If you have a vagina, chances are you’ve had a period–and have likely suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). With roughly half of the population destined to experience menstruation in their lifetime, it would be safe to assume that the market is saturated with safe and effective products aiming to improve period symptoms. Yet, more and more studies are showing that women are not receiving the support they need during the multiple phases of their menstrual cycles.
So, what’s a girl to do? The answer may lie in balancing your hormones—and we may have found one of the easiest ways to get started.
What is PMS?
We’ve been there: nausea before period cramps, backaches putting plans on pause, and fatigue eclipsing any semblance of motivation. Before we tackle the ways to improve symptoms, it’s important to understand why so many women feel worse for wear before they start to bleed each month. While the exact cause of PMS is unknown, cyclic changes in hormones before menstruation seem to be the culprit.
However, it’s worthy to note that the menstruation cycle of your friends (and even your family members) likely will not mirror your own. Some women experience severe symptoms each month, while others detect little change in their lives in the days leading up to their period. Listening to your body and recording changes will allow you to see the full snapshot of PMS patterns (and how to alleviate the symptoms).
Knowing Your Symptoms
One-size-fits-all PMS pills may never exist, even though most women suffer before and during their periods. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s estimated that as many as 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome. Here are only a few of the most reported PMS symptoms:
- Cramps
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Acne
- Brain fog
As if women didn’t have it rough enough already. The good news is, there are actions you can take to alleviate some of these symptoms.
The Effects of Hormone Balancing
Ever felt—weird-–in the days leading up to your period? You’re not alone. During the menstrual cycle, hormone levels in a woman’s body undergo fluctuations that can influence physical and emotional changes. During the premenstrual phase (typically the week or two weeks before menstruation), several key hormonal shifts occur–including changes in estrogen, progesterone and cortisol levels. And so, the search for vitamins to balance hormones for females began.
The hunt for the best vitamins for women is largely led by supplements for hormone balance, which can help alleviate PMS symptoms by addressing underlying imbalances. FLO Vitamins, (from parent company O Positiv) went viral on TikTok for their proactive approach to PMS symptoms through hormone supplements and vitamins for women. Founded by Brianna Bitton and backed by a medical advisory board, their Hormone Balance Kit is quickly gaining a cult following. It comes with two tasty supplements:
FLO PMS Support: Designed to combat hormonal breakouts, hormonal bloating, period cramps and mood swings, it boasts a handful of adaptogenic ingredients:
- Chasteberry, shown to reduce normal PMS symptoms and support a healthy attitude during PMS.*
- Dong quai, traditionally used as an antispasmodic (which is a fancy way of saying it relieves cramps)*
- Vitamin B6, historically used to reduce PMS mood swings and cravings*
FLO Ovarian Support: Formulated to promote healthy weight management, reproductive health, regular periods, and healthy hormone balance, it features:
- This formula combines Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol at a 40:1 ratio (the ideal ratio that is naturally occuring in the body) to help support ovarian health, menstrual cycle regularity and healthy blood sugar levels*
- DIM, a compound found in leafy greens, helps support healthy hormone balance and promotes healthy hormonal weight management*
- Folic acid, a key B vitamin involved in normal reproductive health*
Do FLO vitamins work?
Remember we mentioned O Positiv’s medical advisory board? Well, it’s made up of real doctors with real names. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, OBGYN, MD said, “I recommend O Positiv’s vitamins to my patients because-bottom line–-they work. I appreciate that they tackle women’s health issues that have been historically overlooked and minimized.”
We took a peek, and it looks like both the FLO Ovarian Support reviews and the FLO PMS gummies reviews are consistent:
- “Biggest difference I’ve noticed is the relief from bloating. Also slight improvements in my skin! I will definitely continue to take these daily, and would absolutely recommend! – Ryanne M., verified buyer of FLO PMS Support vitamins
- “I have only been taking this product for 3 weeks. The first week it stopped any type of spotting and the second week I had the FIRST REGULAR PERIOD OF MY LIFE.”- Trinity T., verified buyer of FLO Ovarian Support vitamins
Not only are these supplements for hormonal acne said to impact pms weight gain in their reviews, but some women deem this duo to be the best female hormone balance supplements. We’ll let you make that call, and remember to consult with your doctor before taking any medications or supplements.
Navigating the complexities of PMS can be challenging for many women, given its varied and often disruptive symptoms. Whether through lifestyle adjustments, nutritional supplements, or other therapeutic approaches, the pursuit of relief from PMS symptoms is a shared journey–we’re in this together.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The views and nutritional advice expressed by FLO and O POSITIV, Inc. are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. Individual results may vary.
