Posted by North1111 on June 15, 2006, at 8:20:45
Vitex gone Wacko? The herb vitex is reputed to adjust levels of progesterone and estrogen in women (which of these it adjusts is dependent on which is out of balance in that person) and reduce overly high prolactin. Sounds good so far. It is also supposed to alleviate depression (male or female).
I tried vitex several times to try to fix the one PMS symptom that I get: major breast swelling before and during period – after all, it reduces overly high prolactin, which is the cause of this annoying problem. It did fix that problem – but it also prevented my period from coming at all! The good news: no depression all month long, even when the weather was grey.
I have tried it on two independent sessions. Other women talk about vitex "regulating" their periods. Not me. Why? If it encourages ovulation, then why on earth would I not have a period when I use it?
I also saw that it increases luteinizing hormone, which is supposed to trigger ovulation, again, this is a reason that if anything, it should help the period in coming, not prevent it.
I took 800 mg (in capsules, standardized extract powder) per day, for at least 2 weeks prior to the time my period was supposed to come. I’m female in my early 30s.
poster:North1111
thread:657186
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060601/msgs/657186.html