15-02-2016, 15:34
The difference between Vitex and Maca...
December 18 2006 at 3:15 AM Katrina (Login mountainkat)
SENIOR MEMBER
Okay, I have heard a lot of you all have been using Vitex (agnus castus or chasteberry) to balance your hormones along with Progesterone cream. I have found that the main difference in Vitex is that is balances estrogen and progesterone, but decreases androgens (for sexual enhancement) and it decreases prolactin (responsible for increased milk supply in mothers).
Maca balances estrogen and progesterone but INCREASES androgens and libido in women.
*But be careful of progesterone cream! Read this woman's story below.
I tried the progesterone, for years, along with reducing xenoestrogens from my environment. The fibroids were not bothering me, but didnt disappear either. The migraines before my periods went away. The breast tenderness before my periods went away. Then THEY RETURNED. I thought I might have exposed myself to more xenoestrogens so I INCREASED MY PROGESTERONE! My symptoms got worse. I then had my hormones checked. My estradiol was low & my progesterone was high. These same symptoms were now caused by Progesterone Dominance! According to Dr. Mercola, progesterone can be stored in fat cells for up to 2 years! Is this really the best solution to balance my hormones?
In my research I have come across an herb/root/food grown organically, high in the Andean Mountains in Peru that is worth looking into. Its called Maca. It is suppose to adapt to the bodys needs and support menopausal health. It works with the body, the pituitary & hypothalamus, to bring about healthy balanced hormones. Maca is not a hormone, but a food that helps the body balance itself AND it helps both men and women.
This sounds like a gift from God!
**Too much progesterone is also a bad thing and will not completely leave your system for up to 2 YEARS!! So I beleive it is best to use eather vitex or maca depending on your androgen levels to balance your hormones and beware of progesterone cream!
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
December 18 2006, 2:20 PM
Yes, too much progesterone is a bad thing. Too much of any hormone is a bad thing. What we don't know about the woman in your example was how much progesterone she was using. We do know she used more when her symptoms increased and predictably this worsened her condition.
Natural progesterone cream when taken at appropriate levels (20 - 40mg a day for most) has very little chance of creating progesterone dominance in someone that needed to supplement their progesterone in the first place.
When progesterone cream is initially used in those with low progesterone it turns on receptors and can initially increase estrogen dominance symptoms. This passes within 3 cycles and the body begins to stabilize. If a woman uses too much progesterone, it shuts down the receptors and causes the very symptoms it is used to treat.
It is all about balance. You can't just use a bunch of progesterone cream like its body lotion. You apply the correct amount and you tailor it to your symptoms. That is why I always recommend using one of Dr. Lee's books as a reference when someone wants to use progesterone.
Yes, progesterone is stored in body fat for up to two years. That is completely natural. If it is not stored in body fat we could never be in balance. The body stores progesterone in fat so it will always have a ready supply. Progesterone is used to make many different hormones in the body.
If a person overdoses on progesterone cream it only takes a few cycles of appropriate levels to bring the excess down. The amount in the body fat returns to normal quickly.
Yes, use caution in taking any hormone or any herb that increases hormone activity. I believe the same caution should be stated for both Vitex and Maca. They are not without risk. If used in excess they will also create hormonal overload.
Remember, take the LEAST amount you need to get the results you are seeking. This applies to any drug, any herb and any cream you use.
tati
(no login)
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
January 4 2007, 1:42 AM
so how do we know if we should use vitex or maca? i do not know what my testosterone levels are like. I always assumed they were high because i have some pimples and small breasts
But i also have a very girly voice and a small chin, so maybe theyre not high. Im so confused, i was going to use maca, but it might not work if i have too much testosterone!
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
January 4 2007, 1:47 PM
I used maca for over a month. I related my results earlier.
My opinion is that Maca has strong estrogenic qualities, at least in me, thus the fat increase. It did not in any way enhance my breasts. There has not been as much research on maca as some other herbs. If you try it, use the minimal dosage recommended. I may have used too much and overwhelmed my system - either that or it just has a weird effect on me.
December 18 2006 at 3:15 AM Katrina (Login mountainkat)
SENIOR MEMBER
Okay, I have heard a lot of you all have been using Vitex (agnus castus or chasteberry) to balance your hormones along with Progesterone cream. I have found that the main difference in Vitex is that is balances estrogen and progesterone, but decreases androgens (for sexual enhancement) and it decreases prolactin (responsible for increased milk supply in mothers).
Maca balances estrogen and progesterone but INCREASES androgens and libido in women.
*But be careful of progesterone cream! Read this woman's story below.
I tried the progesterone, for years, along with reducing xenoestrogens from my environment. The fibroids were not bothering me, but didnt disappear either. The migraines before my periods went away. The breast tenderness before my periods went away. Then THEY RETURNED. I thought I might have exposed myself to more xenoestrogens so I INCREASED MY PROGESTERONE! My symptoms got worse. I then had my hormones checked. My estradiol was low & my progesterone was high. These same symptoms were now caused by Progesterone Dominance! According to Dr. Mercola, progesterone can be stored in fat cells for up to 2 years! Is this really the best solution to balance my hormones?
In my research I have come across an herb/root/food grown organically, high in the Andean Mountains in Peru that is worth looking into. Its called Maca. It is suppose to adapt to the bodys needs and support menopausal health. It works with the body, the pituitary & hypothalamus, to bring about healthy balanced hormones. Maca is not a hormone, but a food that helps the body balance itself AND it helps both men and women.
This sounds like a gift from God!
**Too much progesterone is also a bad thing and will not completely leave your system for up to 2 YEARS!! So I beleive it is best to use eather vitex or maca depending on your androgen levels to balance your hormones and beware of progesterone cream!
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
December 18 2006, 2:20 PM
Yes, too much progesterone is a bad thing. Too much of any hormone is a bad thing. What we don't know about the woman in your example was how much progesterone she was using. We do know she used more when her symptoms increased and predictably this worsened her condition.
Natural progesterone cream when taken at appropriate levels (20 - 40mg a day for most) has very little chance of creating progesterone dominance in someone that needed to supplement their progesterone in the first place.
When progesterone cream is initially used in those with low progesterone it turns on receptors and can initially increase estrogen dominance symptoms. This passes within 3 cycles and the body begins to stabilize. If a woman uses too much progesterone, it shuts down the receptors and causes the very symptoms it is used to treat.
It is all about balance. You can't just use a bunch of progesterone cream like its body lotion. You apply the correct amount and you tailor it to your symptoms. That is why I always recommend using one of Dr. Lee's books as a reference when someone wants to use progesterone.
Yes, progesterone is stored in body fat for up to two years. That is completely natural. If it is not stored in body fat we could never be in balance. The body stores progesterone in fat so it will always have a ready supply. Progesterone is used to make many different hormones in the body.
If a person overdoses on progesterone cream it only takes a few cycles of appropriate levels to bring the excess down. The amount in the body fat returns to normal quickly.
Yes, use caution in taking any hormone or any herb that increases hormone activity. I believe the same caution should be stated for both Vitex and Maca. They are not without risk. If used in excess they will also create hormonal overload.
Remember, take the LEAST amount you need to get the results you are seeking. This applies to any drug, any herb and any cream you use.
tati
(no login)
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
January 4 2007, 1:42 AM
so how do we know if we should use vitex or maca? i do not know what my testosterone levels are like. I always assumed they were high because i have some pimples and small breasts
But i also have a very girly voice and a small chin, so maybe theyre not high. Im so confused, i was going to use maca, but it might not work if i have too much testosterone!
waxingmoon
(Login waxingmoon)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: The difference between Vitex and Maca...
January 4 2007, 1:47 PM
I used maca for over a month. I related my results earlier.
My opinion is that Maca has strong estrogenic qualities, at least in me, thus the fat increase. It did not in any way enhance my breasts. There has not been as much research on maca as some other herbs. If you try it, use the minimal dosage recommended. I may have used too much and overwhelmed my system - either that or it just has a weird effect on me.