weird period

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

I'm having a very odd period this month, which maybe due to some supplements I've been taking.
It started the wednesday before last, I bled lightly for most of the day, on the same day I started taking 5-htp (for S.A.D.) in 50mg capsules which also contained 50mg of valerian, and my period promptly stopped completley later that day.
It then started again on the saturday, but was a mere trickle with no cramps. It stayed like like that for a few days (which isn't my normal pattern), then on wednesday I decided to stop taking the 5-htp/valerian capsules because they were upsetting my stomach, (I went back to taking St. John's Wort) and the same day my period goes to full force hehe

This could be coincidence, or it could be that either the 5-htp or the valerian somehow supresses menstruation. Anyone else had anything like this?
My period is still going, I'm not quite sure when it'll end because of the slow start. The good thing is though that even when it increased to it's normal volume I didn't have any cramps, I've had practically no cramps at all, its the first time since having my IUD put in that I've had a comfortable period!

Comments

[oomi.livejournal.com]

i have been taking 5-htp now for 4 months, and i have never experienced my period stopping, but this is me, everyone's body reacts differently, to different chemicals though.....but i can say, that i definately see a difference overall, in my mood swings, much calmer now, than as before where i just felt so out of control....i love 5htp......i sleep a lot harder, heavier now, i don't wake up to use the bathroom anymore, like i used to........what time of day are you taking the 5htp???? how long have you had your iud in for??????this could be a factor as well........peace

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you have success with 5-htp. I was taking it in the mornings (50mg), and I found that I was having some nausea and drowsiness from it, which is why I stopped taking it. I may start taking it again, and try taking it before bed instead. In the meantime though I have a lot of success with St John's wort (which I've taken before on and off), it improves my mood without drowsiness or other side affects (it actually makes me more alert).
I've had my IUD for 7 months, and I think it's finally "settled in" I was having odd pains and period problems before, but they seem to be improving considerably now, I came very close to ditching the IUD a couple of months ago and going back on the pill, now though I'm really glad I stuck with it!

Re:

[oomi.livejournal.com]

you know, when i started taking 5 htp, it was in the morning, i imediately noticed myself becoming way too tired in th early afternoon, so i went to my local natural foods store, and talked with a supplement guru, who advised me to start taking it right before bed, and that was all i had to do, i feel great now.....i have never tried st. john's wort, i always had some apprehension to it..for some reason, also, the valerian root, is a natural sedative, so it will naturally make you very drowsy.....
i encourage you to just take one for a while, its not that good to mix these supplements, and make sure, that you are eating how you should be, some supplements, you have to eat, and take them in the middle, of your meal, some you take 30 minutes before or after.....maybe you already know all this, not trying to doubt your intelligence at all, just trying to enlighten......much luck to you......

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

thanks :) I might try the 5-htp again but at night time, yeah I know for the most part which supplements need to be with food and which don't, luckily St John's wort works not matter what, I usually take them with breakfast and lunch (not at night time because it keeps me awake hehe).

[urania.livejournal.com]

in my herb-healing book says that some studies (unconfirmed) have seemed to show valerian as an anticonvulsant. which i know is not the same as an antispasmodic.. but that *sounds* as if it might somehow "calm down" the uterine muscles to the extent that they no longer expel the menstrual tissue. (heh.. "sounds like"... great medical advice, no? :) anyhow, i'd be curious about if there are any side effects of valerian that follow that pattern, at least in some people...

*trails into confusion*

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

yeah, I'm more inclined to think it was the valerian for the same reason.