Important note: It takes at least 6-12 months of consistent lifestyle and diet changes, along with natural therapies to bring about real change in the body when living with PCOS.
In addition to eating the PCOS diet, supplements have shown to be effective in helping those with PCOS boost their fertility and give birth to healthy babies. The overall goal with PCOS is to balance blood sugar levels, maintain hormonal balance, promote healthy digestion for improved estrogen metabolism, while also working to promote regular ovulation and menses. Adaptogen herbs are also important, this is because adaptogens increase resistance to mind-body stress and enhance overall vitality and health through non-specific adrenal (known as stress glands) support. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the body’s functions, most importantly the endocrine system, even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.
Herbs and supplements are not meant to be a substitute for dietary and lifestyle changes! If diet and lifestyles changes specific to PCOS are not in place, herbs and supplements cannot aid the body properly!
Alfalfa: contains phytoestrogens. Helps in progesterone balance
Ashwagandha: Supports endocrine system function
Astaxanthin: This is actually a powerful antioxidant that provides the body with many health benefits. However, women with PCOS should take this in conjunction with saw palmetto to see the best results. Astaxanthin helps regulate female hormones, as well as significantly lower levels of testosterone.
Black Cohosh: Aids in shedding of the uterine lining
Chromium: This versatile mineral can help aid effective weight loss by reducing a person’s cravings for sugary foods. However, if you suffer from insulin-sensitivity or are currently taking medication for diabetes, it is important you consult with your medical professional before taking it.
Cinnamon: Helps reduce insulin resistance by slowing the movement of foods from the stomach to the small intestine. Great for women trying to conceive.
Co-enzyme Q10: Essential for energy production and normal carbohydrate metabolism.
D-Chiro Inositol: B vitamin Aid in insulin action (reducing insulin resistance), Relieve depression, helps your liver metabolize fat.
DIM (Diindolylmethane): Balances the hormones and aids in the breakdown of estrogen.
Dong Quai: Helps increase circulation to the Uterus. It also strengthens the uterus by regulating hormonal control.
D-Pinitol: an inositol compounds same as D-chiro-inositol. Aids in insulin sensitivity, reduce blood glucose concentration, decrease hemoglobin A1c concentration, and improves insulin resistance.
Eleuthero: Root and stem are an adaptogen herb that supports endocrine function for hormone imbalance.
Evening Primrose Oil: Supports hormonal balance
Ginger Root: Helps reduce inflammation in PCOS and improves circulation.
Gymnema: a Sugar Blocking herb that stimulates the regeneration of pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Also has a lipid-lowering effect that helps with weight loss.
Indole-3-carbinol: to assist with estrogen, metabolism, and clearance
Inositol: Hormone balance, Insulin/Glucose control, Acne, and weight/appetite control.
Iodine and vitamin D: to promote normal ovulation.
Licorice Root: Supports insulin levels and liver health for hormone balance support
Maca Root: Balance the estrogen and progesterone in the body for a better menstrual cycle. It also has adaptogens and helps with fertility. It does not contain any hormones itself
Magnesium and zinc: to block testosterone.
Milk Thistle: Best liver cleansing herbs and is healthy liver is vital for hormone balance. If liver is congested the body cannot eliminate excess estrogens and they re-enter the body.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) & Arginine: helps improve ovulation regularity, insulin resistance, and reduce excess bleeding. NAC has also been shown to enhance the fertility drug, Clomid’s success in ovulation.
Natural Progesterone: to suppress LH secretion (from the pituitary) and allow ovulation to occur.
Oatstraw: Strengthens the nerves, calms the body, strengthens the blood, stabilize moods, sooths stomach, and balance the endocrine system.
Omega 3 fatty acids: These essential fatty acids help your body become more sensitive to insulin and taken in supplement form have been found to reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS and the greatest reduction min) is seen in those women who had high levels of Omega 6 fatty acids compared to Omega 3.
Parsley: Help bring menstruation cycle.
Peony & Licorice: herbal formula to lower testosterone, bring on the periods, alleviate acne, and facial hair.
Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria, also known as probiotics, are important as they play a part In PCOS as they can help to control your weight.
Progesterone cream: 15 to 20 mg of progesterone cream daily for the last two weeks of your cycle. The disappearance of facial hair and acne are usually obvious signs that hormones are becoming balanced, but to see these results, you’ll need to give the treatment at least six months, in conjunction with proper diet and exercise.
Red Clover: Helps increase cervical mucus if TTC
Red Raspberry Leaf: Normalize blood flow during mense. Helps reduce bleeding of endometrial tissues. Do not take if pregnant.
Rehmannia/Rhodiola/Siberian Ginseng/Withania: Any of those herbs support the adrenal stress response and help the adrenal gland return to a state of balance.
Rehmannia: Helps reduce Inflammation
Royal Jelly/Bee Propolis: help reduce inflammation and naturally boost the immune system. Also aids in endocrine system support. Also helps with uterine fibroids
Saw palmetto: in a dose of about 320 mg per day may be effective in reducing the effect of the androgens since it blocks the effect of 5-alpha-reductase on their receptors when used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy. Blocking androgens helps with hirsutism.
Schisandra: Adaptogen that supports hormonal balance and stress response.
Seaweed: High in fiber for improved estrogen metabolism
Tribulus: Herb enhances the timing of menstrual cycle and cancels menstrual irregularities. In addition, it acts as a tonic for the reproductive system of women and nourishes the ovaries. This herb reduces ovarian cysts as well as stimulates ovulation.
Vitex (Chaste tree): use for hormone regulation. Treats endometriosis, infertility, PMS, preventing miscarriage in first trimester, hot flashes. Helps regulate menstrual cycle and help initiate a period. Should NOT be used, especially if LH is elevated. It will worsen symptoms.
Yarrow: Stimulates menstruation. Aids in shedding the endometrium and regulating cycles
Zinc: This mineral also aids healthy weight loss; however it also helps regulate hormone production when taken properly
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Thank you for visiting us! You will find information on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, goals, and so much more. Our mission is to spread awareness and provide updated information for everyday living with PCOS. We welcome questions, advice, and ideas. Please feel free to contact us anytime!
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder in women, affecting an estimated 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It was once thought of as being a fertility problem, but it is now know that PCOS is a metabolic disorder like diabetes that can have serious health consequences if not diagnosed and controlled.
Symptoms can begin at any age, they may develop during puberty and the start of menstrual periods may be delayed or not happen at all. Each woman’s symptoms may be different, but usually they will include some or all of the following:
- Excessive hair growth on the face, chest or abdomen
- Irregular or absent periods
- Abnormal bleeding from the uterus
- High blood pressure
- Acne
- Obesity, particularly centred around the middle
- Thinning hair or hair loss in a classic male baldness pattern
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