Do ChasteBerry Extract Help PMS?

[booksneedlove2]

I suffer from really bad PMS.  I see my doctor regularly and all that.  But am in-between visits I'd ask him straight away.  Some years ago I took Depo Provero, because the Provero really helped my hormones stay in check.  

In the past few years I haven't been on any birth control at all.  And what my and my partner have noticed (and I even have tracked on my kindle fire since November 2011 and phone before then) was that at least 1 but sometimes 2 weeks before I even have my period my mood swings get erratic.  And I'll have occasional pains from left lower abdomen.  I'm almost sure it's my Ovary even though its crazy to say it.  It feels like its I don't swelling or something.  I'll get shocks of erratic pain till the very day before and most often the first two days I bleed.  Normally its a very heavy bleed.  It normally bleeds extremely heavy for about 3 days and I sort of spot on days 4 and 5.  But aside from pain, fatigue, and things like that...I'm no longer prone to irrational anger.  Or irrational crying.  It's done. as soon as I start to bleed.  I may be a bit touchy just cause my cramps are extreme especially on that very sensitive left side the first and second day.  I have had exams on my body.  Like the ultrasound done on the inside walls of the vagina while having these symptoms, well--these symptoms were why I had it.  They found nothing abnormal.  So my doctor at that time concluded it was my bipolar.  But I just don't feel my bipolar is being so exact with my period.  My new doctor listens more and is more caring to what I have to say. I'm just not scheduled for a visit for a while.



So do Chasteberry extract from the vitamin counter really have a chance at helping bad PMS?  

I very much appreciate your time,
Danie

[Paxiled]

Sorry, should have added that many women find creams derived from the Mexican wild yam helpful, though these aren't really natural.  In cases where nothing seems to work, pregnenolone and Dhea, the master sex hormones, can be helpful, but they also increase testosterone.  This can be nice, as it increases sex drive, but can also lead to unwanted body hair in some people.  These shouldn't be taken long-term, but can really work.  

[Paxiled]

i'm sorry, but I think Gymdandee is not on this time.  St. John's Wort is particular not involved in PMS treatment unless the effect is depression, but it won't do anything to balance your hormones, which is what I think you're trying to do.  Chaste berry, or Vitex, is a precursor to progesterone in those who need it.  It can be very helpful, since most women have too much estrogen and not enough progesterone due in part to environmental toxins and the western diet.  Petroleum products, for example, are estrogenic, and are ever-present in virtually everything we eat, use, burn, etc.  But to balance hormones, usually a formula is used.  Black cohosh is estrogenic, as are soy isoflavones, red clover sprouts.  Planetary Formulas and Wise Woman are two companies to research for hormone balancing formulas.  Good luck.

[gymdandee]

http://www.raysahelian.com/chasteberry.html

PMS in all likelihood results from multiple causes in any particular individual. To start, “clean up your stuff” with exercise and improved nutrition. Then make sure you get enough calcium and magnesium. Vitamin B6 and Chaste Tree together can then be added. Black cohosh, ginkgo or St. John’s wort if needed for more the more specific indication mentioned above.
Cramp Bark for cramps
The aptly named cramp bark is effective for relieving
menstrual cramps.  Use the tea, up to several times a day.
Spirulina contains natural beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A, and is also an antioxidant, necessary for fighting an excess of free radicals in your body. It also contains one of the few sources of an important fatty acid called Gamma- linolenic acid (GLA). GLA can help calm eczema and other skin irritations, arthritis, and PMS.
The best way to use spirulina is as a daily preventive super food that will supply you with an all-day energy lift. Try HealthForce Nutritionals!

Regular aerobic exercise, strength training, yoga and tai chi can all help.  Five times a week.
Fiber rich, low fat diets (less than 20% of calories) may help by gently reducing estrogen levels over 3 months. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables whole grains. Reduce saturated fats from meat and dairy sources to below 10% of calories. 4 - 6 small meals can reduce cravings and ease mood swings. Alcohol and caffeine may worsen PMS.
Try to get enough daily calcium (1200 mg) and magnesium (200 - 400 mg).
Low levels of calcium for woman with PMS is solid, less for magnesium,  You should be taking both of these for bone health.
Vitamin B6 (50 mg / day) combined with Chaste Tree (Vitex Fruit) take Nature’s Way Vitex, 400 mg a day. Try for  3-months.
Anxiety, fluid retention, depression
Black cohosh (40 mg 2x / day) is helpful in relieving anxiety and mood. Gingko (80 mg 2x a day from day 15 of cycle thru day 5 of next cycle) can help fluid retention.
Try St. John’s Wort (400 mg 3x / day) for depression and irritability before using antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa or Paxil. Again, allow three months for results.