--- title: Does chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) help premenstrual breast pain and related symptoms? description: Yes, according to multiple placebo-controlled studies reviewed here, chasteberry extracts reduced premenstrual breast pain and other premenstrual symptoms, li url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-premenstrual-mastodynia-fibrocystic-mastopathy-and-2019/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) help premenstrual breast pain and related symptoms? Randomised trial, 2019 # Does chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) help premenstrual breast pain and related symptoms? Yes, according to multiple placebo-controlled studies reviewed here, chasteberry extracts reduced premenstrual breast pain and other premenstrual symptoms, likely by lowering prolactin, and side effects were mild and infrequent. Moderate study design Women with premenstrual symptoms, breast pain, or fertility problems linked to high prolactin, across earlier trials ## What they did This paper reviews earlier placebo-controlled studies and lab research on an extract of chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), mostly a preparation called BNO 1095, looking at its effects on premenstrual breast pain, premenstrual symptoms, fibrocystic breast disease, and fertility-related hormone problems. ## What they found Placebo-controlled studies showed chasteberry extracts eased premenstrual breast pain, and this improvement matched reductions in blood prolactin levels. The extract also helped women with fibrocystic breast disease, many of whom also had high prolactin. Lab and animal studies showed the extract contains compounds that act like dopamine to lower prolactin release. Adverse events were described as mild and generally infrequent. ## What it means for you Chasteberry extract appears to be a reasonably safe option for premenstrual breast pain and related prolactin problems, but this summary pools findings from many different studies rather than reporting one single trial with its own numbers. 50 Years the extract has been used commercially ## About the study Original title The premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual mastodynia, fibrocystic mastopathy and infertility have often common roots. Effects of extracts of chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) as a solution Authors Dana Seidlová‐Wuttke, В. Вуттке Journal Reproductive Endocrinology Year 2019 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) extract, mainly the preparation BNO 1095 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2019.45.66-74](https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2019.45.66-74) Original abstract The dried fruits of the chaste tree Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) were traditionally used by monks as a substitute for pepper and was therefore also called Monk’s pepper. For the last 50 years it is commercially provided for the treatment of premenstrual symptoms, particularly to prevent premenstrual mastodynia (mastalgia). Most studies were performed with the preparation containing an aqueous/ethanolic ectract BNO 1095. A number of placebo controlled studies gave proof that extracts of VAC had beneficial effects on premenstrual breast pain. This breast sensation is induced by latent hyperprolactinemia which is characterized by secretory episodes of prolactin release by the pituitary in response to stress and deep sleep phases. This latent hyperprolactinemia induces also often a corpus luteum insufficiency which is a common reason for infertilty.It is well accepted that prolactin release can be reduced by dopamine and dopaminergic drugs. The efficacy of VAC extracts to ameliorate prolactin induced premenstrual mastodynia was therefore suggestive that VAC may contain dopaminergic compounds. Indeed, a number of diterpenes were identified that bound to recombinant Dopamine receptors of the 2 subtype which are present in pituitary lactotropes and which mediate the inhibitory effects of dopamine and dopaminergic drugs on pituitary prolactin release. Consequently, prolactin release in vitro from dispersed pituitary cells and in vivo in rats and postmenopausal women was inhibited by VAC 1095. Placebo controlled studies proved also the efficacy of VAC extracts to ameliorate premenstrual symptoms. In several placebo-controlled studies a clear relation between reduction of breast pain and reduction of serum prolactin levels could be established. In addition VAC extracts was also highly effective in women suffering from fibrocystic mastopathy. In many of these women serum prolactin levels were also elevated and reduced by VAC extracts.The results from all trials suggested that VAC extracts ameliorated premenstrual symptoms including mastodynia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and latent hyperprolactinemia. Cystic mastopathy and sterility due to corpus luteum insufficiencies were also beneficially influenced.Adverse events with VAC were mild and generally infrequent. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2017 Can chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) help premenstrual breast pain and PMS? Systematic review, 2020 Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain? Systematic review, 2013 Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2011 What premenstrual symptoms do women experience around the world and how much do they affect daily life? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Cohort study, 2024 Does Vitex supplement improve menstrual cycle problems and quality of life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗