Elle International

11/03/2026

Is your "healthy" keto diet making your period symptoms worse? 🥑🥩🤯

​Many of us turn to the ketogenic diet for weight loss or mental clarity, but for those living with PMDD and Endometriosis, the metabolic shift can be a total hormonal mismatch.

​While everyone's body is different, here’s why a strict keto approach might be fueling the fire:

​🧠 PMDD & Serotonin: Your brain needs insulin to help tryptophan cross the blood-brain barrier to produce serotonin (the "feel-good" hormone). Low carbs = Low insulin = Low serotonin. This can lead to deeper premenstrual depression and anxiety.

​🔥 Endo & Inflammation: Keto often relies on red meat and full-fat dairy, which are high in saturated fats. These can spike pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2), directly increasing menstrual pain and lesion growth.

​🧹 The Estrogen Clearing: Endometriosis is fueled by estrogen dominance. To clear excess estrogen, your body needs fiber. Because keto is often low-fiber, that estrogen can be reabsorbed into your system instead of being flushed out.

​The take-away? Balance > Restriction. Think anti-inflammatory fats, high fiber, and complex carbs to support your cycle. 🌿✨

​Have you tried keto? Did you notice a change in your pain or mood? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇
​ for Endometriosis Awareness Month 🎗️

08/03/2026

Get R100 off any of our products on ellecup.org for International Women's Day.

02/02/2026

Metformin & Fertility in PCOS - What the Evidence Really Says

Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility, largely due to ovulatory dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. A key underlying driver for many women with PCOS is insulin resistance which leads to elevated insulin levels and increased androgen production both of which interfere with regular ovulation.

Metformin, a medication traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes, is widely prescribed in PCOS. While it is not a fertility drug, it can play an important role in improving the metabolic and hormonal environment needed for ovulation.
--> What Does the Evidence Show?

1. Ovulation & cycle regulator
Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces androgen levels, which can help restore more regular menstrual cycles and ovulation in some women with PCOS.

2. Pregnancy outcomes
Studies suggest metformin may improve clinical pregnancy rates, particularly when combined with ovulation-induction agents such as clomiphene citrate, or in women with insulin resistance

3. Live birth rates
Evidence for improvement in live birth rates remains inconclusive. Large systematic reviews show mixed results, although metformin may reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in assistec reproduction.

4. Not a standalone fertility treatment
Metformin is best viewed as a metabolic modulator. not a replacement for ovulation-inducing medications like etrozole or clomiphene

What This Means in Practice
- Useful in selected women with PCOS, especially with insulin resistance
- May improve menstrual regularity and ovulation - Often works best alongside other fertility treatments
- More research is needed on long-term fertility and live birth outcomes

In Simple Terms
Metformin doesn't directly make you ovulate but it helps correct the metabolic imbalance that often prevents ovulation in PCOS. For some women, that correction can make all the difference.

15/06/2025

Perimenopause starts in a woman's 30s and 40s. Estrogen levels gradually decline—but the biggest shift happens during perimenopause.
This is the transition period before menopause.
Estrogen levels fluctuate wildly—sometimes spiking, other times dropping.

10/06/2025

🧠 Menopause & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: What Every Woman Should Know
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes and mood swings. One of the less talked about—but very real—impacts of menopause is what happens to the pelvic floor.

Let’s break it down ⬇️

🧬 The Estrogen Connection
Estrogen helps keep the pelvic floor muscles strong, elastic, and well-lubricated. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly. This can lead to:

- Weakened pelvic floor muscles
- ⁠Thinner, drier va**nal tissues
- ⁠Loss of bladder and bowel control
- ⁠Reduced support for pelvic organs (leading to prolapse)

Common Symptoms in Menopausal Women:
- Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh
- ⁠Pain or discomfort during s*x
- ⁠A feeling of pressure or “heaviness” in the va**na
- ⁠Frequent urges to urinate or trouble fully emptying the bladder
- ⁠Constipation or difficulty controlling bowel movements

These symptoms are common—but they’re not something you just have to accept as “part of getting older.”

What Can Help?
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
A specialist can assess your muscle strength, coordination, and tension—and teach you how to properly strengthen or relax these muscles.

Local Estrogen Therapy
Vaginal creams or rings can restore tissue health and improve symptoms without affecting the whole body.

Hydration & Fiber
Supporting bladder and bowel health can reduce strain on the pelvic floor.

Targeted Movement & Breathwork
Gentle yoga, pilates, and diaphragmatic breathing can improve posture and pelvic floor engagement.

❤️ You’re Not Alone
dysfunction during menopause is common—but treatable. The earlier you recognize the symptoms and get support, the better your quality of life can be.

is a powerful transition. And with the right care, you can move through it strong, confident, and informed.

Share this with someone you know who is going through the transition and who may benefit from this post.

09/06/2025

✅Estrogen: The Hormone That Shapes a Woman’s Life

Estrogen is one of the most powerful hormones in the female body. It plays a key role in everything from menstruation and fertility to mood, brain function, and bone health. But what happens when estrogen levels decline—especially during perimenopause and menopause?

Let’s break it down ➡️

18/09/2024

12/09/2024

One of the easiest and cheapest swaps you can make in your kitchen is switching out your canola, corn and vegetable cooking oils!

Not only are these oils very heavily processed, but they are also not great at withstanding heat... making them a source for free radicals in the body and an instigator for inflammation. To make matters worse, these crops that are used to make these oils are often grown off of GMO seeds and are sprayed with agri-chemicals.

What oils should we be using? Oils that are higher in saturated fat and have the structure to withstand head. My favorites include ghee, butter, coconut oil, beef tallow, etc.

These are all fairly cheap swaps to make for those vegetable oils in your pantry!

Organic extra virgin olive oil is a staple in our house - but I strictly use these for cold use. They do not withstand high heat and, therefore, become unhealthy when heated too much! I don't use avocado oil much, but when it's pure avocado oil.

Check out your pantry and see what oils you can swap to make this change to improve your overall health and support healthy hormones.

12/09/2024

Your low mood could mean you are suffering with hormonal imbalances.

05/09/2024

Caffeine & Women's Health - What You Need to Know

Most of us enjoy caffeine for its ability to wake us up and boost energy, but how does it affect women's health? Caffeine can impact mood, hormonal balance, and overall well-being.

How Much Caffeine is Right for You?

Finding the right caffeine dose is key for maximizing its benefits without feeling jittery.

Here's a simple formula:
Start with 1 to 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 60 kg (~132 lbs), a good range is 60-180 mg of caffeine. Be mindful: excessive caffeine can lead to irritability and disrupt your hormones.

Pro tip: Always pair your coffee or tea with water to stay hydrated and prevent side effects!

25/07/2024

We are thrilled to be welcoming to the Board. Candice is a dynamic advocate for menstrual health and gender equality. We are thrilled to have Candice join the board of Elle International to drive impactful change in women's health across Africa. As the Founder and Director of Qrate, Candice has championed menstrual health education and advocacy, working to eliminate stigma and improve access to essential products. Her role as the “Minister of Menstruation” reflects her commitment to transforming societal attitudes and addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls. Candice’s dedication to this cause aligns seamlessly with Elle International’s mission to empower young women through comprehensive health support and education.

28/06/2024

📣 Exciting update! 🌎 Solve - MIT has revealed the semifinalists for its 2024 Global Challenges!! Elle International has been selected, and if chosen, our team will move forward to the finalist round next month!
https://lnkd.in/dRXMyvqr