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PMS symptoms are a monthly fact of life for most menstruating women. The days before a menstrual period can often be full of symptoms such as irritability, cramping, increased anxiety, bloating, headaches, and even increased acne. Many lifestyle modifications may help reduce PMS symptoms, including eating a healthy diet, participating in regular physical activity like yoga, controlling stress, and making sure you get a good night's sleep regularly. However, many women are also interested in trying dietary supplements to help with PMS symptoms. FLO vitamin gummies are a popular supplement for PMS symptoms. In this FLO vitamins review, we'll discuss what the FLO vitamins are, the ingredients, potential side effects, and if they might work for you.
While FLO vitamins are one of the most popular brands out there currently, HUM Nutrition is another great brand with high quality and clinically tested ingredients you should consider. Here are a few of their products we highly recommend:
- PMS Gummies - to help relieve all PMS symptoms
- Moody Bird - to help relieve hormonal PMS symptoms
- Private Party - a probiotic for vaginal health
A Quick Look at Flo Vitamins
SPECS
- Active Ingredients: Chaste Berry, Lemon Balm, Vitamin B6, Dong Quai
- Serving size: 2 gummies per day
- Type: Gummies
SEE HUM PMS GUMMIESFLO gummies are intended for menstruating women. FLO contains chaste berries, lemon balm, dong quai, and vitamin B6, which were selected as active ingredients to help reduce PMS symptoms such as acne, bloating, mood swings, and cramps.
The gummies are strawberry flavored, and the serving size is two gummies per day. The supplement is non-GMO, vegan, and never tested on animals. In addition, these gummies are gluten-free and free from dairy, nuts, and soy. They contain no artificial colors, dyes, or flavors.
FLO is manufactured in the United States. The gummies are manufactured using current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) guidelines from the FDA.
This product comes with a happiness guarantee. If you use it for two months and are not satisfied with the results, the company offers a full refund for your first two bottles. Note that any shipping fees you paid aren't refundable, though.
What We Like
- Dairy, nut, gluten, and soy free
- No artificial dyes, colors, or flavors
- Comes in both gummy and capsule options
What We Don't Like
- Includes filler ingredients
- Lacks research studies on this particular supplement/formulation
About FLO
FLO is made by O-Positiv, a company that makes dietary supplements and vitamins for women. The company was co-founded by a brother and sister. Their headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California, and their products are manufactured in the United States. O-Positiv's most well-known product is FLO, a vitamin for menstruating women.
What Are FLO Vitamins?
FLO vitamins are designed for menstruating women. They're intended to be taken daily but were designed to help specifically with monthly symptoms of PMS, such as acne, bloating, cramps, and mood swings. The most popular option is the gummy, but FLO also comes in capsule form. The capsule form has the same active ingredients as the gummy supplement.
Ingredients
The active ingredients in FLO vitamins are:
- Chasteberry Extract: The chasteberry tree grows in the Mediterranean and Asia. Chasteberry extract has been used as medicine since ancient times to treat gynecologic issues. Though more clinical research is needed, it may be effective for treating PMS symptoms, especially breast pain, headaches, and mood issues. Note that chasteberry may interact with medications, such as oral birth control, so should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
- Dong Quai: Dong Quai is a member of the celery family and is referred to as female ginseng. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine, either alone or in combination with other herbs. This herb may help with abnormal periods and relieve cramps.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is a plant from the mint family. One study has shown that lemon balm has the potential to reduce physical symptoms of PMS, like cramping. Lemon balm has also traditionally been used to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Vitamin B6: Flo contains 20mg of Vitamin B6, which is above the Recommended Dietary Allowance but safe to consume. Vitamin B6 has many functions in the body. A review of nine trials using vitamin B6 to treat PMS symptoms found that supplementing with the vitamin may help reduce general PMS symptoms and premenstrual depression symptoms.
The inactive ingredients include organic tapioca syrup, tapioca syrup, raw cane sugar, sugar, water, natural flavors, pectin, citric acid, vegetable oil, sodium citrate, vegetable juice, titanium dioxide, carnauba leaf wax, and beta carotene.
SEE HUM PMS GUMMIESPotential Side Effects of Flo Vitamins
The company's website doesn't list potential side effects. However, there are risks to taking any dietary supplement, including allergic reactions or interactions with other medications that you take. Check with your doctor before taking any new dietary vitamin blends or multivitamin supplements.
If you use any form of prescribed birth control, like the birth control pill, patch, intrauterine device (IUD), or an arm implant, be sure to ask if the ingredients in this supplement will interfere with your birth control method before taking it. This product is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding and should not be taken during these stages.
What Are PMS Symptoms?
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is "a term used to describe a group of physical and behavioral changes that some women experience before their menstrual periods every month."
Though most women experience some of the symptoms of PMS before menstruating, the symptoms have to occur every month or for several months in a row to meet the criteria for the actual diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome.
Common emotional symptoms of PMS include:
- Irritability
- Increased crying
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Changes in sexual desire
Common physical symptoms of PMS include:
- Tender breasts
- Bloating
- Aches or pain in the lower back or belly
- Headaches
- GI distress
- Acne
Our Verdict
If you suffer from regular PMS symptoms such as acne, cramps, mood changes, or bloating, FLO vitamins may be a supplement worth trying. However, FLO doesn't work for some women based on user reviews, and there are some possible risks when taking any dietary supplement. As always, we recommend checking with a healthcare provider before starting FLO vitamins or any dietary supplement. Make sure to mention any birth control you're taking when discussing whether you should take FLO with a provider.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've consulted with a team of nutritionists and dieticians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
FAQs About Flo Vitamins
How long does it take to see results from FLO vitamins?
The company recommends taking FLO vitamins for two menstrual cycles to see the full effects, though it's possible to see results sooner. At the same time, these supplements may not work for all menstruating women. Many reviews mention that users saw results within a few months of taking the product, but some people didn't notice a difference in their PMS symptoms at all.
Are FLO gummies worth it?
FLO gummies may be worth a try if you suffer from regular PMS symptoms. The product has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on the company's website. However, FLO may not work for you. If you do not see a clear benefit from taking the gummy supplement, it might feel too expensive to purchase regularly and won't be worth it.
Does FLO help balance hormones?
Some of the ingredients in FLO may help reduce PMS symptoms and make you feel better, but it's difficult to say if FLO will balance hormones. Chasteberry, lemon balm, and vitamin B6 have clinical research that shows potential benefits for PMS symptoms. Other natural strategies that may help you feel more balanced include regularly sleeping enough, eating a balanced diet that includes protein and healthy fats, sticking to a regular exercise routine, and working to keep stress levels low when possible.
Does FLO help with acne?
FLO may help with acne. Many company website reviewers state that FLO gummies have helped them greatly reduce breakouts and prevent hormonal acne. However, some reviewers didn't notice a difference in breakouts after taking them. The company suggests that the chasteberry extract may help reduce hormonal acne, but clinical research hasn't proven this link.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.