Vitex questions

[kchummer (imported)]

Hi all. Just have a few questions for those of you who have or are using vitex. I would like to drop my libido level for a short while. I have too much sex on my mind and in the next few months i need to have it off my mind especially for work. I'm spending way too much time on the computer looking at porn, then going to the bathroom and jacking off. I've seen several people mention trying vitex. This seems exciting to me, but i only want this temporarly. My wife also has zero sex drive so it would probably make her happy too.

To those of you who tried it, did things go back to normal when you stop? I've read that it shrinks the testicle, but i definatly hope this isn't premanant if taken for a few months or so.

How long does it take to work back out of the system?

Thanks!

[bobbie (imported)]

Hi all. Just have a few questions for those of you who have or are using vitex. I would like to drop my libido level for a short while. I have too much sex on my mind and in the next few months i need to have it off my mind especially for work. I'm spending way too much time on the computer looking at porn, then going to the bathroom and jacking off. I've seen several people mention trying vitex. This seems exciting to me, but i only want this temporarly. My wife also has zero sex drive so it would probably make her happy too.

To those of you who tried it, did things go back to normal when you stop? I've read that it shrinks the testicle, but i definatly hope this isn't premanant if taken for a few months or so.

How long does it take to work back out of the system?

Thanks!

Vitex is just like most herbs that claim female benefits. Most studies found real effects. It will be just wasting your money from all I heard of.

[SplitDik (imported)]

Vitex actually is pretty well known to affect prolactin levels. The relationship to libido then is somewhat indirect and probably depends on your original hormonal situation. For example, from wikipedia:

Prolactin provides the body with sexual gratification after sexual acts: The hormone counteracts the effect of dopamine, which is responsible for sexual arousal. This is thought to cause the sexual refractory period.[4] The amount of prolactin can be an indicator for the amount of sexual satisfaction and relaxation. Unusually high amounts are suspected to be responsible for impotence and loss of libido (see hyperprolactinemia symptoms).

I personally think my sex addiction is related to no having enough prolactin production. For example, I can orgasm multiple time, with no break in between. I basically have no refractory period and can orgasm (full ejaculation) up to 11 times before I start to lose desire.

You can also see how drugs used to combat high prolactin levels (like bromocriptine) are also known to increase libido and male sexual function generally: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/cabergolinesex.htm

You can also read about how prolactin causes loss of libido: http://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com/col ... actin.html

The interesting thing is that prolactin basically competes for dopamine, so is very intertwined with our pleasure-seeking, and seems to be the hormonal control -- prolactin is a major factor in why humans don't just have sex constantly, it creates the satisfied feeling.

Anyway, the point then is that Vitex can affect prolactin levels. You'll see varying contradictory evidence saying that it either raises or lowers levels, but most interesting is that many herbalists say that it "normalizes" levels. In other words, if you have low prolactin it may raise it but if you have high prolactin it may lower it.

Anyway, this is the theory of Vitex. It seems to affect prolactin, and prolactin is related directly to sexual satiation.

I personally find that Vitex helps a lot. It is very cheap.

I really don't know about long term effects and recovery because I haven't stopped taking it since I started. A couple times I started to stop but then after a couple days realized I was getting too horny again and so I started again.

I can still be sexual with Vitex, but it is just not an overwhelming urge.

I am very sure that Vitex is doing something because for the first several days you take it your testicles will ache, and you'll get hot flashes. I've never had hot flashes before, and they really surprised me where I would be sitting at work or wherever and my face would feel hot and suddenly I would be sweating lightly all over my body. Lastly, the feeling in my genitals and my nipples changed a lot -- they are not really erotic anymore. They are not numb, but they are now just like any part of my body. This is a big deal for me as my libido was so high that I would masturbate multiple times per day, and also would get unwanted erections throughout the day. I also normally have very quick ejaculation and also have the multiple orgasms I mentioned before. Now I am much slower, with more endurance.

I do worry a bit about the long term effects of taking anything. But for me the long term effects of high libido were even more dangerous.

I know I didn't answer your question about trying it, but it is definitely something that is cheap, does have some effect (in my opinion, for some people like me), and is regularly taken by pregnant women so can't be that dangerous.

[kchummer (imported)]

Thanks both for your answers.

SplitDik,

Have you noticed your testicles shrinking any?

How much do you use?

Are you using any other supplements?

I did go ahead and order some, as well as a testosterone testing kit just to see what my level is before, to see if i have an unusually high amount of testosterone.

Thanks!

[SplitDik (imported)]

Thanks both for your answers.

SplitDik,

Have you noticed your testicles shrinking any?

How much do you use?

Are you using any other supplements?

I did go ahead and order some, as well as a testosterone testing kit just to see what my level is before, to see if i have an unusually high amount of testosterone.

Thanks!

The testicles definitely feel harder and smaller. I wouldn't say it is drastic shrinkage, but I usually have very large soft testicles, and instead they were quite hard.

I use the recommended dose in the Nature's Path brand capsules. 3 capsules per day for total dose of 1200mg daily. Note that the potency of different brands may vary, so I don't know how that would translate to other brands.

I also use Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) which is actually a medication (I obtain illegally without a prescription). It is an estrogen suppressor. That is actually something you may want to watch -- Vitex is supposed to lower testosterone but sometimes that cause feminization issues, which Tamoxifen will prevent. It really depends on your goals though. Controlling your sex drive (as I know) is the primary goal, and for me I still wanted to be manly. So it is a balance between reducing testosterone but also avoiding estrogen from "taking over".

Instead of Vitex I also tried Fenugreek. While it seemed to have similar effect, I didn't like the side effects. It made my whole body smell funny. Some people say it is a "maple" smell, but it was sort of a sickening sweet smell. I actually think it made my nose just constantly smell something sweet. Also, I started getting sort of a headache, not really a pain but basically not feeling well.

Anyway, I suggest that you try taking each supplement on its own to understand its effect before "stacking" it with anything else. Start with a low dose and work up. None of this is a perfect "magic" pill, and so the best we can hope for is subtle effect to take the "edge" off of our sexual urges.

Good luck, and please report your experience.