3 papers reviewed
Seed Cycling & Phytoestrogen Modulation
1993 · balanced randomized crossover · 1 of 3
Effect of flax seed ingestion on the menstrual cycle
Phipps WR, Martini MC, Lampe JW, et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Three anovulatory cycles during control vs zero during flaxseed. Flaxseed cycles had consistently longer luteal phases (12.6 vs 11.4 days) and higher progesterone/estradiol ratios. Most-cited study supporting seed cycling, though studied continuous not phase-based rotation.
Read the paper ↗2006 · randomized placebo-controlled crossover · 2 of 3
Sesame ingestion affects sex hormones, antioxidant status, and blood lipids in postmenopausal women
Wu WH, Kang YP, Wang NH, et al. · Journal of Nutrition
50g daily sesame powder for 5 weeks increased SHBG by 15% and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone by 72%. Demonstrates sesame lignans modulate sex hormone metabolism, supporting their luteal-phase role in seed cycling.
Read the paper ↗2025 · systematic review · 3 of 3
Efficacy of seed cycling as an integrative therapy for premenstrual syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review
Nagarajan DR, Jacob DM, Mufti MM, et al. · Cureus
Seed cycling associated with favorable modulation of FSH and LH/FSH ratio, improved metabolic parameters, and symptom relief in PMS/PCOS. However, the specific rotation protocol has never been validated in a controlled trial.
Read the paper ↗A paper's presence documents the evidence reviewed; it does not mean Filia endorses every intervention or conclusion.