Vitex and Hot Flashes

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Butch Owen <butchbsi

Thu, 15 Jan 2004 01:17:35 -0800

Vitex and Hot Flashes

 

 

Somebody asked .. and this list:

> I have a friend who was taken off hormone replacement because they

> suspected a cyst or tumor in her breast and uterus..all turned out to

> be fine, however they took her off hormone replacement.

> Now she is miserable, Doc's will not put her back on hormone

> replacement. Can she take vitex?

 

Dr. Woodfield replied .. on this list:

I am a chiropractor and a pharmacist with a background in research. I

have been using oils for several years. I am in the process of putting

together a project with an ob-gyn to do a study on vitex for PMS and

menopause.

 

I have several patients using the vitex including my mother who after 25

years of hormone replacement therapy had a hysterectomy to remove

endometrial cancer. She has been using Vitex before the surgery and and

post-op with no problems.

 

My interest began when my wife's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer

and the tumor grew from nothing to a golf ball in less than a month

because the MD didn't take her off the hormones. With the history of

heart disease and osteoporosis in my wife's family, we considered HRT a

viable option until her sister was diagnosed. Both my wife and two of

her sisters (one that had the mastectomy) use the Vitex to 'regulate'

menopause symptoms.

 

I have my own theory about xeno-estrogens and their effect on the human

condition, but that is another soap box to include treating menopause as

a disease. My experience over the past 9 months shows no complications,

including one post endometrial CA and Breast CA (Ductile). I of course

will continue monitoring but the relief my patients have obtained has

made it worth it.

 

I am very curious on the effect of vitex on osteoporosis. Some women

have stated their osteoarthrits symptoms have decreased as well.

 

Here is an e-mail I just received tonight:

 

> " On a positive note- I just talked to Cookie. She has been using the

> Vitex and wants more - not only -no hot flashes - as of the second

> day - no vaginal dryness, she was actually horny and had great sex! I

> told her to tell you that - hee hee "

>

> This oil has helped many women and out of my group of 30+ patients

> only one had no effect. I have one psychotherapist taking it by mouth

> but most just inhale it (one drop on a tissue) or put it (one drop) on

> their feet, wrist and temples. Usually inhalation stops a hot flash

> dead in it's tracks. Hope this helps!

>

> Dr. Chuck Woodfield