Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has used the herb Vitex before, and if so, what your experience with it was. I have ovarian cysts, and also have been having menstrual problems for quite a while. Sometimes my period hasn't come for as long as 5 months. The only things that have helped me was getting Maya Abdominal Massage, Accupuncture, and taking herbal supplements.

The thing is, I can't really afford all those alternative treatments despite their effectiveness, and traditional doctors say they can't find anything wrong with me...so I was looking into other things that might help. I started taking Vitex, and did find that I got my period on time. I've had some issues since taking it though and i'm wondering if other people have had similar experiences. I'm trying to rule out whether my symptoms are caused by the vitex or unrelated to it all together.

Basically, I've felt more moody than usual since taking Vitex, and have had 2 episodes which feels like my cysts burst. (I had the same feeling of a cyst bursting before I heard about vitex but I'm not sure if that is really what happened any of the three times). When it happens though, I am in the most excruciating pain, feel nausous but am too pained to vomit, and just miserable for anywhere from 1 hour to 3 days. I stopped taking the Vitex right now, but I've heard it takes several months of consistant use before it really works properly in your body. I've just been burdened with abnominal pain lately and unable to go buy more as a result.

Any suggestions or experiences of your own would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Related or unrelated, I have also been diagnosed several years ago with IBS which causes me a lot of problems too and could be involved in these episodes somehow.