[camilledawn]

Hello! I'm new, and I specifically joined so I could find an answer to this question.

I’ve been on Ortho Evra (the birth control patch) for a couple months now, but have been on it before and am used to using it correctly. I was wondering if Flaxseed Oil pills effected how well my birth control works. The Flaxseed Oil pills are said to help with the lack of fiber I get in my daily diet as well as provide me with essential fatty acids.

If it’s needed, here is some past information about me:

I have been sexually active since I was nearly 15 and have had two sexual partners in my life. I’m engaged to my second partner and he’s only had sex with one other person as well. We’re both STD free and are responsible when it comes to birth control and less than responsible when it comes to condoms.

I have been pregnant in the past (April 2009 – June 2009) and thankfully had a miscarriage – I say thankfully because the world doesn’t need another irresponsible teenage mother. I became pregnant when I switched from Ortho Evra to the pill and clearly didn’t wait long enough to begin having sex. So I am once again on Ortho Evra because it’s a birth control I know I can trust.

I have high levels of stress – which is what caused my miscarriage - and can let my emotions get the better of me. I’ve been through therapy to help with the depression that I’m fighting and have a history of clinical depression in my family.

Sorry if I rambled, I just want to make sure I produce enough information to get the most accurate answers I can get. Thanks for any information you can provide!

[Katsaly]

Flaxseed oil should have no effect on birth control.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Katsaly, from what experience do you refer to?

I am assuming your concern is in relation to being regular "too much" and therefore the pill not working.

This is the case in a decease called Irritable Bowel Syndrome, whereby the body can not handle stress / or certain foods and the opposite occurs to purely being regular, your not constipated, rather the reverse and you have to be very careful if this occurs.

I bring this up as they do not know what causes IBS but they suspect it's stressful trauma which you have gone through..

So just be aware if you you have the "runs", the pill may not be effective.


Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well tolerated. Few side effects have been reported.

Flaxseed, like any supplemental fiber source, should be taken with plenty of water; otherwise, it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, even cause intestinal blockage.

The fiber in flaxseed may lower the body's ability to absorb medications that are taken by mouth. Flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

CW

[Katsaly]

Experience in doing research, I guess.

There is a big difference between fiber supplements and IBS. Birth control pills are not among the the things that flaxseed oil interferes with. There is absolutely no evidence that flaxseed oil interferes with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

If in doubt, ask a pharmacist.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Experience in doing research, I guess.

There is a big difference between fiber supplements and IBS. Birth control pills are not among the the things that flaxseed oil interferes with. There is absolutely no evidence that flaxseed oil interferes with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

If in doubt, ask a pharmacist.

There is, I don't disagree the IBS was clearly stated as a side note... I asked mainly because you made a statement without following through with your reasons which can not assist with a question...

The fiber in flaxseed may lower the body's ability to absorb medications that are taken by mouth. Flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements.

This comes from the Wik.. research... the pill is taken by the mouth.

If this is a stated fact, then you have a right to question whether it may affect birth control, seeing as it is taken by the mouth... unfortunately, we can not provide the answer, nor a pharmacist.

OP, you suffered from a serious stressful situation... Please consult a Doctor in this instance, because if the above is correct, then you need to ascertain whether that be the case and if you should cease taking it...

Facts speak volumes..

CW

[Katsaly]

If this is a stated fact, then you have a right to question whether it may affect birth control, seeing as it is taken by the mouth... unfortunately, we can not provide the answer, nor a pharmacist.

I don't understand this. Why wouldn't a pharmacist be able to answer? They tend to know way ore about drug interactions than doctors. I did research beyond wikipedia. There was no indication anywhere that birth control was affected by flaxseed. If it were, it would be known. Simply put, there are no "flaxseed babies" out there demonstrating the dangers of combining birth control with flaxseed oil.

My original post was stated simply and without ceremony because I just wanted to give a straight answer to put the OP's mind at ease.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

OP....

Simple facts, the pill is oral and i suspect that is your concern..

No one can provide you with the correct advice unless they personally have taken this and the pill. Let's face it... Any searches are exactly that.


If in doubt as this site promotes, we can only provide "opinions" please seek a Doctors advise.

[Katsaly]

It is also worth noting that medline (a compilation of all the latest research) states that:
"Taking flaxseed ( not flaxseed oil) by mouth may reduce the absorption of other medications. Drugs used by mouth should be taken one hour before or two hours after flaxseed to prevent decreased absorption"

So flaxseed oil does not seem to have an effect on oral medications, and if you are worried that it does, there is an easy way to minimize that effect.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

There you go, you followed through to provide an answer that may help the poster originally instead of a simple I don't thinks so.

Thank you if that be the case..

It is what this site is all about, providing solutions to problems.

However, I will still state, seek a Doctor's opinion if your worried.

Seems that you have now a few thoughts to consider.

CW

[WildChild]

Flax seed oil won't provide any fiber but it is rich in Omega 3s. To utilize flax see it should be fresh and must be ground as your body will pass the whole seeds through undigested. I use a coffee grinder and add them to most baked goods. The flax gives a nice nutty flavor and adds fiber and the Omega 3s. Never heard of it conflicting with BC