The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Heather (Phoenix, Az) on 10/06/2011
★★★★★
Just a little something I've found. I drink my ACV in orange juice, you can still smell it but you can't taste it. I also take it for PCOS and acne. After about a week, I had a period finally and it wasn't horrible like they usually are. Still waiting to see if it helps with the acne my PCOS causes as some ladies have said it has. Good luck everyone! After trying all the things the doctor gave me and spending a ton of money on prescriptions, etc... Who knew a $5 bottle of ACV was just what I needed?!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Earthcli (Rolling Meadows, Il) on 07/20/2011
hello ladies,
could you please update us with your progress? has the ACV worked for you? how long have you had to take it? Thanks
Chaste Tree Berry
Posted by Ody (Miami, Fl) on 06/15/2011
I just have a quick question did you expierence any hair loss or thining of your hair before taken the chaste tree berry? I also have PCOS.
Thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Merry (Moorhead, Minnesota) on 06/12/2011
Re: bad taste of acv. If you put in a small pinch of baking soda it takes the taste away.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mizzstee (Shreswsbury, Shropshire) on 04/27/2011
I too was diagnosed with pcos in 2006, and have been taking one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in 8ounces of water since monday 3days and twice today, hoping I will get some benefits too..
I am getting used to the taste, but I might start bathing in it too like the other ladies who mentioned it, but I dont have enough and will do that when I am back.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Elise (Perth, Wa Australia) on 03/18/2011
atkins is like a cult..... Open mindedness people? I saw a doctor who runs an atkins diet club on a weekly basis. It included high fat, high protein, very few veg and the only fruit I was allowed was bananas. So im not entirely sure where your information is coming from. It also advocates the Atkins bars and diet sodas etc... Which are full of chemicals and sweetners. Quite unhealthy and actually gave me cholestrol problems, and im only 22! If you google atkins, it says all of the above again and again.
So really, saying someone has no clue is a bit rough, you may just personally have had a good experience, but I think you need to realise that its not for everyone, and clearly there are variations on the topic.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ti (Houston, Tx, Usa) on 03/06/2011
Hello,
Good luck with your weight loss. Below are some things that helped me tremendously with loosing about 80 lbs.
Green veggie juice every morning, made fresh from celery, cucmber, parsley, ginger and lemon.
Increased consumption of sea veggies like kelp, dulce, etc.
Coconut butter and coconut oil in cooking, as well as 2 tablespoons every morning.
Elimination of sugar, white and starchy substances.
Increase of good fats like avocado, raw nuts as well as coconut products.
45 mins of brisk walk.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Elise (Perth, Wa Australia) on 03/06/2011
Hey. 2 years ago I gave birth to my beautiful little boy. Within about 3 months of having him, I rapidly gained a lot of weight. It was close to 40 kgs! I have also noticed that my hair just wont grow, I have really really terrible acne, and so much body hair! Its so depressing. I am 22 and used to be thin and attractive and get honked at everywhere I went, I havent had a single man even look twice at me in almost 2 years, not even my husband (who has looked elsewhere).
I recently had an ultra-sound as I suspected that I had cystic ovaries, and it turns out I do... Praise the lord! So I went back to my doctor who told me that there is no cure whatsoever besides weight loss, but that PCOS stops you losing weight!!! I pretty much wanted to jump off a cliff. She said I may want to consider lap band surgery to lose the weight, so I decided to search good ole earth clinic instead! Im sitting here with my disgusting cup of Apple Cider Vinegar in the hopes of curing me of my ugliness soon! Will keep you all posted on my progress.
Thanks for the suggestions people, please keep them coming. Its my only hope!
Love Elise
White Peony Tea
Posted by Veronica (London, Uk) on 10/19/2010
Never heard of peony tea! Had no periods for 2 years and very fat now also! What surprised me is the going to bed at 10pm! I must say I stay up too long - and am always stressed; which cant have helped! Will try this thks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Maxine B (Chatham, Kent Uk) on 09/27/2010
I am trying the cider vinegar too.... Fingers crossed it works for me too :-)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Princessjazz413 (Atlanta, Ga) on 06/21/2010
Hello Simplyred,
I bought "organic" apple cider vinegar and began taking it (about 1-2 teaspoons a day) with water. A little over a week later, MY PERIOD CAME!!! I have taken 2 ovulation predictor tests, and unfortunately Im NOT ovulating. Im not sure if its just that my timing is off, but Im just hoping that I begin to ovulate, and that my period comes next month and the months thereon an continue to come regularly like they are supposed to. Let me know how it works for U!! Good Luck!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Simplyred (Lewisville, Tx) on 06/19/2010
hi princessjazz,
i just found this site and will star the acv today. how's your progress coming? thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Princessjazz (Atlanta, Ga) on 06/10/2010
★★★★★
I just have a question for you. First of all I thank you so much for your post, I have pcos and I've tried what seems like everything over the past 5-7 years and nothing has helped it. So now I tried your acv remedy, and now (about a week and a half later) my period comes!!! Im soooo excited, I need to get a ovulation test to see if im ovulating also. Anyway, my question to you is, while on your period do you continue to take the acv or not? Also what is an update to your routine now, or is everything normal?
Thanks in advance for your information.
White Peony Tea
Posted by Shannon (San Antonio, Tx) on 01/21/2010
★★★★★
Thank you for replying. I bought the white peony tea but as of now have not tried it. I went to a naturopath and he gave me a mixture of three teas: dong quai, chaste tree berry and prickley pear root, and told me to take three caps daily of evening primerose oil, garlic, and vitamin E. This I took for four months then didn't take anything else. I simply changed my eating habits and exercised more. All you have to do is avoid all forms of sugars especially those found in milk and alcohol. Avoid gluten and dairy as well. Exercise daily, even it it's just for 10 minutes as long as its CONSISTENT! I have always taken fish oil tablets and multivitamins as supplements, and I started sleeping before 10 pm and this decreased my stress levels immediately!!! For some reason, stress and pcos go hand-in-hand. Well, I hope that this advice helps. My period has been regular for about a year now and my last two ultrasounds taken six months apart have been normal and without visible cysts. When I was diagnosed my ovaries were twice their size and full of cysts. My doctor was amazed on how well my condition has been controlled. I told him I was just happy I didn't take the clomid and glucophage he had originally prescribed! I am almost certain that anyone with this condition can overcome it if the follow the above advice. I know I did! There is hope out there ladies!
White Peony Tea
Posted by Ladybeauty (Port Of Spain, Trinidad) on 11/20/2009
Is white tea and white peony tea the same? I am interested in trying this.Thanks for any feedback.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Acv Fan! (Ky, USA) on 11/12/2009
★★★★★
Hi I am 22. I have an illness called PCOS and it causes me to have a lot of trouble with everyday life. One really bad part about it is my acne, its on my back and face. I've tried everything. Over the counter acne meds and doctor's have given me things to use, all making it worse, and really dry. Then I heard about apple cider Vinegar. I was told to poor 1 cup of the ACV in my bath water and lay in it and take a cotton ball and dab the ACV on my face. I did. The VERY next morning my face looked so much better and my back to! I am convinced so now I am also drinking a small bit of it! I feel a lot better and look a lot better.
Also, This is personal but it may help someone so its worth it. When I was 21 I suffered from a miscarriage and Due to that, I suffered (for 9 Months) from a bacterial infection. I took all meds, pills and creams, for that to, then one day I cried to my doctor telling her nothing was giving me relief and my doctor told me just to use the ACV, After a week of bathing in it, I've not had one since.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Carolina (Montclair , NJ) on 07/05/2009
I went to Whole Foods and I got the Kelp Tablets, it comes in 225 mcg ea table, I am just surprised that it means I have to take 32 a day. Is there any other alternative?
Chaste Tree Berry
Posted by Lindsy (Calamine, WI) on 06/04/2009
Just go to your closest Herbal nutrition store, they should be able to recommend a brand (they don't allow us to post brands here). Just make sure it has a standardized amount of agnuside or you don't know if your really getting anything beneficial.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Roberta (Atlanta, GA) on 05/09/2009
★★★★★
I am 43 years old, and years ago had been diagnosed PCOS. I have never been able to ovulate on my own, or have periods without the use of hormones. I started taking ACV for my mild to moderate reflux/heartburn and it has worked great for that. I take about a teaspooon of ACV with a cup of water 1 (rarely 2) times per day. A side effect has been a decrease in stomach bloat, and suddenly, after all those years of fertility treatments, I am ovulating and getting a period regularly. In addition, I see a difference in my hair loss. I absolutely recommend it!!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Carla (Berkeley, California) on 04/13/2009
★★★★★
Diet Changes for PCOS: I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2000 at the age of 21. I had almost no periods; I was rapidly gaining weight, no fertility, severe acne, facial hair and so on.
Over the years, I have tried diet (but haphazardly) Chaste Berry, and several other herbs ,some exercise, Metformin 2000mg/day for two years, synthetic progesterone to get my periods and none of that has helped. Not even the Metformin which so many people swears by.
By the time I was 27, I realized I had gluten intolerance. I had poor digestion, a large belly and developed psoriasis. Once I eliminated gluten from my diet, I instantly lost inches and my skin cleared up. Over the next several years, I had to clean up my diet even more to improve my digestion, lose more weight and get rid of estrogen dominance that's so common with PCOS.
I eliminated, gluten and most other grains including "healthy" brown rice and corn, sugars except for low GI fruit and occasional palm sugar (lower GI than agave), fruit juice, soy, dairy, processed foods (of course), hydrogenated oils, canola oil, and several other foods.
My diet is rich in green veggies, low GI fruit, green juices, lean protein, nuts, and, good fats (including unprocessed coconut oil). I make sure that 80% of my diet is raw fruits, veggies, and nuts.
Besides diet, I take supplements including kelp. Though my thyroid tests always came back normal, I may have had subclinical hyperthyroid because when I added 12mg of kelp per day, I started ovulating on CD 15 for the first time ever. I have been taking 12mg kelp daily for 8 months and my body haven't skipped a beat. When you look for kelp in the store, it usually comes in 225mcg tablets. You will have to do the conversion to get the right amount.
I went from a size 14 to a 6 in less than a year and I have kept it off. I think between diet, regular exercise, the usual suspects of supplements (omega 3, B complex, etc) and kelp has been my answer to PCOS.
White Peony Tea
Posted by Erynn (New Haven, CT) on 01/16/2009
★★★★★
I bought a box on the internet of about 100 tea packets. I was drinking about 1 cup of tea per day. I started noticing a change after about a week or two, but i am not sure how it would work with others.
I am currently taking a break from it. After taking the tea, and regulating my periods, I discovered I had Endometriosis (through surgery as well)--so I am on treatment for that as well--trying the doctors way first before my own. But i still recommend the TEA!
White Peony Tea
Posted by Shanon Parker (SAT, Texas) on 12/28/2008
Hi, I am really interested in trying white peony tea. I would like to know how much I should take, how soon will I see results, and how you are doing with it. Please let me know if you are still having success with it and if you did anything in addition to the tea. I would appreciate your prompt response. Sincerely, Shanon Parker
Chaste Tree Berry
Posted by Shanon (San Antonio, TX) on 12/23/2008
Hi, First of, I am sooo happy that you got pregnant. Tell me how that's going! Second, can you please tell me the amount of Vitex you are taking and the times. Does brand matter? I just bough a bottle at GNC. I would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks,
Shanon
Chaste Tree Berry
Posted by Lindsy (Calamine, WI) on 12/08/2008
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was eighteen. I hadn't had my period in seven months by the time I went to the doctor. He put me on birthcontrol so that I would get my period. It worked, I did get my period. Three years later when I decided to go off...my period disappeared too. After a year of barely having periods again, I talked to a nutritionalist who recommended chaste tree berry (VITEX). I got my period three weeks after starting it and my period started coming regularly at 31 days. I went off of it after ten months and my cycle has shortened to 29 days. I have only missed it twice since then. Once was about six months after going off of it. My nutritionist said that I went off too soon and that I should stay on it for eighteen months to make sure my hormones were completely balanced. The second time, about three and a half months ago was way better. I missed my period because I am pregnant. Chaste tree berry also helps treat infertility :) which affects most women with PCOS!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Rosemary (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/19/2008
★★★★★
I am 28 yrs old and a mother of two children.I have been on antidepressants since I was 17 because I am very emotional sometimes with fatigue. I was diagnosed with pcos after I had been dieting and exercising for over a year with no results. After stopping my hormones I started to get excessive acne, hair loss, no sex drive, and tiredness.
I doctor did a pcos workup and all my labs were normal. I was referred to a specialist that thought all the symptoms were in my head and thought I needed a personal trainer. I had only a little facial hair, no fertility trouble, only 25 lbs overweight, and my labs were normal. After aguing with the doctor for 30 minutes he did an ultrasound to 'humor' me. I had 15 cysts on one side. I was rx'd metformin, which made me extremely ill.
I had to stopped taking it because I couldn't work on the med. Carbs!!! Thats the problem. Our bodies were not meant to eat all this processed food. If you want your symptoms to go away you need to change your lifestyle. Exercising and a low glycemic diet is the key. I lost 45 lbs in a year and a half. I weigh less now than in high school. Once you train your body to need the right foods you stop the vicious 'bad'carb craving cycle. You crave carbs because your body is not coverting them into energy, they are being stored as fat, which makes you tired and wanting to eat more 'bad' carbs.
Other than a low carb diet I am a firm believer in hollistic cures. There are herbal supp that can keep your sugar from spiking and destroys it before its stored. Which is also important with pcos.1) Fenugreek- 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily 2)Gymnema Sylvestre-400mg, also if dissolved on your tongue can keep you form tasting sugar.
I work in the medical field and believe no one, no one knows your body better than you!!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Cas (Somewhere, Alabama) on 10/18/2008
Although, it is great that you are finding success with the modification of your diet. In the future when you post regarding something such as the Atkins diet, maybe you should do a bit of research first. First of all vegetables are a main component of the Atkins diet, fruit is also added back in in stages. Atkins is NOT a meat, cheese and egg diet in any way. I am a firm advocate of the Atkins diet b/c I have been eating this way for years and I have not felt or looked better in my life. So be careful in quoting something that you have no clue about. You are actually in fact on the atkins diet as that is exactly what it is about.
Green Tea Extract
Posted by Jacy (Sydney, Australia) on 09/27/2008
★★★★☆
This is a remedy that I have researched and am only just beginning to try. As we all know, PCOS is a syndrome that presents itself in different forms in every woman. For instance, according to my doctors, although I have cysts on my ovaries and have weight issues, my periods are very regular, progesterone is fine, I ovulate each month, BUT I do have elevated testosterone (which causes the hormonal body hair, and in some women, baldness, and acne).
I looked into the elevated testosterone levels, and found that not only does excess body fat EXACERBATE testosterone levels (best solution - reduce body fat), but the KEY to reducing testosterone could be in ELEVATING your SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin) levels.
For those of you who have had a thorough blood test for your hormones, you will note that Doctors mainly talk about your Oestrogen, Progesterone and your Testosterone Levels. But I suggest you look at your test and note the levels of your SHBG. SHBG is a glycoprotein in your blood that BINDS the FREE ANDROGENS in your blood stream. Free Androgens are the Male Hormones that are floating in your bloodstream that cause the male pattern baldness, hormonal hair, acne and other androgenous conditions. If your Testosterone is high, more than likely your SHBG is in the lower levels. Basically, there is not enough of the SHBG protein to catch these little fellows that cause all this damage.
I researched how to elevate SHBG naturally, and it seems that GREEN TEA is the best solution. BUT since we all can't drink countless cups of Green Tea to elevate these levels, it would be a wonderful idea to take a natural supplement of GREEN TEA EXTRACT. Check with your health food store or pharmacy, you should be able to get it in capsule or tablet form.
Along with increasing your SHBG levels, Green Tea Extract may also serve to speed up your metabolism, and also burn body fat. If you have PCOS and are experiencing baldness or thinning of your hair, this may be the best long term "INTERNAL" solution to the problem.
My other suggestion is to stay away from hormonal contraceptions at all costs. They do more damage than good to your already sensitive hormone levels. Synthetic hormones are not easily assimilated in our bodies, and therefore, our body reacts adversely. The pill may be the cause of greater infertility than you realise.
The final note for women with PCOS is to remember that PCOS is linked to DIABETES, SYNDROME X/INSULIN RESISTANCE. The majority of women with PCOS have been found to have a history of Diabetes in their families, or come from a culture where diabetes is prevalent. The key for all of us therefore, is to reduce our consumption of simple sugars and any food that elevates our blood sugar levels too quickly (high GI foods). Higher protein, lower PROCESSED carb diets work well for us. Increase your raw vegetable and fruit consumption. Also increase your essential fatty acid intake (i.e. good oils - extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil etc).
These changes will go a very long way to ensuring greater fertility, better balance in your hormones, and long term prevention of heart disease and diabetes.
Good luck everyone. If you wish to email me with questions, you are more than welcome to.
Chaste Tree Berry
Posted by Vy (BX, NY) on 08/20/2008
★★★★☆
I have read everyone's comments and I would also like to add another natural form of attempting to regulate your period. My doctor recommends chasteberry extract - liquid form - add 23 drops to tea or room temperature water and this should be taken for 3 months before you can see any changes. I'm on my first month and I'm supposed to get my period soon. So I'll let you know how that turns out.
White Peony Tea
Posted by Erynn (New Haven, CT) on 06/25/2008
★★★★★
PCOS Treatment: White Peony Tea. This is a new remedy. I found on that the Chinese have been using White Peony to treat infertility. I started drinking white peony tea. My periods regulated, and my OBGYN says the cysts are starting to go away.
Oil Pulling, ACV, Blackstrap Molasses, No Gluten
Posted by Jamie (Chico, CA) on 06/23/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered with PSOS since i was in my teens and have stopped my monthly flow .. i am only 32 and had not had a period in 2 years.. after only two weeks of Oil Pulling, acv, removing Gluten and Blackstrap Molasses, i now am having a flow ...I am in some heavy pain but my hopes are high I dont know why. its so hard to find info on healthy alternative to Westen meds. and on top of this im loosing weight and my skin looks better than it has in years also dark rings around my eyes have nearly dissapeared. Bright Blessings to those who have shared.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Sarah (Toronto, Ontario) on 03/27/2008
This is replying to a question I was asked. My diet includes everything except for processed sugars and flour products, which I eat very limitedly. Most women with PCOS have blood sugar level problems, as I understand it, so think diabetic type diet. I also try to avoid large meals, and eat 5-6 small meals a day. The greatest book I found on PCOS which has everything regarding the PCOS diet is called "the natural diet solution for PCOS and infertility" its by Nancy Dunne. You can down load it as an ebook or order a hard copy. I found it really interesting to read. Very informative and most of all very gave me hope! Good luck!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Anna Wright (Brooklyn, New York) on 12/10/2007
I would like to know what diet/eating regime Sarah from Toronto Canada used to correct her PCOS? What foods does she eat, what is her major protien source, what does her daily menu look like? I'd like to know if this diet has effected her muscle/lean mass? Are there any other effects that she's experiencing? I'd appreciate any help, I've been quite miserable and suffering, which is progressively getting worse. Hormones are just not an option for me. Please, I could really use the advice, any info would be very appreciated and put to immediately use. Thank you for your time and your patience.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Sarah (Toronto, Canada) on 12/08/2007
★★★★★
It has been almost a year since I had my last period. I'm 19 and not pregnant so this is not normal. I believe I have PCOS since I have all the side effects of loosing my hair, cysts etc. I've done lots of reading on the subject and it seems the only "cure" proscribed by doctors is hormone therapy-- which I am against. I then found some postings about low carb diets. So I tried it. I've cut the whole grains food group out of my diet (I still eat as much fruits and veggies as I like--I'm not on an Atkins style diet--I'm on a healthy one!). I've been at this for only a week and I woke up this morning with my period! I don't think most women wake up excited about getting their period, but I did!! I encourage any woman dealing with PCOS to try this before they go on any hormones! Giving up breads and desserts is a sacrifice I am willing to make if it means I won't have to be on hormones for the rest of my life!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lydia (Montgomery, Alabama) on 01/29/2008
★★★★★
re: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (remedy). Apple Cider Vinegar helped my PCOS! In the morning: 1-2 teaspoonfuls of ACV in an 8 ounce glass of water. Sometimes I add a little more water if I think the taste is too strong. I did it every day at first. Now that my menstrual cycle is regular, I begin ACV treatment about 2 weeks before my cycle should start. I sometimes drink ACV to help with cramps, heavy bleeding or bloating. ACV helps me with my weight loss and flush toxins from my body. It really works and I feel so much better! There are many articles online about how ACV helps women diagnosed with PCOS. Thanks and Hope to you!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by June (KC, KS) on 02/05/2008
★★★★★
I've been taking BSM (black strap molasses-Plantation brand from the health food store) for about a month now. Two and a half years ago I had my hormones tested and results showed I had too much testosterone, too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. (also low cortisol) I've had polycystic ovarian syndrome my whole life (I'm 37).
After trying to heal my body under the guidance of a nutritionist/chiropractor following the S. P. diet books (just using the initials of the book name here) my hormone imbalanced grew even more out of control. I gained about 25-30 pounds (the chiro and books told me this is supposed to be "normal" as your body heals it's metabolism) and the result was increased bleeding that did not stop.
So, for the past 2 1/2 years I've had to deal with heavy, lingering bleeding. Rx drugs are not for me, so I have been trying to solve this with natural remedies. I managed to lose the extra weight I gained following the SP diet, thank goodness. This helped lessen the bleeding. I lost more weight with diet/lots of exercise and ACV. The bleeding didn't completely stop, but more or less just lingered on and on. Still, it was a big improvement over what I had been suffering.
Then I got my new job where I am sitting a lot, started eating lots of goodies over the holidays, and...no surprise...gained some weight back. As most of us know by now fat = estrogen. Too much estrogen with not enough progesterone to counteract it (due to lack of ovulation) means excess bleeding. And, I started bleeding heavier again. I was ready to pull my hair out and really disappointed in myself for gaining weight back after all my hard work and success.
So, I came to EarthClinic and read about BSM. Once again, so many women said they had good results from it I could not ignore their advice. After taking BSM for about 2 weeks my bleeding STOPPED!!! No lingering, no spotting, nothing!
I tried several ways of taking it...on my granola first, which was totally disgusting. Then I finally tried it mixed in warm water and drinking it like tea. It's actually very, very good this way. My recipe is 2 teaspoons mixed with about one cup warm water morning and night.
After missing the night dosage for a while (during my bout with the flu) I noticed a little spotting returning. I don't know how BSM will affect me altogether, whether or not it will help me have a normal cycle, I just haven't taken it long enough. But I do know that the awful incessant bleeding has stopped and I am so relieved!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and feedback. Without it I would never have tried BSM.
