Effective Natural Remedies for Managing PCOS

| Modified on Nov 25, 2023
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Inositol
Posted by Misn (Ceb) on 03/02/2022
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

For PCOS, try the supplement inositol. It makes a remarkable difference - helps with period, facial hair and weight


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Roberta (Atlanta, GA) on 05/09/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I am 43 years old, and years ago had been diagnosed PCOS. I have never been able to ovulate on my own, or have periods without the use of hormones. I started taking ACV for my mild to moderate reflux/heartburn and it has worked great for that. I take about a teaspooon of ACV with a cup of water 1 (rarely 2) times per day. A side effect has been a decrease in stomach bloat, and suddenly, after all those years of fertility treatments, I am ovulating and getting a period regularly. In addition, I see a difference in my hair loss. I absolutely recommend it!!

PCOS Thinning Hair Remedies
Posted by Pam (Texas) on 01/22/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Thinning hair in women with PCOS is not due to hypothyroidism. It's due to excess androgens, hence the male-patterned baldness. I've had numerous tests done on my thyroid even after telling doctors that I have pCos. many doctors still don't understand the condition. The only thing that helped regrow my hair was eliminating all sugar and following an insulin resistant diet BUT also avoiding wheat and dairy. This stabilized my insulin levels and simultaneously my androgen levels as well. Insulin drives the release of free testosterone. so much so that its expelled through the scalp. That's why women with too much free testosterone will have greasy hair, falling hair, a deeper voice, excess hair on the chin, upper lip and even Lower abdomen. Once hormones are balanced noticeable changes occur. Trust me I'm a victim and witness of this unfortunate disorder. I was able to control my symptoms enough to have two Healthy babies! Now after my second I haven't been able to loose the weight and the symptoms are all back.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pcos Fighter (Atlanta, Ga) on 11/12/2012
★★★★★

Hi everyone, I'm 40 and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 27 which was the time my cycles started going haywire. About 2 months ago I began taking ACV with the mother by using empty gel capsules 2 times daily which totaled to be 4 tablespoons. I was so amazed because my monthly cycles started... lightly but I was still having one which was huge!! Also I have had so much more energy (I currently am 100lbs overweight) and the bloating in my stomach has diminished greatly, oh and my blood pressure has gone from 140/92 to 122/78. I will not ever stop taking ACV and hopefully as I continue my cycles will continue to normalize. Blessings... Take your ACV!!


General Feedback
Posted by Malissa (IN) on 08/12/2021

I was told I had PCOS/ insulin resistance. The doctor told me that I needed to go on MetFormin due to the Insulin problem. I told him I did not want to be on any prescription medicine I will do my own research. I went home and started researching natural alternatives for MetFormin. Berberine is an all-natural supplement in place of MetFormin. Works amazing. Also Myo Inositol and D Chiro Inositol, Sea moss gel, and Black seed oil have all worked wonders for me too hope this helps.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Rosemary (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/19/2008
★★★★★

I am 28 yrs old and a mother of two children.I have been on antidepressants since I was 17 because I am very emotional sometimes with fatigue. I was diagnosed with pcos after I had been dieting and exercising for over a year with no results. After stopping my hormones I started to get excessive acne, hair loss, no sex drive, and tiredness.

I doctor did a pcos workup and all my labs were normal. I was referred to a specialist that thought all the symptoms were in my head and thought I needed a personal trainer. I had only a little facial hair, no fertility trouble, only 25 lbs overweight, and my labs were normal. After aguing with the doctor for 30 minutes he did an ultrasound to 'humor' me. I had 15 cysts on one side. I was rx'd metformin, which made me extremely ill.
I had to stopped taking it because I couldn't work on the med. Carbs!!! Thats the problem. Our bodies were not meant to eat all this processed food. If you want your symptoms to go away you need to change your lifestyle. Exercising and a low glycemic diet is the key. I lost 45 lbs in a year and a half. I weigh less now than in high school. Once you train your body to need the right foods you stop the vicious 'bad'carb craving cycle. You crave carbs because your body is not coverting them into energy, they are being stored as fat, which makes you tired and wanting to eat more 'bad' carbs.

Other than a low carb diet I am a firm believer in hollistic cures. There are herbal supp that can keep your sugar from spiking and destroys it before its stored. Which is also important with pcos.1) Fenugreek- 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily 2)Gymnema Sylvestre-400mg, also if dissolved on your tongue can keep you form tasting sugar.
I work in the medical field and believe no one, no one knows your body better than you!!


Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jasmine (Ontario, Canada) on 11/25/2014
★★★★★

I have known I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome since I was about 20; my doctor finally agreed about two years ago. I had irregular cycles (usually once every 4 months or longer with horrible cramping and heavy bleeding) since I got my cycle at age 14 until about five months ago (I am almost 26). Once I even had constant light bleeding for 8 months straight.

My cycles have really started to regulate over the last five months (ranging from 35-40 day cycles but gradually becoming shorter) and I believe it is due to a number of reasons. I started seeing a naturopath doctor about a year ago and over time we have found what works. I am taking Omega supplements, 6 grams inositol daily, vitex twice a day, a whole food prenatal, and a BSM drink a few times a week when I remember before ovulation but after ovulation I make sure to take it everyday.

I was having very bad cramps when I came across BSM on this website and found that it almost eliminated my cramps in less than an hour! The first cycle I began taking it my period went 9 plus days to 5 days and this has continued since.

I believe the inositol and vitex have been essential for helping my cycle and I will continue to take these. Inositol has also been a huge help with regulating my mood especially around PMS time. I also drink a homemade green smoothie everyday.

With my cycles regulating since starting BSM, I can't help but wonder if that has been the final magic ingredient for me.

At first I could not bear the taste of BSM. Now I take BSM as a warm drink. I use a heaping tablespoon of unsulphured BSM and two teaspoons of raw cocoa powder (also has lots of health benefits). It almost tastes like hot chocolate.

Thank you Earth Clinic for multiple cures I have found on your website. I hope my story is able to help someone else.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mishty (Kabul) on 03/03/2016
★★★★★

PCO:

Hi guyz I use Apple Cider Vinegar and I saw the effect in just 4 days, but I have a question should I take it during periods too? By the way, Apple Cider Vinegar should be taken regularly or I can use its just a few days before my periods? My periods also come less so for that I used flaxseed oil +omega3,6,9 if u guyz want u can try it.


Chlorophyll + Vitamin C
Posted by Shae (Cincinnati, OH) on 08/28/2014
★★★★★

Long story short, I have a history of endometriosis and most recently diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I'm used to having crazy cycles where I'll have no bleeding for 3-4 months, then bleed for 1 month straight.

This time around, I started bleeding in January 2014 and haven't stopped. It's like an ongoing spotting that never stops. From time to time I'd experience cramping/heavy bleeding/large clot for 6-7 days then resume the spotting.

I've tried the pineapple remedies, the molasses remedies, Shepherd's purse etc. to no avail. What I did was simple: 1/4 C of liquid chlorophyll 1x per day along with 1,000 mg Vitamin C. Within 3 days, the bleeding slowed up a bunch. After 16 days (ie. 2 bottles) I've not experienced any spotting, no bleeding in the last 5 days!!!! For those who are experiencing heavy bleeding, give this a try and let me know what you think.

P.S. My fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath caused from anemia are gone as well.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kacy (Fv, Ca) on 06/10/2012
★★★★★

I have a myriad of health problems.... Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Adrenal Fatigue, Thyroid Issues and PCOS... ugh!! Anyway, I started taking ACV twice a day to help alkaline the body since I had come to find that I am extremely acidic, even after changing my diet.

I noticed that my PCOS improved almost immediately. I got my period every 28 days (which has never happened)! I tried testing the ACV theory since I do end up doing lots of various things for my various ailments, so I stopped taking ACV regularly and lo and behold... My period did not come every 28 days. Once I started it up again, I am like clock work. I take 2T ACV w/ 1/4t of baking soda twice a day. I also eat gluten free, sugar free, limit my grains to 1 a day, eat lots of protein, have lots of healthy fats and limit my fruit intake. I have insulin resistence like with most others with PCOS, so limiting sugars, even natural sugars and eliminating most grains is very helpful.


Spearmint
Posted by Loveallnatural (Kansas City, Mo) on 01/22/2012
★★★★★

Spearmint for PCOS Acne

Came across an article stating women with PCOS might benefit from spearmint tea. I went to the nutrition store and bought some organic and starting drinking spearmint tea on Friday afternoon. I wasn't really expecting anything for a few weeks, but I woke up today, Sunday, and my face looks 100% better. It was only about 36 hours and is so improved that it defies logic! One cup in the morning and one at night and I'm SHOCKED at the results. I also bought some high quality spearmint oil and put a few drops in some all natural liquid face cleanser so maybe that had something to do with the almost immediate results... ? Today I have almost no oil, my pores are visibly shrinking, and my skin is healthy looking with a more even tone and a pinkish glow... But not even one single new bump/cyst/eruption/pimple and it is finally smooth again!! My face is covered in the healing blemishes, but those should heal soon and nothing new is coming up. On Saturday I noticed that one bump that has been on my cheek for months had finally gotten bigger. Nothing would come out before, but it wouldn't go away. I guess the spearmint had finally brought it to the surface. I was shocked at how deep and infected it was, but today it is finally healing. It honestly looks like I've had 3-4 months of prescription treatment on my face. I thought I was crazy so I asked my husband to look at my skin and he was visibly shocked and said my skin hasn't looked this good in years. My face has gone from being overly oily to almost oil at all. I'm allergic to moisturizers and I've had to start using organic virgin cold pressed coconut oil again just to make sure my skin is hydrated enough, and it is good for my skin too.

I have PCOS (can't take the pill) and for the past year or so my skin has started breaking out with cystic type acne and my pores have gotten really large. I've never had great skin, but I've always controlled it... With retin-a all through high school and college and then switched to a mild face cleanser and toner of organic apple cider vinegar when I got pregnant with my first child. I usually had one or two pimples every couple of weeks. After my children were born I was even able to just use Lancome products and my face looked really nice. Suddenly, about a year or so ago, I developed a severe facial allergy to sodium and ammonium lauryl sulfates and my skin started breaking out worse than ever before. I went to the dermatologist and she said it was hormonal acne caused by the PCOS so there wasn't much she could do and other than prescribe the pill, which I can't take, but to exercise, lose weight, eat healthier, etc. (gee, thanks. ) Due to my allergies, I had to stay with all natural products and my face just kept getting worse and worse. I went back to my tried and true apple cider vinegar, but it didn't really help. I've tried tea tree oil, violet extract, colloidal silver, oil of oregano, organic virgin coconut oil, you name it and nothing helped at all. (I'm very allergic to benzoil peroxide and any of the OTC acne remedies so I couldn't try them. ) I'm in my mid 30s and I looked like a 15 y. O. Boy. It has been so horrible!! Today I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and I just hope it keeps on this same path of healing!!!!

Spearmint is supposed to help regulate hormones and for women with PCOS that is the key. No wonder nothing helped as it really was hormonal acne. I doubt this would work at all for women without hormone issues and men probably shouldn't try it, or maybe try the spearmint oil added to a face cleanser... But in less than 36 hours my skin looks 100% better and I couldn't be happier with the results!!! I'm sticking with this and hoping it continues to improve. Maybe it will even help with other PCOS issues... Only time will tell. I'll post back if anything changes. Good luck to all!!!!


Zinc, Reduced Copper
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 06/12/2020
★★★★★

Zinc for PCOS

This is a very good (long) article about how inadequate zinc and high copper levels contribute to PCOS, among other things.

http://goddessignited.com/copper-estrogen-zinc-hormone-imbalance/

Please note that cacao/chocolate is very high in copper. Hemp seeds are high in zinc and low in copper. A ratio of 7.5 parts zinc to 1 copper is recommended. 40mg per day is considered the tolerable upper intake level for zinc.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ally (Sydney, AU) on 11/07/2014
★★★★★

I am 30 years old and diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome when 21. Never on pills but had cycles every three months. I started taking apple cider vinegar last year for cold and sore throat. I realised that my periods had come fairly regularly compared to my history. So I started taking it regularly. After adjusting the qty and dosage for a few months I found that taking a half tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with half tbsp honey in warm water just before bed suited me the best. I am very glad that I have had 10 cycles in 10 months. My suggestion is natural route does work. We need to be patient and find what works as a few herbs or supplements may not work for all. It's a great feeling to finally be normal with regular cycle.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Heather (Phoenix, Az) on 10/06/2011
★★★★★

Just a little something I've found. I drink my ACV in orange juice, you can still smell it but you can't taste it. I also take it for PCOS and acne. After about a week, I had a period finally and it wasn't horrible like they usually are. Still waiting to see if it helps with the acne my PCOS causes as some ladies have said it has. Good luck everyone! After trying all the things the doctor gave me and spending a ton of money on prescriptions, etc... Who knew a $5 bottle of ACV was just what I needed?!


Dietary Changes
Posted by Carla (Berkeley, California) on 04/13/2009
★★★★★

Diet Changes for PCOS: I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2000 at the age of 21. I had almost no periods; I was rapidly gaining weight, no fertility, severe acne, facial hair and so on.

Over the years, I have tried diet (but haphazardly) Chaste Berry, and several other herbs ,some exercise, Metformin 2000mg/day for two years, synthetic progesterone to get my periods and none of that has helped. Not even the Metformin which so many people swears by.

By the time I was 27, I realized I had gluten intolerance. I had poor digestion, a large belly and developed psoriasis. Once I eliminated gluten from my diet, I instantly lost inches and my skin cleared up. Over the next several years, I had to clean up my diet even more to improve my digestion, lose more weight and get rid of estrogen dominance that's so common with PCOS.

I eliminated, gluten and most other grains including "healthy" brown rice and corn, sugars except for low GI fruit and occasional palm sugar (lower GI than agave), fruit juice, soy, dairy, processed foods (of course), hydrogenated oils, canola oil, and several other foods.

My diet is rich in green veggies, low GI fruit, green juices, lean protein, nuts, and, good fats (including unprocessed coconut oil). I make sure that 80% of my diet is raw fruits, veggies, and nuts.

Besides diet, I take supplements including kelp. Though my thyroid tests always came back normal, I may have had subclinical hyperthyroid because when I added 12mg of kelp per day, I started ovulating on CD 15 for the first time ever. I have been taking 12mg kelp daily for 8 months and my body haven't skipped a beat. When you look for kelp in the store, it usually comes in 225mcg tablets. You will have to do the conversion to get the right amount.

I went from a size 14 to a 6 in less than a year and I have kept it off. I think between diet, regular exercise, the usual suspects of supplements (omega 3, B complex, etc) and kelp has been my answer to PCOS.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lydia (Montgomery, Alabama) on 01/29/2008
★★★★★

re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (remedy). Apple Cider Vinegar helped my PCOS! In the morning: 1-2 teaspoonfuls of ACV in an 8 ounce glass of water. Sometimes I add a little more water if I think the taste is too strong. I did it every day at first. Now that my menstrual cycle is regular, I begin ACV treatment about 2 weeks before my cycle should start. I sometimes drink ACV to help with cramps, heavy bleeding or bloating. ACV helps me with my weight loss and flush toxins from my body. It really works and I feel so much better! There are many articles online about how ACV helps women diagnosed with PCOS. Thanks and Hope to you!


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