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Melatonin, Stress & Hormones

Blonde1817Blonde1817 member
in Babies on the Brain
Ok, I have a question for you lovely ladies!  I don't expect anyone to know the answer but ... I was wondering if anyone knows about the interaction between melatonin and hormones?  I have been taking melatonin for a year or so, I have always had a crazy tough time falling asleep and it has helped so much.  I've always figured I would just stop taking it when we start TTC.  However, my first period off the pill is officially late (which I know is very normal) and now I'm curious if the melatonin could be affecting it?  

Or maybe I'm just having a hard time dealing with the fact that having to wait for my period is going to push back my timeline .... I had it all planned out! Lol.  I've also had a stressful latter half of the month, but I'm pretty sure I know when I ovulated (on time) due to EWCM. Could stress be a factor?

I tested yesterday just in case, and it was definitely a BFN.  This is messing with my mind!  Any thoughts???
Me (28) & DH (29)
Married: May 2015
BFP 1/24/16 EDD 10/4/16
It's a boy!

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Re: Melatonin, Stress & Hormones

  • als1982als1982 member
    edited October 2015
    I wouldn't judge anything based on your first month of being off hormonal birth control.

    But from what I've read about melatonin, studies are mixed. In some cases it's actually been found to be helpful for women suffering from infertility. That said, I personally have stopped taking it and have found other ways to cope. It's a little weird, but when I'm having trouble sleeping, I listen to ASMR or sleep meditation videos on YouTube. I also don't temp as it adds to my stress and sleep anxiety.
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  • EasterEggsEasterEggs member
    My sister started taking Melatonin (without the advice or approval of a doctor) and her cycles got all messed up. When she talked to her doctor she said that yes, melatonin affects the levels of all the hormones regulating menstruation. As the previous poster said, it appears there are mixed studies, but I would certainly not be taking it if I were you (just to be on the safe side).
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  • Blonde1817Blonde1817 member
    Thanks ladies!  I have officially stopped taking it, just in case.  Maybe my BCP were keeping AF normal when I was taking it before? Or this has nothing to do with it, but better safe than sorry!  

    And I don't think meditation is weird at all, I love it!  And it is definitely helpful, melatonin is just easier, but it was going to have to end sometime anyways.
    Me (28) & DH (29)
    Married: May 2015
    BFP 1/24/16 EDD 10/4/16
    It's a boy!

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  • Katm89Katm89 member
    You should look up Lunaception, it explains how tampering with melatonin can actually manipulate your cycle
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  • bsckgb7bsckgb7 member
    blonde1817 said:
    Thanks ladies!  I have officially stopped taking it, just in case.  Maybe my BCP were keeping AF normal when I was taking it before? Or this has nothing to do with it, but better safe than sorry!  

    And I don't think meditation is weird at all, I love it!  And it is definitely helpful, melatonin is just easier, but it was going to have to end sometime anyways.
    Hormonal BC regulates your cycles.  That's how they work.  They force you into an x day cycle.  It's likely you will NOT have the same cycle from here on out.  Same with your flow, symptoms, everything related could all change.  
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
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  • bmo88bmo88 member
    Interesting. I honestly have no idea. I take melatonin every now and then to help with sleep. One alternative might be to drink chammomile tea or sleepy time tea so you can sleep easier, but not worry about the effects of melatonin.
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  • lickasticklickastick member
    Try "natural calm" magnesium or "natural calm" magnesium with calcium before bed. I stopped taking melatonin while TTC mostly because there is no information out there on it's effects. 
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  • PupatellaPupatella member
    That is so interesting about melatonin!! I used to take it every now and then, but have no clue how it affects cycles as I was on BCP when taking melatonin. For the past year or so I have been using zzzquil a few times a month, and find that super effective.

    I would talk to your doc about what you can take to help you sleep, as everyone is different. My doc told me that Benadryl and Tylenol PM are safe to take while pregnant to help with sleep.

    I also have a sound machine that plays the noise of the ocean waves breaking on the shore. The majority of the time, it puts me out in a few minutes. :) I plan to use Tylenol PM for those times when I am just restless and can't sleep when I become pregnant.

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  • LitlePretyLitlePrety member
    In my experience, melatonin did not effect me or my cycle (I was not on BCP), but everyone is different.  I was taking it every night for several months to be able to fall asleep (I've always had some issues but it was worse after having DD - and no I was not breastfeeding when I was taking it). 
    When I went in for my annual OB appointment earlier this year I asked if it was safe to take while pregnant - since I was relying on it so heavily at that time - and my Dr told me it isn't safe and some studies have shown it's possible the melatonin can cross the placenta and cause reproductive organ defects so once we were TTC to stop taking it (unless I got AF and then I could take it until O).
    However, once I started exercising more consistently and eating better, suddenly I was able to sleep again and haven't had to take it in months.  Imagine that.  So take that for what's it's worth, but back to OP, if you just stopped taking BCP, it's likely that is causing the issue.
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  • sarahmsodasarahmsoda member
    I take melatonin at least 5x a week at night because I have been struggling with sleep lately but my cycle has been VERY irregular lately as well. I never associated my cycle with melatonin at all but it's probably worth stopping it just to see if it is part of the problem. 

    Thanks for posting this question @blonde1817

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  • onefootinthebayouonefootinthebayou member
    I would be very careful taking anything that is not regulated by the FDA (nutritional supplements) or recommended by a physician. I'm typically pretty skeptical of the "studies" published on nutritional products b/c they are often not real, actual scientific studies.

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  • Blonde1817Blonde1817 member
    I ended up getting AF just a couple of days late, but it was the worst period I've ever had!  I definitely think it had to do with being my first real period after stopping BCP, and probably had little to nothing to do with the melatonin.  Regardless, I'm not taking any chances and I've stopped taking the melatonin.  It's kind of a bummer, because it was a natural medicine that worked so effectively for me, but I know that you're not really supposed to take it long term anyways.  I've been using chamomile tea, essential oils, and meditation/relaxation techniques to work on my insomnia as best I can.  Hopefully AF will be better next time, or I'll get lucky and get a BFP!
    Me (28) & DH (29)
    Married: May 2015
    BFP 1/24/16 EDD 10/4/16
    It's a boy!

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