PCOS advice and Vitex use

[microgal]

My daughter has PCOS, has gained 20 lbs and is trying hard to lose it, any advise would be appreciated. Someone suggested Vitex for hormone balance, anyone every use? Would love any insights, please

[imawestcoastkiwi]

My friend has PCOS and recently started a Facebook page called "Molly knows". She has a lot of good advice if you wanted to have a look. Best of luck!

[rheagan]

I don't have PCOS, but I have used Vitex to help balance my hormones. I was having some issues with estrogen dominance, mainly painful cramps, and I was on Vitex (also called Chasteberry) for about 4 months. You have to be on it for a while before you get the full effect and the liquid tincture is more effective than the pills (but it doesn't taste very good). It did help, but going AIP and cleaning up my diet helped more (and I've dropped about 25 pounds).

If she's open to making dietary changes, she would probably want to avoid estrogenic foods, like soy, flaxseed, grains, processed foods, and meat from animals raised with growth hormones. Foods that support or help detox the liver, like cruciferous veggies, would be good too, since it's the liver's job to break down and eliminate excess estrogen. Milk Thistle also helps the body metabolize and clear excess estrogen. Hope it helps!