Does Milk Thistle Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Those with certain conditions:

Milk thistle can have estrogenic effects, which may worsen hormone-sensitive conditions

, including some types of breast cancer.

Does milk thistle help balance hormones?

Any excess hormones we have in our body are detoxified and excreted via the liver and gut, which makes

milk thistle an excellent herb to help support hormonal balance

‘, she adds. One of the most common symptoms of the menopause is low mood and self-esteem and irritability, thanks to hormonal fluctuations.

Does milk thistle increase or decrease estrogen?

Sure enough: in one recent study, an herbal conglomerate featuring milk thistle as one of the active participants actually

increased estrogen metabolism

, effectively reducing the amount of active estrogen by speeding up its clearance from the body.

Is milk thistle good for PCOS?

A liver cleansing herb such as milk thistle is

very important if you suffer from PCOS

. This is because many menstrual problems and infertility concerns are made worse because of the backup of hormones within the liver.

Does milk thistle increase progesterone?

Another reason people take milk thistle is to improve hormone metabolization by the liver.

It's one of the liver's jobs to process and eliminate excess sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone)

, hormones made by the adrenal glands, and thyroid hormones.

How does milk thistle affect estrogen?

Milk thistle might decrease the effects of medications providing estrogen by

blocking how estrogen works in the body

.

What are the negative side effects of milk thistle?

  • Abdominal bloating/pain.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Gas.
  • Indigestion.
  • Itching.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea.

Does milk thistle cause weight gain?

Little evidence to suggest milk thistle aids weight loss

Despite consuming similar quantities of food, the mice that received milk thistle lost about 5% of their weight, while

the control group continued gaining weight throughout the study

( 4 ).

Is milk thistle good when trying to conceive?

Endometriosis and many cases of infertility are related to increased inflammatory cytokines.

Milk thistle is well-proven to have positive effects on both estrogen balance AND inflammation

. There is also a significant body of evidence showing its safety during pregnancy.

How do you fix hormonal imbalance?

  1. Eat enough protein at every meal. …
  2. Engage in regular exercise. …
  3. Maintain a moderate weight. …
  4. Take care of your gut health. …
  5. Lower your sugar intake. …
  6. Try stress reduction techniques. …
  7. Consume healthy fats. …
  8. Get consistent, high quality sleep.

What causes hormonal imbalance in periods?

The main causes of are

issues with the thyroid, stress, and eating disorders

. Some symptoms include irregular periods, low sex-drive, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings.

Who should not take milk thistle?

If you have

breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids

, consider avoiding milk thistle. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

What causes female estrogen?


The woman's ovaries

make most estrogen hormones, although the adrenal glands and fat cells also make small amounts of the hormones.

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

  • Dry skin.
  • Tender breasts.
  • Weak or brittle bones.
  • Trouble concentrating.
  • Moodiness and irritability.
  • Vaginal dryness or atrophy.
  • Hot flashes and night sweats.
  • Irregular periods or no periods (amenorrhea).

Can Vitex worsen PCOS?

Why most women with PCOS shouldn't use Vitex


Vitex can actually worsen PCOS for some because their LH levels are already high

. If you know your LH level is high (if you don't know – ask for a hormonal panel blood test from your doctor), you should not use Vitex.

What is best supplement for PCOS?

  • Inositol. Inositol is a vitamin-like substance that helps with cellular insulin signalling. …
  • NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) …
  • Vitamin D. …
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids. …
  • Berberine.

Does chaste tree help with PCOS?

Today we know that this powerful herb – a medicinally potent brown berry about the size of a peppercorn – doesn't impact sexual desire, but it does help manage reproductive disorders.

Vitex is used for menstrual difficulties including PMS and PCOS

, breast pain management, and infertility.

Does milk thistle help thyroid function?


Many insights into thyroid hormone metabolism are revealed by two studies of milk thistle and thyroid hormones

. In 2008, an experiment on mice showed that T3 levels as well as T4-T3 conversion via deiodinase type 1 (D1) in liver rise significantly during SY treatment of chemically-induced liver fibrosis.

How do I know if I have estrogen dominance?

  1. Mood Swings. …
  2. Irritability. …
  3. Decreased Sex Drive. …
  4. Worsening PMS Symptoms. …
  5. Irregular Menstrual Periods. …
  6. Heavy Periods. …
  7. Bloating. …
  8. Weight Gain.

Can milk thistle make you lose weight?


Yes, the milk thistle is effective for weight loss for people with fatty liver

. As you know, people with fatty liver gain too much weight and fat on the body. Few searchers proved that the milk thistle helps to cut fat from the liver of people with fatty liver disease.

Does milk thistle detox the liver?

Care for your liver today


Consider using a potent milk thistle extract to protect and detox the liver

. This fantastic natural herb helps young persons maintain liver health. And after age 40, the detox power of the liver slows down. So regardless of age, milk thistle aids with prevention as well as repair.

Can milk thistle harm your liver?

Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which

can cause liver damage in high doses

.

Can milk thistle reverse liver damage?

In a comprehensive review of studies on milk thistle by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ),

milk thistle improved liver function in people with mild liver disease, but was less effective for those with severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis

.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.