Those who have not experienced it personally can hardly imagine how much disappointment, doubt and grief can weigh on a couple who are trying in vain to have a child.
At first they are filled with hope and joy, but over time many lose themselves in despair and look for any kind of support as well as tips and tricks about getting pregnant.
In such and similar situations, we can often turn to nature. Chasteberry—also known as chasteberry or Vitex agnus-castus—is said to have a supportive effect on those trying to conceive.
Is there any truth to these statements? Is chasteberry, along with folic acid, good for conceiving children?
Can chasteberry help with the desire to have children?
Scientific opinion often differs on this particular question. This confidence is based not only on the experiences of our ancestors and traditional medicine, but also on the data published in 1994 by gynecologist Ingrid Gerhard (Naturopathy Outpatient Clinic at the University Women’s Hospital in Heidelberg).
She conducted a study whose results were surprising: 28% of women reported that they finally succeeded in becoming pregnant during the year of homeopathic treatment and after many years of unsuccessful attempts.
On the other hand, this result is often questioned in modern medicine because the participants were exposed to only small doses of homeopathy and were not randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups.
Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that many women, perhaps even those close to you, swear by chasteberry. There must be some truth to that, right?
Yes, that’s true. Chasteberry has indeed been extensively studied in gynecology for a long time, and certain beneficial effects of this plant have been demonstrated. This has also been confirmed by several recent studies .
Positive effects of chasteberry on women and men
Yes, you read that right. Chasteberry can support those trying to conceive. Both women and men can benefit from this extraordinary plant.
The path from the first thoughts of having a baby together to the strong desire to have a child and the preparations is often fraught with hurdles. Preparation is essential.
But how exactly, you ask?
How chasteberry helps women with their desire to have children
There are many reasons why an increasing number of couples are facing infertility or fertility problems. However, global statistics show that this is rarely a problem for couples alone. Overall, 8-10% of couples face such issues.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean this will be the case for you. In addition to modern medicine and the availability of various therapies, homeopathic treatments can also be helpful.
Let’s consider chasteberry, for example. It can help you fulfill your desire to have children.
- Chasteberry stabilizes the menstrual cycle
To become pregnant, specific processes must occur in our bodies at specific times. Our menstrual cycle plays a crucial role in this. If something is wrong here, trying to conceive can become a challenge .
If fertilization doesn’t occur, our body sheds the uterine lining, rebuilds it, and the next ovulation occurs. If the resulting egg isn’t fertilized, the process starts all over again.
All of this happens as long as there are no problems or disturbances in hormonal levels or other conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome .
This is precisely where our medicinal plant can help. In 2015, Swiss gynecologists conducted a study on women with menstrual problems. They investigated whether chasteberry could have positive effects and help women with menstrual irregularities.
Three months later, it was found that most women had experienced improvement. What’s particularly interesting to us is that 25% of women who had been trying to conceive for a long time were finally pregnant.
- Chasteberry affects the stress hormone
Have you ever heard that our bodies actually release a stress hormone? Yes, it does, and the discomfort it causes is not to be underestimated.
When we talk about the stress hormone prolactin, we can’t ignore the topic of trying to conceive. High prolactin levels can cause menstrual problems, which in turn make fertilization more difficult.
But how?
High prolactin levels can inhibit ovulation, disrupting the entire menstrual cycle. The result can be shortened menstrual cycles or even the absence of periods.
In such cases, chasteberry can lower prolactin levels and stabilize hormone levels, thereby restoring menstrual rhythm.
However, elevated prolactin levels can also cause problems with fertilization in another way.
A level that’s too high inhibits the production of corpus luteum hormone. This hormone is crucial because it’s necessary to prepare the uterus for implantation. If the egg can’t implant itself in the uterine lining, pregnancy won’t occur.
Another women’s problem that chasteberry can help with is premenstrual syndrome (PMS) . Those lucky enough to be spared from this condition have not had to deal with sore and swollen breasts, headaches, and mood swings. Chasteberry can also provide relief here.
And what about the partner? Infertility in a couple doesn’t always mean that only the woman has certain problems. The same can happen to the man, too.
How chasteberry helps men with their desire to have children
Although it is not talked about as often, hormonal disorders can also occur in men, which can cause various changes.
However, they can all find support in chasteberry. In small doses, the plant not only promotes desire and potency, but also increases libido.
Chasteberry has a significant effect on the pituitary gland, which in turn helps to balance hormonal imbalances. This lowers prolactin levels, which in turn allows testosterone to rise.
All of this together leads to stimulation of sperm production.
However, there’s one thing you should be careful about: If your partner decides to try chasteberry, they should make sure they use chaste berry specifically for men.
It should also not be forgotten that, just as with women, the psychology of men also plays a major role in the desire to have children.
As we can see, chasteberry can be helpful in those trying to conceive. But how much should you actually take?
Dosage and intake of chasteberry
Before you decide to take any type of medication that could affect your menstruation or hormone levels, you should first talk to your family doctor or gynecologist.
The dosage isn’t the same in all cases and can vary depending on gender, height, and weight. Just because a certain dosage worked for your friend doesn’t mean you should blindly follow it.
The duration of treatment also plays an important role. However, you generally need to wait 2-3 months to notice any significant results.
The form in which you take chasteberry is also important. Here, too, I would recommend consulting your gynecologist first.
The following options are available to you:
- Chasteberry capsule
Chasteberry capsules usually come in doses of 10 to 20 mg. They are taken 1-2 times daily as needed.
Please be careful here again and discuss taking them with your gynecologist. They are also available without a prescription.
- Chasteberry tablets
These tablets are available in doses ranging from 4 to 10 mg. Again, you should pay attention to your dosage and discuss it with your doctor.
The chasteberry tablets are also available for purchase over the counter.
- Chasteberry tincture
If you decide to use a chasteberry tincture, you should also pay attention to the dosage and intake. Generally, you should take 15 drops twice a day with some water .
But that should definitely not be a rule.
Please also consult a doctor before taking this medication!
Many describe chasteberry as a miracle cure. But can it also be dangerous?
Beware of these side effects.
As with any other treatment, supplement, or therapy, adverse effects can occur when taking chasteberry. Unfortunately, not every chasteberry story is a success story, as certain side effects can occur.
If you experience the following side effects, you should contact your doctor and possibly stop taking the medication:
- Headache
- itching
- Digestive problems
- fatigue
- Weight changes
- Acne
If you’ve never taken chasteberry before, the worst-case scenario is an allergic reaction. You might notice this as itchy skin, red spots, coughing, or even shortness of breath.
In such a case, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Final thoughts
If your desire to have children is unfulfilled, chasteberry could be just the missing piece of the puzzle worth exploring, even though there is no guarantee of success.
It will help you not only regulate your menstrual cycle but also lower prolactin levels, which are often responsible for a little chaos.
Chasteberry could also prove to be a positive supplement for your partner to help balance his hormone levels.
If you decide to give it a try, please consult your doctor first!
I wish you good luck and hope you achieve your goal of becoming a mother!
