PCOS & Women’s Hormones: Natural Support for Hormone Balance
- Nikki
- Jul 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 9
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) isn’t just a “hormone problem” — it’s a full-body imbalance that affects metabolism, reproductive health, skin, mood, and energy. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or suspect you may have PCOS, understanding your hormones and learning how to naturally support them can be a game-changer.
🌸 What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. At its core, PCOS is a hormone and metabolic imbalance — your ovaries produce an excess of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone. While women naturally produce a small amount of these hormones, too much can disrupt your menstrual cycle, interfere with ovulation, and trigger symptoms like:
Irregular or missed periods
Difficulty getting pregnant
Acne and oily skin
Unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, or back (hirsutism)
Hair thinning on the scalp
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Fatigue and mood swings
PCOS is also linked to insulin resistance, meaning your cells don’t respond well to insulin, causing your body to produce even more of it. High insulin levels can make your ovaries produce more androgens, creating a cycle that worsens symptoms. Over time, this can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.
The tricky part? PCOS doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some women are lean, others have excess weight; some have obvious symptoms, while others don’t discover they have PCOS until they try to conceive.
🍏 Diet & Lifestyle Shifts to Support PCOS
Your daily habits play a huge role in calming PCOS symptoms and reducing excess androgens. Small, consistent changes can make a big difference in how you feel and how your hormones function.
1️⃣ Focus on Low-Glycemic, Whole Foods
Eating foods that keep your blood sugar steady can help reduce insulin resistance and androgen production.
Best choices:
Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard)
Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
High-fiber fruits (berries, apples, pears)
Lean protein (wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry, eggs)
Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, flaxseed, chia seeds)
Legumes and beans in moderation
Avoid or limit:
Refined sugars and sweets
White bread, pasta, pastries
Processed snack foods
Sugary drinks and sodas
2️⃣ Support Liver Detox Pathways
The liver helps process and remove excess hormones. If it’s sluggish, hormone imbalance can worsen.
Drink lemon water in the morning.
Add liver-supportive herbs like dandelion root, artichoke leaf, and milk thistle (found in Monarch Herbs’ Helios Liver Tea).
Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables to boost estrogen metabolism.
3️⃣ Get the Right Kind of Exercise
Movement is key — but not all exercise works the same for PCOS.
Best choices:
Strength training (2–4 times per week) builds muscle, improves insulin sensitivity, and supports metabolism.
Low-impact cardio like walking, cycling, or swimming helps keep cortisol low.
Yoga or Pilates for stress reduction and hormone balance.
Avoid overtraining: High-intensity workouts every day can spike cortisol, which may worsen hormonal imbalance in some women.
4️⃣ Manage Stress to Calm Hormones
Chronic stress increases cortisol, which can fuel blood sugar spikes and further hormone imbalance.
Meditation, breathwork, journaling, or time in nature
Herbal adaptogens like ashwagandha, holy basil, and schisandra (found in Monarch Herbs’ Harmony Extract and Aura Tea)
5️⃣ Maintain a Healthy Weight (If Needed)
Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can improve menstrual regularity and reduce androgen levels in women with PCOS. Focus on sustainable changes — not crash diets — for lasting hormone health.
🌿 Herbs That Can Help With PCOS & Hormone Balance
Herb | Benefits for PCOS |
Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry) | Encourages balanced progesterone & estrogen; supports ovulation |
Spearmint | Reduces excess androgens; can help with unwanted hair growth |
Cinnamon | Improves insulin sensitivity; helps balance blood sugar |
Licorice Root | Supports adrenal function and lowers testosterone |
Saw Palmetto | Blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT, helping with hair loss |
Shatavari | Nourishes female reproductive system; balances estrogen |
Maca Root | Adaptogen that supports hormonal balance & boosts energy |
Nettles | Reduces inflammation and supports adrenal health |
Ashwagandha | Supports stress resilience and hormone balance |
🌿 Monarch Herbs Products for PCOS Support
Celestial Tea – Hormone balance blend with Shatavari, Blackhaw Bark, Spearmint, and Jasmine.
Queen Bee Tincture – Designed for estrogen support with Shatavari, Black Cohosh, Red Clover, and Sage.
Aura Tea – Helps support mood stability with Ashwagandha, Reishi, and Skullcap.
Harmony Extract – Adaptogenic blend with Schisandra, Astragalus, and Eleuthero for whole-body balance.
Golden Rays – Ayurvedic Golden Milk – Turmeric, Ashwagandha, and Maca for inflammation reduction and hormone health.
🫖 Herbal Recipes for PCOS Support
1️⃣ Hormone Harmony Tea
Ingredients:
1 tsp dried spearmint
1 tsp dried nettle leaf
1 tsp dried cinnamon chips
1 tsp dried chaste tree berry (lightly crushed)
Directions:
Combine herbs in a teapot or French press.
Add 2 cups boiling water.
Steep for 10–15 minutes.
Strain and enjoy daily.
2️⃣ Golden Maca Latte
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp Golden Rays Ayurvedic Golden Milk mix
½ tsp maca powder
1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup (optional)
Directions:
Heat almond milk until warm (do not boil).
Whisk in Golden Rays mix and maca powder.
Sweeten if desired.
Sip slowly and enjoy morning or evening.
💬 Final Thoughts
PCOS may be complex, but supporting your hormones doesn’t have to be. With the right herbs, nourishing food, stress management, and lifestyle tweaks, your body can find balance again.
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