Saw Palmetto and Birth Control Pills

[frenchfry]

Hi girls,

I am posting this new thread in order to answer to a simple question which bothers me :

I take SP because I am loosing hair (even if taking spironolactone) and heard it can help with hair loss and lots of other pcos symptoms

I take BCP (diane 35), as an anti-testosterone.as well as contraception

Can SP really affect the contraceptive impact of the BCP?

in other words, am I taking the risk of pregnancy by combining the two? (even if I have pcos, which in theory would it make it harder to conceive)

thank you for your thoughts on this and good luck to all xxx

[Serena419]

Hello,

Sorry I'm not answering your question...in fact I have a few of my own. I was just diagnosed with PCOS earlier this week (although I've had my suspicions for awhile but didn't have health insurance).

My Dr suggested I try a low dosage of BCP in order to help get rid of the cysts. I couldn't help but notice all the current supplements you were taking and I was wondering if you had any side effects with BCP? I'm going to start BCP in a few days but I'm also interested in taking some supplements to help with the other symptoms.

If you could give me any insight or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time!

[frenchfry]

Hello Serena,

I do not have any side effects with birth control. I have started taking all the supplements listed below when I quit androcur (strong anti-testosterone medicine) because it produced one annoying effect: i started loosing some hair. Now it's been a month I'm on the supplements and I cannot say for certain if the hair is shedding less. I think so, but I can't be certain, as I am clearly still shedding hair and I never used to. Maybe I am shedding less, maybe I got use to it. Not sure.
In any case, I have no other problems whatsoever, thank G-d. I am on a sugar free diary free low GI index and have to say that I feel great and have lost a little weight. Feel like I have much more energy. Can only suggest that you try cutting out sugar and switch to whole grain low GI eating. It's not really a diet, actually, just a healthier lifestyle.
I am not sure that is at all useful for you. I would be happy to hear back from you, let me know.
Good luck with your pcos,
Lish