Seed Cycling for Hormonal Balance

Written By:

Meredith Nathan

Co-Found Fully Fertile,

Licensed Massage Therapist and Director of Massage

A growing trend I keep hearing about in the fertility community is something called “seed cycling.” Seed cycling seems to have a magic effect on hormone balance. But what is seed cycling, and how does it work? Well, to put it simply, you eat seeds… specific seeds, at specific times. Sounds a little like hocus pocus? Let’s take a closer look.



To understand seed cycling, it's helpful to understand the dominant hormones at various stages of your cycle. During the first half of your cycle (from the first day of your period to ovulation), estrogen rises. During the second half of your cycle (from ovulation till the day before your period OR a positive pregnancy test), progesterone rises while estrogen declines. Estrogen and progesterone imbalances can create amenorrhea (loss of period), anovulation (lack of ovulation), irregular cycles, severe PMS, and short luteal phases.

Certain seeds have specific nutritional properties that can help boost these hormones. Pumpkin and flax seeds, for instance, contain lignan and zinc which can improve estrogen levels, prevent excess estrogen, and prepare the body for rising progesterone levels. Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds, on the other hand, also contain vitamin E and selenium, which help boost progesterone levels and cleanse the liver of excess estrogen.

Are there copious studies out there proving the efficacy of seed-cycling? Not really. But there's a growing body of women that swear it works, and the logic behind the nutritional value of seeds and their impact on hormonal balance is sound. And though hormone balance is impacted by many aspects of diet, environment, genetics, and lifestyle, adding in a little sprinkle of endocrine supporting seeds certainly can't hurt!

Want to try it? Here's your recipe for seed cycling success:

Eat 1-2 tbsps of pumpkin seeds and 1-2 tbsps of flax seeds daily during the follicular of your cycle. Once you ovulate, have 1-2 tbsps of sunflower seeds and 1-2 tbsps of sesame seeds daily during your luteal phase. Ground up seeds seem to work best - you can use a coffee grinder or tool of choice to make this easy. Sprinkle them on yogurt, a salad, or have them in a smoothie.

And if your cycle is irregular, you can simply alternate these seeds in 2 week spans (you may just find the seeds nudge you back into balance). Some women even find using the moon as a calendar works well (treating the new moon till the full moon as their follicular phase, and the full moon to the new moon as their luteal phase). Though this may sound even stranger, keep in mind the gravitational pull of the moon impacts the ocean, our center of gravity, and even our menstrual cycles.

I hope this information spices up your diet - happy seeding!

Check out the 14 Day Fertility Prep Detox Track to learn more about a fertility-friendly diet!

Meet Meredith Nathan

View Profile: Director of Massage at Pulling Down the Moon

Meredith Nathan, L.M.T., graduated with honors from Northwestern University and the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. She's certified in Gynovisceral Manipulation, Lymphatic Drainage Technique, CranioSacral Therapy, and Prenatal Massage, with additional training from the Upledger Institute and Mercier Training Institute. In 2008, she developed the Fertility Enhancing Massage (FEM) Protocol™, and in 2017, she became an approved provider of Continuing Education in Fertility Massage with the NCBTMB. Meredith received the AMTA’s 2018 Pioneer Award, and her work has been featured in Massage Magazine, Conceive Magazine, and 'Fully Fertile: A 12 Week Holistic Plan for Optimal Fertility'. She's committed to empowering women and families for optimal health, blending holistic modalities with modern science. As a fertility baby herself, Meredith is dedicated to helping patients become parents and setting new standards in holistic fertility.