Randomised trial, 2003
Does chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) work as well as fluoxetine for PMDD?
Both treatments worked in similar numbers of women (68.4% for fluoxetine, 57.9% for Vitex), with no significant difference. Fluoxetine worked better for emotional symptoms while Vitex worked better for physical symptoms.
What they did
A single-blind, rater-blind randomized trial with 41 women with PMDD. After 2 months of screening, women were randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine or Vitex agnus castus extract for 2 months of treatment. Symptoms were measured using several rating scales.
What they found
68.4% of women (13 people) responded to fluoxetine and 57.9% (11 people) responded to Vitex, with no statistically significant difference between groups. Fluoxetine was more effective for psychological symptoms while the Vitex extract reduced physical symptoms.
What it means for you
Vitex may be a natural alternative to fluoxetine for PMDD with similar overall effectiveness but different benefits. Fluoxetine helps more with mood and anxiety while Vitex helps more with physical symptoms like bloating or breast tenderness. This was a very small pilot study, so the findings are preliminary and need confirmation in a larger study.
68.4% vs 57.9%
women who responded to treatment (fluoxetine vs Vitex)
2 months
treatment duration
41
women with PMDD enrolled
About the study
- Original title
- Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Atmaca M, Kumru S, Tezcan E
- Journal
- Human psychopharmacology
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 13
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract for 2 months
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/hup.470
Topics
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