when do you take evening primrose oil?

[Marasme]

I have started reading about Evening Primrose Oil, and was planning to take it to alleviate PMS and help with crappy skin.

I cannot find a consensus of when to take it, how much etc. Some blogs advise on it only from first day of period to ovulation, others every day twice a day, others warn against its use, others advise combination with fish oils?

I’ve been taking EPO for a year for breast pain.

It has made no difference to my skin or PMT. It has helped with breast pain though.

I’ve never given any thought to when I should take it. I just have one first thing in the morning with my other medication. I also take starflower oil at the same time for the same reason.

Interestingly I switched to the cheapo Aldi EPO for a while and the breast pain returned.

Oh and I take it every single day.

interesting swimming - I understand that there is evidence re breast pains. Mine is not that pronounced (a bit achey before preiods), so not sure if it justified the hassle of taking sthg every day.

I despair at all the info out there!

Ive had problem skin from age 17 onwards, and EPO is the only thing I've found that works. Clears it right up. When I've stopped taking it my skin has got worse again. (As a bonus it also helps with PMS symptoms, but this is not the reason I take it).

It takes awhile to work - about 3 months to see the full effects, but I find my skin starts looking better a month in. I take between 1000-2000 mg daily. Every few weeks I'll skip a whole week of doses. I have been advised to do this with all long-term supplements as it gives your body a break.

Whenever I see healthcare professionals I always mention that I take EPO and how much, and none have shown any concern. Consensus seems to be that it's fairly benign as supplements go, and I've not encountered any side effects.

Like Swimming, I have tried other brands from my usual one and found it not as effective, so not all EPO is created equal.

thanks Rain - so, daily, twice a day?
which brand do you use?

I take Waitrose own brand 1000mg daily, though have been forgetting too often lately as it was in the cupboard over Christmas! I've moved it back to the worktop now to prevent forgettting.

I take as I am trying to improve my PMT and think it has eased a bit, I haven't had a really bad 'rage' since I started about 8 months ago.

I do get tender breasts pre period and that definitely has not gone away, it is my main symptom that my period is on its way whereas it used to be tears of rage.

thanks - anyone also using fish oils?
"Chewbaca" - those rages are lovely, aren't they? mine have improved a little bit recently, but I think it's mostly because of the holidays and less stress....