In my previous post on Vitex I outlined when you should consider using this herbal treatment. Vitex can be a great help for women with a number of different conditions and in a number of different situations. However, I do not recommend Vitex to my clients who have been diagnosed with PCOS, except in one specific circumstance, which I will explain here.
Vitex is a fantastic tool – it’s well-researched and evidenced as helpful for women with problematic menstrual cycles – but, as with any herb or supplement, it does not have a chance of helping you if it’s the only thing you choose to change about your daily routine. Any kind of period or cycle-related problem needs to be addressed from a functional medicine perspective – food first, then supplements, then specifically targeted lifestyle hacks, which from my standpoint, is living in your FLO. Supplements of any kind are best seen as a way to super-charge your other efforts with diet and lifestyle changes. They are never a solution in themselves.
Why most women with PCOS shouldn’t use Vitex
Vitex increases progesterone levels by increasing LH (luteinizing hormone) levels, and it suppresses prolactin levels – the result is increased ovulatory cycles. This sounds like a perfect scenario for PCOS sufferers, but there’s a problem. Vitex can actually worsen PCOS for some because their LH levels are already high. If you know your LH level is high (if you don’t know – ask for a hormonal panel blood test from your doctor), you should not use Vitex. Most women have the kind of PCOS that is insulin-resistant and comes with high LH, and they should avoid Vitex.
When you should take Vitex if you have PCOS
If you have PCOS with normal LH levels and high prolactin levels, you might consider using Vitex. You can have your prolactin levels tested by your doctor. This kind of PCOS has a different root cause, usually inflammation from allergens like dairy and gluten or as the result of using the birth control pill. Vitex in this case can help to suppress prolactin levels and increase ovulatory cycles.
Vitex is a slow-acting herb. You will need to commit to taking it for up to 3 months to see any change in your cycles or improvement of symptoms. Be sure to purchase Vitex from a reputable, long-standing supplement company like Gaia so you know you are getting a potent formulation, without fillers.
What to take instead of Vitex to manage your PCOS
There are several kinds of PCOS, but these two supplements will work for any woman with the condition. They will work best in conjunction with the FLO Living diet and lifestyle protocol.
- Cinnamon – I suggest you take the cinnamon supplement from New Chapter. Cinnamon is a proven natural treatment for insulin-resistant PCOS. You can also add cinnamon to your oatmeal, eggs or beans and make it part of your meals.
- Magnesium – Try a topical form of magnesium like those created by Ancient Minerals or the powdered form from Natural Calm. Magnesium is an essential mineral that most of us are deficient in, but it’s a proven treatment for improving insulin resistance.
Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!
to your FLO,
Alisa
Good things come in threes:
I want to hear from you!
First, do you have PCOS?
Second, have you tried Vitex?
Third, everyone you know is hormonal – spread a little good ovary karma and share this article on social 😉
Is Your Period Healthy?
How do you know if your hormones are healthy? The answer is in your 5th vital sign – your period.
The color of your flow, frequency of your period, and symptoms you have each month can tell you a lot about your health. There are 5 different V-SIGN TYPES, and knowing which one you have will help you get healthy now and prevent disease in the future.
Hi Alisa,
I have pcos and quit the pill 9 months ago, and took vitex for 6 months until I decided to quit it. I had some blood tests done and my LH is 18. 0 U/L. I don’t know where I’m at my cycle but I have been spotting for about 3 months now and no periods. I’m 27 years old and my bmi is 20. Unfortunately my doc never heard of vitex so she couldn’t help me.
Is a LH of 18 considered high?
Thanks,
Mariane
Hi Alissa,
I have not been diagnosed with pcos but I do have hashimotos hypothyroidism. Anyway my oh was under 3 I believe and I took vitex for 3 months and my cycles got longer (43 days) and my acne continued to worsen. In fact I’m Vitex caused me to breakout the worst right after my period. Question is… can I stop vitex cold turkey or do I need to wean off of iT? And should my acne go back to normal severity after stopping the vitex?
Sorry I meant my LH
Thank you for this post! I was trying to self treat my PCOS symptoms with vitex, and it made me break out almost immediately and made my mood swings worse!! Lol. I guess it’s not for me 🙂
After reading so much about vitex, I started it in August this year. I haven’t had a hormonal test in awhile and really can’t predict what kind of PCOS I have as my period comes monthly. I try to check my diet but sometimes it isn’t that easy. I also take Maca, is this good for me?
I forgot to add that I had very high prolactin levels and had to take parlodel to bring it down.
Is vitex good for me?
Hi Angela,
If you are taking a medication that controls hormones,I would not take Vitex. Prolactin can be brought down naturally using the protocol to re-balance the body!
Alisa
Hi Angela,
I would not recommend Maca for PCOS, especially if you are not sure which kind you have.
Alisa
I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago, and though I had it under control for s while (period every 2-3 months) I found 3 months ago I was approaching 4 months without one, and so decided to try vitex. I’m just closing in on the 3-month recommended amount of time to take it, and my period just started yesterday. I’m happy that it worked! I’m 25 and of a healthy weight, so I’m not the typical PCOS candidate.
Wonderful news!
Alisa
Hi Brooke, I know this is a couple years old- but I am currently in the shoes you were in!
How much Vitex did you take per day, if you can remember?
Thanks
I have PCOS, but have never been overweight or had insulin resistance problems. I have taken vitex many times and it has always induced ovulation and I got pregnant three times while taking it. I just started taking it again since I’ve been anovulatory for a while again. I did ovulation tests this last cycle and I don’t think I ovulated as the line on my test was just almost as dark as the control, so I’m guessing my LH is low, so I will keep takin the vitex.
I have pcos I’m 32 and I’ve tried everything to get my periods metformin and progesterone everything but once I have vitex a try my periods are like clockwork every month except for when I was out of the vitex for a month so it can work for pcos
I was just diagnosed with PCOS, after over 12 years of irregular periods and low progesterone. my LH is also low so my doctor recommended I try vitex, warning me that it may cause acne and hair loss. I took it for the first time last night and it caused me to have severe diarrhea. Should I stop taking it? Has anyone else had this symptom?