7 Things Worth The Money: PCOS Edition (And What To Do If The Budget Says No)
Okay so you've probably seen the "things worth the money" trend all over your feed lately. Naturally I had to do our version, because when it comes to managing PCOS I have very strong opinions about what's actually worth spending on and what's just noise.
Before you start stressing about your bank account, hear me out. Nothing on this list needs to be bought in its fanciest, most expensive form to actually work for you. I've popped a more realistic, budget friendly swap under each one too, because trust me, I know PCOS already costs enough without me guilting you into spending more.
So here's what I genuinely think is worth it, and how to do it on a budget if that's where you're at right now.
1. Organic fruit and veg
Why it's worth it: pesticides are known hormone disruptors, and when your hormones are already having a hard enough time, cutting that extra exposure where you can genuinely takes some of the load off your system.
The budget swap: you do not need to go fully organic across the board, I promise. Use EWG's "dirty dozen and clean fifteen" guide as your cheat sheet. Grab organic for the produce that soaks up the most pesticides (think strawberries, spinach, apples) and go conventional for the thicker skinned stuff like avocados, bananas and pineapple. You still get most of the benefit without the full organic price tag.
2. Whole house water filtration system
Why it's worth it: tap water can carry chlorine, heavy metals and other endocrine disrupting nasties. A whole house system filters every tap and every shower, so you're cutting exposure everywhere, not just in your drink bottle.
The budget swap: a simple filtered water jug or a filter attachment on your kitchen tap and shower head covers your two biggest exposure points (drinking and skin absorption) for a fraction of what a whole house system costs.
3. Cysterhood Tea
Why it's worth it: I formulated this one myself with PCOS symptoms front of mind. It supports hormone balance, inflammation and blood sugar, which are three of the biggest culprits behind PCOS flare ups. It's become such a daily ritual for so many of us in the Cysterhood, and it's genuinely doing something for your body, not just a nice cup of tea to sip on.
The budget swap: honestly this one is already one of the more affordable options here. If you're stretching things even further, grab it through the bundle and save options on the product page (buy 2 save 15%, buy 3 save 20%, applied automatically at checkout) instead of buying one pack at a time, or split a bulk order with a friend in the Cysterhood so you're both saving.
4. Low tox hair and beauty products
Why it's worth it: your skin is your biggest organ and it soaks up everything you put on it. So many mainstream beauty and hair products are loaded with parabens and phthalates, both linked to hormone disruption. Switching to low tox is one less thing quietly working against your hormones every single day.
The budget swap: you don't need to clear out your whole bathroom cabinet in one go. Start with whatever sits on your skin the longest, your moisturiser, deodorant and leave in hair products, before worrying about the stuff you rinse off quickly like shampoo.
5. Magnesium pool or float
Why it's worth it: magnesium is one of the most common deficiencies I see in women with PCOS, and it plays such a huge role in insulin sensitivity, sleep and easing anxiety. A magnesium pool or float lets your skin soak it up directly while giving your nervous system the proper reset our PCOS bodies are so often craving.
The budget swap: a magnesium flake or Epsom salt bath at home does a very similar job for a couple of dollars instead of a float centre booking. Even better, try our Balance Me bath salts. They're loaded with magnesium epsom salts that absorb beautifully through the skin, plus Himalayan and Dead Sea salts, organic clay and pure rose geranium and lavender essential oils, all working together to support your hormones, not just help you relax. Run yourself a bath with it a couple of times a week and you'll get so much of that same reset feeling as a magnesium float.
6. Yearly blood work
Why it's worth it: PCOS affects your whole body, and yearly blood work means you can actually see what's happening with your hormones, insulin and inflammation markers instead of guessing and hoping. It lets you and your practitioner make real, informed decisions rather than trial and error.
The budget swap: ask your GP for a bulk billed panel first, a lot of the key PCOS markers can be covered this way with the right referral. If there are extras that aren't covered, ask exactly which tests matter most for your symptoms so you're only paying out of pocket for what will actually be useful to you.
7. Infrared sauna with red light tower attachment
Why it's worth it: PCOS is an inflammatory condition at its core, so this one makes total sense. Infrared and red light help bring down systemic inflammation, support your body's detox pathways and can even improve your skin and mood. It's an investment, sure, but one that keeps paying off every single time you use it.
The budget swap: heaps of gyms and wellness centres now offer infrared sauna sessions you can book casually, so you get the benefit without the upfront cost of owning your own unit. A basic red light panel is also a much smaller investment than a full sauna and tower combo, if you'd love to bring one home eventually.
The bottom line
Managing PCOS does not have to mean spending everything you have. Pick whichever one or two of these feel most doable for you right now, whether that's the full version or the budget swap, and build from there. Every small change genuinely adds up when it comes to supporting your hormones for the long haul.
And if you want any recommendations on specific brands or products for any of these, DM me on Instagram @pcos_to_wellness and I'll send you my honest, no affiliate link faves. I'm always trying and switching things up myself so I'm happy to share what's actually working for me right now.
