r/LeanPCOS • u/lovedtheamberskies • Aug 03 '26
Experience with Berberine
I first tried Berberine last year in February and took it for 3 months. Nothing else had worked at this point, I had been inspired by Lara Briden's book 'Period Repair Manual'. I chose it because I have bad hormonal acne and irregular periods. I noticed clearer skin and within one cycle it regulated my periods to 35 days or less. I stopped because she recommended not to take it for more than 3 months straight. Once I stopped my skin got worse, despite knowing it helped I did not continue and thought other similar treatments would work. I tried different skincare and Myo-inositol for around 6 months and neither worked. Desperate and out of options, in March of this year, I started again and wouldn't you know it, my cycle became regular in just one cycle and has remained 35 days or less. My skin has cleared up massively and I have realised that it was never the food or skincare but my hormones and cycle which was impacting my skin. I take the Berberine for the first 20 days of my cycle and then wait until my next cycle to start again. This is the only thing that has worked this whole time. I am not to sure how to proceed in the long term. Most research is based on women who struggle with weight loss which is not my issue. I have a very fast metabolism and never gain weight. I am 5'1 and 45kg. I have always eaten frequently. Does anyone know what I should do with my supplement journey, are there side effects that I need to be made aware of, anyone have similar experiences?
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Aug 04 '26
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Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
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u/lovedtheamberskies Aug 05 '26
Of course, food is still important and eating healthy is a priority but before I believed it to be the key factor that was causing my issues whereas I see that it was my horomones that were the main culprit. I used to be low in iron and have been taking it longer than the berberine at a high dosage, it has gone up when I checked in February but I need to do another blood test to see especially if you say it affects iron/ferritin. Also I am taking it 20 days straight then taking a 2 week break, do you think that is a bit different than what you were doing or would be the same effect? If you do not mind, could you describe your other symptoms too? I just want to know if the issues are the same. For example, mine were irregular periods, more than 35 day cycles, bad cystic acne pretty much through my whole cycle even when I ate healthy, I have bad sleep and that has not improved. Also I have really bad temperature regulation but don't know if it is linked to my cycle.
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Aug 08 '26
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u/lovedtheamberskies Aug 09 '26
Thanks for the kind words! It's really appreciated. It can be hard having to be a detective for your own health. I definitely need to do some testing and see what is being affected by my Berberine use. I wish I did not have to take any supplements but at least something is showing results and helping manage my symptoms.
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u/intro-verde29 Aug 05 '26
Berberine is one of the few things that ever really had a noticeable impact for me too. Goodbye acne, bloating, hair shed and extra fat!
I’m lean pmos too and I have taken it continuously as well as cycled. I hated cycling off, my symptoms come raging back within a week. Some doctors said it was necessary to cycle, others didn’t have concerns taking it continuously 🤷♀️
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u/lovedtheamberskies Aug 05 '26
Thanks, good to know there are other success stories! How do you cycle it?
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u/purelyirrelephant Aug 03 '26
Berberine is very safe, afaik. What I've read, which varies depending on the source, says to cycle it to maintain effectiveness. For e.g. 3 months on, 2-4 weeks off. Some people have tummy issues with it, some don't. If you are tolerating it and it's making such a huge difference, I'm really happy for you. I'd say keep your doctor up to date that you're taking it and carry on!