As one who has suffered terribly with skin troubles all my adult life, as well as awful PMS, I can sympathise with you.
I did try wild yam for a number of months, but it had no effect on boob growth, skin probs or PMS.
I'm on my second month of trying vitex (2 x 400mg) twice daily and it's like a miracle has happened. My skin is spotless for the first time. No PMS.....and my boobs have taken a growth spurt these past few days.
I've read a lot about wild yam caps and by most accounts, the body cannot convert them into progesterone. This can only be done in a laboratory. Well, I tried, with no effect.
The vitex however is giving great results so far.
So, yes, I would recommend vitex. It does take a while to get into your system though, so do be patient if you try it. Oh, and if you are in the UK..........Holland & Barratt are doing a 2 for the price of one just now.
I've been taking Vitex since August. It has done wonders for my PMS, at least, and I do see an effect on my breast size. I would skip the yams, and take chasteberries instead.
I tried wild yam in the beginning of my program and ended up removing it from my routine after 2-3 months as I wasn't seeing any results. Added vitex a few days ago, it's still early to notice something, and maybe this is just a coincidence but I actually noticed some increase in firmness.
Anna-a, Vitex can't be taken while on the birth control pill, they interfere with each other.
Cath (no login)
Re: Vitex vs. Wild Yam?
December 4 2006, 2:29 PM
Copied directly: from http://www.pms.org.uk/About+PMS/News/Once+A+Month/2006+bulletins/April+2006
Does Agnus Castus interact with contraception pill
Agnus CastusNAPS Expert Panel recently received an enquiry regarding the use of Agnus Castus and risks of any interaction if used at the same time as Marvelon, oral contraceptive pill.
Following research by NAPS research GP Dr Carrie Sadler and Lichtwer, the company which supplies Agnus Castus, there seems to be no evidence to suggest that Agnus Castus interferes in any way with the actions of other medicines.
Agnus castus is a herbal medicine which can be used for menstrual problems. It contains no oestrogen-like compounds, but seems to work by affecting the release of specific hormones from the pituitary gland in the brain.
Lichtwer looked specifically for information about any possible interaction between Agnus Castus and the hormones used in oral contraceptives but found no information in any of the standard reference books to indicate any interaction with the contraceptive pill. These books included Herbal Medicines by Barnes, Anderson and Phillipson, Martindale: The complete drug reference from the Pharmaceutical Press, ESCOP Monographs by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, as well as a literature search using PubMed, a data-base service operated by the US National Library of Medicine and the US National Institutes of Health. In 47 publications relating to Agnus Castus, the company found "no information that any interaction has ever been reported after using Agnus Castus. It thus seems highly unlikely that there will be any interaction between Agnus Castus and the oral contraceptive pill," Lichtwer commented. Dr Carrie Sadler agrees. "There is no evidence that Agnus Castus affects the contraceptive efficacy of the pill."
Lichtwer did question whether it was necessary to take Agnus Castus if already on the pill as both products address similar menstrual problems.
So, it does NOT appear to negate the effects of BCP at all. Agnus Castus IS Vitex.
"no information that any interaction has ever been reported after using Agnus Castus. It thus seems highly unlikely that there will be any interaction between Agnus Castus and the oral contraceptive pill,"
mmm Just because so far there wasn't any interaction reported, it doesn't mean it may not have some influence. Not to mention that the research envolved Marvelon BCP only. There are many other BCP out there. Also it's research incentivated by people who happen to be larger distributors of the herb, so... =S
Personally I wouldn't be be the guinea pig for this.=P
"Important safety information about Vitex Extract:
Vitex Extract may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use an additional form of contraception (eg, condoms) while you are taking this product. " http://www.answers.com/topic/chasteberry-tree
"Interactions
Chasteberry should not be combined with such synthetic hormones as those contained in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. The latter includes Premarin and Provera.
Drugs that act on a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine may either affect or be affected by vitex. These include medications for Parkinson's disease (L-dopa, Parlodel); psychosis (Haldol); smoking cessation (Zyban); and depression (Wellbutrin). "
http://www.answers.com/topic/chasteberry-tree
"One researcher has suggested that vitex may undermine the effectiveness of birth control pills and The German Commission E discourages using vitex during pregnancy."
"Since Vitex balances hormones from the pituitary and birth control pills provide oestrogen and progesterone, upsetting the natural cycle, it makes more sense to take Vitex when coming off the birth control pill - if it is required. Dong quai, although its action is not hormonal, does have a hormone balancing effect. Other actions of Dong quai are to support the liver, nourish the blood and tone the uterus.
Interaction of Vitex agnus castus (Chaste tree berry) with other drugs is unknown. Herbal Medicine", by Newall, Anderson and Phillips (Pharmaceutical Press, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN, England) states that herbs with hormonal action, such as Vitex, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. " http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./QandA/Medicinal/19990322-4.html&cart_id=14660.523
Thanks for the information! I'm not going to risk it, and I think my boyfriend wouldn't appreciate the condoms either, so I'll forget about the vitex..
Cath (no login)
Re: Vitex vs. Wild Yam?
December 6 2006, 8:46 AM
No..read it AGAIN..
The initial ENQUIRY was about whether it would interact with Marvelon or not, THEN they did extensive research on the contraceptive pill as a whole.
Here again:
Lichtwer looked specifically for information about any possible interaction between Agnus Castus and the hormones used in oral contraceptives but found no information in any of the standard reference books to indicate any interaction with the contraceptive pill. These books included Herbal Medicines by Barnes, Anderson and Phillipson, Martindale: The complete drug reference from the Pharmaceutical Press, ESCOP Monographs by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, as well as a literature search using PubMed, a data-base service operated by the US National Library of Medicine and the US National Institutes of Health. In 47 publications relating to Agnus Castus, the company found "no information that any interaction has ever been reported after using Agnus Castus. It thus seems highly unlikely that there will be any interaction between Agnus Castus and the oral contraceptive pill," Lichtwer commented. Dr Carrie Sadler agrees. "There is no evidence that Agnus Castus affects the contraceptive efficacy of the pill."
I take Agnus Castus, and am on Yasmin, and I have asked my Doctor about it, and she said, just like this study states, that there are NO known interactions. Unlike many docs, mine is VERY happy for her patients to be taking herbs and supplements, and she is very helpful, and informative, so I'm quite happy to keep taking both together.
Thanks Cath, nice to have a doctor like that. I am embarassed to ask mine..
Did it help for you?
I'm sure that my hormones are imbalanced as I have to take bcp to get my periods.. (I'm not underweight or abnormal or anything,just "low hormone levels" according to my gyn. I still need to get my thyroid checked)
