Seed Cycling for Hormonal Health

In my late thirties, I had a health flare that caused me to have to increase my thyroid meds. I also developed skin issues, anxiety, irritability, weight gain, and insomnia, and had super heavy periods twice per month.

The health flare hit right as the pandemic began, and I know stress was a part of the reason it occurred. Added stressors like caring for my young son around the clock, coming off all my supplements, and dealing with toxic exposure only made things worse. I had also shifted from a high-protein, low-carb diet to skipping breakfast, washing down thyroid meds with coffee, and living off toddler leftovers for three months. Not exactly a recipe for stability. Being in my late 30s and getting close to the inevitable hormone rollercoaster that is perimenopause definitely didn’t help either!

I got to work on recovering my health and balancing my female hormones. My thyroid and antibodies had been dialed in for some time, but the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause and getting my period every 14 days (plus all of the awful symptoms) was brand new to me, and my previous healing modalities didn’t do much to balance my hormones.

I wanted to try lifestyle changes first and had known about the seed cycling method for balancing hormones for some time.

If you haven’t heard of it, seed cycling is the practice of eating certain seeds during certain phases of your menstrual cycle to help support the production of specific hormones. I’ve read many stories of women who had tried it and reported that it helped regulate their menstrual cycle and ease their period-related symptoms. A lot of my practitioner friends also swore by it, from naturopaths to nutritionists to MDs!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What seed cycling is and how to do it
• The clinical study that backs the benefits of seed cycling
• Easy ways to incorporate it into your everyday life

How To Do Seed Cycling

The menstrual cycle consists of two main phases – the follicular phase and the luteal phase, each with its own distinct hormonal pattern.

Follicular Phase (Days 1–14)
This phase begins on the first day of your period and ends at ovulation. During this time, estrogen is on the rise, preparing your body for a potential pregnancy and building up the uterine lining.

To support this natural estrogen boost and help your body metabolize it properly (a key part of hormonal balance), you’ll focus on:

• Ground flax seeds: Rich in lignans, compounds that help modulate estrogen levels. Lignans bind to excess estrogen and help your body eliminate it if needed.
• Ground pumpkin seeds: Packed with zinc, a mineral that supports healthy estrogen production and ovulation.

Luteal Phase (Days 15–28)
Once ovulation occurs, your body shifts focus to progesterone – the calming, soothing hormone that supports implantation and balances the effects of estrogen.

If your progesterone is low, you might notice PMS, bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, anxiety, or short cycles.

This is where these seeds shine:

• Ground sunflower seeds: – High in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that supports progesterone production and liver detox.
• Ground sesame seeds: Also rich in lignans, these help clear out excess estrogen to make way for optimal progesterone levels.

But let’s be real, I was a toddler mom and didn’t have the bandwidth to hand-grind seeds every day. Then I came across Beeya. They make pre-made blends of the right seeds for the right phases, for a simple and stress-free way to incorporate seed cycling into daily life.

I used Beeya seeds along with some other strategies to regulate my cycle (unfortunately, cutting back on coffee was one of them) and within a month, my period was 28 days long again! My hormonal acne (cystic acne on my chin), the glamorous chin hairs, and most of the irritability symptoms also began to improve within the first month! I was amazed at what a couple of scoops of delicious seeds could do.

Seed cycling has worked for me, and I’ve heard many stories about it helping other women as well. And now, for the first time, there is research that backs up our experiences!

The Research Behind Seed Cycling

Beeya recently conducted a third-party clinical trial on the impact of seed cycling, and the results were impressive. The study included 40 women ages 18-45, who were given Beeya’s seed cycling blends for three months. There were improvements in every symptom related to premenstrual syndrome. Here are some highlights after three months of use:

• 80 percent reported less breast tenderness
• 80 percent reported that menstrual pain was less severe
• 77 percent reported less severe cramps
• 75 percent reported PMS was less severe
• 72 percent reported improved digestion

Additionally, study participants reported lighter periods, a reduced frequency of low libido, less hormonal acne, less fatigue, and overall, their periods interfered less with their quality of life. You can view the full study here.

Small Seeds, Big Impact

The seeds in seed cycling aren’t just random pantry staples. They’re strategically chosen for the exact nutrients your body needs at each phase of your cycle.

Together, these seeds offer:

• Lignans to support estrogen
• Zinc + selenium to support progesterone
• Magnesium, omega-3s, and vitamin E to help ease cramps, regulate cycles, and calm inflammation
• Fiber to support estrogen via healthy bowel movements
• Hormone-friendly fats to build your sex hormones from the ground up

A lack of these nutrients can contribute to hormonal imbalances, and regular intake of omega-3s, lignans, and zinc can help improve PMS, support fertility, and ease irregular cycles.

Women who seed cycle report:

• Less bloating and breast tenderness
• Fewer mood swings and PMS symptoms
• More regular ovulation
• Better skin and energy
• Smoother periods overall
• Fertility support
• Hormonal balance during perimenopause

I suggest fully committing to seed cycling for three months to start seeing the effects. You may start to feel subtle shifts in energy, mood, or digestion within just one or two cycles, but most hormonal changes take time to build. I saw changes within the first month, but remember, seed cycling works gently and gradually, supporting your body’s natural rhythm rather than forcing quick fixes.

With just two small scoops of yummy seeds a day, you’re giving your body nutrient-dense seeds that work with your hormonal rhythms. No guesswork, no overwhelm – just a daily act of self-care rooted in real food, ancient wisdom, and modern hormonal health.

Beeya makes it so easy with their targeted blends crafted specifically for the two major phases of your cycle. I love Beeya blends because:

• They’re 100% organic, freshly ground, and ready to eat.
• No need to remember which seeds to buy or when to grind them.
• Just scoop and sprinkle on oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, soups, or salads.

Bonus: They also include hemp seeds in both phases for added protein, omega-3s, and anti-inflammatory support.

I usually add the seeds on top of a salad or just eat them right out of the bag. 🙂 I also find it fun to add Beeya to different recipes. Here’s an example of one of their amazing, mouthwatering creations.

Pistachio Banana Snickers Bites Recipe

Keep a stash of these in your freezer for when your sweet tooth hits, or when you need a little afternoon pick-me-up that won’t leave you crashing.

Makes: 8 bites
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: None

Ingredients

• 1 banana, sliced into 8 coins
• 3 oz dark chocolate (about ½ cup chips), melted
• 2 Tbsp pistachio butter
• 2 scoops Beeya seed cycling blends
• 2 medjool dates, chopped small
• 2 Tbsp chopped roasted & salted pistachios

Instructions

1. In a mini silicone mold or ice cube tray, drizzle a small amount of melted dark chocolate into the bottom of each cavity.
2. Add one banana slice to each.
3. In a small bowl, mix the pistachio butter with 2 scoops of Beeya until well combined. Spoon this mixture evenly over each banana slice.
4. Top with chopped dates and pistachios.
5. Drizzle remaining chocolate on top to seal.
6. Freeze until solid (about 2-3 hours). 2 bites = ½ scoop Beeya. Pop out and store in a sealed container in the freezer.

Takeaway

Food really is medicine, and seed cycling is one of the best examples!

My community can save $5 off their first order of Beeya using code DRWENTZ. I highly suggest committing to the subscription so you can experience the cumulative benefits of seed cycling!

Wishing you well on your health journey!

P.S. You can download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free, by signing up for my newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.

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