FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins Review: Are They Worth It? Our Dietitian Explains

What Are FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins?

Gummy vitamins have exploded onto the supplement market in recent years. Chewable, candy-like gummies are tasty, convenient, and reminiscent of the fun and fruity chewable multivitamin you loved as a kid.

Gummies are especially useful if you have an aversion to swallowing tablets.

FLO makes gummy supplements specifically for women. Their PMS Gummy Vitamins are strawberry flavored, contain vitamin B6 and a blend of plant-based ingredients.

They are claimed to alleviate cramps, hormonal acne, and mood swings related to “that time of the month.” FLO also makes a gummy vitamin to support immunity.

PMS is short for premenstrual syndrome, which refers to changes in a woman’s body and mood in the days just before her menstrual cycle.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, PMS symptoms can include: (1)

• Depression
• Anger
• Feelings of irritation
• Crying
• Anxiety
• Confusion and poor concentration
• Social withdrawal
• Insomnia
• Food cravings
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating and swelling
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Acne
• Gastrointestinal symptoms

These symptoms can also occur during a woman’s period.

FLO claims that taking the PMS Gummy Vitamins daily for two menstrual cycles can improve symptoms.

How do the gummies work for PMS, and how do you know if they are right for you?

Evaluation of Ingredients

The active ingredients in FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins are

• Vitamin B6
• Chasteberry extract
• Lemon balm
• Dong quai

The gummies also contain the following ingredients for flavor, texture, and color:

• Organic tapioca syrup
• Raw cane sugar
• Water
• Natural flavors
• Pectin
• Citric acid
• Sodium citrate
• Vegetable juice
• Titanium dioxide
• Coconut oil
• Carnauba wax
• Beta carotene

Vitamin B6, 20 mg

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin found in animal and plant foods.

Most people’s needs are easily met through diet, but research has found B6 supplementation to benefit women experiencing symptoms of PMS.

An older 1999 systematic review concluded that doses of vitamin B6 up to 100 mg per day effectively reduce symptoms of PMS, particularly depression. (2)

More recent studies confirm this effect. A 2016 study compared women who took 40 mg of vitamin B6 twice daily to women who took 40 mg of vitamin B6 plus 500 mg of calcium daily. (3)

Both groups experienced decreased physical and psychological PMS symptoms, but the women who took both vitamin B6 and calcium experienced greater improvements.

One serving of FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins provides 20 mg of vitamin B6, which is less than the amounts used in these studies. However, there is no threshold for how much vitamin B6 is needed to improve women’s health.

Proprietary Herbal Blend, 111 mg

Chasteberry Extract

FLO claims chasteberry extract, which comes from the fruit of the chasteberry, can be used to decrease hormonal acne and mood swings.

Two recent systematic reviews have found that chasteberry extract significantly improves various physical and psychological PMS symptoms, including cramps, bloating, and mood swings. (4)

However, both reviews from 2017 and 2019 note that the existing studies are potentially biased or not of high quality. More research is needed. (5, 6)

The average dose of chasteberry extract used in trials is 150–200 mg per day. However, since the exact amount in FLO gummies isn’t provided, it’s hard to know if it’s enough to provide any benefit.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an herb. FLO claims it’s useful for reducing menstrual cramps and stress and improving gastrointestinal symptoms experienced with PMS.

Research has found supplementation with lemon balm can enhance feelings of calmness, which can reduce anxiety and may improve sleep. (7)

Several studies have examined the effects of lemon balm on PMS in teenage girls.

A 2018 study reported female teens who took 1,200 mg of lemon balm daily had reduced PMS-related anxiety and depression compared to those who took a placebo. (8)

Another 2015 study found the same amount of lemon balm was also effective at reducing physical symptoms of PMS. (9)

Dong Quai

Dong quai, also known as female ginseng, is a plant-based ingredient. It has a history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for women’s health. (10)

FLO claims dong quai can alleviate menstrual pain and cramping, balances hormone levels, and eases anxiety.

It contains ferulic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and may help alleviate pain. (11, 12)

However, there aren’t many studies documenting the benefits, safety, or optimal dosage of dong quai. (13)

There are studies to support the use of vitamin B6, chasteberry extract, and lemon balm for decreasing both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.

Dong quai lacks modern studies but has been used in traditional medicine for women’s health.

I didn’t find any evidence to support decreased hormonal acne.

The biggest issue with FLO’s claims is that the amount of each ingredient in the proprietary blend isn’t listed.

However, the product contains only 111 mg total of the blend, which probably isn’t enough of each ingredient to confer claimed benefits compared to amounts used in research trials.

Side Effects, Safety, and Dosage

The recommended dosage for FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins is two gummies taken once daily.

The gummies are vegan, free from common allergens, and non-GMO, so there are no dietary contraindications to using this product.

Each serving of gummies provides:

• Calories: 20
• Carbohydrate: 5 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Vitamin B6: 20 mg
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Proprietary Herbal Blend: 111 mg, includes Chasteberry extract (vitex agnus-castus), Maltodextrin, Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), Angelica root (dong quai)

FLO markets the PMS gummies to both menstruating and menopausal women but notes pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take them.

Vitamin B6 supplementation is not associated with any side effects. However, very high doses can cause toxicity. (14)

Each serving of these gummies contains 20 mg of B6, so there is no concern for overdose when used as directed.

Chasteberry extract appears safe for most women. Mild side effects include digestive upset, headache, acne, and rash. (15)

Chasteberry extract needs to be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women since it reduces prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. (4)

Lemon balm is also well tolerated by most, but a few adverse reactions have been documented, including digestive problems, dizziness, and wheezing. (16)

Not many modern studies on dong quai exist, so the risk of side effects is relatively unknown. It’s believed to be safe, but it can increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided by individuals taking blood thinners. (11)

FLO claims they third-party test their products for potency and heavy metal contamination, but the products don’t display a recognized testing seal.

Always speak to your doctor about any hormonal issues before taking a dietary supplement to manage symptoms. 

Cost and Where to Buy

Each bottle of FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins contains a 1-month supply and retails for $31.99 plus shipping, which is about $1 per day or serving.

It is currently only available through the brand’s website.

Purchasing a 2-month supply or signing up for a monthly auto-ship subscription will save you $5 off the cost of each bottle.

FLO recommends taking the gummies for at least two menstrual cycles for the best results.

They offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, minus shipping costs, which gives you enough time to see if it works for you. Full policy details and contact information can be found on the FLO website.

The cost seems reasonable to me if it provides some benefit for you. The only way to know is to try.

How FLO PMS Gummies Compare to Alternatives

A quick search on Amazon for “PMS supplements” returns several capsule and gummy products. Some have similar ingredient lists.

PinkStork Total PMS Gummies contain turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties, which can mimic the effects of taking over-the-counter pain medication and may lessen period discomfort. A one-month supply costs $26.99.

Several capsule supplements, including Happy Healthy Hippie Go With the Flow, HUM Moody Bird, and Olly Miss Mellow, also contain chasteberry extract and dong quai.

A one-month supply of these products ranges from about $20 to $30, which is right on par with the FLO gummies.

One thing that stands out to me about this category of supplements is the wide range of the amounts of active ingredients they contain.

The above-mentioned products contain 85–400 mg of chasteberry extract and 100–400 mg of dong quai per serving.

Each of the above-mentioned products lists the exact amount of each ingredient, which isn’t the case with FLO.

If you prefer to avoid proprietary blends and want to know exactly how much of each active ingredient you’re taking, one of the alternative brands may be a better choice.

Since the safety of dong quai is unknown, I’d likely avoid products containing it in favor of more trusted ingredients. I’d try the PinkStork gummies as a natural alternative to NSAIDs for dealing with period pain and cramping.

The Bottom Line

FLO PMS Gummy Vitamins are easy to take and fairly affordable.

Evidence supports the use of vitamin B6, chasteberry extract, and lemon balm for lessening both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. 

However, the plant-based active ingredients are listed as a proprietary blend, so individual amounts of each ingredient are not known.

The overall amount seems to be less than the dosages used in research studies, so I am not sure these gummies contain enough to provide comparable benefits. If you are struggling with PMS, always start by speaking to your doctor first.