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lizm100 · 12-20-2009, 09:03 AM

My naturalpath strongly advised me to add Evening Primrose Oil to my list of supplements. Being her2+++, she felt that I will benefit from this supplement. I recalled reading this thread so I questioned if it will raise estrogen levels and my naturalpath replied with confidence that it will not.

My naturalpath specializes in women's health and has been treating breast cancer patients for over 2 decades. While doing a search this morning I came across another article that states that evening primrose does not raise estrogen levels. For those interested, I cut and pasted the link below.

Obviously there seems to be contradiction on this topic....

http://www.oncolink.org/experts/arti...&ss=22&id=1774

Safety of evening primrose oil for breast cancer patients
Affiliation: Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: July 14, 2002

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I had stage I breast cancer last year. I am presently on tamoxifen, and of course I began hot flashes and night sweats. I am premenopausal. My surgeon recommended I take evening primrose oil for the hot flashes, which works great. However, I'm getting conflicted reports lately that primrose oil has estrogen in it. Knowing the tamoxifen blocks estrogen, I shouldn't' be taking something that is estrogen. Can you tell me whether I should be taking primrose oil?

Ellen Sweeney, RD, Clinical Nutrition Specialist Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:
Most herbals and supplements commonly used for relief of menopausal symptoms, or those symptoms commonly associated with tamoxifen use have been shown to have estrogen like properties (Dong Quai, Black Cohosh and soy). Evening primrose oil, however, has not been shown to have estrogen like effects. Its main compound that provides possible anti-inflammatory effect is gamma linolenic acids. Studies have shown evening primrose oil to be possibly effective in reducing mastalgia and PMS symptoms but effectiveness with relieving hot flashes has not been clearly shown. So, from an estrogen standpoint, it seems safe to take with Tamoxifen. Known drug interactions with evening primrose oil are anticoagulants, general anesthetics, and phenothiazines.

12-20-2009, 09:03 AM	#5
lizm100 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 141	Re: Evening primrose oil and herceptin My naturalpath strongly advised me to add Evening Primrose Oil to my list of supplements. Being her2+++, she felt that I will benefit from this supplement. I recalled reading this thread so I questioned if it will raise estrogen levels and my naturalpath replied with confidence that it will not. My naturalpath specializes in women's health and has been treating breast cancer patients for over 2 decades. While doing a search this morning I came across another article that states that evening primrose does not raise estrogen levels. For those interested, I cut and pasted the link below. Obviously there seems to be contradiction on this topic.... http://www.oncolink.org/experts/arti...&ss=22&id=1774 Safety of evening primrose oil for breast cancer patients Affiliation: Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania Last Modified: July 14, 2002 Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I had stage I breast cancer last year. I am presently on tamoxifen, and of course I began hot flashes and night sweats. I am premenopausal. My surgeon recommended I take evening primrose oil for the hot flashes, which works great. However, I'm getting conflicted reports lately that primrose oil has estrogen in it. Knowing the tamoxifen blocks estrogen, I shouldn't' be taking something that is estrogen. Can you tell me whether I should be taking primrose oil? Ellen Sweeney, RD, Clinical Nutrition Specialist Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds: Most herbals and supplements commonly used for relief of menopausal symptoms, or those symptoms commonly associated with tamoxifen use have been shown to have estrogen like properties (Dong Quai, Black Cohosh and soy). Evening primrose oil, however, has not been shown to have estrogen like effects. Its main compound that provides possible anti-inflammatory effect is gamma linolenic acids. Studies have shown evening primrose oil to be possibly effective in reducing mastalgia and PMS symptoms but effectiveness with relieving hot flashes has not been clearly shown. So, from an estrogen standpoint, it seems safe to take with Tamoxifen. Known drug interactions with evening primrose oil are anticoagulants, general anesthetics, and phenothiazines.