Inositol and PCOS – an ally in B-ing pain-free
The family of eight B vitamins is vital to the health and well-being of our bodies. They are the building blocks of a healthy body, controlling energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism. Inositol, sometimes referred to as Vitamin B8, plays a major role in helping to curb some of the less desirable symptoms of PCOS.
PCOS causes the failure of cellular processes that produce and use inositol to function properly. When that happens, insulin regulation is imbalanced and then widespread hormone imbalances follow. Inositol is a great tool against irregular periods, which are one of the most frustrating aspects of PCOS. If you’re trying to get pregnant, not having a regular cycle can make it difficult to know when – or if – you’re fertile. If you aren’t trying to conceive, never knowing if a missed period is just a PCOS thing or if you’re pregnant can be a terrifying experience. Inositol helps regulate your hormones to encourage a more regular menstrual cycle. It does this by reducing the levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream, which are responsible for improving insulin function and blood pressure. When combined with folic acid, it can boost fertility in women with PCOS.
Discover the top Inositol for PCOS, reviewed only by people who have PCOS here.
Vitex and PCOS – a berry powerful partner against pain
Do not let the name fool you. Chasteberry, also know as Vitex, is a powerhouse herb that brings great relief to PCOS sufferers. It is known for its ability to increase progesterone levels by augmenting luteinizing hormone (LH) production. LH is what a healthy, hormonally-balanced body releases during the fertility phase of a woman’s monthly cycle. It collaborates with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), allowing healthy eggs to grow and triggering estrogen production in the follicle.
Why, exactly, is that important when you are living with PCOS? Well, if you’re trying to get pregnant, balanced hormones are important to the process. If hormone production is off, the ovaries will not make and release quality eggs for fertilization. Women with PCOS over-produce androgens, which in turn affect the proper development and release of eggs. Normal prolactin levels are generally less than 25 ng/ml. When they are higher, it affects the pituitary gland, which can cause hormone imbalances. Vitex suppresses prolactin levels and increases your ovulatory cycles, creating a conception-friendly environment.
A word of caution with Vitex: if your LH levels already are elevated, using chasteberry can be counterproductive, so be sure you will benefit from using it before adding it to your daily regimen.
Not all Vitex is created equally. Here at top Vitex supplements, reviewed by people who have PCOS.
DIM and PCOS – nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye (oily skin)
Living with PCOS can feel like being stuck in the hormonal teen years when frequent acne breakouts and oily skin were the norms. Sometimes hormones get a bad rap and are a convenient excuse to explain away some conditions. When it comes to PCOS, the blame is well-placed.
So, what is DIM, and how can it help with your out-of-control oily skin and acne issues? DIM is short for Diindolylmethane, a plant compound found in vegetables like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and kale. It interacts with both estrogen and testosterone receptors to encourage hormonal imbalance. PCOS is a culprit in the over-production of estrogen in some women’s bodies. Not only will too much estrogen lead to oily skin and acne, but it also can put women at higher risk for blood clots, stroke, and thyroid dysfunction. Not to mention, it can cause hair loss in all the wrong places, and who needs that? DIM helps balance estrogen levels in your body by metabolizing excess hormones in your system before they can wreak havoc on your skin. When your body is able to properly metabolize hormones, the potential for future flare-ups becomes lessened. Women just like you have used it with great success.
You win some you DIM some! Win more by adding the right DIM to your Regimen. Find top DIM supplements and read reviews made only by people with PCOS here.
Saw Palmetto and PCOS – now you Saw it…now you don’t!
One of the most frustrating things for women living with PCOS is growing random hairs – thick, dark, very noticeable hairs – in places they shouldn’t be appearing. Plucking and shaving daily leads to other issues like ingrown hairs. And when you are living with PCOS, you do not need to add any complications to the mix.
Saw Palmetto is a great supplement to add to your daily regimen if the thought of plucking more coarse hairs from your chin again tomorrow has you frustrated and depressed. But how, exactly, does Saw Palmetto work? One of the top reasons for hair loss is an uptake in DHT in the hair follicles. It can cause hair already there to fall out and discourage the growth of new hair in its place. Saw Palmetto is known for its effectiveness in reducing the uptake of DHT in hair follicles. It also may reduce high levels of androgens and prolactin throughout the body which are responsible for irregular and heavy periods and excess body and facial hair. It works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. It is the most significant enzyme involved in the conversion of DHT. Since DHT is more powerful as an androgen than testosterone, blocking it can help keep androgen levels under control. Just a word of caution: if you are taking blood thinners for another condition, it might not be safe to take Saw Palmetto, so check with your doctor first.
You've seen one SAW palmetto, you've SAW them all, right? Wrong. Not all Saw Palmetto's work for PCOS. Find ones reviewed by people who share your same PCOS challenges, here.
Evening Primrose and PCOS – bringing back the Flo
What’s the big deal about Evening Primrose Oil? Is it really all that when it comes to regulating your monthly cycle? You betcha!
Women living with PCOS are all too familiar with the intense pelvic pain that accompanies their irregular menstrual cycles. You never know when the pain – or the heavy bleeding – is going to start. Evening Primrose Oil is known for reducing period pain and encouraging a more predictable cycle. When paired with Vitamin D, it delivers a one-two punch to painful, irregular periods. So, what is it about Evening Primrose Oil that makes it so effective? It can change the concentration of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and testosterone hormones in women living with PCOS. Women with PCOS often have high levels of LH, which contribute to the over-abundance of male hormones like testosterone. If your body has too much testosterone and not enough estrogen, your ovaries will not receive adequate signals from the pituitary gland to produce healthy eggs. That can be a huge problem if you are trying to conceive. When FSH levels are off, eggs that do get released by the ovaries are of poor quality, which is counterproductive when trying to get pregnant.
The difference between choosing the right or wrong Evening Primrose oil is night and day. Or in this case, evening and day. Make sure you choose the right one by reading reviews by people who share your same PCOS challenges first. Find relevant PCOS Evening Primrose oil reviews here.
Now that we know exactly why these supplements help PCOS, it's time to know exactly which brands of these supplements are rated highly by people who share our exact condition. In comes CureRate bringing you a list of supplements, all rated & reviewed by people who have PCOS. So you can knock off "endless searching" from your list of symptoms! Find only relevant supplement reviews here.
