What does Vitex (Chasteberry Extract) do in regard to hormones?

I started taking chasteberry extract because I needed an anaphrodisiac. I found that it works VERY well for this. Does that mean I have a hormone imbalance? If so...what hormone is too high, and what's too low (progesterone...estrogen...)? If I have too much estrogen, or not enough progesterone, does that mean I may be more susceptible to breast cancer?

I tried researching this, but websites keep saying it simply helps "hormone imbalance." What is imbalanced?

Thanks! Hope somebody knows something about it.

I think it depends on which one is low but mostly agnus castus is taken because progesterone is low ....so is often taken for a shortened luteal phase or irregular menstrual cycles resulting from a deficiency in progesterone. So its main effect could be one of progesterone boosting......and research does seem to indicate that.

It is supposed to act at the level of the pituitary gland, regulating LH and FSH and normalising the sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen. It is taken by many ladies to help conceive....so do bare that in mind if you are not looking to get pregnant at this time.

By boosting progesterone, all other sex hormones in your body [oestrogen, testosterone and their metabolites] are naturally raised anyway because progesterone, after cholesterol is a key starting molecule in the steroidogenesis [hormone production] cycle. Testosterone is a key hormone in women, as well as men, for the sex drive. Foods you eat and herbs you take can boost testosterone to an extent. For instance: chamomile tea and bee products contain apigenin and apigenin is a known aromatase inhibitor. And the enzyme aromatase keeps testosterone levels higher by preventng its conversion to oestrogen. This is the same with quercetin found in many plant products and naringin in grapefruit juice... ....i.e. known aromatase inhibitors. But women don't want too much testosterone or they may display masculinization effects.....hirsutism [male pattern hairiness], acne, etc.

I would not worry about breast cancer unless you take artificial hormones [BCP or HRT], or have a definite family history of it, in which case one with a family history of breast cancer should enquire about genetic counselling via their GP.

Agnus castus should also help with PMT as well as regulating the menstrual cycle, thereby promoting ovulatory cycles.

Hope that helps.

I believe it is more for progesterone.