---
title: Does the herb Vitex agnus-castus help with PMS and related problems?
description: A review of 43 studies concludes that Vitex agnus-castus can help treat PMS and PMDD, ease pain after menstruation, and support infertility treatment, but it
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/systematic-review-of-premenstrual-postmenstrual-and-infertility-disorders-of-2017/
---

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- Does the herb Vitex agnus-castus help with PMS and related problems?

Systematic review, 2017

# Does the herb Vitex agnus-castus help with PMS and related problems?

A review of 43 studies concludes that Vitex agnus-castus can help treat PMS and PMDD, ease pain after menstruation, and support infertility treatment, but it is a summary of past findings rather than a measured result.

 Moderate study design

Women (and for infertility findings, also men) across 43 studies on Vitex agnus-castus.

## What they did

Researchers searched PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and IranMedex for English, full-text studies (mostly from 2009 to 2016) on the effects of Vitex agnus-castus. Of about 87 references found, 43 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed.

## What they found

The review concluded that Vitex agnus-castus helps treat PMS, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is helpful for pain after menstruation, and is beneficial for infertility in both men and women. Compounds in the plant that act on dopamine were said to help with premenstrual breast tenderness and other PMS symptoms.

## What it means for you

Vitex may be a useful option to ask a doctor about for PMS or PMDD symptoms, but since this is a narrative summary of existing studies rather than a new analysis with pooled numbers, it can't tell us exactly how big the benefit is.

87

Initial references found

43

Studies included

2009-2016

Study years covered

## About the study

Original title Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus Authors Rafieian-Kopaei M, Movahedi M Journal Electronic physician Year 2017 Study design Systematic review What was tested Vitex agnus-castus (chaste-berry) herbal extract. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.19082/3685](https://doi.org/10.19082/3685)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[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

Guideline, 2019

How should doctors treat PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

Systematic review, 2017

Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome?

Systematic review, 2017

Is Vitex agnus castus safe and effective for treating PMS and PMDD?

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?

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