Evening primrose oil

Women's health
1

I was wondering if anyone has taken evening primrose oil to help with hot flushes and had success? I had a check up with my oncologist the other day and because I can't take HRT he told me to try the primrose. He did say it doesn't work for everyone, but it might be worth a try.

2

Hi raggydoll.I'm 5 weeks post op tah ovaries removed too.I'm doing really well apart from bad night sweats (not sure what the difference between night sweats and hot flushes are).I toss and turn all night in and out of the covers.I've been taking evening primrose oil for about 2 weeks but not notice any difference yet.fingers crossed I will.Karen x

3

Try organic black cohosh ,or see a bio identical doctor, read books , it must be my hormones , get educated , you can take charge of your health , HRT is not safe it's horse hormone,  I am seeing a bio identical doctor, have your adrenal and cortisol check . 

4

I've not tried Eve Primrose but before my op and now I take 1000mg of Starflower Oil daly (I get mine from Holland and Barrett), it is supposed to be much more powerful than the Primrose Oil. It certainly works for me, my mood swings and low spells were dreadful but this does seem to have sorted it. I retained my ovaries xx

5

Ps. although I use it mainly for moods it is used for all menopause symptoms xx

6

Evening Primrose didn't work for me, neither did any of the Chemist shelf remedies except Sage tablets, they worked after 2 weeks of taking them but after a couple of months I started to feel really sick so stopped taking them and the sickness went BUT the hot flushes have come back.  I am currently wearing a magnet recommended to me by a friend in England (I live in Australia).

hasnt started to to work for me yet though so I won't recommend it until I have worn it longer!  I see my Oncologist at the end of this month and I will go on HRT - I can't go on like this - I hardly get any sleep and I work full time - my FAH was at the end of October.  Anybody else got any suggestions for hot flushes?

 

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

7

Thank you for your replies, I can't take black cohosh because Ive had breast cancer. The only alternative my oncologist suggested was Evening primrose oil. I can't take anything without checking with her first. I could have something prescribed but I would like to try an alternative first, I don't really want to add to my list of prescribed meds if I can help it. Kazandnell, hot flushes are like feeling you are on fire without sweating, hot sweats are when your hot and sweating, some ladies wake up soaked during the night, I'm hoping this never happens to me, feeling boiling hot is bad enough

8

Hi Raggydoll

I haven't had my op yet, but I have had the menopause, I'm 64 now.  I was on HRT when we moved out to Spain to live, but I didn't know that they do not believe in it out there, and also I did not know that when you come off of HRT you are straight into the menopause.  I always thought you got away with it, that it was all happening in your body but the HRT took away all the symptoms!  How stupid was I!  Anyway to get to the point, I was in a very bad way, sent to the hospital and the lovely Consultant said to me, "I am going to shock you, you will not like it, but if you do what I recommend you will stop all the very bad symptoms within about a month!"  Then he proceeded to tell me to give up alcohol, caffeine, sugar and take 1,000 dose of Evening Primrose Oil twice a day until the symptoms stop then reduce to 1,000 dose.  After 3 weeks all symptoms were gone, but oh boy did I have withdrawal symptoms from caffeine.  I only used to have three cups of coffee a day but it took 6 months for me to get over that one!  Alcohol was easy which really surprised me, (it seemed to upset my friends more than me!).  I have since gone on to give up wheat, gluten and dairy products.  I feel amazing, the healthiest I have ever been.  just need the surgery to stitch my bladder and bowel back in place and I shall be good to go!  Sorry to have gone on at length but wanted to give you the history just in case you wanted to go all out to beat those horrible symptoms of menopause.  

Good luck

Jacqui 

 

9

I tried but it gives me the trots but I've known others take it and think it's great just try it and see how you go

10

Hi I'm like u can't take hrt due to allergic reaction to it had hysterectomy on 7th Jan ovaries left had hot flushes for the first 2 weeks tried black koosh which sent my BP high so tried sage and my hot flushes have ceased mood much better in fact feel like a new woman hopefully u will find something that will suit you good luck x

11

Hi Jacqui, thank you. I don't drink alcohol so that's not a problem but caffeine is another story

Good luck with your surgery xx

12

Thank you, I will try it x

13

Thank you Linda x

14

Hi Raggydoll

Many thanks.  I agree caffeine is quite a story, don't know where I found the strength from, but I was so low, I think I would have tried anything! 

One thing I forgot to mention about the Evening Primrose Oil, don't take any for a fortnight before surgery or a fortnight after surgery.  It increases bleeding.  

Love

Jacqui 

15

Oh thanks for the warning! I'm nearly 6 weeks post hysterectomy but I have some more surgery due in the summer.

16

Dear Raggydoll

Hope the Primrose helps.  Take care.

Love

Jacqui 

17

Thank you Jacqui..I started them today

18

Hi Raggydoll 

Hope you will soon notice some difference.  I have just stopped mine today.  I am having cataract surgery soon, so am getting ready.  The Hysterectomy now has a 4.5 - 6 month waiting list, which I was really upset with but now have been told my cataracts are most urgent so perhaps it was meant to be!  He! he! no fun this getting older (65 next month!) everything is going south or falling apart!  Ah well hubby still loves me and Rosie the Shih Tzu! 

Hope you will soon be feeling heaps better.

Love

Jacqui 

19

Ah, thank you Jacqui. I'm hoping they work. Up to 6 months for your hysterectomy goodness me!! Fingers crossed you get an appointment soon, the waiting isn't fun. I'm 48 this month and since my cancer diagnosis, my body has been falling apart, so I know what you mean .

Ive got a 3 year old Shih Tzu called Charlie

20

Hi Raggydoll

Have they managed to get all your cancer with the op?  I really hope so.  Fingers crossed.   I think we need lots of Blu-tack to hold us together!

Rosie is very interested in your Charlie, she sends love and licks to him.  She is a bit of a hussy on the quiet!  Aren't Shih Tzus just the sweetest dogs!  We had always had Newfoundlands before (they are just very big babies!) but Rosie is so sweet.  We rescued her from a Puppy Mill, awful story, but she is certainly enjoying life now.

Love

Jacqui