--- title: Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) extract reduce PMS symptoms? description: Vitex extract reduced PMS symptoms by 42.5% during treatment, with 47% of women experiencing at least 50% improvement. Without a control group, we cannot be c url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/efficacy-of-vitex-agnus-castus-l-extract-ze-440-in-patients-with-pre-menstrual-2000/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) extract reduce PMS symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2000 # Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) extract reduce PMS symptoms? Vitex extract reduced PMS symptoms by 42.5% during treatment, with 47% of women experiencing at least 50% improvement. Without a control group, we cannot be certain improvement was from the herb versus placebo or natural improvement. Early or limited evidence 50 women with premenstrual syndrome (43 completed study), average age 31.3 years, recruited at multiple centres ## What they did 50 women with PMS took 20 mg daily Vitex extract for 3 menstrual cycles, then were observed for 3 more cycles after stopping. Symptoms were measured using Moos' Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and self-ratings. 43 of 50 women completed the study; 13 were also taking oral contraceptives. ## What they found PMS symptoms decreased significantly during treatment with a 42.5% reduction in the main measure (p<0.001). 20 of 43 women (47%) showed at least 50% improvement in symptoms. Patient self-rated scores decreased 47.2% during the late cycle phase on treatment (p<0.01) and remained 21.7% below baseline 3 cycles after stopping (p<0.001). The number of days per cycle with PMS symptoms decreased from 7.5 to 6. One woman withdrew due to fatigue and headache. ## What it means for you Vitex extract significantly reduced PMS symptoms during treatment, and benefits partly persisted after stopping. Nearly half of women had substantial improvement. Without a comparison group, we cannot be certain improvements came from the herb rather than placebo or natural improvement over time. 43 women who completed the study 42.5% symptom reduction during treatment 47% proportion achieving at least 50% improvement ## About the study Original title Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) Authors Berger D, Schaffner W, Schrader E et al. Journal Archives of gynecology and obstetrics Year 2000 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 50 What was tested Vitex agnus castus extract 20 mg daily for 3 menstrual cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s004040000123](https://doi.org/10.1007/s004040000123) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[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 Systematic review, 2020 Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain? Review, 2017 What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments? Systematic review, 2017 Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Randomised trial, 2010 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Survey study, 2016 Do hormonal contraceptives reduce PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗