Hormone Friendly Products

After my menstrual cycle went MIA for a year and I got diagnosed with PCOS, I decided to look towards more holistic ways of balancing my hormones. One recurring thing I heard from multiple sources was the effects toxins have on our bodies, our blood, and our hormones.

I always KNEW that many of the products we are exposed to today contain carcinogens, but I was never ready to make the switch to more natural products (plus, it's hard to find some that are ACTUALLY natural and not just advertised to be). For some reason, the threat of these products didn't seem REAL because I wasn't seeing direct effects... until I saw the havoc they were causing on my hormones and started experiencing issues as a result.

So I started to look for more holistic options. I started seeing a holistic doctor who uses applied kinesiology to determine what my body needs, and I focused on supplements over medications. I swapped out every day products I was using (and am still in this process). My biggest tip is to begin replacing things as they run out, and to implement new products to your regime one at a time to see if you notice a difference.

Below I have listed the products I've tried already, why I tried them, and my honest review of them.

SUPPLEMENTS

1. Shakeology - I've been using this superfoods blend from Beachbody for over 3 years now, and my opinion on it didn't change once I started looking more into my hormones. It contains so many beneficial nutrients that we cannot get in our daily diets. It contains adaptogens, which is huge for managing stress levels (especially for those of us with PCOS) along with super fruits, greens, protein, digestive enzymes, etc. I use the vegan so there's no lactose. It's also gluten free!

2. Fish Oil - this is good for a variety of reasons, including improving cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation

3. Smilax - when I first saw my doctor, my body showed it needed this. Smilax helps bind together toxins and flush them from your body. This supplement was specific to me and my body, but we were thinking that I maybe had leftover toxins in my body from my birth control and that this would help flush them out

4. Hormone Balance - After Smilax, my body showed it has excess estrogen (which is common with PCOS; my body struggles to produce progesterone on its own as well). This supplement helps flush excess estrogen out. I was only on this for 3 weeks, and then I stopped using it because I didn't need it anymore. Within 4 days of implementing it, I started ovulating for the first time in 13 months. The taste isn't great, but if you have excess estrogen, I would suggest trying it

5. Chasteberry - this superfood is known to support menstrual regularity, menstrual discomfort, and healthy estrogen balance. I just started using this recently, but after a few days, I started ovulating again after being 19 days late

6. Ashwagandha - my last appointment, my body showed some irregularity in my adrenal glands (which usually means my body's stress levels are heightened - also common with PCOS). My doc suggested ashwagandha because it helps naturally lower cortisol levels. While this supplement helps boost fertility, please do not use if you are pregnant as it is also shown to induce miscarriage.

7. Magnesium Bisglycinate - our bodies need more magnesium than they are getting, especially when we are stressed. Magnesium helps improve sleep, regulate ovulation, lower stress, reduce inflammation, and so much more. I just started using this so I can't say much on the effects

8. CBD - this is something I had wanted to try for awhile, but I wanted to make sure I found a good brand. Soul CBD is THC free, and the oil also contains MCT oil, which has its own benefits for our bodies. I loved using this and noticed it helped with my anxiety. The only downfall is that it IS kind of expensive, so I haven't gotten more yet, but I definitely want to

9. Focus Mushroom Blend - Four Sigmatic is a brand I had heard about for forever before I finally decided to try it. One thing I did when I started focusing on my hormones is give up caffeine. This blend contains mushrooms like lion's mane that helps reduce brain fog and improve memory. I mix it with my organic decaf (there's no mushroom taste - just a little cacao!) and it helps fight off my afternoon slump! Use code MODEL for 20% off

10. Vitamin D3 - if you want to hear about all the benefits and the importance of vitamin D3, listen to this podcast by Shawn Stevenson. I take 2,000 IU a day

MAKEUP AND SKIN CARE

1. Spirulina - this isn't actually skin care, but spirulina has huge benefits for improving your skin. I use the powder and add it to my shakes, which does have a slight algae taste. I had fruit to help cut it. Make sure it's organic!

2. Skin Essence Organics - obsessed with this skin care. Use code PAIGE for 15% off. I use their facial in a jar, face wash, light moisturizer, rosehip oil, and refreshing mist. Listen to this podcast to hear from the founder and get more details about it.

3. Physician's Formula Foundation/Blush - I tried this and didn't love it. The colors didn't match well and it was SUPER water based. It stayed wet all day long and easily rubbed off onto my fingers/clothes.

4. Beauty Counter Foundation/Blush - loving this stuff so far! It doesn't have the BEST coverage compared to my old stuff, but it still works well and is worth it to have a clean option. It doesn't stay wet like PF, and I love the end result! Use code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off your first order

BODY

1. Body Wash - I use the cucumber and mint and it smells amazing! However, I don't feel like it WORKS super well, so I'm on the hunt for another one to try

2. Tom's Deodorant - I tried this and didn't love it. I didn't feel like it worked well.

3. The Clean Deo - so far I like this more than Tom's but I'm still new to using it! I do love the smell of the lavender. Use code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off your first order!

4. Shampoo/Conditioner/Hairspray - I haven't actually bought this yet, but when I run out I plan to switch to John Master's Organics

CLEANING

1. Laundry Detergent/Dryer Sheets

OTHER

1. Candles - I switched to soy candles because they are less toxic!

FOOD (I cut out gluten and have limited dairy because they are inflammatory)

1. Viola Vegan Cheese

2. Bellatoria Cauliflower Breadsticks (these do have some dairy)

3. Silk Almond Milk Creamer

4. So Delicious Coconut Yogurt

RESOURCES - I have not read all of these yet, but I have them and plan to because I've heard amazing things

1. Mind Your Hormones Podcast

2. Fertility Friday

3. Beyond the Pill

4. In the Flo

5. Woman Code

6. The Fifth Vital Sign

7. This is Your Brain on Birth Control

Please remember I am not a healthcare professional and do not claim to be. There are products that have worked for ME and are based on individual needs. We are all different! Trust your body and do your own research. Then tell me what you are going to try!