to find out what has worked for others who've had trouble getting pregnant. Even women who already have made the choice to seek professional help for infertility are interested in complementary treatments like herbs. Vitex is one herb that is commonly cited in online communities as helpful for infertility. The use of herbs can have adverse side effects. More commonly, the effects of herbs can be specific to a situation or individual. As with starting any new treatments, consult your doctor first.
Treating Infertility
Infertility causes can be very specific to your body, and not all treatments affect all bodies in the same way. Also, even if the cause of your infertility is identical to that of another patient, the intricate timing of treatment with reproductive hormonal cycles is optimally done on an individual basis. The best way to make sure a treatment is right for your condition is to consult a health care professional.
Vitex, The Herb
Also called chasteberry and monk's pepper, vitex is the abbreviated name of Vitex agnus-castus, a small tree originally found in Asia. Liquid extract and capsules are made from the dried berries of the tree.
Fertility's Link to Vitex
Proponents of herbal therapies for fertility believe that the benefit of vitex lies in its ability to work at the endocrine, or hormonal, level to decrease the secretion of prolactin. A nutritionist who specializes in fertility, Breea Johnson, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., says she might prescribe vitex for women whose progesterone levels are too low. Fertility specialist Dr. Randine Lewis lists vitex as one of the herbs commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stimulate ovarian function.
Vitex With Conventional Treatments
Neither nutritionist Johnson nor Dr. Lewis recommend you use vitex without professional consultation and guidance, especially if you're already using conventional Western fertility treatments. The problem might not be toxicity or any other adverse effect from the addition of vitex: If a problem arises at all, it's generally from the interaction of herbs with other medications. Fertility treatment, with or without medications of any kind, is very sensitive to timing. Your practitioner synchronizes various protocols with your body's menstrual and ovulation cycles, or vice versa, depending on your specific cause of infertility. The use of vitex or any other herb or drug can disrupt that synchronization and result in ineffective treatment all around. Communicate your treatment plans to each of your practitioners so thatthey can coordinate efforts for your best interest.
Vitex As Solo Treatment
If you want to use vitex only to treat your infertility, experts still recommend you consult a knowledgeable practitioner. In this case, you can find optimal guidance about the use of herbs for fertility treatment from Traditional Chinese Medicine physicians, osteopaths and naturopathic practitioners who are licensed in those states that provide licensure for unconventional medical professionals. While "herbalists" are not required to be licensed, you can find medicinal herb practitioners who have gone through the credentialing process of the American Herbalists Guild to receive the title registered herbalist, AHG.
Vitex Contraindications
Some people should never use vitex, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They include women who are pregnant or using oral contraceptives, and those with breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive health disorders. If you're using medication that impacts your brain's dopamine levels, like some drugs prescribed for depression, avoid vitex.
References
- Breea Johnson, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.; Nutritionist, Pulling Down the Moon; Chicago
- Randine Lewis, Ph.D.; The Fertile Soul Program; North Carolina
- American Botanical Council HerbClip: Herbs for Infertility -- Improving the Odds for Conception
- American Herbalists Guild: Herbal Medicine Fundamentals
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chasteberry
