Mazzysim

[Mazzysim]

Hi there I have created a page which tells my story on Endometriosis, pls take a look sites.google.com/site/wwwen...

[bingobongo]

Agnus Castus sounds really interesting. I will have a good look into that as really don't like western drugs. Many thanks

[Impatient]

Agnus Castus is NOT good for endo. YES it might mke you feel better if you have been taking steps to reduce the oestrogen levels in the body - but that doesn't mean it is good for endo.

It is contraindicated in the advice for the drug.

webmd.com/vitamins-suppleme...

(click on side effects)

We have discussed this before on the forum. It is not suitable for anyone with hormone related disease -such as endo.

[Impatient in reply to Impatient]

Mazzysim - you have explained your story very well. It will help with endo awareness - but I would perhaps add a word of caution on the Agnus Castus.

It is not a recommended treatment for anyone with endo. Using it would have to be at the users own risk. Perhaps refer them to the link to learn more about the drug for themselves and decide whether they want to risk increasing oestrogen production.

Yes of course it will make you feel better short term - because we ladies do like oestrogen and if we have endo we're like addicts our endo and our bodies want more of the stuff.... only it isn't good for the endo long term. We need to be taking steps to reduce oestrogen, which is why Agnus Castus is not recommened.

[Mazzysim in reply to Impatient]

Hi impatient

I have written a earlier reply but posted it to myself lol bear with me i am new to this.

Just wanted to ask my understanding of Agnus Castus is it is a progesterone only tablet that works to balance your hormone production so if you are producing higher levels of oestrogen the tablet will work to balance this out, which can mean regularity in your menstrual cycle and lessen in your symptoms of Pmt.

That was kinda my reason for trying this tablet not to treat or try to cure endometriosis, i can honestly say I did not bleed whilst I was taking it and pain eased, I took it for a good few weeks around four.

Cheers x

[Mazzysim in reply to Impatient]

Hi impatient

I have written a earlier reply but posted it to myself lol bear with me i am new to this.

Just wanted to ask my understanding of Agnus Castus is it is a progesterone only tablet that works to balance your hormone production so if you are producing higher levels of oestrogen the tablet will work to balance this out, which can mean regularity in your menstrual cycle and lessen in your symptoms of Pmt.

That was kinda my reason for trying this tablet not to treat or try to cure endometriosis, i can honestly say I did not bleed whilst I was taking it and pain eased, I took it for a good few weeks around four.

Cheers x

[Mazzysim in reply to Impatient]

Hi impatient

I have written a earlier reply but posted it to myself lol bear with me i am new to this.

Just wanted to ask my understanding of Agnus Castus is it is a progesterone only tablet that works to balance your hormone production so if you are producing higher levels of oestrogen the tablet will work to balance this out, which can mean regularity in your menstrual cycle and lessen in your symptoms of Pmt.

That was kinda my reason for trying this tablet not to treat or try to cure endometriosis, i can honestly say I did not bleed whilst I was taking it and pain eased, I took it for a good few weeks around four.

Cheers x

[Hidden]

Thanks mazzysim, I found this blog very interesting & I honestly feel empowered & more determined to get myself diagnosed after reading your struggle.

x

[Mazzysim]

Hi Abenaa

Glad you found my blog helpful, and yes be determined to get a diagnosis, what I did not say was that initially my Gynae was not keen on giving me a laparoscopy and said the pain may be caused by a number of things, I had to really express in words just how much I was suffering and how my everyday life was being impacted on, because you can not see the pain by looking at someone. In the end he agreed to a diagnostic laparoscopy and found Endometriosis.

Good luck x

[Mazzysim]

Hi impatient

Thank you for your reply, I have written on my page that I did my own research this included speaking with staff in holland and Barrett about treatment options and Agnus Castus was one of the suggestions I chose to try it and I also wrote on my page that people should find what works for them whether that is heat packs to ease the pain/prescribed medication or pro stab injections ect.

I have not suggested anyone try what I have tried I have just felt it important for myself and others to share my experience, your right I feel it made a difference short term but I stopped taking it so long term I don't know what the effects would be.

I would say for anyone considering this to seek there own medical advice because i am not medically trained.

[Impatient]

Hi Mazzysim

The Holland and Barrett website - now I have managed to find it and take a look -

says

"Side effects may include minor stomach upset and a mild skin rash with itching.

Agnus Castus is not recommended for use during pregnancy and

**should not be used concurrently with hormone therapy (e.g., estrogen, progesterone).** "

Hormone therapy is all BC Pills, Mirena coil, Arm implants and the GnRH drugs.

It further states that it is believed to have an impct on the production of LH in the Pituitary gland. This Hormone LH is the one that promotes the ovulation cycle. The growing and shedding of uterus lining which is the same stuff as endo cells.

From my own perspective I would rather not to be encourging my endo to grow a menstrual lining and shed it each month causing endo bleeds that get trapped inside me.

That's probably the reason why it isn't recommended for anyone battling endo.

We want to reduce or stop the ovulation cycle which includes growing new menstrual linings and then shedding them each month.

I haven't looked in to all the minute details of how it works - but on the face of what is published, it would be wise to be very cautious about using it if you have endo, and definitely not to have it if you are on any meds that work with or on hormones.

There does seem to be quite a bit of evidence that it helps ladies with PCOS who tend not to have a regular menstrul cycle, and in that sense may help them to regain a regular cycle (which isn't good if they have endo too) but may asist them in their efforts to try and conceive.

So it will have its uses and benefits to women in certain situations.