Irregular Menstrual Cycle? Try Chasteberry
Hormonal Balance, Progesterone, Estrogen Dominance, Menstrual Cycle Relief and Comeback
Introduction
There is current literature that supports using chasteberry for menstrual relief, irregularites, breast discomfort, and premenstrual syndrome. It’s success is attributed to its indirect effects on progesterone and prolactin levels. Chasteberry is a fruit from a chaste tree, and can be found on the market as Vitex. Chasteberry benefits both men and women, but for women the benefits include addressing:
PMSÂ
Irregular periodsÂ
Infertility
Menopause
For men, the benefits include:
Prostate issues, which is typically a imbalance of testosterone to estrogen levels in their system
The benefits of Chasteberry include:
Acting as a mood stabilizer
BloatingÂ
Helps with PMS (premenstrual symptom) by reversing dysmenorrhea (bad cramp)
Mastodynia (breast tenderness) ; occurs because a increase in prolactin levelsÂ
InfertilityÂ
Issues with lactationÂ
Pharmacology
The berry of the chaste tree contains a number of active constituents: flavonoids (i.e., casticin, kaempferol, orientin, quercetagetin, and isovitexin), iridoid glycosides (i.e., agnuside and aucubin), and essential oils (i.e., limonene, cineol, pinene, and sabinene).4–8 Chasteberry shows central dopaminergic activity in vitro9,10 and in vivo.11 This dopaminergic effect inhibits basal- and thyrotropin-releasing hormone–stimulated prolactin release.10,11. Chasteberry’s therapeutic effects are attributed to its indirect effects on various hormones, especially prolactin and progesterone. This hormonal effect appears to be dose-dependent: low doses of extract have resulted in decreased estrogen levels and increased progesterone and prolactin levels, possibly caused by an inhibition of the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.4,7,12 However, in some studies of persons receiving higher doses, FSH and LH levels remained unchanged,4,10,12 while prolactin release was decreased.4,12 These effects may explain why lower doses of the herb might stimulate breast milk production, whereas higher doses seem to have the opposite effect.
Roemheld-Hamm B. Chasteberry. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Sep 1;72(5):821-4. PMID: 16156340.
How it Works
Starts in the brain with the anterior pituitary gland, which is located right off of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland specifically the anterior because the PG has a anterior and posterior.The anterior pituitary gland secretes gonadtrophons. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is a releasing hormone responsible for the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary.Â
The signal sent to the anterior pituitary gland communicates to increase the release of luteinizing hormone, which modulates prolactin and stops the release of the other hormone which is the follicle-stimilating hormone. As a result of preventing the release of LH, the progesterone and estrogen ratio balances out.
Low progesterone is linked to use of birth control, diet, excessive working out, uses of soy which increases estrogen levels and thus decreases progesterone levels. Too much estrogen can cause PMS, abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, acne, and mastodynia.Â
How much chasteberry should you take?
Based off my research it’s typically suggested a dosage of 200-400mg/day, but i’ve experimented with the tincture option which seems to be more concentrated. I did about 2 full drops into a 32-40 oz water bottle. Results should show within 3 months in mild cases, and may take up to 12 months in more severe cases.
I like the tincture formula because of it’s ability to give you more control of the dosage where as the pill formula is a set amount of mg per dosage. In general if I use herbal medicine I prefer the tincture route as it offers a lot more flexibility than the pill form.
Conclusion
Chasteberry seems to be well tolerated by women, and has helped numerous women regain their menstrual cycle after being absent for several months and this is due to it’s success of indirectly stimulating the release of progesterone and improving the estrogen to progesterone ratio. This supplement is particularly appealing for the female who are into fitness and weight training heavily and lose their menstrual cycle because of it. Taking chasteberry may help bring the cycle back.
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Be well.Â
Yelena