Can you use evening primrose oil for hormone balance? How does it work and how should you take it? Find out in this article!
Evening primrose oil, a wildflower native to North America, is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (scientific name: Oenothera biennis).
The Native Americans used it as a source of food and medicine. It is particularly known for solving feminine problems including menstrual troubles, menopause symptoms, PMS, and others.
It is purported to affect estrogen levels in the body, which helps various female reproductive issues caused by estrogen dominance/insufficient estrogen such as cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, hot flashes, irregular periods, breast pain, and more. Let us see the components of evening primrose oil below:
Components of Evening Primrose Oil
What makes evening primrose oil special is its chemical constituent. It contains large amounts of gamma linoleic acid (GLAs) which is a type of omega 6 fatty acid.
Our bodies cannot produce this nutrient on its own, which is why it is important to get them through dietary sources and supplements. GLA assists in cognitive function, maintaining bone health, regulating metabolism, promoting healthy skin & luscious hair and as well as decreasing inflammation in the body.
Evening primrose oil also contains alpha linoleic acid, a type of omega 3 fatty acid. Alpha linoleic acid must be acquired through food or supplementation as well. It decreases inflammation in the body, protects cardiovascular health and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and even cancer.
Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Hormonal Imbalance
Evening primrose oil has many benefits for hormonal balance. By regulating hormones it helps rectify reproductive issues related to fertility such as ovulation, menstruation and conception. Let us look at them below:
1. Improves Fertility
According to research at The National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, evening primrose oil may help improve fertility in women with issues regarding the quality of cervical mucus, a factor that plays a big role in successful pregnancy. Cervical mucus/fluid is what helps transport sperm into the cervix to the fallopian tubes. Having little to no cervical fluid is a cause of infertility in women as the sperm is not able to swim freely to reach and fertilize the egg.
Taking evening primrose oil capsules is also helpful for those who are trying to conceive because it tones the uterine walls in preparation for sustaining a full-term pregnancy.
2. Helps Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, meaning it thrives off excess estrogen. It is a painful condition where the cells that make up the uterine lining (endometrium) move into other tissues in the ovaries, fallopian tube or pelvic area and undergo menstruation when it is that time of the month, which leads to build up of unwanted blood that has nowhere to go.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, taking evening primrose oil capsules helps correct estrogen imbalance by reducing high levels, which helps reduce endometrial pain & discomfort as well as heavy bleeding and formation of other endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
3. Soothes Menopause Symptoms
As the body prepares for menopause, estrogen levels drastically drop. This leads to menopause symptoms in many women such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, spotting and others. Taking evening primrose oil capsules helps naturally boost estrogen levels in the body which provide quick relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
It is recommended to take two 500mg evening primrose capsules one in the morning and one at night or 1000mg daily for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and others.
4. Treats PCOS
Evening primrose oil is helpful for PCOS, a condition causes by hormonal imbalances because it regulates hormones. It reduces menstrual cramps and irregular periods that are both symptoms of PCOS.
According to this study, supplementation with Vitamin D and Evening Primrose Oil helps improve cholesterol and oxidative stress in women with PCOS which helped with their symptoms.
Evening primrose oil is a good supplement for when you want to conceive and are struggling with PCOS. [Must Read: 5 Best Supplements for PCOS Fertility]
5. Reduces PMS
Evening primrose oil capsules are effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS consists of a group of symptoms such as bloating, mood swings, irritability, depression, breast pain/tender breasts, anxiety, body aches, cravings, acne, headaches and more. All these are worsened by hormonal imbalances.
Research indicates that evening primrose oil may be included as a helpful side-by-side treatment for PMS.
For PMS, try taking 1500 mg of evening primrose oil capsules from the first day of your period to ovulation. Use an ovulation calculator for precise results.
6. Heals Acne
Evening primrose oil is also very beneficial in treating hormonal acne. It contains the right balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids needed in the body that helps balance hormones and prevent hormonal problems such as acne.
You can take evening primrose oil internally as well as apply it externally to reduce hormonal acne.
How to Use Evening Primrose Oil for Hormonal Imbalance
- Take 1000-3000 mg of evening primrose oil daily.
- Prick a capsule, squeeze out the oil and apply to hormonal acne areas such as big pimples and acne around the chin & jaw.
Where to Get Evening Primrose Capsules
Ensure to get 100% pure high quality evening primrose oil capsules for consumption as well as external use. I recommend getting Barlean’s Organic Evening Primrose Oil Capsules.
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