A report in the December 2001 issue of the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" found that 44 percent of women interviewed experienced acne flare-ups prior to their periods, with women older than 33 having more frequent occurences. Vitex, or chasteberry, has a long history of use in addressing conditions associated with female hormonal imbalances. A lack of research, however, makes it difficult to know if it would actually work specifically for acne. Vitex appears to be a generally safe supplement when used appropriately. Talk to your doctor before using chasteberry.
Hormones and Acne
Hormones are chemical messengers that set in motion the myriad processes at work in your body. Fluctuations in these hormones before the start of your period can contribute to acne in different ways, including promoting inflammation and increasing oil production. The Center for Young Women's Health, part of Children's Hospital Boston, notes some females are particularly sensitive to these changes and tend to suffer acne breakouts before their periods. Chasteberry appears to have a normalizing effect on the hormones, which suggests its potential for addressing acne and other unpleasant symptoms that precede the onset of menstruation.
Vitex for Premenstrual Acne
Not much research exists specifically regarding vitex as a treatment for premenstrual acne. The University of Michigan Health System reports claims of benefit stem from German research conducted in the 1960s. The subjects used a dose of 40 drops of liquid chasteberry extract, which appears to be the dose recommended for most conditions; 40 mg of dried extract is equivalent to this liquid dose.
Potential to Worsen Acne
Interestingly, drugs and supplements can sometimes cause the very problems they are supposed to treat in certain individuals. A 2005 issue of "Drug Safety" published the results of an extensive review of literature documenting adverse reactions to vitex. Acne was listed as one of the most commonly reported negative side effects. If you find your acne worsening after starting vitex treatment, you might be one of those people for whom the supplement actually compounds the problem.
Length of Use
Chasteberry is not a fast-acting herbal treatment. Fully addressing hormonal issues can take some time and you will likely need to use chasteberry for at least several months before you can fully know if it is an effective treatment for your premenstrual acne. Your doctor can advise on how long you should take this treatment.
References
- ''Drug Safety''; Vitex Agnus Castus: A Systematic Review of Adverse Events; C. Daniele, et al.; 2005
- University of Michigan Health System: Acne Vulgaris
- Children's Hospital Boston Center for Young Women's Health: Acne and Skin Care;
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology''; The Effect on the Menstrual Cycle on Acne; Stoll, et al.; December 2001
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