Systematic review, 2017
Is Vitex agnus castus safe and effective for treating PMS and PMDD?
All 8 included trials showed Vitex agnus castus was better than comparison treatments and was well tolerated, but the studies used different definitions of PMS, different outcome measures, and different Vitex preparations, making confident conclusions difficult.
What they did
Systematic review searching PubMed and Scielo for randomized controlled trials comparing Vitex agnus castus to placebo or active treatments in people with PMS or PMDD. Studies had to describe blinding and dropouts. Two independent reviewers reached consensus on 8 included trials.
What they found
Eight RCTs were included, mostly studying PMS. All eight studies reported positive results for Vitex agnus castus in treating PMS or PMDD. Vitex agnus castus was overall well tolerated. Three different preparations of Vitex were tested across the studies.
What it means for you
While the results are promising and safety is good, significant variation between studies in how they defined PMS, measured outcomes, and prepared Vitex limits confidence in combining and comparing the findings.
8
Randomized controlled trials
8
Studies showing positive results
3
Different Vitex preparations tested
About the study
- Original title
- Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review
- Authors
- Cerqueira RO, Frey BN, Leclerc E et al.
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Vitex agnus castus (three different preparations)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-017-0791-0
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2015
What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?
Systematic review, 2014
Do acupuncture and herbal medicine help PMS or PMDD symptoms?
Systematic review, 2013
Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?
Review, 2001
What is the best treatment approach for PMS and PMDD?
Survey study, 2025
Which Kampo medicines do Japanese doctors use for PMS and PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2020
How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?