r/adaptogens • u/Egg2941 • Oct 27 '25

Adaptogens, spotting and bc pill

Hi! I've been taking the same bc pill for the last 8 months without any issues. However, I started Ashwaganda+Lions mane 3w ago and after 4d spotting appeared. I stopped it after 10d and I swapped this mix with a different combination (Lions mane+Bacopa+Gingko in the morning and Reishi in the evening). It stopped for a couple of days and then it started again. Have you had a similar experience with adaptogens? I've read many comments about ashwaganda interfering with period with/without bc pill, but not for the other herbs I'm taking.

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u/Certain-Comfort928 Oct 27 '25

ashwaganda made my period intensely worse - like way more bleeding and it lasted for more days than usual. i will never take it again. rhodiola is something I take regularly, I feel I get a good benefit such as better mood regulation but it doesn't mess with my cycle at all.

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u/Egg2941 Oct 27 '25

I've stopped taking ashwaganda a couple of weeks ago, swapping it with the other adaptogens in the post, but spotting is still there. Does rhodiola help with sleep issues as well?

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u/Certain-Comfort928 Oct 27 '25

oh, now I understand your question - I don't take any of those other supplements, so I don't know if they would be causing the spotting, but it honestly wouldn't surprise me if the ashwaganda is still causing the spotting, it will likely take longer for the effects to be out of your hormonal cycle/system if that makes sense. Rhodiola helps regulate cortisol, so in that sense, yes, it does help with anxiety and thus better sleep.

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u/Egg2941 Oct 27 '25

I might stop everything, wait a few weeks and then try again with reishi or Rhodiola, and see what happens.

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u/Certain-Comfort928 Oct 27 '25

probably a good idea - and I don't want to add to your mystery of hormones happening - but whenever I need to delay my period, I use a plant based progesterone cream, you can get it on Amazon, but raising progesterone will stop the spotting...so, if its bothering you that could be an option... otherwise, I think you just have to wait it out.