Hey girl, are you one of the 90% of us who deal with the rollercoaster of PMS symptoms every month? You know the drill: cramps that make you want to call out of life, boobs so sore it hurts to put on a bra, zits galore, and mood swings that have you crying at dog food commercials one minute and raging over an "ok" text the next. Fun times!
If you‘re over downing ibuprofen and canceling plans to wallow with your heating pad, you may have come across a little gummy vitamin called Flo. These candy-like supplements claim to naturally ease PMS problems with herbs like chasteberry and dong quai. But do they live up the hype?
I tried Flo for three cycles to find out, and also dug deep into the research and reviews. Spoiler: I‘m officially obsessed. But Flo may not be for everyone. Here‘s everything you need to know to decide if it‘s right for you.
WTF is Flo?
Flo is a vegan gummy vitamin designed to provide natural PMS relief with just four active ingredients:
- Chaste berry extract, which studies show can decrease PMS symptoms for 93% of women by helping balance hormones
- Dong quai, a root used in Chinese medicine for centuries to reduce period cramps by improving blood flow and relaxing the uterus
- Lemon balm, a soothing herb that can lift your mood by boosting happy brain chemicals
- Vitamin B6, which your body needs to make serotonin and other neurotransmitters that keep PMS from turning you into an emotional zombie
You take 2 gummies daily (they taste like a strawberry starburst had a baby with a vitamin – not mad at it) for 2-3 cycles to allow the herbs to fully kick in.
Flo was started in 2018 by a brother-sister duo who wanted a cleaner alternative to popping Midol. It‘s since become an Insta-famous brand with over 135k followers and celeb fans.
What Does the Science Say?
Okay, but you‘re probably wondering if the #PMS Miracle hype is real. As a skeptical Sally myself, I needed receipts. Here‘s a quick rundown of some of the key studies behind Flo‘s star ingredients:
-
In one trial, 93% of women taking vitex saw PMS relief after 3 cycles, especially for irritability, mood swings, headaches and breast tenderness.^1
-
A review of 27 studies found dong quai had pain-relieving properties and the ability to soothe uterine muscle spasms.^2
-
Lemon balm extract reduced anxiety for 70% of women in one study and improved mood and cognitive function in several trials.^3
-
B6 has been shown to significantly improve overall PMS symptoms. One study found 80mg daily reduced moodiness, bloating, headaches and sugar cravings.^4
Here‘s What Real Customers Are Saying
Of course, no supplement works the same for everyone. Hormones are complex and PMS is different for every woman. So I read hundreds of Flo reviews to see what actual users thought. The TLDR? It seems to significantly help most people who try it consistently (2-3 months minimum) but no guarantees.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| "Life-changing! Cramps and mood swings decreased drastically" | "Didn‘t notice any difference after 2 months" |
| "Boobs and tummy way less achy and swollen the day before my period" | "Gummies tasted too sweet/artificial" |
| "Acne has cleared up, no joke. Where was this in high school??" | "Caused more breakouts for the first month" |
| "I feel way more even and less likely to snap at my BF" | "Noticed heavier bleeding" |
| "Actually makes taking vitamins enjoyable!" | "Expensive for only a one-month supply" |
While the vast majority of reviews are really positive, Flo clearly won‘t be a PMS panacea for everyone. Some people saw increased breakouts or bloating at first (this is common with new supps as your body adjusts), while others just didn‘t notice much change even after a few months.
My Flo Diary
I‘ll be real with you – my PMS is no joke. I‘m talking fetal-position cramps, 2-3 days of feeling like a bloated, moody monster, and hormonal acne galore. I‘ve tried it ALL: cutting dairy/soy/gluten, yoga, red raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, you name it.
So I had high hopes but managed expectations when I started popping Flo. The first month, I did notice my cramps felt a little less scream-into-a-pillow intense and my skin wasn‘t quite as tragic. By the second and third box? Y‘all. I was a new woman.
My boobs barely hurt, bloating was minimal, and I had maybe one minor cramp day instead of 2-3. Best of all: my mood was SO much more stable. No sobbing, no snapping, just a little more tired than usual. I truly felt like I was in control of my body for the first time in years.
Obviously, I know this is just my experience and not a universal guarantee. Some reviewers still felt like garbage on Flo. Everyone‘s different. But if you‘re struggling with moderate to severe PMS monthly, I 1000% think it‘s worth trying for yourself. Flo offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
How Does Flo Compare to Other Options?
Flo isn‘t the only PMS supplement on the block. Competitors like Olly‘s "Miss Mellow" and the Agni "Unstoppable" blend also use herbs like chasteberry and dong quai with pretty good reviews.
But IMO, Flo stands out for a few key reasons:
-
It focuses JUST on PMS. No confusing ingredient list or combo formulas that make you wonder what‘s doing what.
-
The dosage and quality. Flo contains research-backed amounts of its star ingredients. A lot of other supps skimp or use subpar sourcing.
-
The info and inspo. Flo‘s site and socials are packed with helpful content about periods and #realtalk that makes you feel seen.
-
That 60-day guarantee. Most brands give you 30 days, max. Flo lets you try it for 2 full cycles.
So while it may not be the only option, Flo gets my vote for the best all-around pick if you want to go au naturel for PMS.
The Final Verdict
Let‘s not mince words: PMS can be a straight-up B. If yours has you white-knuckling through cramps, hiding under your desk when Becky chews too loud, and considering buying stock in Clearasil, I feel you on a spiritual level. You‘re not alone and you deserve better.
Flo Vitamins may not be a one-size-cures-all solution, but for me and thousands of other women, it‘s been a serious game-changer. The science is solid on these ingredients for easing pain, stabilizing mood, and reducing inflammation.
While there‘s no guarantee it will make you forget you even have a uterus, the odds are high you‘ll notice a big difference in your symptoms after 2-3 months of consistent use. And thanks to Flo‘s generous return policy, the only thing you have to lose is feeling like garbage every 28 days.
As women, we‘re conditioned to grin and bear a lot, especially when it comes to our periods. Flo is all about saying "eff that" and empowering you to feel your best. And personally, as a former fetal-position champ? I‘m so here for it.
So if you‘re ready to tell Aunt Flo to flow off? Snag a bottle and see how it goes! Save 20% when you subscribe and cancel anytime. You‘ve got this, girl.
