Vitex (Agnus Castus) is a herb which has been used for centuries in women to balance their hormones.  It causes a rise in Luteinizing hormone which then causes a rise in progesterone and then it balances the hormones.  In the first weeks I took it my symptoms temporarily became worse (bloating and other symptoms) but this is because it causes the cells in the body to become more estrogen sensistive.  Once that settled down thoughi was fine.  My periods have returned to normal and I have no bloat.  The goo thing about vitex for me is that it has raised my own natural progesterone levels and it is an excellent herb to use for peri menopause or menopause because it will deal with any unnoppsoed estrogen one has and it is the unnopposed estrogen which causes the majority of womens problems in life.  I.e. PMS, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings etc.