Is vitex agnus castus extract safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to vitex agnus castus extract | VeriMom

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See also

• Is vitex agnus castus extract safe for babies?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to vitex agnus castus extract?

Frequently asked questions

Is vitex agnus castus extract safe during pregnancy?

Multiple regulatory reviews and clinical reviews recommend avoiding Vitex agnus‑castus during pregnancy because the botanical has demonstrated effects on reproductive hormones (prolactin/progestogenic activity) and at least one animal study reported adverse pregnancy outcomes, so it is classed as 'suspected' reproductive hazard rather than confirmed harmonised CMR. (see TGA/EMA guidance; systematic review and PubMed animal study). Sources: TGA safety notice; systematic review/DARE; rat study. https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/safety-monitoring-and-information/safety-alerts/vitex-agnus-castus, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK71283/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35837144/

Is vitex agnus castus extract safe while breastfeeding?

Authoritative breastfeeding resources and reviews (LactMed / safety reviews) advise avoiding Vitex in lactation because it alters prolactin and may affect milk production and infant hormone exposure; this demonstrates a mechanistic concern (endocrine activity) and justifies a 'suspected' hazard score. Dermal/topical cosmetic use gives low systemic exposure but transfer into breastmilk is plausible with systemic administration; topical exposure is likely lower. Sources: LactMed (Chasteberry), systematic reviews, regulatory advisories. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501807/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK71283/

Is vitex agnus castus extract safe for baby skin?

No direct evidence shows teratogenicity or infant‑skin specific reproductive toxicity from topical Vitex extracts, but the ingredient contains hormone‑active constituents (flavonoids, diterpenoids) which create a theoretical/class‑based concern for infants (hence h=1, m=1). Because infant skin has higher permeability, exposure score is increased by +1 relative to adult topical use (adult e=1 → infant e=2). Sources: phytochemistry summaries and reviews; translational guidance on avoiding systemic hormone modulators for infants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitex_agnus-castus, https://phcogrev.com/article/2018/12/23/104103phrevphrev2217

How does VeriMom score vitex agnus castus extract?

VeriMom scores vitex agnus castus extract at 40/100 (medium risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.

What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to vitex agnus castus extract?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to vitex agnus castus extract based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.