Q: One month, I took folic acid, but found that my period, which was always on time, was late. Is it because of taking folic acid?
A: No, folic acid does not change the menstrual cycle. There may be other reasons for changing the timing of your period that you may have overlooked.
● Folic acid and It will not change menstrual regularity
In fact, folic acid is a metabolic substance, not a hormone, and will not change the inherent menstrual regularity. Other reasons, such as stress and anxiety, always thinking about getting pregnant, or happening to have high work pressure, or endocrine disorders, etc., can cause changes in the menstrual cycle. Don’t just focus on folic acid and blame folic acid for irregular menstruation.
● Start taking folic acid supplements 3 months before pregnancy
The first 2 months of pregnancy are the rapid development stage of the fetus’s important organs. When the pregnant mother realizes that she is pregnant, The most important period of development of a little life may have been missed. Therefore, women should start supplementing with folic acid at least 3 months in advance, which can effectively prevent fetal neural tube malformations and other birth defects. Generally speaking, you should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and stop taking it until you are 3 months pregnant.
● Eat more foods rich in folic acid
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● Overdose of folic acid is dangerous
Folic acid plays a very important role in pregnancy, but taking too much folic acid can cause many harms. Mainly in the following aspects: ① It will cover up the early manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency and cause damage to the nervous system. ② It may affect the absorption of zinc, lead to zinc deficiency, and affect the development of the fetus.Slow and low birth weight infants are born more frequently. ③ It will interfere with the effect of anticonvulsant drugs and induce convulsions.
● Men preparing for pregnancy should also supplement folic acid
Folic acid supplementation can reduce the proportion of sperm with chromosomal abnormalities. 4% of the sperm of a healthy man have chromosomal abnormalities, and sperm chromosomal abnormalities may lead to infertility, miscarriage, and congenital birth defects in babies. Studies have shown that men who consume sufficient folic acid every day have a significantly lower proportion of sperm with chromosomal abnormalities than men with low folic acid intake. The sperm formation cycle lasts for 3 months, so men who are preparing for pregnancy should also pay attention to nutritional supplements 3 months in advance. They can supplement 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
● Do not use “folic acid tablets” instead of “Slilian”
Folic acid supplements contain only 0.4 mg of folic acid per tablet. They are the only preventive drugs approved by the state, which we usually refer to as folic acid supplements. Said \”Slian\”. There is a \”folic acid tablet\” on the market for treating anemia. Each tablet contains 5 mg of folic acid, which is equivalent to 12.5 times that of \”Slilian\” tablets. Women should avoid taking large doses of folic acid tablets when preparing for pregnancy and early pregnancy. They should follow the guidance of their doctors and avoid buying or taking drugs indiscriminately.
Sourced from \”Encyclopedia of Pregnancy and Confinement Confined by the Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology\”, edited by Chen Qian, published by China Textile Publishing House in August 2016