I am a doctor but quite frankly, as a man, I have no idea what premenstrual syndrome (PMS) really feels like. I understand, and have been told by my wife, that it can be an uncomfortable or even a miserable experience that can impact your work and social life.

PMS can affect not only you and your lifestyle, but the people around you who you love and love you. These symptoms can leave women looking for a safe and effective form of relief.

Chasteberry is a natural supplement that has been scientifically shown to be effective in helping to ease PMS symptoms.  Unfortunately, many are not aware of this scientifically proven, safe, and natural option.

What is PMS?

As most women can explain, PMS is a collection of symptoms that occur about a week before a woman’s period. The intensity of PMS varies from woman to woman; some experience only mild uncomfortableness while others find it to be quite debilitating. PMS includes physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms.

Increased ratios of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are the most common reason for PMS symptoms, and most treatments focus on ensuring hormone levels are properly balanced. For those who seek natural remedies for their health concerns, chasteberry has emerged as a go-to PMS solution without the common side effects of many other treatments. But what is chasteberry, and how does it work?

What is chasteberry?

Also known as vitex or agnus-castus, chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree and is a member of the mint family. Chasteberry has been used for centuries as a folk medicine supplement for improving reproductive health.

The famous Greek physician Hippocrates, who many consider the founder of medicine as a rational science, was one of the first to discover its particular benefits for women. Modern science has now confirmed what Hippocrates thought all along – chasteberry can be very beneficial in helping women address the various symptoms of PMS.

Agnuside, chasteberry’s most significant compound, is not found in other foods, but is only found in chasteberry as a health supplement. Chasteberry works to balance hormone levels, but it’s not a hormone itself.

What does the science say?

A European Union study published in British Medical Journal found that chasteberry can improve both physical and mood/behavior PMS symptoms by over 50%! Such symptoms include irritability, anger, headache, breast fullness and bloating.

A study from Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine evaluated 1,634 PMS patients and gave them a questionnaire that evaluated the degree to which they experienced common PMS symptoms like depression, anxiety, and food cravings.

After being treated with chasteberry through three menstrual cycles, 93% of patients reported either a decrease or complete termination of their symptoms. 94% of the patients reported little to no side effects from the treatment.

Any other treatments to consider?

For the mood-related symptoms of PMS, many women have turned to SSRI antidepressants for help. Although these can be effective for some women, they do not address the hormonal imbalances that cause most of the physical symptoms and can have many side effects.

Hormonal contraceptives are another common PMS treatment and can address different symptoms than SSRIs do. But these also come with unpleasant side effects, so they’re not a great fit for many. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can help with cramping and breast discomfort, but long term use can lead to other serious health issues like stomach bleeding. Midol® also addresses cramping, but sometimes contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and is incapable of helping with most other PMS symptoms.

What are other natural ways to address PMS?

Some evidence exists that increasing your total daily intake of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B-6 can help with PMS symptoms. Other popular natural PMS remedies include dandelion, dong quai, bupleurum root, milk thistle, and burdock root, but these lack high-quality scientific research to support their use for addressing PMS symptoms.

Try to avoid sweets because they can cause changes in blood sugar that may make mood swings, headaches, and concentration issues worse. Similarly, try to reduce caffeine and salt. Lastly, women who exercise more tend to have milder PMS symptoms. If you’re a regular exerciser, just stick to your usual routine. If not, even a brisk walk through the park should being benefits.

Which chasteberry supplements are best?

Those looking for a supplement that just contains high-quality chasteberry extract should consider a product like Vitex Extract by Integrative Therapeutics. Currently, the exact dosing for the treatment of PMS has not yet been determined, but most natural practitioners and reputable manufacturers recommend a dosing range between 200 – 300 mg/day. Be patient, though — symptom relief can take a little time, usually after dosing daily for 60 days.

Note that, since chasteberry can affect hormone levels, you should not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer or endometriosis, or take birth control pills or use hormone replacements. Consult with your healthcare practitioner on its use.

Those looking for a combination-type supplement of chasteberry and other nutrients should consider a product like PMS Support by Vital Nutrients or Chasteberry Plus by Metagenics. If you are not eating a carefully balanced diet or taking a well-rounded multivitamin, you may also want to consider a supplement that ensures you are getting enough calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B-6.

While there is little hard science to support that increased calcium or magnesium improves PMS symptoms, there are many articles supporting such claims — which science may prove in time. ProSoothe II, by Pure Encapsulations, combines chasteberry with these important vitamins and minerals for comprehensive PMS support.

We hope this slide show was helpful and informative. Should you have questions, or suggestions, please feel free to fill out our Ask the Doctor form found at the Doctors Corner.

Yours in health!

Dr. Gittins