10-03-2016, 01:45
Saw palmetto and bcp
October 14 2007 at 11:11 AM KatieJames (Login katiejames)
Hi
I have just ordered a be kit from Greenbush. The supplements contain saw palmetto and I am worried that this will interfere with the contraceptive pill. Does anyone know about this?
Moon
(Login -Moon-)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 14 2007, 12:41 PM
It is said that SP can interfere with BCP.
Lisa121
(no login)
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 14 2007, 1:51 PM
I personally never combined SP with BCP, and if I did I would definitely use extra contraception. You just don't know for sure, and I personally am rather safe than sorry. Others have combined the two and didn't get pregnant, but I really wouldn't risk it.
There are alternatives to SP that don't interfere with BCP that you could take once you are finished with the formula, like nettle root, licorice and spearmint which you can combine with wonderup or single herbs.
Be aware though that herbs take a while to leave the system, so to be safe I would keep using condoms for another month after stopping SP. I may be over careful but I just wouldn't want to get pregnant at the moment and it can't be good for the baby either to have such a mix of hormones if you did get pregnant.
KatieJames
(no login)
thanks
October 14 2007, 10:44 PM
Hi
Thanks for the replies.
I won't risk it. I'm annoyed with myself for wasting money but probably a small price to pay compared to an unwanted pregnancy. Thanks for the tips on what I could do instead.
Kandi
(login Kandi)
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 31 2007, 1:18 AM
I've never understood these claims about saw palmetto and birth control. I mean all BCPs prevent pregnancy through progestin (progesterone). in fact many BCPs and implants are progesterone only. Some BCPs have estrogen as many women need it to avoid side effects from a hormonal imbalance (too much progesterone can cause a range of side effects).
Basically, you should be able to reduce testosterone all you want and increase estrogen all you want without changing the efficacy of your BCP. So saw palmetto and other natural anti-androgens should be safe to use, unless the saw palmetto is doing something to you other than acting as an anti-androgen which it is known for.
What I wouldn't do on BCP is take anything that alters progesterone level (no vitex, no progesterone cream). If you are on a combined progesterone/estrogen pill, then I also would avoid anything that lowers estrogen, but I don't see how saw palmetto would do that. I'm not aware that it has that kind of action.
October 14 2007 at 11:11 AM KatieJames (Login katiejames)
Hi
I have just ordered a be kit from Greenbush. The supplements contain saw palmetto and I am worried that this will interfere with the contraceptive pill. Does anyone know about this?
Moon
(Login -Moon-)
SENIOR MEMBER
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 14 2007, 12:41 PM
It is said that SP can interfere with BCP.
Lisa121
(no login)
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 14 2007, 1:51 PM
I personally never combined SP with BCP, and if I did I would definitely use extra contraception. You just don't know for sure, and I personally am rather safe than sorry. Others have combined the two and didn't get pregnant, but I really wouldn't risk it.
There are alternatives to SP that don't interfere with BCP that you could take once you are finished with the formula, like nettle root, licorice and spearmint which you can combine with wonderup or single herbs.
Be aware though that herbs take a while to leave the system, so to be safe I would keep using condoms for another month after stopping SP. I may be over careful but I just wouldn't want to get pregnant at the moment and it can't be good for the baby either to have such a mix of hormones if you did get pregnant.
KatieJames
(no login)
thanks
October 14 2007, 10:44 PM
Hi
Thanks for the replies.
I won't risk it. I'm annoyed with myself for wasting money but probably a small price to pay compared to an unwanted pregnancy. Thanks for the tips on what I could do instead.
Kandi
(login Kandi)
Re: Saw palmetto and bcp
October 31 2007, 1:18 AM
I've never understood these claims about saw palmetto and birth control. I mean all BCPs prevent pregnancy through progestin (progesterone). in fact many BCPs and implants are progesterone only. Some BCPs have estrogen as many women need it to avoid side effects from a hormonal imbalance (too much progesterone can cause a range of side effects).
Basically, you should be able to reduce testosterone all you want and increase estrogen all you want without changing the efficacy of your BCP. So saw palmetto and other natural anti-androgens should be safe to use, unless the saw palmetto is doing something to you other than acting as an anti-androgen which it is known for.
What I wouldn't do on BCP is take anything that alters progesterone level (no vitex, no progesterone cream). If you are on a combined progesterone/estrogen pill, then I also would avoid anything that lowers estrogen, but I don't see how saw palmetto would do that. I'm not aware that it has that kind of action.