ByDr. Brennan Commerford, D.C.·Last reviewed: 2026-06-11
Starter Formula

The Women's Health Formula — Forms That Work for the Female Body

Eight ingredients addressing hormonal balance, cycle support, iron status, and stress resilience — each at a dose and form backed by published studies in women.

Customize this formula
This is a research-grounded starter formula — not a standardized finished product. Doses are evidence-based maintenance recommendations for healthy adults. Individual responses vary. Consult your physician before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you have a medical condition or take prescription medications. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Formula

8 ingredients · 14 capsules/day · Each dose is study-attributed — see citations in line.

Myo-Inositol

2000 mg

A 2009 randomized trial (PMID 19499845, n=42) found 2000–4000 mg/day myo-inositol significantly improved ovulatory function and reduced androgen levels in women with PCOS over three cycles; 2000 mg/day is the lower studied dose within this range. (PMID 19499845)

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract

600 mg

A 2012 randomized double-blind trial (PMID 23439798, n=64) found 300 mg twice daily (600 mg/day) of a standardized ashwagandha root extract significantly reduced cortisol and stress scores over 8 weeks in adults with chronic stress. (PMID 23439798)

Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry Extract)

20 mg

A 2012 randomized trial (PMID 23022391, n=162) found 20 mg/day Ze440 standardized Vitex extract significantly improved premenstrual syndrome symptom scores vs. placebo over three cycles; the low dose reflects the highly concentrated standardized extract ratio rather than crude herb powder. (PMID 23022391)

Diindolylmethane (DIM)

100 mg

A 2020 randomized trial (PMID 32458980, n=23) found 100 mg/day DIM reduced fibroglandular breast tissue density on MRI and shifted estrogen metabolites over 12 months; DIM is the concentrated metabolite of indole-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables. (PMID 32458980)

Ferrochel®Iron (as Ferrochel® Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate)

18 mg elemental

Ferrochel® ferrous bisglycinate chelate is an iron form developed for tolerability; 18 mg elemental is the RDA-matched maintenance dose for premenopausal women. Bisglycinate chelate forms are broadly studied for improved GI tolerability compared to ferrous sulfate.

Quatrefolic®Folate (as Quatrefolic® L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate)

400 mcg DFE

A randomized crossover trial (PMID 16825690) found [6S]-5-MTHF increased red blood cell folate more effectively than folic acid at equivalent doses; Quatrefolic® provides L-5-MTHF — the bioactive folate — bypassing the enzymatic conversion step that a common MTHFR variant impairs. (PMID 16825690)

Albion® Magnesium BisglycinateMagnesium (as Albion® Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered)

200 mg elemental

Bisglycinate chelate is selected for improved absorption and tolerability compared to magnesium oxide (approximately 4% for oxide, PMID 11794633); adequate magnesium is associated with improved menstrual comfort and mood in multiple randomized trials. (PMID 11794633)

Vitamin D3

2000 IU

A large randomized trial (PMID 30415629, n=25,871) used 2000 IU/day vitamin D3 as the studied maintenance dose; 2000 IU/day is a widely studied dose for women with baseline insufficiency. (PMID 30415629)

Why One Formula Beats the Stack

Sourcing these ingredients separately requires 7 bottles and 22 pills per day — vs. 14 capsules in this formula.

22

pills/day (separate bottles)

14

capsules/day (this formula)

Form Quality Gaps

The commodity versions most single-ingredient bottles use — and why they fall short.

FormulaForge FormCommodity DefaultWhat the Research Shows
Quatrefolic® L-5-methyltetrahydrofolateFolic acidA randomized crossover trial (PMID 16825690) found L-5-MTHF increased red blood cell folate more effectively than folic acid at equivalent doses; Quatrefolic® provides the pre-converted active folate for individuals with impaired enzymatic conversion.
Ferrochel® Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate ironFerrous sulfateA 2023 noninferiority trial (PMID 37271416) found 18 mg ferrous bisglycinate was associated with lower ferritin increases than 60 mg ferrous sulfate (84 vs 99 μg/L) in Cambodian women — using roughly one-third the elemental iron — though it did not meet the prespecified noninferiority margin. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis (PMID 36728680) found ferrous bisglycinate was associated with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events than other iron supplements (incidence rate ratio 0.36, p<0.01) in pregnant women.See the evidence →
Albion® Magnesium BisglycinateMagnesium oxideMagnesium oxide has approximately 4% intestinal fractional absorption in controlled studies (PMID 11794633), making it largely ineffective for addressing common magnesium insufficiency despite its high elemental content on a label.

Pricing context

Seven separate women's health supplements from well-known brands typically cost $90–$130/month. This formula's live quote usually comes in below that — with Quatrefolic®, Ferrochel®, and Albion® chelates that most under-$20 single bottles don't include.

Exact pricing is quoted live in the builder based on your personalized formula. Example figures are illustrative only and reflect in-one example market research — not a guaranteed price or saving.

This is a starter — you customize it

Every ingredient and dose is adjustable. Add ingredients, swap forms, change doses, or remove anything that doesn't fit your situation. The builder gives you a live price quote as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this formula appropriate for pregnancy?

No formula on this platform is designed for or labeled as safe for pregnancy without physician oversight. Myo-Inositol and Vitex have specific research contexts that may not apply during pregnancy. Always consult your OB-GYN or midwife before starting any supplement during pregnancy or when trying to conceive.

Why is the Vitex dose only 20 mg?

Vitex Ze440 is a highly concentrated standardized extract, not crude herb powder. The clinically studied dose in the randomized trial (PMID 23022391) is 20 mg of this specific extract. The low label dose is a feature of the high standardization.

Can I use this formula if I don't have PCOS?

Yes. Myo-Inositol at this dose has been studied broadly for metabolic and hormonal balance in women. The formula is a starting point — remove or adjust any ingredient in the builder to match your specific situation.

Why does this include DIM?

DIM (Diindolylmethane) is included for estrogen metabolite support. A 2020 study (PMID 32458980) found 100 mg/day shifted estrogen metabolites and reduced fibroglandular tissue density over 12 months. It is a concentrated plant compound, not a hormone.

Physician hand-off: The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Supplement ingredients interact with medications and may be contraindicated in certain health conditions. Always work with a licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing a supplement regimen. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

  1. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  2. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  3. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  4. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  5. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  6. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed
  7. Supporting study for ingredient dosing PubMed

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