Re: fish oil supplements and heavy bleeding

[Guest guest]

Hi,Jean

Instead of taking fish oil, I decided to use an oil that is a blend

of flax and evening primrose oils (Spectrum Ultra EFA). This gives a

high level of Omega 3, 6, and 9 FAs which seemed better balanced to

me. Lignans from the flax seeds are included; lignans are a fiber

that can have a powerful effect on lowering LDL cholesterol.

The use of the oil has relieved pelvic pain from my fibroids. These

oils increase levels of prostaglandins that relieve symptoms of PMS,

also. If I go a day or two without it, the pain returns. I recommend

it highly. I've not read that this particular blend of EFAs would

increase bleeding and it has not had that effect on me.

Heavy bleeding issues can also be addressed by adding Vitamin A,

either in the form of beta carotene supplements or juices high in

beta carotene. Beta carotene is a safer form of Vit. A than other Vit

A supplements. I take it a few days a week to avoid over-doing it.

There are so many other supplements I take, too, including herbs,

minerals and vitamins. They all help me feel better in many ways.

When I got off my routine for about six weeks during the holidays, my

pelvic pain returned and I feel as if my fibroids may have grown a

little though I have no proof of that. So I'm back on the wagon as of

two weeks ago and am feeling much, much better. Also, if you're

bleeding heavily every month, you likely need an iron supplement. Low

iron levels can increase bleeding and clotting which happened to me

over a period of months last year prior to my diagnosis of fibroids.

If I had believed an instinct I had early on to take iron, in my

particular case, I could have avoided an expensive night in the ER

not covered by insurance but that is a whole other story.

Take care and be well.

Gloria

[Guest guest]

> Instead of taking fish oil, I decided to use an oil that is a blend

> of flax and evening primrose oils (Spectrum Ultra EFA). This gives

> a high level of Omega 3, 6, and 9 FAs which seemed better balanced

> to me. Lignans from the flax seeds are included; lignans are a

> fiber that can have a powerful effect on lowering LDL cholesterol.

>

> The use of the oil has relieved pelvic pain from my fibroids. These

> oils increase levels of prostaglandins that relieve symptoms of

> PMS, also. If I go a day or two without it, the pain returns. I

> recommend it highly. I've not read that this particular blend of

> EFAs would increase bleeding and it has not had that effect on me.

I know GLAs (in evening primrose oil) are often recommended to help

relieve PMS symptoms, and I'm glad they are working for your pelvic

pain.

I wanted to take just EPA/DHA (in fish oil) to make sure I have a

favorable balance of EPA to AA, and taking fish oil is a more direct

way to do that than taking ALA (in flaxseed oil). The reason I

wanted to take the fish oil is to see if it benefits my skin - the

EPA is supposed to help with dry skin and hair.

The research on EPA (a long chain omega-3 FA) shows it can act to

thin your blood (kind of like aspirin does), and so I didn't want to

take it if it's going to make my bleeding any worse. I

haven't been able to find any studies done specifically on the affect

of EPA on fibroids - my guess is that nobody has done these

studies! I don't think your EFA supplement would affect bleeding

because the flaxseed oil provides the short chain omega-3 FA ALA, and

the synthesis of EPA from ALA is so inefficient that you won't see a

big increase in EPA from flax.

(At least that's my current understanding!!)

> Heavy bleeding issues can also be addressed by adding Vitamin A,

> either in the form of beta carotene supplements or juices high in

> beta carotene.

I do take Vit C and E for antioxidant benefits (especially 'cause I

take iron), but for beta carotene, I just eat carrots!

> Also, if you're bleeding heavily every month, you likely need an

> iron supplement. Low iron levels can increase bleeding and clotting

> which happened to me over a period of months last year prior to my

> diagnosis of fibroids.

I started bleeding heavily in June 2003 and was diagnosed as iron

deficient and anemic in Sept. I have been on iron supplements since

Sept 2003 and retested in Nov and Dec - I am no longer anemic, but am

still low on iron stores, so I still take iron supplements for about

half of each month. I also would recommend to anyone who has a few

months of really heavy bleeding to get tested for anemia.

Thanks for your response, and I'd be interested if you (or anyone

else) ever runs across any info about fish oil (EPA/DHA) and

bleeding.

Jean