Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test — the first and only FDA-cleared test to confirm successful ovulation at home.
Supplements can be an important part of your fertility routine!
There are so many supplements on the market though, and some of them aren’t actually proven to do anything. That’s why at Proov, we’ve sorted through the research so you don’t have to and worked with doctors to create three supplement blends that can be used throughout the menstrual cycle to support your natural hormone production.
So, ready to learn more about the different supplements you may want to take to support your hormones, including PMS supplements, and when to take them? Read on!
What supplements help relieve period symptoms?
Bloating, cramping, and painful periods may sometimes just seem like they’re part of the package of having a uterus, but did you know that there are some supplements that can potentially support the reduction in PMS symptoms?
For instance, one study found that 500 mg of ginger, 1000 mg of Vitamin D, and 200 units of Vitamin E per day, through day 3 after menstruation started, reduced painful periods after one month and even more after two months.
Another study confirmed the use of Vitamin E, and also found that taking 300 mg of omega-3 fish oil reduced period pain as well. The combination of both vitamin E and fish oil reduced symptoms even further, suggesting these are great pms vitamins.
In a different study, fish oil was actually sufficient to reduce the amount of ibuprofen that participants in the study needed to keep period pain under control! And a bonus, if you’re trying to get pregnant: taking fish oil regularly is also associated with a higher pregnancy rate.
Finally, period and premenstrual symptoms are partially caused by hormonal imbalances, so supplements that specifically support hormone production and metabolism can be helpful. This is where Proov comes in, with Pro, Boost, and Block, and we’ll discuss these three blends next!
Pro Herbal Supplement Benefits
First up is Pro, an herbal supplement that supports natural progesterone production during the luteal phase (the second half of your cycle). Progesterone, the hormone that dominates during the implantation window and luteal phase, is important to support healthy implantation. It’s also good at promoting better sleep, skin health, and bone health.
Pro doesn’t contain progesterone – instead, it contains three active ingredients that help your body produce progesterone naturally and promote stress relief during the luteal phase:
- Ashwagandha: Studies show that ashwagandha reduces stress naturally. This can help you relax and get good sleep during the luteal phase when your body needs it a little extra!
- Maca: A root from the Andes region of South America, maca helps support hormone balance including progesterone. Studies suggest maca works by supporting LH levels.
- Vitex/Chaste tree berry: Vitex is one of the best-known herbs for menstrual cycle regulation, and supports progesterone production.
This combination of herbs is specially formulated to be taken during the second half of your cycle to promote progesterone production, leading to overall hormone balance and supporting fertility. Supporting healthy progesterone levels may lead to a decrease of PMS symptoms, too!
Block Herbal Supplement Benefits
Next are our two supplement blends intended for the first half of the cycle, Block and Boost! Block and Boost are both designed to support healthy estrogen levels, but with two different sets of ingredients depending on if you need to promote estrogen production or estrogen metabolism (breakdown).
Estrogen is important for building up the uterine lining, triggering the LH surge and therefore ovulation. When estrogen is in balance, it gives you extra energy during the follicular phase and creates fertile cervical mucus that’s necessary for sperm survival.
When estrogen levels are too high, though, it can cause a number of symptoms and a condition called estrogen dominance, when estrogen is too high relative to progesterone. Estrogen that’s too high can cause irregular or heavy periods, mood swings, weight gain, worse PMS symptoms, bloating, and sleep issues.
To help support natural estrogen metabolism (breaking down estrogen naturally so that your body doesn’t have too much), Proov Block contains three important ingredients:
- DIM (diindolylmethane): A compound found in veggies like broccoli and kale that supports the breakdown of estrogen to a different form.
- Grape Seed Extract: Promotes estrogen production by inhibiting a step in the process of making estrogen.
- Black Pepper Fruit Extract (BioPerine): Helps maximize the effect of DIM.
If you aren’t sure if you should take Block, we recommend testing with Proov Complete and/or consulting your physician, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Boost Herbal Supplement Benefits
Last but not least, we have Proov Boost! On the flip side, estrogen can also be too low, leading to symptoms such as vaginal dryness, absence of menstruation, fatigue, and a lack of cervical mucus, making it challenging to get pregnant.
To support natural estrogen production, Proov Boost contains:
- Evening Primrose Oil: Contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are the building blocks of estrogen, and may support a reduction in menstrual symptoms
- Red Clover: Contains isoflavones, chemicals that act like estrogen
- Dong Quai: Supports natural estrogen levels and menstrual regulation
- Black Cohosh: Supports estrogen production
A Guide of When to Take Each Supplement Throughout Your Cycle
Follicular phase:
During the follicular phase, or the first half of your cycle, estrogen is the main hormone, so we recommend either Boost or Block depending on your needs. If you’ve had estrogen testing done by your doctor or you’ve used Proov Complete or another estrogen monitoring kit, you’ll have an idea based on your levels if your estrogen is naturally on the higher or lower side during your follicular phase.
Once you’ve chosen between Boost and Block, you can take 1-2 capsules daily with food during the first 14 days of your cycle, up to ovulation, or as directed by your healthcare professional.
Luteal phase:
If you have low PdG levels or a short luteal phase, this might indicate low progesterone or a progesterone imbalance. If you want to support healthy progesterone levels, you might want to take Pro during the luteal phase.
It’s recommended that you take 1-2 capsules a day with food during the last 15 days of your cycle, or as directed by your healthcare professional. The luteal phase begins right after ovulation, so if you’re tracking ovulation, you can use this to find your luteal phase and take Pro then.
You should NOT take any of these supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (and in that case, any other supplements should be approved by your healthcare professional too).
What other advantages do supplements play during menstrual cycles?
Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, which reduces the chances of neural tube defects in pregnancy. Some supplements, like fish oil, can also increase your chances of pregnancy. Other supplements, like vitex (included in Proov Pro) or myo-inositol for those with PCOS promote regular ovulation and regular menstrual cycles.
If you’re considering adding supplements to your routine, make sure you look for brands and ingredients that are manufactured in FDA-registered and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities (all of Proov’s are)!
Ready to try Pro, Boost, or Block?
Not sure if your estrogen needs to be “boosted” or “blocked”? Check out Proov Complete Testing Kit!
Want to know how to find your follicular and luteal phases? Learn to track ovulation
Need help choosing a good prenatal vitamin? Read this article!
