a study to evaluate the effect of elix cycle balance and daily harmony on polycystic ovary syndrome

Conditions: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Summary: this is a virtual, open-label, 2-armed study that will last 6 months. all participants will take the supplements daily and complete questionnaires at baseline and at the end of weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 (study may be concluded at week 20 if results are seen earlier). the study will involve 70 participants with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos), 35 who are on hormonal birth control, and 35 who are not. a subgroup of 20 participants from the non-birth control group, who experience hormonal acne/frequent hormonal breakouts will provide photographs of the face for expert skin grading at baseline, week 12, week 20, and week 24 (if the study is continued until week 24). questionnaires will be used to monitor changes in the menstrual cycle (regularity, frequency, predictability), bloating, fluid retention, weight gain, mood (mood swings, anxiety, mental clarity/focus, brain fog), pain, fatigue, acne, facial/bodily hair, and sleep quality. expert skin grading will be carried out by a dermatologist to monitor changes in acne and skin clarity indicative of systemic effects of androgen excess. likert scale responses will be statistically compared from baseline to each check-in. participant responses on product feedback will be presented as % scores.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * female aged 18-36 * diagnosed with pcos in the last 5 years. * has experienced at least two of the following: 1. irregular menstrual periods or the absence of menstrual periods. 2. excessive facial or body hair, thinning hair, or hair loss on the scalp, oily skin, and or acne. 3. polycystic ovaries as determined by ultrasound. * otherwise generally healthy (not living with any uncontrolled chronic disease) * has concerns about irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation, mood swings, stress, tender breasts, food cravings, irritability, or low energy. * following stable, consistent diet and exercise regimens, and willing to refrain from making any lifestyle changes that may affect their menstrual cycle for the duration of the study. * willing to refrain from taking any other supplements that may target the menstrual cycle throughout the study period. * willing and able to adhere to the study protocol, including taking supplements at the required times, completing questionnaires via the technology portal, and where appropriate sharing the required photographs. * able to communicate in english. * participants must provide written informed consent (icf). * for the hormonal birth control group: must have been on the same hormonal birth control for the past 3 months and be willing to not make any changes to their hormonal birth control for the next 6 months. * for the non-hormonal birth control group: must have been off hormonal birth control for the past 3 months and be willing to stay off hormonal birth control for the next 6 months. * for the non-hormonal birth control group: experience hormonal acne or frequent acne breakouts (a symptom of androgen excess). exclusion criteria: * any pre-existing, unstable or uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness. * anyone who has been diagnosed with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, reproductive cancers, chronic liver disease, diverticular disease, colorectal cancer or previous history of colorectal cancer, chronic pancreatitis, adenomyosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthiritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosed chronic uncontrolled migraines, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome. * anyone who has undergone a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or any other gynecological medical or surgical treatment in the past 6 months. * anyone with significant abnormalities in the physical or laboratory examination. this includes having renal or liver function more than twice the normal range. * anyone with known severe allergic reactions that require the use of an epi-pen, or anyone who has any known allergy to any of the test product ingredients. * women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or attempting to become pregnant. * unwilling or unable to follow the study protocol. * users of any medication, herbal remedy, or supplement that can affect the menstrual cycle, or anyone who has used elix daily harmony or cycle balance in the past. * anyone who has introduced a new medication, supplement or herbal remedies that target weight, skin (acne), mood, or menstrual cycle, in the last 3 months. * smokers, or anyone who has smoked in the past 6 months. * anyone with a history of substance abuse. * anyone who has more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day. * anyone with a bmi \>35. * for the hormonal birth control group: anyone who has changed their hormonal birth control in the past 3 months, or who is planning to change it in the next 6 months. * for the non-hormonal birth control group: anyone who has been on hormonal birth control for the past 3 months, or who is planning to start using hormonal birth control in the next 6 months.