I just bought Hormone Help, when can I start taking my supplements?
You should start when you get your next period. Day one of your period is also Day one of your cycle and the beginning of your follicular phase. This is when you can take the first 2 capsules from the Day 1-14 Follicular phase bottle.
If your periods are very irregular, you don’t know when to expect your next period, or you are currently not having periods, then we recommend that you follow a calendar month. You can begin the first bottle (Day 1-14, Follicular phase) on the first of the month and change to the next bottle (Day 15- 28 Luteal phase) on the 15th.
What if my cycle is longer or shorter than 28 days?
You don’t have a 28-day menstrual cycle? Don’t worry, many women don’t!
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days and still be normal. If your cycle is shorter or longer than the average 28 day cycle your follicular and luteal phases will also be shorter or longer. To figure out the length of your follicular and luteal phases simply divide your cycle in two. For example if your cycle is on average 30 days then take follicular phase supplements from day 1 to day 15 and Luteal phase supplements from day 16 - 30. In order to know exactly when your luteal phase begins you would have to measure your ovulation. The luteal phase begins with ovulation.
I have irregular periods, how can I Seed Cycle or take Hormone Help?
You have irregular or no periods?
If you are going through a phase of not having periods we recommend that for simplicity you follow a cycle based on calendar months ie from the first till the 15th of the month you take Follicular Phase supplements and from 16th till the end of the month you take the Luteal Phase supplements.
If your periods are irregular we recommend you follow a 14 day cycle for each phase of Hormone Help supplements. By staying on track with the 2-week rotation, the process may nudge your body into an optimal menstrual cycle rhythm and help you get back on track.
What if I currently have no cycle?
If you are currently not having periods and are sure that is not because you are pregnant then we recommend that you follow a cycle based on calendar months ie from the first till the 15th of the month you take Follicular Phase supplements and from 16th till the end of the month you take the Luteal Phase supplements. By staying on track with the 2-week rotation, the process may nudge your body into an optimal menstrual cycle rhythm and help you get back on track.
Ovulation is in the middle of my cycle, approximately day 14, how do I know when I have ovulated?
The Luteal Phase begins with ovulation, but how do I know if I have ovulated? The only way to know for sure whether or not you have ovulated is to measure ovulation. This can be done using the temperature method ( measuring your temperature every morning to see the rise in temperature which indicates ovulation has occurred) or by using Ovulation Predictor Kits ( sticks that you pee on to measure hormones in your urine which indicate that the process of ovulation has begun). Observing changes in Cervical Mucus are also a good indicator of ovulation.You can also watch out for other less reliable physical signs which may indicate ovulation. These include Mittelschmerz (a tightening or lower abdominal pain at ovulation) an increased sex drive (due to higher testosterone levels before ovulation), breast tenderness or bloating.
When my cycle is regular it is longer than 30 days but there are only 30 capsules in Hormone Help. What can I do?
The average cycle length is 28 days so most women have a day or 2 flexibility with 30 capsules. If your cycle is always longer than 30 days and you don’t want to skip any days then we recommend that you buy a second packet of Hormone Help. Jungold Hormone Help supplements are designed to be taken over a longer period of time, it may take a few months to get your hormone balance back on track so you will need extra capsules each cycle. Just be sure to take the correct capsules during the correct phase of your cycle.
How do I know if the symptoms I am experiencing are hormone related?
If you are feeling physically or mentally unwell your first step should be to visit a health professional to ensure that there isn’t a medical reason for your symptoms. Once you are happy that this is not the case, have a look at our blogs and see if any of the symptoms related to hormone imbalance could apply to you. If you have irregular periods, are experiencing PMS symptoms at the wrong time of your cycle or you are a women between the ages of 30 and 55 then it is worth considering that your symptoms are caused by a hormone imbalance. If you think your symptoms are hormone related then please discuss this too with your doctor, there are many steps you can take to support hormone balance, natural plant based solutions, medical solutions and lifestyle changes. There is no need to suffer in silence and no shame in asking for help.
What are the symptoms of hormone imbalance?
Common Symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
Irregular periods/menstrual cycles
Mood swings
Fertility difficulties ie PCOS
Fatigue and Sleeping Difficulties
Skin blemishes and acne
Weight Fluctuations
Anxiety and Depression
PMS symptoms at the wrong time of your cycle
Hot Flashes
Weight Gain
Anxiety and Depression
Mood Swings
Night Sweats
Difficulty Sleeping
Bloating
And many many more! Please read our blogs for more signs, symptoms and solutions.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause include:
Changes in your period
PMS symptoms at the wrong time of your cycle
Hot Flashes
Weight Gain
Anxiety and Depression
Mood Swings
Night Sweats
Difficulty Sleeping
Bloating
Heart palpitations
Brain fog
Muscle and joint pain and stiffness
And many many more! Please read our blogs for more signs, symptoms and solutions.
Is acne a symptom of hormone imbalance?
Yes, acne can be caused by hormone balance. Although many people choose to treat hormonal acne by taking the contraceptive pill this is actually treating the symptom rather than the problem. Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil (sebum) your skin produces. This oil interacts with bacteria on the pores of your skin where hair grows (hair follicles) and results in acne. Androgens (a group of sex hormones found in both sexes but at higher levels in men) stimulate the production of sebum and when androgen levels are too high this can cause an over production of sebum and therefore acne.
Is PCOS a symptom of hormone imbalance?
Women with PCOS are suffering from a form of hormone imbalance. While the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unknown, it's thought to be related to abnormal hormone levels. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work. In women with PCOS the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in smaller amounts. There’s currently no cure for PCOS, but various treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage its symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. These may include medications to regulate hormones, lifestyle changes like diet and exercise and fertility treatments for those trying to conceive. Trying to lower androgen levels and balance the production of oestrogen and progesterone is the goal when treating PCOS.
Is there any scientific evidence to show that Seed Cycling actually works?
Seed cycling is considered a Food as Medicine practice and is often prescribed by naturopaths, nutritionists and acupuncturists. Like most herbal medicines seed cycling is loved by those who use and benefit from it and just like many other Traditional Medicine Practices and Herbal remedies there is very little scientific research to show just how seed cycling helps support a natural hormonal balance. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work, it just means that unfortunately there haven’t been many studies done. There are however clear indications that specific nutritional components in flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds may play a role in supporting the natural hormonal cycle and there is evermore research and evidence that our nutrition has an enormous influence on our health. Just like other herbal and traditional medicines that we reach for in everyday life, the ginger for an upset stomach, sage and thyme for coughs and colds, mint for digestion, magnesium for muscle pain, chamomile for stomach pain or wounds, cabbage leaves or quark to take the heat out of an infection or vinegar to lower fever…the knowledge has been passed down for generations and we use them knowing they work whether science has caught up with proving it yet or not.
Like Hippocrates said around 400 BC “Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.”
What other steps can I take to help balance my hormones?
To achieve hormone balance you need to take a holistic approach to your hormone health. A healthy diet rich in valuable nutrients, regular exercise and healthy stress management are all positive steps. Try to get enough sleep, mind your gut health, lower your sugar intake and eat plenty of fibres. Hormone Help supplements can help with your plant based support but the rest its up to you!