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Tracey Edwards
One of the most talked about herbs whispered around fertility boards is the well known Vitex angus-castus (also sometimes called chaste berry).
Vitex is even sometimes called the natural clomid, but what does it actually do and will it really help?
Having regular menstrual cycles and ovulation is the key to falling pregnant and one of the most common fertility problems that women today face is an imbalance in the level of hormones of estrogen and progesterone.
Hormone imbalances are most often detected by measuring the length of your luteal phase (the time between ovulation and your menstrual cycle). If your luteal phase is less than 10 days then the body can't sustain a pregnancy. Even if your egg does managed to get fertilized there isn't enough time for the egg to implant into the uterus and it is just expelled with your regular menstruation.
Vitex works by stimulating the pituitary gland into balancing these hormones thus it is particularly beneficial for women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Usually in such cases estrogen dominates the entire cycle (it is only supposed to dominate the first half of your cycle before ovulation) causing a luteal phase defect (a luteal phase less than 10 days).
By stimulating the pituitary gland to shift the ratio, it helps the body increase its production of progesterone, and reducing any high prolactin levels. This can help correct a luteal phase defect and increase the likelihood of falling pregnant.
Vitex is safe to take the entire cycle even though some women take it either in their first half or second half. However once you have found out that you are pregnant then discontinue taking it.
It usually takes at least three to four months for enough Vitex to build up in your system to be beneficial, so try taking it for at least six to make sure that it will work for you.
There are many ways to take Vitex, either through capsule form, tincture or tea, so see your naturopath for the best method for you.
Published by Tracey Edwards on November 4, 2007 08:55 PM
