---
title: Does Vitex agnus castus work for PMS, and what dose is best? | Niyora
description: Yes, Vitex at 20 mg daily significantly reduced PMS symptoms compared to placebo. A 30 mg dose did not work better, making 20 mg the optimal dose.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/dose-dependent-efficacy-of-the-vitex-agnus-castus-extract-ze-440-in-patients-2012/
---

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- Does Vitex agnus castus work for PMS, and what dose is best?

Randomised trial, 2012

# Does Vitex agnus castus work for PMS, and what dose is best?

Yes, Vitex at 20 mg daily significantly reduced PMS symptoms compared to placebo. A 30 mg dose did not work better, making 20 mg the optimal dose.

 Strong study design

162 women aged 18-45 with PMS

## What they did

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 162 women aged 18-45 with PMS. Women received placebo or Vitex at 8, 20, or 30 mg daily for 3 menstrual cycles. They rated their symptoms daily using visual scales.

## What they found

The 20 mg dose significantly improved total symptom score compared to placebo and 8 mg. The 30 mg dose was no better than 20 mg. All treatments were well tolerated. Symptoms tracked were irritability, mood changes, anger, headache, bloating, and breast fullness.

## What it means for you

If you try Vitex for PMS, 20 mg daily appears most effective. The study was well-designed but lasted only 3 months.

162

women in study

20 mg

most effective daily dose

3

menstrual cycles tested

## About the study

Original title Dose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome Authors Schellenberg R, Zimmermann C, Drewe J et al. Journal Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology Year 2012 Study design Randomised trial Participants 440 What was tested Vitex agnus castus extract at 8, 20, or 30 mg daily Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.08.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.08.006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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.

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