Do perimenopause supplements work? I tried NNABI Peri Essential 5

September 9, 2024

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I tried NNABI Peri Essential 5, and have more energy, better sleep, and less night sweats

I’m 48, and by my count, I’ve been in perimenopause for about six years — so far. I still get my period, though the usual 28-day cycle is shortening, so my best guess is that I’ll continue perimenopause for at least another year or so.

Here’s my *exciting* list of primary peri symptoms: night sweats, debilitating headaches, midsection weight gain, insomnia, sugar cravings, fatigue, occasional brain fog, and joint pain. I currently take Progesterone, which has helped reduce my night sweats from nightly to about six to seven nights per month. Progesterone, along with Trazodone, have significantly helped my insomnia, which used to be a nightly occurrence.

When it comes to treating my perimenopause symptoms, I’m open to being a human guinea pig. When I heard about a supplement called NNABI Peri Essential 5 that’s specifically formulated for perimenopausal women, I was intrigued. Then when I learned it was created by two friends, Marina Pen and EJ Kim, who are navigating perimenopause together, I thought OK, I’ll try this.

NNABI Peri Essential 5 was created by two perimenopausal women.

Peri Essential 5 consists of natural, botanical, medical-grade ingredients, no hormones, and is said to complement HRT by addressing five areas that are essential to holistic health:

The nervous system
Digestion/Liver Function
Inflammation
Immunity
Blood-sugar levels

The formula addresses five areas that get disrupted by the intense hormonal fluctuations that occur in perimenopause and cause common symptoms. “We looked at the solution from a functional medicine approach to understand where symptoms originate and seeing the body as a whole system in order to provide a more comprehensive solution vs tackling symptoms individually,” says Marina Pen, co-founder of NNABI.

Does Peri Essential 5 work for perimenopause symptoms?

I’ve been taking a total of four capsules daily (two in the morning, two at night) for six months. Starting at the one-month point, here’s what I noticed:

I have more energy throughout the day.
My premenstrual symptoms (primarily, horrible headaches and irritability) are less severe.
I have less frequent night sweats (reduced from about six to seven times a month to about two times per month, and it’s more of a “light” sweat instead of completely soaking through the sheets.)
I sleep through the night 99% of the time. Before I started taking Peri Essential 5, the Progesterone and Trazodone combo helped me sleep through the night 90% of the time.
I haven’t gotten sick (no colds, fevers, infections, even though I have twins in elementary school, knock on wood).
My libido has improved!

Heads-up! The CBD formula could make you very relaxed

When deciding whether to start with the CBD or non-CBD formula, I chose Peri Essential 5 CBD, because chill vibes. 🙂 I enjoy weed gummies occasionally after stressful days at work, and especially the relief for neck and shoulder tension. But CBD during the day while I’m trying to focus and get shit done? Not for this GAL.

If you don’t regularly consume CBD, I suggest starting slowly by taking just one Peri Essential 5 broad-spectrum CBD (0% THC) in the evening, and after a couple of weeks, try two CBD at night. Up to you if you want to take the CBD formula during the day. I now sometimes take the CBD formula at night to wind down and sleep all night, but during the day and most evenings, I take the non-CBD formula.

Both the CBD and non-CBD formulas contain the same six medical-grade herbs and adaptogens. EJ Kim, Co-founder of NNABI, says, “Our supplements are crafted with the expertise of top health professionals, including an OBGYN, naturopathic doctor, herbalist, functional medicine doctor, and a compounding pharmacist, ensuring our formulation is scientifically sound and effective.”

So what’s in this stuff? Here are the botanical, chemical-free ingredients, some that I’d never heard of, so I did some research. I learned that not all natural food extracts are the same. The efficacy of, for example, curcuma and Ashwagandha must be top-notch to generate prime results. Peri Essential 5 contains the highest-quality ingredients out there.

What are the ingredients in NNABI Peri Essential 5?

Hydrocurc Curcuma Longa Extract, a type of Curcumin extract

Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric, aka the magical compound responsible for all of its amazing health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and has been used as a spice and flavoring in Indian food for a long time. It has also been used in traditional Asian medicine for its therapeutic properties.

HydroCurc is a specialized form of curcumin that has been developed to enhance how well the body absorbs it. HydroCurc can help reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals.

Benefits of Hydrocurc Curcuma Longa Extract: can help reduce joint pain, supports a healthy liver and blood sugar levels; improves digestion, memory, and brain function.

Artichoke Leaf Extract 4:1 (Standardized to Cynarin 3.5%)

According to Verywell Health, artichoke leaf is thought by some to offer numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol.^“Others contend that it can promote weight loss, treat acid reflux, prevent hangovers, or even ‘cleanse’ the liver.”

Benefits of Artichoke Leaf Extract: Helps relieve symptoms like digestive complaints, vomiting, intolerance to fat, irregular bowel movements, and gas pain.

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub; the Peri Essential 5 formula contains the highest-quality ashwagandha available, from India. According to National Institutes of Health, the plant is rich in phytochemicals, which have antioxidant properties and offer protection that decreases the risk of many diseases,” says Vijaya Surampudi, MD, a physician nutrition specialist at UCLA Health.

Benefits of Ashwagandha Root Extract:

Helps reduce stress and stress-related food cravings
Helps enhance quality of sleep and sexual performance health
Helps improve cognitive function, endurance, strengthening and immune function

Schisandra Fruit Extract 10:1

The Schisandra chinensis plant is a well-known herb in traditional Chinese and Russian medicine. According to Melinda Ratini, MS, DO, the plant is considered a tonic, reducing hunger, fatigue, delaying the aging process, increasing vitality, and improving mental health.

Benefits of Schisandra Fruit Extract: Promotes healthy blood sugar levels and improves blood sugar control, digestion, insulin sensitivity.

MacaXtra® Organic Maca Root

Maca is a plant that originated in Peru. According to Healthline, its root is a natural remedy that some people use to treat specific health issues, including infertility and low sex drive.

Benefits of Maca Root:

Supports liver function
As an adaptogen, increases resistance to stress, promoting energy, and endurance
Improves hormone-related symptoms especially hot flashes, sweating and heart palpitations.
Helps to improve libido

Ceylon Cinnamon Extract 10:1

According to WebMD, Ceylon cinnamon is a type of cinnamon that comes from the bark of an evergreen tree. Sri Lanka provides about 80% of the world’s supply. The oils found in Ceylon cinnamon are thought to reduce spasms, reduce gas, and fight bacteria and fungi.

Benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon for women in perimenopause:

Natural hormone balancer
Enhances sexual function
Helps to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and low libido
Reduces anxiety and symptoms of depression
Improves mood and diastolic blood pressure

CBD Broad Spectrum Extract Hydrobond® (only available in Peri Essential 5 CBD)

According to MedicalNewsToday, broad-spectrum CBD contains the various compounds of full spectrum without THC in comparison to CBD isolate. The compounds may help relieve pain, improve skin health, reduce anxiety, and help with sleep.

Hi, my name is Amy and I’ve been in perimenopause for about six years.

Final thoughts on Peri Essential 5

The fact that supplements are a growing market with a fair number of unknowns is not lost on me. Same goes with hormone therapy. During my six-year Adventures in Perimenopause, I’ve tried several forms of HRT (Estradiol patch, The Pill continuous cycling, etc.), and estrogen often made my perimenopause symptoms worse. I’m not ruling out estrogen altogether and will likely get back on it in the future, in addition to testosterone. I’ve also tried several supplements, like Estroven Weight Management, which was OK but not a game-changer.

Here’s my take: Treating a woman’s perimenopause is not a one-size-fits all situation, especially since perimenopause is about fluctuating hormones whose levels are constantly changing. For me, the HRT treatment plan that didn’t work for me several years ago could actually work for me in the future. That’s the essence of perimenopause, right? Our hormones are in flux, and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride treating symptoms.

I’m a fan of Peri Essential 5 because the ingredients are high-quality and thoughtfully curated for a comprehensive approach to helping relieve symptoms of perimenopause. The formula has been clinically tested by a third-party and manufactured in an NSF-certified facility. To boot, 30 perimenopausal women tested Peri Essential 5, and participants reported significant improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, mood stability, and overall well-being.

If it helps me sleep better, gives me more energy, and reduces night sweats, I’m in. Also, I don’t regularly eat foods like artichoke leaves and Maca Root that are included in this supplement, so I figure, why not get their benefits from a capsule?