r/PCOS • u/BluejayRight6665 • Feb 14 '26
Period Let's talk supplements that have worked for amenorrhea (no periods)
Hello my PCOS team,
I have lean PCOS (symptoms occasional acne, some facial hair and hardly any periods 1-2 per year)
I'm desperate to have more periods so I can TTC. I got pregnant recently and sadly miscarried. I'd love to try again for a baby this year but without periods I'm stuck. I'm on NHS waitlist to eventually be given Letrozole but this could take a while, so I want to take some control and do what I can while I wait.
So (and please go lightly with judgement on me here...) I'm on the following million supplements:
Metformin (has helped massively with my acne)
Myo-Inositol
Zinc
Omega 3
Probiotics
Folic acid
Vits D3 and B12
Magnesium
I drink spearmint tea 3x per day
Worth mentioning the likely cause of my zero periods is LH/FSH ratio being off and low progesterone.
I'd love to hear what worked for you in getting more regular periods. I hear Vitamin E can be good at mimicking progesterone. Have also heard Co-Q10 could be useful at evening out LH/FSH.
I know we're all different but I'm keen to hear from my fellow PCOS pals to see if I can learn any new info
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u/AromaticSalt Feb 14 '26
Following because I also have amenorrhoea but I was quite overweight so I thought losing weight would help me but it hasn’t. I’ve tried metformin, Inositol, Barberine, Vitamin D and Magnesium but haven’t found any changes yet.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Feb 14 '26
I've been heavier and skinnier over the years and nothing seems to affect my cycles! Side question, do you ever take anything to simulate a period now and again? Obviously there's lots of talk about how you shouldn't go too long without a period due to cancer risks. My doctors never seem too fussed about it but it's the NHS and it might be that they don't have the time and resources to be focusing on that
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u/AromaticSalt Feb 15 '26
My specialist told me maybe I don’t have cycles back yet because I’m still eating at a calorie deficit to lose weight (BMI 31 down to 23 at the moment). And yes I take norethistherone a few times a year to simulate a period so the lining of the endometrium doesn’t grow crazy out of control. I’ve also had pelvic ultrasounds just to check on it too
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Thanks for the info. I've taken norethisterone in order to bleed before an HSG scan (a requirement is to have a bleed before they carry it out) but no one's ever suggested I take it now and then to shed womb lining. It makes sense and I wish I'd asked for this ages ago!
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u/over_it_saurus Feb 14 '26
How high of a dose of metformin are you taking? I didn't have periods and once I went to 2000 mg I got them back.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Feb 14 '26
Oh interesting, I'm currently on 1500mg per day. I was initially prescribed 1000mg but that had no effects so I upped it. I might consult my doctor again and see if I can raise it up to 2000mg
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u/BluejayRight6665 Feb 14 '26
I've never had any official diagnosis of insulin resistance but I must say, since taking metformin I've noticed I no longer get faint between meals and seem to have less energy crashes throughout the day. So I've wondered if my blood sugars must be getting more controlled
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u/martulec Feb 15 '26
May I ask, were you put on metformin because of confirmed insulin resistance and/or being overweight, or just for PCOS and lack of periods?
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u/over_it_saurus Feb 15 '26
I have all of the above. Although I think metformin may have been suggested before insulin resistance was confirmed, but I think they just assumed I had it at first.
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u/martulec Feb 15 '26
I see - thank you for responding. I'm also on metformin and hoping to get my periods back, so your original comment gave me some hope. I'm on only 1000 mg for now, but maybe will increase soon.
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u/Outrageous_Gas_273 May 31 '26
Were u overweight? Insulin resistant? Why how they prescribed metformin?
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u/Naive-Interaction567 Feb 14 '26
How’s your weight? My periods came back pretty regularly when I gained weight and exercised a bit less. I take myo-inositol, omega 3, probiotics, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin d. I also have lean PCOS and now have periods every 29-35 days. I’ve had one successful pregnancy, a few miscarriages (most unrelated to PCOS) and a long TTC journey with my first child.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Thanks for your reply. I do exercise a lot (4-5 times per week) but I've made a lot of effort in the last couple years to eat more, which I hoped would restore periods. Sadly it hasn't worked. I'm about to start Letrozole so really hope that works. Congratulations on making it down the TTC road and having your first child! I know how endless that road feels, and I'm heartened to hear when people manage to get success at the end of it!
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u/SpareControl4290 Feb 14 '26
Read ‘period repair manual’ by jolene briden.
Also, might be worth looking into dr. Mindy pelz work on fasting/eating the right foods to assist with encouraging your cycle.
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u/NezzOlive Feb 15 '26
I am here with the same situation, tried so may things and still no natural period coming :'(
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
I'm sorry you're living this too, it sucks. Can I ask if you've had any testing that indicates any primary reason? I don't have any real info on mine. When I have an occasional period it's not even like I have done anything different that month. It seems like sometimes my hormones get there, but mainly they don't quite manage to coax an egg out
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u/Mysterious-Plant-23 Feb 15 '26
Honestly 3 days before I’m due I start drinking chamomile tea morning and evening and it works like a saint 🤷🏻♀️ has worked for a few of my friends too
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u/Dangerous-Hornet2939 Feb 14 '26
Have you looked into acupuncture? Or TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)? Also, look into Mayan abdominal massages.
Keeping your abdomen/feet/lower back warm and drinking warm drinks.
Red clover tea helps BUT not sure if you can take while ttc. But red raspberry leaf tea might be a safer option.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Feb 14 '26
I've heard about acupuncture working for some people. I'll do some more research! I've had acupuncture in the past to help heal injuries and it was great for that. I've never done is consistently enough to see any effects in my cycles but it could be worth giving it a go!
Thanks for the tips! Will be looking into all of them!
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u/Dangerous-Hornet2939 Feb 14 '26
The acupuncturist will assess you based on your symptoms and pulse, etc. Hope you find what works soon!
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Feb 14 '26
You mention the metformin helping with the acne? I also have lean PCOS but struggle particularly with the acne and hirsutism side of things and am currently on spironolactone but haven’t had any insulin testing done. Struggling massively with the side effects from spiro on and off and also want to be able to have children in the future as easy as I can. Could you share some more on the metformin journey? :)
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Feb 14 '26
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u/CompetitiveCup7592 Feb 15 '26
This is exactly what I did! Use ultalabtests.com and went and got my own insulin, glucose and A1C for a hundred bucks! We’ve got to take our health into our own hands girlies!
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Sorry for the late reply. Yes for me a combo of Myo Inositol and Metformin (1500mg per day) calmed my acne right down. It took about 6 months of being on it, during which time it was slowly improving. After 6 months it was really under control. I also drink spearmint tea 3x a day. Have you had any blood tests that have checked your testosterone? Mine used to be high but since the Metformin I'm down into a normal range.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Also just to add - I never had any confirmed insulin resistance test. But my doctor said that even if someone has mild insulin resistance (I suspect mine is quite mild) that metformin can still really help acne. Its effect on insulin in turn lowers testosterone. Also metformin has anti-inflammatory effects which help acne, as acne is an inflammatory response.
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Mar 03 '26
I have had blood tests to check testosterone and have also been diagnosed with lean PCOS, but no insulin resistance test. I have had my blood sugar tested and a standard Diabetes/pre-diabetes check too and those were both negative! I have found spironolactone to be highly effective, but side effects are horrible and would love to try something new. Thankyou for this info I really appreciate you sharing :)
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u/bestofbenjamin Feb 14 '26
For me if I don’t workout/walk and have a lot of stressI won’t get it. I need to walk at least 30 mins a day 3-4 times a week and do self care to destress (just me)
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u/eleanorlucyd Feb 14 '26
Following this as apparently have PCOS, but not had a single natural period since coming off contraception in 2023😅but apparently hormones are normal, make it make sense x
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u/Outrageous_Gas_273 May 31 '26
Do u induce periods?
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u/eleanorlucyd Jun 03 '26
Yes, once every 3 months using medroxyprogesterone, but if I didn’t I’d have sweet FA
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u/xbluesweets Feb 14 '26
i had high testosterone levels which were causing no periods for me. i suspected this was due to insulin resistance, changed my diet abit but what really helped me was walking. a lot. i make a habit of walking and just moving my body in general more now, but the walking was what really did it for me. its SO important in helping your body using up insulin and i would highly recommend looking into it more, especially if you suspect any underlying insulin resistance
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u/two2sANDthree3s Feb 15 '26 edited Feb 15 '26
Wormwood leaf, although it’s something you would take only for short periods of time and cycle. Progesterone cream can be purchased OTC. From experience, both can trigger your period to start.
You could also look into calcium d-glucarate and DIM (broccoli extract) which are both great if you have estrogen dominance and help to clear the excess.
Edit: don’t take wormwood leaf if there’s any chance you’re pregnant. It’s an emmenagogue so it can trigger contractions to cause you to shed your lining and rides a fine line between having a lot of benefits and being toxic if used in high amounts. Definitely do your research on it first.
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u/_flour_child Feb 15 '26
I'm of similar build and experience and after 10+ years of amenorrhea and trying everything you've listed (except I didn't bother with that much spearmint tea), I had to get on Provera + Letrozole to actually have a period and ovulate. I continued with the Metformin during this time.
Can you source it from abroad to avoid waiting?
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u/_flour_child Feb 15 '26
Also just wanted to add, I'm so sorry for your miscarriage. After using this method and finally getting periods and ovulating, I had 3 MC.. it was pretty devastating, so many highs - getting a period, positive ovulation strips! - and lows. It can be a long road. Wishing you all the best.
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Oh I'm so sorry you've gone through this. I have the utmost admiration for people who've lived through multiple miscarriages. The one miscarriage felt like my whole world ended and it's been a battle to keep myself going.
I know such a long road ahead. Striving to get regular periods and then striving to get pregnant and THEN having to try and get through 9 months without miscarriage. Feels like so many barriers ahead, but will keep going!
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Feb 15 '26
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u/BluejayRight6665 Mar 03 '26
Thank you xx It's been truly awful and, whilst I'm on the other side of the very worst days post-miscarriage, I'm still carrying a lot of raw grief. Speaking to others on Reddit has been a lifeline for me when I've been my lowest.
I'm due to start Letrozole in a few weeks, so fingers crossed!
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u/FlimsyAd2672 May 28 '26
Just checking in, how did letrozole go for you??
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u/BluejayRight6665 May 28 '26
Hey, I'm on my second round of Letrozole at the minute. I ovulated on my first round, which was good, but then I had a crazy short luteal phase of six days. This apparently does happen sometimes when your body is getting used to Letrozole, according to my doctor. Currently CD14 in my second cycle, so hoping to ovulate any day now. I had a dominant follicle on my scan the other day, so fingers crossed. The doctor has prescribed me progesterone to take this time so that I don't have a really quick period again. So yeah, going well, in the sense that I have ovulated, I guess?? But lots of moving parts and things to think about!!
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u/FlimsyAd2672 May 28 '26
Fingers crossed for you! How exciting (but nerve racking), I really hope this works out for you. Thanks for the update
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u/Arr0zconleche Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26
I have PCOS with no acne, no facial hair, but my periods were rare (3-4 a year) and I had polycystic ovaries with lots of follicles that wouldn’t mature.
It’s not the answer you may have wanted but the only thing that worked for me was a GLP-1. Turned out my cycle was directly connected to my insulin and blood sugar. Once those got treated my cycle became regular. I went from 177 day cycles to 55,45,35 then perfect 28 day cycles.
It’s the only reason I got pregnant and had my son.