I’m no big fan of the quick fix. If you know me, you know I advocate for making good choices every day, creating sustainable lifestyle shifts, that last for the long term. It’s an evidence based, results-driven perspective and it really works.
However, I do recommend the right kind of detox, at the right time. If you are feeling the detox itch after a long summer of a few too many beachside cocktails, backyard BBQs, and vacation-mode eating and drinking, then seize that impulse to take better care of yourself and do a hormone detox.
Many health issues - including fatigue, acne, depression, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, and weight gain (the kind of things that make you want to do a detox in the first place) are down to too-high estrogen levels or a condition we call “estrogen dominance.” Estrogen dominance drives the most common hormonal health issues too, from PMS to PCOS. Detoxing your body of excess estrogen has many immediate and long term benefits.
If you feel the need for a detox it’s likely because your liver is running at a sub-optimal level, it’s overloaded with caffeine, alcohol, pesticides, sugar etc and you are sensing the need to cleanse. A detox is not a crash diet, juice cleanse, or fast - that won’t achieve the goals you’ve set out. If you want to feel energized, refreshed, boosted in body and spirit, as well as lose a few pounds and get glowing skin - you need nutrients, minerals, and resources to make this happen.
My 4 Day Hormone Detox will have you eating fresh, nourishing food for 3 meals a day, plus snacks. You won’t feel hungry, hangry, or deprived. You will be prepping food to start and then you will be eating frequently throughout the day, instead of watching the clock for your next juice. The foods you’ll be eating will fill you up and support your liver function. You can download it for free here: 4-Day Detox
Your liver needs the fuel to process the excess hormones and toxins and eliminate them from your body. The 4 Day Hormone Detox is packed full of cleansing foods that address your liver, intestines and lymphatic system. Your elimination organs - especially your hard-working liver - need lots of nutrients to breakdown toxins, and you get nutrients from food. You do not and will not get enough nutrients from a juice fast or cabbage soup diet for your body to detox!
There are so many good reasons to do a hormone detox - acne, bloating, sore breasts, PMS, funky periods, feeling sluggish, unable to focus, lacking creative juices - but I want to tell you how my 4 Day Hormone Detox can make you feel. Because sometimes the problem isn’t enough to prompt us to take action, perhaps because you’ve been living with it so long it feels like nothing will work. Sometimes you need some positive inspiration!
If you’ve tried detoxing before and it just hasn’t worked out the way you wanted, this post is for you. Read on to hear what you need to make detoxing not just something you live through, but something you look forward to! In fact, many of my Cycle-Syncers do this detox once every few months.
Why you need to do a hormone detox
- Your skin will glow - during the 4 days of the hormone detox you will eliminate entirely all the central adult and hormonal acne triggers like dairy, soy, caffeine, sugar, and gluten. You will also increase the amount of skin-clearing, hormone-supportive nutrients in your diet - especially the vital omega-3s and B vitamins. Excess estrogen and the resulting hormonal imbalance leads to acne by increasing sebum production and preventing skin healing. If you are particularly prone to acne around your ovulation days or before your period, this detox is for you.
- Your mood will soar - if you’ve been experiencing anxiety, low mood, depression, or just a sluggishness and demotivation, then this detox will turn that around in 4 days. You’ll feel emotionally lighter, as well as physically lighter. The root cause of mood swings and many female-centric mood problems is destabilized blood sugar. This detox is not a fast, will not leave you hungry in the evening, and should keep you satisfied and stable throughout the day. Most women experience their worst moods as a form of PMS, which is the result of high estrogen/low progesterone - this detox will sweep your body of that excess estrogen and leave you in balance. You’ll be eating lots of B6-rich foods and B6 is the progesterone’s favorite micronutrient.
- You will shift your relationship with food - after 4 days you’ll no longer feel bloated and, it’s very likely, you’ll lose a few pounds. With excess estrogen many women store weight round their middle. For my detox you will be eating anti-bloat ingredients in your fruit salads and green salads at every meal, plus you will be eliminating many sources of weight gain - sugar, caffeine, dairy. But, and I feel more importantly, you will also shift how you feel about food. The detox includes guidance on how to approach your detox foods, not just from the practical point of prepping meals, but from how you actually engage with and enjoy that food. The aim is to give you pause about how you may have related to food up to now - perhaps that’s eating standing up, with the fridge door open, on-the-go, off your kids’ plates etc. There will be lessons you can carry with you beyond the 4 days.
- You’ll feel creative and calm - during the detox, you’ll have prompts for how you can process your experience at the end of each day. You’ll be journaling on specific topics that aim to expand your perspective, increase your sense of confidence and calm, and support you in connecting with your feminine energy and creativity. This will be a conversation with yourself and your body that will help you get so much out of this mini-retreat. A detox can be a transformational experience. You can use that energy to make positive changes in your life long term. The clarity of thinking and focus you’ll attain will help you to hone in on exactly what you want in all areas, personal and professional.
- You’ll detox more than your body - my detox has an additional layer that you won’t find with most detox plans. You won’t only be detoxing your diet and concentrating on what you eat during the day, you’ll also be detoxing your home - the products you use, everything from kitchen cleaning products to cosmetics. This is so essential. We often focus entirely on what we put in our bodies when we detox, but we don’t think of what we’re putting on our body in the shower in the morning, or on our skin when we wash the dishes or do the laundry. Women, especially, are exposed to so many endocrine-disruptive chemicals throughout the day. It’s just as important to detox and cleanse your personal environment.
Adding in a micronutrient boost with the right supplements can take your detox to the next level. I highly recommend incorporating the Balance by FLO Living Hormone Supplements to your detox. You can find out more about those here.
Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!
To your FLO,
Alisa
Introducing the BALANCE by FLO Living Hormone Supplement Kit
You’ve been asking me for hormone-friendly supplement recommendations, and I finally have created a solution that I am so thrilled to be able to offer to you on your hormonal balancing journey:
Balance by FLO Living Supplements are a complete package that work together to keep your hormone levels healthy. They include a 2 month (2 cycle) supply of the following formulations so you’re never caught short in any phase of your cycle.
When you take these 5 supplements daily, you’ll be giving your body excellent micronutrients to support healthier hormone levels. Which means that you’ll start to see your worst period symptoms get better… and even disappear after a while.
Click here to learn more about the brand-new BALANCE Supplement Kit.
V SIGN
Take My Quiz to Find Out How Your Period Is Affecting Your Health!
You don’t have to lose one week each month to period problems like bloating, acne, PMS, fatigue, depression, and low libido. The V-SIGN quiz helps you interpret your period, understand your symptoms, and make lifestyle changes that can transform your hormonal health — and help erase your symptoms — in as little as three month. Take the quiz here. It takes under 5 minutes and your results, plus a plan will be emailed to you!
Is it ok to do this while breastfeeding?
I’d like to know this as well.
You do not want to cleanse while pregnant or nursing.
Alisa
Hi Alisa, I just emailed your contact us link on your site. Can you help! I'm two days into your liver cleanse and I have just found out that I am pregnant! This is great news but I have just read your message above saying:
'Alisa says
April 2, 2019 at 4:37 pm
You do not want to cleanse while pregnant or nursing.
Alisa'
What do I do? Should I stop this immediately? Or should I ease off gently? I obviously do not want to do anything that could harm this baby, we've had miscarriages in the past and lost a baby. Any advice would be really helpful as soon as you see this obviously. Kind regards, Caroline
Hi Caroline,
OMG, congratulations!! So yes, gently ease off of the cleanse by reintroducing more proteins and fat from whole foods, healthy sources.
Alisa
Is there an optimum time in the monthly cycle to do the detox?
Follicular is a great time to cleanse!
Alisa
Hi Alisa and the team! I did this detox a couple of years back and I got really hangry from the fruit salad in the morning. The rest of the food I felt great about. I am wondering what I should do if I am starting again once I am in my follicular phase (just entered my menstrual phase). I do occasionally struggle with blood sugar falls / being hangry so it's something I really wanna avoid. I do not know if anything else might affected it at the time. Do you have any advice going forward?
So I am doing this cleansing and I am only on my second day and I am experiencing nausea, fogginess, and feel like I am going to pass out. I have been eating everything that says in there. Is there other snacks to eat other than the same thing from lunch or breakfast? I just had a cup of chocolate almond milk because I seriously thought I was going to pass out. I don't know if it is because I am not eating any sugar other than the fruit. Has anybody had similiar symptoms? I thought this was going to be a great detox but now I don't know ...
Hi Mabel,
If you are feeling unwell, please stop the cleanse. Snacking should be a regular part of the cleanse, you should never be hungry.
Alisa
Hi Alissa,
How often do you recommend to do the detox? It feels like no matter how healthy i eat, my symptoms always come back.
Hi Emily,
You can do the detox up to 2 times per year. If you are having issues that persist, you want to look at daily eating habits, stress and other factors! You can find more resources on the website! Let my team know how they can help!
Alisa
I'm on day three of the cleanse and have been bloated/uncomfortably gassy the whole time. I'm passing some...gnarly dark green/semi solid matter in surprisingly small amounts several times a day. I am in discomfort from the amount of bloat I'm experiencing but have followed the protocol exactly (including the mindfulness, chewing guide, self care, and journal suggestions) with no suggested supplement left un-purchased. I'm not hungry (am eating more on this cleanse than I normally do) and have good energy. I'm drinking so much water the state of CA may write me a citation soon (~100oz a day not counting unsweetened detox teas/morning lemon water). Skin looks okay though I did have a couple pimples pop up last night. I guess I would describe this feeling as a sense of constipation confused by diarrhea reality? Sorry if that's TMI.
If it's relevant, I'm on the 3rd day of my luteal phase.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi!
I am prepping for the hormone detox and wondering if it is ok to drink a
minimal amount ccaffeine while I’m on the cleanse. Specifically, caffeine from mushroom coffee or matcha?
Hi Laura,
It's best to eliminate caffeine for the cleanse.
Alisa
Hello Alissa
I’m on day 3 of the cleanse, and on day 2 I started with a sore throat that seems to be getting worse. I also have major brain fog. Are these normal symptoms?
Thank you,
Ash
Hi Ash, Brain fog is very common. You may also be getting sick, which may be separate. In any case, rest a lot!
Alisa
I'm on my second day of the cleanse and I feel very far from emotionally light or happy. I'm hungry very often. No change in my bowel movements (which seem to have been good before). I have been feeling very depressed sense starting the cleanse. I'm not seeing a difference and I don't know if I should continue.
Hi Brianna,
Cleansing doesn't always feel good in the beginning. However, if you are hungry please eat! You can eat as much of the recommended foods as you need, this is not about starving ourselves! If you are feeling unwell, then please taper the cleanse off by slowly introducing non cleanse foods.
Alisa
Hi Alisa and Floliving Team,
I have been using your cycle tracker app for over a year, have stopped using the pill thanks to your book and influence, and just finished the 4 day detox. I am looking to apply some of the detox eating habits/practices/style to my routine lifestyle. I am also trying to regulate my period (It has never been regular, which was part of why I tried the pill). I feel very good after the detox and am wondering where I can read more about the purpose of low protein and high sugar breakfasts for the first 3 days of the detox, and other strategic concentrations of protein or carbs throughout the rest of the cleanse. I am looking for support with how to transition into daily life outside of the detox. This is especially because I have been in treatment for an eating disorder in the past. I have recovered but am looking to maintain balance while also supporting my cycle.
Hi Ann,
Once the cleanse is done, start including eggs, avocados, more nuts/seeds into your diet. You can also have some fish for protein. You do not want to continue with the cleanse after the allotted time - it is not meant as an every day diet. After a few days of having more fats and protein from the foods mentioned above, you can start to include more animal protein. Please refer to my book, the WomanCode, to learn more about how to support your hormones with foods, and how to feed yourself depending on which phase you are in! Keep up the great work!
Alisa
Hi,
I am two and a half weeks after taking fertility hormones (egg preservation cycle) and would like to do a cleanse...
Just not sure when to start as I'm still getting bouts of weakness/exhaustion. Feeling of low blood pressure or like I could pass out ..a cleanse is generally meant to be done when you're feeling full strength but the reason I'm feeling the weakness etc is because of the hormones I'm be still.
So wondering if I should do it now?
Ty
Hi Hanna,
No, I would not cleanse now. You do want to heal adrenals and build first!
Alisa
Hello!
I am on Day 1 of the cleanse and I am wondering if I can have snack between breakfast and lunch. Any mention of a snack is from 3pm-4pm but I'm not sure if I will make it to lunch!
Thank you!
Snacks are so important to keep blood sugar stable! So yes! Eat as much as you need of the recommended foods. Don't go hungry.
Alisa
Hi there! is there an optimal phase of your cycle for starting this detox?
Menstrual or follicular!
Alisa
I am on day 2 and am feeling so much "brain fog" and a general lack of motivation. Is this normal?
Yes Catherine! This is very normal! Hang in there!
Alisa
Thank you! Today is day 5 and I feel fantastic 🙂
Hi! This may be a silly question but I figured I’d ask since it wasn’t addressed in the guidelines... Is a glass of wine okay during the detox? Just one day? Or should I completely abstain? Thanks! 🙂
No wine while cleansing - alcohol is very hard on the body and liver.
Alisa
Hi
I am 52 and premenopausal. I have gained weight in my abdomen, lost motivation, brain is foggy all day, I am moody and exhausted all the time and I have always had acne. I've had bloodwork to test my thyroid and I'm in the normal range. Will this detox help even I my not have a cycle this month?
Hi Tracy,
I do not recommend the detox for you, no. but do remove caffeine and sugar from your diet. Replace bread with cooked grains (in a pot) and sweet/starchy root veggies. Focus on getting solid sleep and plenty of it, and do not over-exercise! There are some important things to keep in mind during this time, and I know it can feel really like you are pushing against the current, but with the right info you can feel better!
Alisa
I have a bad acid reflux , is this applicable for me? thanks
Hi can I get the recipes and grocerie shopping list somewhere? sorry im new.
You can find these in the WomanCode book! You can also contact customer support on my website to get more info.
Alisa
Hi
Im sumana im 27 years old women with overwait pcod and hypothyriod from the striting my period is not coming regularly its stop for 3to 4monts then its start and cant stop 2monts ago i feel my left brest side pain now im very worid about my helt plz suggest me what should i do
Hi. Is there a maximum age requirement for this kind of detox? I'm 41 y/o. Can I still try this?
Generally, cleansing is good for women who are not struggling with adrenal fatigue. If you are already depleted, have missing periods, are very lean, then I do not recommend cleansing, regardless of age.
Alisa
Thank you for this information and guide! I am so excited to start my detox journey! Even before reading this article and downloading the free 4-Day Detox Guide I was already wanting to detox from chemicals to "see" if this is what might possibly get me to feel un-sluggish BEFORE I actually get my Nexplanon removed in two weeks (it's already booked).
I'm wanting to do this a. while my son goes with his dad for holidays for 2 1/2 weeks! This will give me ALL the time I need to not only detox but get other stuff done I haven't been able to get done due to the sluggishness and b. before I start my hardcore job-hunting into the new year and c. before I start to try to record more video content for my own blog and YouTube Channel. Life has really taken a toll on me, my body, my mind, and spirit as I have felt unmotivated, foggy and sluggish, not to mention overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that has been piling up due to the issues.
I had already planned on detoxing from TV and being on my computer and doing more real activities such as reading, going walking outside, visiting friends, and even just past times of going to Barnes and Noble's to browse books and magazines are some of the things I am going to re-incorporate into my activity. Call it Detoxing From Life, haha...
So today coming across your article and guide just was perfect timing, so THANK YOU.
Hi I'm 36 diagnosed with 11 cm ovarian cyst 5 months ago then on my follow up it was 17cm.its simple follicular cyst.not much symptoms except 1st day of period its alot of bleeding.tyen goes to normal.what should I do.will this plan help shrink it or do i need an op
Hello! I’m currently on day 2 of the detox cleanse and I’m getting a lot of breakouts on my face.
Usually I only have a couple of pimples before I get my period.
Wondering if this a part of the detox process?
Hi Alissa,
I did this cleanse last year and had great results and got my period back. However it made me feel very depressed. Since then I’ve developed an eating disorder and have been binge eating so much harmful food resulting in hair loss and the same symptoms as before along with many hormonal problems. I noticed how so many foods actually make me feel (gluten sugar etc) and so I cut them out. I worry about my health due to the eating disorder and keep feeling like I need to do this cleanse again because i know there is a build up of excess junk in my body. However I feel so resistant to doing it because I worry I’ll just ruin it all again with my eating problems or just cause them to get worse because I’ll feel unable to eat anything “bad” again. I have tried to do it again for a few times but didn’t succeed. However I know in the back of my mind it’s something I need to do. Any thoughts?? Would be much appreciated. From Louise
Is it okay to drink coffee or kombucha while doing the cleanse?
You will want to leave both of these out. Coffee is too stimulating and can cause hormonal and blood sugar issues,and Kombucha contains fermented sugar -slightly alcoholic and not good for the liver.
Alisa
I'm excited to start the cleanse but worried about the food not being tasty enough... (lol, I know "first world problem"!) Just wondering if I could add a few dashes of pink Himalayan salt to my food? Or would this affect the outcome?
A little salt should be ok!
Alisa
I was on the mirena for 6mos and recently had it removed and an ablation at the same time. I had the mirena removed because it caused significant hair loss. It has been 2 weeks and my hair is still falling out. What can I do to stop this as quick as possible. I am taking all the vitamins, eating healthy, no alcohol or caffeine etc...
Hi Shannon,
It will take a little time for your hormones to turn around and for the hair loss to stop. Keep following the Flo protocol to balance your hormones, and it should shift within a few months.
Alisa
I’m curious if this cleanse would be good for me. I’m 9 months postpartum with my daughter and my hormone levels are all crazy. I know they say it takes up to 18 months for them to return to “normal” for some people. I’m wondering if this cleanse would help mine? I’m suffering from migraines since giving birth, extreme pms and mood swings, longer cycles than I’ve ever had, and breakouts I’ve never had before too. I don’t take birth control because it was too much for me even before the baby with low level hormones. I’ve been eating better, cut out sugars for the most part, and drinking more water as well as exercising regularly but it hasn’t helped.
Hi Shelby,
I am hesitant to recommend a cleanse for a new mom, as there is already so much going on in your life and in your body! I would focus on really upping the micro nutrient quality of your foods, make sure your meals are regular and you are not creating blood sugar fluctuations by missed or imbalance meals. Support quality and quantity of sleep - so important! If you want guidance on how to support your diet and lifestyle, the easiest way may be for you to pick up either WomanCode or In the Flo, both books that I wrote.
Alisa
Hi Alisa-just finished your new book, it’s fantastic and I’m motivated to get on with my new knowledge! I just had my Modena removed a month ago after the full 5 years. I know it can take up to 3 months for my period to return (can’t wait!!) but am wondering if you can recommend a place for me to jump in now? No clue where I am in my cycle. Thank you for your guidance
Hi Alisa,
Can I also do the detox during my ovulation phase?
And my husband has been curious if he could do the detox as well (for other reasons of course)?
Many thanks
Hi Christina,
You can detox at any time, but sometimes it is harder to detox during ovulation and luteal because your nutritional requirements and hunger levels can be higher. Your husband can absolutely to the cleanse as well.
Alisa
Hi I did the four day detox and I’ve been experiencing some spotting on and off ever since. And for the most part I usually don’t spot and have a normal cycle. Is this common after detox? I also sent an email and I’m hoping for some answers and some guidance on this. Thank you