InfoSynergy
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is sometimes paired with PMS support and may influence neurotransmitter and prolactin-related pathways.
Recommendation: Keep B6 below chronic high-dose ranges to avoid neuropathy.
Vitex (Chasteberry)
Herb ·Moderate evidence ·Reviewed May 2026
Vitex agnus-castus fruit extract is used for premenstrual syndrome, cyclic mastalgia, and luteal-phase symptom patterns. Evidence is moderate for PMS symptom reduction with standardized extracts, but it is not appropriate for pregnancy attempts, fertility treatment, or hormone-sensitive conditions without clinician guidance. Its dopaminergic effects can lower prolactin and interact with hormonal or psychiatric medications.
What it's good for
What to watch for
- Nausea
- Headache
- Acne or rash
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding unless specifically clinician-directed
- Use during IVF or fertility treatment without clinician approval
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: may reduce pms symptoms, may reduce cyclic breast tenderness, may support luteal-phase symptom patterns when prolactin is mildly high. 3 sources indexed (2000–2013), with 3 interaction records on file.
The science
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Vitex constituents such as diterpenes appear to act on dopamine D2 receptors in the pituitary, which can reduce prolactin secretion when prolactin is mildly elevated. Lower prolactin may indirectly normalize luteal function in some users and reduce breast tenderness. The herb may also affect opioid and estrogen receptor signaling, making hormonal context clinically important.1,2
Class
Dopaminergic reproductive hormone modulating herb
Found in food
None as a common food; used as dried berry or extract
Low-status signs
None - vitex is not an essential nutrient and has no deficiency state
Dosing
Dosing & protocol.
Common range
20-40 mg/day standardized extract such as Ze 440, or 400-1,000 mg/day dried berry equivalent
Recommended form
Standardized Vitex agnus-castus fruit extract taken once each morning
Often taken in the morning; food can be used if nausea occurs. Effects usually require 2-3 menstrual cycles.
Forms
Forms & what to buy.
Ranked by evidence and value.
Standardized Vitex Extract Recommended
Best evidence is with standardized fruit extracts such as Ze 440. Take once in the morning.
Dried Chasteberry Capsule
Less standardized and higher milligram doses are not directly comparable. Take consistently each morning.
Vitex Tincture
Flexible but product potency varies. Take morning dose consistently.
Cost
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized Vitex extract capsule.
BudgetBest value
$3 /mo
$0.10 per dose
Mid
$9 /mo
$0.30 per dose
Premium
$23 /mo
$0.75 per dose
Standardized extracts cost more but better match clinical trials. Updated 2026-06-04.
Goals
Goal-based dosing.
PMS Symptom Support
Dose: 20-40 mg/day standardized extract1,2
Timing: Morning
Assess after 2-3 cycles.
Cyclic Breast Tenderness
Dose: 20-40 mg/day extract
Timing: Morning
Seek evaluation for new, focal, or persistent breast symptoms.
Mild Hyperprolactin Pattern Support
Dose: 20 mg/day standardized extract
Timing: Morning
Only for clinician-evaluated mild patterns; pituitary causes must be ruled out.
Lab work
Markers to track.
What to test, the optimal window inside the conventional range, and how long a response takes.
Serum Prolactin Prolactin
May lower mildly elevated prolactin through dopaminergic pituitary effects.
Optimal
5–20 ng/mL
Conventional
4–25 ng/mL
Responds in
2-3 menstrual cycles
4optimal25
Repeat fasting morning prolactin if clinically indicated; evaluate marked elevations medically.
ProgesteroneEstradiolTSH
Why people use it
Symptoms it's matched to.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
Premenstrual irritability
62% relevance
May modulate prolactin and luteal-phase signaling.2,3
HormoneModerate evidenceStandardized extract
Assess over multiple cycles.
Cyclic breast tenderness
58% relevance
Dopaminergic prolactin reduction may reduce mastalgia in some users.
PainModerate evidenceVitex extract
New focal breast symptoms need medical evaluation.
Irregular luteal-phase symptoms
38% relevance
May influence prolactin-related luteal function.1,2
HormoneEmerging evidenceMorning standardized extract
Rule out thyroid, pregnancy, PCOS, and pituitary causes.
Safety
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Acne or rash
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Dizziness
- Mood changes in susceptible users
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding unless specifically clinician-directed
- Use during IVF or fertility treatment without clinician approval
- Hormonal contraception, hormone therapy, or dopamine-active medications require clinician review
- History of hormone-sensitive cancer or pituitary disorder without medical guidance
Interactions
Interaction records.
ModerateCaution
5-HTP
Both may affect mood-related symptoms and neurotransmitter pathways.
Recommendation: Avoid adding both at once; monitor mood, sedation, and serotonergic medication context.
SeriousCaution
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort can alter drug metabolism and hormonal contraceptive effectiveness, complicating Vitex use for cycle symptoms.
Recommendation: Avoid unsupervised combination, especially with contraception, antidepressants, or hormone therapy.
Sources
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Vitex agnus castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trialsNeeds reviewNo linkvan Die MD et al. · Planta Medica · 2013
Clinical trials favored Vitex for PMS and mastalgia, but study quality and extract differences mattered.
Randomized controlled trials
2- 2Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled studyNeeds reviewNo linkSchellenberg R · BMJ · 2001
Vitex extract improved global PMS symptoms compared with placebo over three cycles.
- 3Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndromeNeeds reviewNo linkBerger D et al. · Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics · 2000
Standardized Vitex extract improved PMS symptom scores in a controlled trial.
Keep exploring
Deep dives & adjacent profiles.
This page is educational. Do not start, stop, or change a supplement or medication based on it without checking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Use this with your stack
Vitex (Chasteberry) in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.