Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

WOW! I seriously cannot say enough about this herb! First off, I am an RN, and don't recommend people taking things without first researching it. I spent weeks researching this product, after finding out about it through an online forum about PCOS. I have always had irregular periods since I was 17. Before that, they were always right on time! What changed? Well, docs always told me I'd grow out of it, and cycles would regulate. Yeah, ok. Well, into my 20's and in nursing school, I started having a bad time with huge clots, periods that would last for weeks, no periods at all, spotting in between...you name it! Docs said i was stressed, and it was then working nights (post nursing school), that messed up my hormones. Yeah, ok. Birth control was ALWAYS their go-to treatment, and that was never something I really felt comforable taking. So the years ticked by. I still continued to have problems. Into my late 20's, I started experiencing cystic acne. I never had acne, ever, even as a teen. What changed? Well, I was still working nights, but moved out of state, used well water compared to town, got a little older, diet was better (eating mostly organic, less processed foods), and yet, acne kept worsening. Late winter 2014, my acne got progressively worse, and stayed that way till Fall. My face is completely scarred up, my periods continued to be irregular! Somethat HAD to change! I had been diagnosed with a heart condition and was taking meds, along with levo for my underactive thyroid. So, I finally started doing research to see if my acne could be caused by a hormonal imbalance or thyroid condition (even though my labs were normal). I stopped taking my levo (for 2 weeks-which I don't recommend without a doc approval), but I was so fed up! I had suffered with acne (with no remedy) for 2 years, with 9 mos of severe, scarring acne. No one wpuld listen to me. They kept brushing me off! I was told I could see a derm or endo. Yeah, ok. To be given a bandaid patch over my complaints to shut me up!? As an RN, I was so fed up with the medical community. So, I resolved to take matters into my own hands. I started researching my symptoms, wanting to get to the bottom of them. That's when I discovered Vitex. Herbs can be very dangerous if used in the wrong way, so I was nervous about taking it. But after research and reviews here on amazon, of women with similar complaints, I decided to give it a shot. Stopping my thyroid meds for 2 weeks did slightly help my acne. But it didn't completely go away. My doc switched me to synthroid, with no real changes. She recommended BCP for the acne and irregular cycles. Yeah, ok. But WHY am I having these problems?! I went in one day and specifically requested to be tested for PCOS. But, all my labs were normal. All my hormones were normal. What was wrong? I didn't want a patch. I wanted to get to the bottom of my issues. So, I took matters into my own hands and ordered Vitex. Wow. What a wonder drug! I hadn't had a period in over 2 mos. I read that Vitex takes a while to work. But within a week, I had a period! I started really keeping track, and keeping a journal of each day. 32 days later, another period! Then 32 days later, another! Then another! I mean EXACTLY 32 days! Not 31 or 33. Crazy, right?! My periods have been normal too. Not long, not scant, not heavy. But the normal light then heavier then lighter kind-you know, the ones we're supposed to have?! 2 weeks ago, I turned 31. I have been on this herb for 4 months. I still can't believe it. I have suffered with irregularities since I was a teen, and haven't had this many normal periods in 15 years! 15!!! Without further testing, I won't know for sure if i have PCOS. I also have experienced some pelvic pain with each period since summer. But that was also before starting vitex. I told my doc about it. She had never heard of it. She told me to keep taking it, if it was working for me. Yeah, ok. I would anyway, whether she approved or not. It works for me. I still suffer from cystic acne and the resulting scars. But, it has gotten better. Before, I'd get 4-6 new cysts every day! Now, none to maybe one. It has improved greatly. I am to see an endo for the period problems and acne. But, I may see a naturopath instead. I don't see as a medial professional, when something like this herb exists for women like me with female issues, that will within months, improve our quality of life greatly, then why don't we prescribe this?! Yes, vitex isn't the go-to cure all drug for EVERY woman. But it CAN help many of we sufferers. Why not give it a shot? I was the woman who wore a pantiliner or pad EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE for years, because I never knew when or if I would start my period. It would literally come out of nowhere. No symptoms, nothing. "When was your last period, ma'am?" "Well, uh, let me see... yesterday. Then 2 weeks ago. Then 3 weeks ago." Yep, that was me! So, my fellow female trouble sufferers, Vitex may or may not help you. However, do your own research. And DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT allow your doc to make you feel inferior for researching or using google. It is a wonderful resource. Do not a accept BCP as your only option, if you don't feel they are the right option for you. You know your body. They do not. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! i hope this can help give you your life back. I will re-review when I've been on Vitex longer. Best of luck my fellow women! (P.S. I think it also helped me lose weight by helping to rebalance my hormones. An added bonus, but it is NOT a weight loss drug.)