Systematic review, 2013
Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?
Most studies found Vitex better than placebo for PMS. For PMDD, results were mixed: one study showed it equal to fluoxetine, while another found fluoxetine more effective. Side effects were mild.
What they did
Systematic review of 12 to 13 randomized controlled trials. Searched multiple databases for studies testing Vitex as the sole treatment. Included 8 studies on PMS, 2 on PMDD, and 2 on other hormone conditions. Assessed methodological quality and bias.
What they found
For PMS: 7 of 8 trials found Vitex superior to placebo (5 studies), pyridoxine (1 study), or magnesium oxide (1 study). For PMDD: 1 study reported Vitex equivalent to fluoxetine, while the other found fluoxetine outperformed Vitex. Adverse events were mild and infrequent.
What it means for you
Vitex appears helpful for PMS symptoms, but evidence for PMDD is less clear. Main limitations: small sample sizes in some studies and variation in what treatments were compared.
7 of 8
PMS trials where Vitex beat placebo or other treatments
12
Randomized controlled trials included in review
8
Studies testing Vitex for PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials
- Authors
- van Die MD, Burger HG, Teede HJ et al.
- Journal
- Planta medica
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) extracts
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1327831
Topics
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