Jooce. Kiko. Zoie. Bluum. These are just some of the burgeoning supplement brands on the market, offered as a long-awaited answer to the problem of menstrual disorders and unmanageable menopause symptoms. But how do these hormone balancing supps work – and are they effective?Women’s Health Solutions Are IgnoredIn the healthcare industry, menstrual disorders and menopause are the last to be addressed. This translates into countless women struggling for years with painful periods and hormonal issues with little to no lasting solutions. Globally, statistics reflect that only 5% of global research and development was allocated to women’s health in 2020, with 4% of that going into cancer research, leaving just 1% for all other women-specific conditions. According to a report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute, while women do live longer than men, they also spend 25% more of their lives in debilitating health, a figure which represents around nine years.Overall, the solutions to conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and adverse menopause symptoms are invasive, expensive and largely out of touch with women’s needs. For example, the only way to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. As a result, many women wait ten years for a diagnosis. Enter: Hormone-Balancing SuppsUnwilling to wait for governments and healthcare companies to catch on, independent businesses are addressing women’s dire need for assistance in battling hormonal problems. And, if you’ve been around the wellness block, you’ll be surprised to see how familiar the ingredients are: magnesium citrate, zinc, vitamin E and B vitamins. Others, while more woo-woo, are still familiar: maca root and ashwagandha, typically used for energy boosting and reducing stress, respectively. Naturally, WH decided to try them out.Reviewed: Primeve Plus
Primeve Plus
“This supplement’s main ingredient is evening primrose oil; I’ve been using this for my fibrocystic breasts, but it’s also been incredible for PMS symptoms. What is great about this product is that it’s filled with many vitamins such as magnesium, which helps with sleep. I felt instant relief in my breasts; the hardness, tenderness, most painful to the touch had gone. They also went down a size!”
– Pia, Creative Director
Reviewed: Zoie Health Cycle Calm
Zoie Health Cycle Calm
“I’ve been using ‘Cycle Calm’ for a few months now, and I swear by it. I take it before and during my cycle, and it helps with mood swings and cramps (thank you, magnesium!). Also, it actually tastes good – big plus when you’re craving something sweet.”
– Chamain, Digital Editor
The Hormone-Balancing RevolutionA quick scroll through different brands’ websites shows waves of positive reviews, from improved skin and more regular periods to weight loss and minimal period pain. One woman wrote that after a year of no cycle, her periods returned. Dr Kalantsho Maoto, an endoscopic surgeon and fertility and endocrinology specialist, points out that the term “hormone balancing” is a misnomer. “They happen to have some effect on conditions that are hormone-mediated. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are hormone balancing in their own right,” he says. Instead, Dr Maoto says they’re something like “inflammatory mediators in hormone-mediated conditions – but that’s a mouthful”.Before, these ingredients’ efficacy was based on traditional practices or anecdotal evidence. Now, some science backs up their efficacy. Studies are now showing that adaptogens like ashwagandha are not only great for stress but also affect hormone health, improving menopause and menstruation symptoms. And its efficacy has permeated Dr Maoto’s practice, with women walking in and asking about it. However, what’s important to remember is that conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, which many women are taking hormone-balancing supps for, are “systemic diseases”, explains Dr Maoto. It’s not just that there is a hormonal component; there are multifactorial components, including inflammatory, there’s immunology.” And, supplements don’t only work on one body part, but multiple at the same time. For inositol, something common in PCOS supplements, it would help tackle inflammatory markers and insulin levels, which in turn, would create better blood sugar levels, which would alleviate PCOS symptoms, explains Dr Maoto. But from a scientific point of view, researchers may not be concerned with this, which might be why robust studies are thin on the ground. “The real question would be, so what if you’re trying to get someone to ovulate, to get them pregnant? Does it actually have an effect on their pregnancy rates? Because that’s the thing to measure,” explains Dr Maoto.The Key Ingredients For Better PeriodsEven so, companies are meeting the need for relief from painful cycle-related symptoms. “Our Zoie Health supplements are curated by a team of pharmacists, dieticians and gynaecologists,” says Naznin Bhom, pharmacist academic intern at Zoie Health, a tech company that offers telehealth services, supplements for women and a community for women to connect. “The team selected ingredients and dosages based on rigorous scientific research, safety profiles with a focus on addressing critical aspects of women’s health. We considered ingredients with strong evidence supporting their efficacy and synergistic effects to enhance overall wellness.” Ingredients used in the Zoie Health range include chaste tree berry, ashwagandha, African potato and green rooibos. “Many of these plants originated in Africa, known for its great diversity in herbal and African medicine,” explains Bhom. “Chaste tree berry is an ancient remedy used to ease menstrual discomfort, manage PMS and promote fertility. Our very own green rooibos, indigenous to South Africa, offers anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing benefits.”Bhom notes that these supplements work to help regulate hormones for a better cycle, but they also impact many other facets of women’s health. “Hormones are powerful signals; too much or too little of them causes a drastic change in women’s bodies,” she says. Take skincare: much acne and even hyperpigmentation can be linked to hormonal changes from excess oestrogen production or pregnancy. In many cases, rave reviews from these hormone-balancing supps start with the glowing changes in skin and fewer period pains.The Hero IngredientsHere, the popular ingredients filling up hormone-balancing supps bottles: Ashwagandha
The adaptogenic herb helps with balancing hormones. In studies of perimenopausal women, supplementing with the herb for eight weeks improved menopausal symptoms. Overall, more studies are needed to understand its role, but anecdotal evidence from women is promising.
B vitamins
Vitamin B1 has been shown to help ease painful periods and reduce PMS symptoms; B6 does the same, but is best used in conjunction with other B vitamins.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry helps normalise the menstrual cycle by increasing progesterone production and reducing prolactin, which is linked to menstrual disorders. It’s been used to help with PMS, irregular periods and more.Zinc
Not just a hero for combating a cold, zinc is a PCOS fighter, helping to decrease insulin resistance and reducing excess hair growth. In one study, women took 50mg a day to combat excessive hair growth associated with PCOS.
Probiotics
Good gut health not only helps keep your bowels regular but also flushes out excess hormones, which in turn regulates your cycle. Also, a healthy gut biome helps the body absorb nutrients, creating proper conditions for the creation of hormones.
Are Hormone-Balancing Supplements Safe?The golden rule is to always check with your doctor before taking any supplement. That said, many are not necessarily dangerous. “Most supplements don’t actually do any harm,” says Dr Maoto. “When it comes to their safety profile, most of them are fine. Most of these supplements, our bodies actually have. We’re not putting into our body something that the body doesn’t actually know.”“These supplements offer a non-invasive, natural alternative or complement to conventional treatments like hormone therapy,” says Bhom. “The implications are promising, as more women seek out personalised, accessible ways to manage hormonal disorders without relying solely on pharmaceuticals,” says Bhom.Dr Maoto adds a very important asterisk: with a good diet, you may not need supplements at all. “If you’re eating well enough, it means you have enough vitamin D, you have enough iron, you have enough inositol, you have enough coenzymes,” he says. To that end, incorporate more foods with the key vitamins and minerals you need.The Goods A few hormone-balancing supps for period pain, overall regulation and menopause support.Bluum Menopause Support
Bluum Menopause Support
This natural supplement is made to support the transition from perimenopause to menopause. It helps to alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and more.
Vitamin Me PMS Support + Hormone Balance
Vitamin Me PMS Support + Hormone Balance
Containing essential vitamins and minerals known to target PMS and hormonal challenges, this PMS Support + Hormone Balance helps to alleviate PMS symptoms and hormone imbalances.
Solal Hormone Balance Natural HRT
Solal Hormone Balance Natural HRT
From relieving period pain to preventing osteoporosis in menopause, this supplement, with chasteberry, black cohosh and vitamin D, is a natural version of HRT.
Kiko Vitals Hormone Balance
Kiko Vitals Hormone Balance
A mix of plant sources like Dong Quai, maca and ashwagandha, this supplement aims to combat an out-of-sync cycle and promote regular periods and clear skin.
Jooce Hormone Balance Powder
Jooce Hormone Balance Powder
According to Jooce, this blend of myo-inositol, magnesium, folic acid and more works to support ovarian function, prevent hormonal acne and unwanted hair growth.
Zoie Health PCOS Pro
Zoie Health PCOS Pro
Made for support, this blend helps with improving metabolic health and hormonal balance. Plus, you can buy a three or six-month bundle or subscribe for a monthly supply. Lush.
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