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RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Leigh J — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:33:25 GMT

Hi

Just thought i should post to let you know that if you are sensitive to hormones or on birth control you should not take red clover. I took the fibre every morning for 9 days then on the 9th day i started spotting, while I was still taking my birth control. I stopped the fibre and it is now day 12 and i am still bleeding (and still taking my active pills). I have been bleeding and cramping for 3 days now, and my internet research tells me that red clover has estrogen in it which can 1. make your pill ineffective, and 2. cause hormonal fluctuations. I have been on this pill for a long time and never had breakthough bleeding before, let alone gushing, while on active pills. I can only attribute this to the red clover.

See this link to webmd for more information about red clover's potential effect on birth control pills and it's other possible side effects.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-308-RED+CLOVER.aspx?activeIngredientId=308&activeIngredientName=RED+CLOVER&source=2

I am hoping the bleeding will stop soon but am going to my doctor today to get it checked out. I have also been to see my TF consultant and they have contacted the TF dietician but have not yet had a reply. The pharmacy gave me metamucil instead, which does the same thing without the red clover. The pharmacist also confirmed the red clover is used in HRT which confirms its hormone related properties.

If i had've known there was even a very slight risk with red clover, I would not have taken it. I now have no idea if my birth control is/has been effective, why I am actually bleeding, and I have had to take 2 days off work as the cramping is unbearable.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

On the bright side, I lost 2.3 kg in my first week.

Leigh

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Midnight87 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:23:03 GMT

ok all.. i've got a few possible answers to this.

1. for the implanon bar (which i have), once you enter the 3rd year, some will experience random spotting and irregular periods. heck the 2nd bar i put in (which was recently) totally stopped my period (also another side effect) after i bled and spotted for 2 weeks non stop

2. for the pills, i think it would be more recommended to take the pill in the morning and implement the fibre into either lunch or dinner.. this was adviced to me by a consultant because i had my anti-depressant tablets and multivitamins to take :) the time between breakfast and lunch or just between meals in general will be enough for the body to absorbed everything :)

hope this helps you all!!

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

rosebud01 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:35:13 GMT

Apparantley any fibre supplements can hinder the proper absorption of other things such as medicines and multivitamins.

I think TF recommends at least 2 hours between taking fibre and taking your medications or multivitamins.

I use my fibre in the mornings and afternoons and take my multivitamins at morning tea time.

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Kiwi_in_QLD — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:06:07 GMT

I take the fibre capsules as I don't like how they taste in the shakes... I pretty much take everything that's in "pill" form at the same time, in the morning (habit I gues..) So I have my fibre causules, chromium, multivitamin and contraceptive pill one after the other, before my breakfast shake.

I didn't know this could be bad?? and why is it not reccomended (if it's not)??

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

kiwi72 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:47:38 GMT

how many hours do you leave between taking the pill and your fibre ....

i was taking my pill when i woke up and then having my breakfast shake and fibre about an hour later ...

i then changed it to take the pill at bed time after my dinner ... as the last fibre i had was at lunch time ...

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Kiwi_in_QLD — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:29:04 GMT

Just a question, why would taking your pill and the fibre at the same time cause this?? I take mine at the same time everyday...

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

kiwi72 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:07:08 GMT

i've got the same problem .. i thought it was because i was taking my pill too close to having fibre .....

i would be interested if anyone has an answer to this ....

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Natt — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:03:30 GMT

Hi.. im at the end of my 3rd week in now also and last week and this week around the same time i have had the exact same thing happening but im not using any of the fibre products.. i have an implanon in my arm and havent had a period in 2 years so im wondering whats going on too.. ive been on the program b4 and never had this problem so i dunno :crazy:

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

nikkimaloo — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:43:02 GMT

Fingers crossed then :)

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Caz3000 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:38:37 GMT

Thanks for the support. I'm just using psyllium today and I'll see how it goes.

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

nikkimaloo — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:19:54 GMT

[quote][b]rosebud01 (4/07/2009)[/b][hr]

I recommend you stop usign the fibre and use something else in the meantimeand see if it makes a difference. And definatley see your doctor if you are at all concerned.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. Stop taking the SF now and grab yourself some Benefibre or Fibresure from the supermarket, see if it makes a difference :)

RE: Simply fibre & spotting between periods

rosebud01 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:59:56 GMT

I never had any problem when I was on the TF fibre but I changed to using benefibre after a few months anyway.

I recommend you stop usign the fibre and use something else in the meantime and see if it makes a difference. And definatley see your doctor if you are at all concerned.

All the best.

Simply fibre & spotting between periods

Caz3000 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:57:28 GMT

I've been on the program for about 3 weeks now, and for the last two weeks have had light pinkish-brownish spotting. I am between periods and this is unusual for me.

The SImply Fibre contains a herb called red clover. Apparently, red clover has estrogen-like effects and a recognised side effect is spotting. One website says to report unexplained vaginal bleeding while taking red clover to your doctor, because it may be a sign of endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the lining of the uterus).

Does anyone else have this problem? And does anyone know what the risks are?

I'm thinking I might mix up my own thing of psyllium & slippery elm so that it is red clover free.

Cheers,
Caz