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Taking Vitex

Disclaimer

I encourage everyone to do their own research and not to use any advice they read online as a replacement for discussing and planning with health care professionals. Experiences with supplements may vary in results and reactions to taking them. I read an article where naturopathic doctor, Lara Briden says, “Vitex is a strong medicine that should not be used casually".



Q: Can Vitex help start your Menstrual Cycle?

In Briden's informative article, "The Do's and Don'ts of Period Problems", she explains that "vitex can help with ovulation and start a period in two to three months" (Briden).
Q: Can you take vitamin B6 and Vitex together?

I came across this information on a forum I belong to. A woman from one of my message boards discussed with her lactation consultant about supplement safety while breastfeeding. She said her lactation consultant had spoken to doctors and did personal research before informing her that Vitamin B6 and Vitex are safe to take while breastfeeding.


Q: Can you use Vitex while pregnant?

The woman’s lactation consultant's findings included that Vitex is safe to take while a mother is breastfeeding, but to stop taking as soon as a mother becomes pregnant. I will add that some vitex bottles warns that pregnant women should not take it. To see my blog post on this, click here.

Q: Can Vitex lower a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply?
It is said that Vitex could potentially lower a nursing mother's supply. If you are going to take Vitamin B6 with Vitex, her lactation consultant does warn that both supplements can affect milk supply, so nursing moms should start them gradually. She also recommends starting one supplement at a time and using Vitamin B6 first. The lactation consultant's recommended amount for introducing Vitamin B6 is, start with 25 mg of Vitamin B6 daily and then up your dose every 7 days until you reach your desired amount if your milk supply is fine. Introduce Vitex only after you are done introducing Vitamin B6.

Q: Can you take Vitex if you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?
Lara Briden, the naturopathic doctor I mentioned earlier, warns that, “Vitex does not work for everyone. She often advises women to stop using when it is doing more harm than good. She recommends that women with PCOS use vitex with caution, because it might actually make things worse for them".

 Q: When is the best time of day to take Vitex?
According to Dr. Briden the best time of day to take Vitex is morning! She says, “The dose should be in the morning before breakfast because this is when the pituitary is most receptive” (Briden).

Sources
1. Briden, Lara. "The Do's and Don'ts of Vitex for Period Problems." Lara Briden's Healthy Hormone Blog. Lara Briden's Healthy Hormone Blog, 25 May 2017. Web. 18 July 2017. 
https://www.larabriden.com/vitex-for-period-problems/.

Last Edited: December 15, 2018
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