Can I take 800mg of maca root daily with my combined birth control pills without it interfering? - #10375

I am working as a general physician right now at a private hospital in Boduppal, where most of my days are just... packed. I deal with all sorts of cases, sometimes it’s something basic like the flu or a throat infection, other times it’s way more complicated—like someone walks in with arrhythmia or a sudden asthma flare and you’ve got minutes to stabilize things. Honestly, the variety keeps me on my toes, but also grounded in the basics of internal medicine which I actually enjoy more than I thought I would. My focus areas include a broad set of conditions—infectious and viral illnesses like dengue, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and yeah the usual seasonal stuff. Respiratory disorders like asthma and COPD show up pretty regularly too. Then you have the cardiac issues—hypertension’s basically an everyday topic, but ischemic heart disease and palpitations or arrhythmic episodes? They make you think harder. Endocrine conditions are another big chunk of what I manage—especially diabetes, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, all that. I really try to go deep here, not just treat symptoms but look at the whole picture, like how lifestyle or stress fits in. The same goes for digestive complaints—whether it’s IBS, gastritis, or pancreatitis—patients usually come with a mix of stress, poor diet, and late diagnosis. You gotta dig through all of that. And don’t even get me started on musculoskeletal stuff. Chronic back pain, joint swelling, random knee aches? Almost everyone deals with them, and they’re super underestimated in terms of how badly they can affect daily life. I also keep an eye on neurological patterns—headaches, migraines, even fatigue and insomnia that don’t always get enough attention. These things stack up and affect how ppl feel day to day, right? Anyway, I try to keep my approach simple but thoughtful—first get the right diagnosis, explain it in a way that doesn’t confuse the patient, and then make a plan they can actually follow through on. For me, it’s about consistency, trust, and making sure the patient walks out feeling like they’re in charge of their own health again.

I am Dr. Brijesh and yeah—been practicing for over 15 years now in internal medicine. Did my MD, and honestly, during this time I’ve kind of rotated through everything you can think of—OPD, ICU, ER, wards. Each of these places taught me different things, not just clinically but in terms of handling real people in real pain. I don’t rush my consults... maybe that’s why people feel a bit more heard when they walk out, not just “treated”. My clinical focus now is more tuned into chronic and age-related stuff—like diabetes care, geriatric medicine and also palliative subjects (which ppl often ignore but honestly they matter a lot). Diabetes is tricky cause no two cases are really the same, and it’s not always about medicines. There’s lifestyle stuff, follow-up, talking people through what’s working and what’s clearly not. I like to go deep with that. I also care about end-of-life comfort... sometimes managing pain and letting someone go with dignity needs more courage than people realise. I don’t avoid those tough convos when needed. Anyway, nothing too flashy here. Just try to give honest, patient-centered care. I listen, ask a lot of qstns (maybe too many sometimes lol), and I actually do take time understanding where someone’s coming from, not just where the disease is at. Patients aren’t just a symptom checklist for me. They’ve got fears, stories, their own pace. I work at theirs, not mine.

I am Dr. Sabreen Tufail and ya I work as a Unani physician, general practice mostly... 4+ years now, kind of learnt a lot from real people, real issues, not just books. My core focus is women’s health, like PCOS, hormonal imbalances, and things that mess with routine life but no one talks about enough. I also help with weight-related problems — not just weight loss for the sake of it, but helping someone feel normal in their body again, if that makes sense?? I did my PG diploma in Cosmetology (PGDCC) and another one in Obesity Management (PGDOM), both gave me deeper insight into skin hair and metabolic health which... actually links back a lot to what women go through during their cycles, stress phases or postpartum. My approach is not quick fixes. I try to understand lifestyle patterns, diet mistakes, emotional links too (they do exist btw) and then suggest remedies that fit naturally with their daily life. Mostly herbal and Unani-based, with dietary planning. Like no crash things or “one size fits all” kinda plan... doesn’t work really. I also deal with skin and hair concerns — dullness, acne, hair fall, pigmentation and that. Some people just need to hear someone say “it's normal, we can manage it step by step”, and I try to be that person for them. My work with cosmetic guidance is honestly more about building confidence than about just appearance. And yeah, I don’t offer miracle fixes, just thoughtful, evidence-based help that respects the person’s body and what it’s been thru. Sometimes it’s small changes that makes all the diff.

I am an ENT specialist with MS in Otorhinolaryngology, and yeah that basically means I deal with all sorts of ear, nose, throat stuff—sometimes minor, sometimes really tricky. My journey in this field started way back during med school, but it really took shape when I started digging deeper into the surgical side of ENT. I got drawn to the way tiny structures in the head-neck region can cause big problems... and fixing those? Kinda became my thing. I usually manage everything from chronic sinus issues, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, ear infections, hearing loss cases to things like vocal cord nodules and thyroid swellings. There’s a lot people don’t realise about ENT, like how vertigo can be tied to the inner ear or how simple allergies can wreck someone’s sleep—makes you look at the body as this connected mess of systems that need tuning more than fixing. Surgery’s part of what I do, not all of it. I do a fair bit of outpatient diagnosis too... endoscopic exams, audiometry interpretation, allergy management—sometimes it’s not about rushing to the OR but figuring out what the patient actually needs. And yeah sometimes that takes time, and explaining things over again bcoz ENT symptoms can get confusing for people. One thing I’m big on is clarity. I try and make sure patients leave the consult with less fear, more understanding—even if they’re not sure yet about treatment. I mean you don’t wanna leave someone feeling worse just cause they didn’t get the jargon right? That bugs me. Right now I’m also keeping up with the newer tech in ENT—minimal invasive techniques, better imaging, laser interventions... It’s a fast field if you're looking. I don’t claim to know it all, but I do make sure I keep learning, whether it’s by reading up late or bugging seniors when something doesn’t sit right. Anyway if you’re dealing with ENT stuff—frequent cold, blocked nose, ear ringing, tonsils, snoring, whatever—you don’t have to “wait and watch” forever. Sometimes you just need the right person to hear you out, literally.

I am Dr. Sail Patil (MBBS) and yeah, the path's been kind of layered so far. I worked with the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals for about a year – honestly, that place throws you right into the middle of real-world medicine, not textbook stuff. It taught me a lot about clinical judgement, fast decision-making, patient overload and yep, what it means to hold your ground when you don’t have much time to think. After that, I joined under NHM with KDMC where I managed the OPD, and that setup was totally different but equally challenging in its own way. Most of my work there revolved around outpatient diagnosis and primary care treatment, esp for non-communicable chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. And lemme say — managing chronic lifestyle disorders ain’t as simple as it looks. People come in with confusing symptoms, half-treated from somewhere else, and every now n then I had to kinda break the cycle. Like stop the repeating meds and start fresh with proper plans. At KDMC, I was actively involved in changing the course of treatment where needed – not everyone with high sugar needs the same pills, right? You gotta adjust according to their diet, lifestyle, comorbidities, or even just what they *can* afford. It taught me to be patient, listen properly n not just treat numbers on paper. Some cases were trickier than they looked at first glance. I didn’t chase big titles or post-grad stuff yet – maybe in future, I’m not sure – but what I did get was loads of exposure to ground-level real practice, and that I feel really shaped how I approach patients today. Maybe my grammar slips here or there when I’m typing all this (you’ll see missing comma or two) but when I’m with a patient, I’m fully present. I believe that’s what matters more.

I am Dr. Hiteshwar Singh Kalsi, MBBS and MD in Dermatology, practicing in Noida. It’s been around 6 years now in total, with the last 4 years more focused into direct clinical experience—working hands-on with real people, real cases, and yeah, real challenges too. My day mostly revolves around treating skin, hair, and nail-related conditions, but honestly, no two cases feel the same. There’s always some new pattern, or some unexpected twist and that’s what kinda keeps me always alert, always learning. My work is not just about writing prescriptions or suggesting skin creams (though that’s part of it too). I like going deeper, getting to the root of chronic issues—whether it’s persistent acne, sudden hairfall, weird rashes that won’t settle, or even fungal nail infections that ppl usually ignore until it gets too messy. I spend a good amount of time listening to patients (maybe more than what is expected sometimes), coz that’s usually where most clues are hiding anyway. Cosmetic dermatology? Yeah, I handle that too. I perform procedures like chemical peels, intralesional therapies, and basic anti-aging regimens but I always try keeping the results natural-looking. I’m not really into over-promising stuff... like “this will go in 3 days” or “you’ll look 10 years younger.” That feels weird to me. I just believe in honest consults, clarity about treatment expectations, and sticking to what science says works. At the clinic, I’ve seen cases ranging from simple sunburns to tricky autoimmune stuff like lichen planus or alopecia areata. Even cases that came in with totally wrong diagnosis and needed re-evaluation. Some of these turn out more complicated than they look at first, and that’s where clinical experience honestly helps, coz textbooks don’t cover everything. I work hard to stay updated—read research, join webinars, whatever I can squeeze in between opd shifts. But end of the day, it's about trust. If my patient walks out feeling heard and gets better slowly but steadily, I’m good with that.

I am working as RMO right now in two hospitals—Asian Medical Hospital and ESIC Bihta—and honestly juggling both has given me some solid ground exp that classroom stuff can’t quite match. At Asian, I mostly deal with emergency cases, ward duties, and pre-round patient prep, which means long hours but also quick learning... like real quick. You gotta be on your toes every second, things change before you even finish writing the notes. At ESIC Bihta, it’s a bit different. Lot more focus on government protocols, structured timelines, documentation—plus you get to handle cases involving insured workers n their fams, which bring in a whole different set of clinical and social contexts. I feel I’ve started to understand how socioeconomic factors can change treatment expectations n outcomes... and sometimes even compliance. Most of the time I’m involved with patient monitoring, vital tracking, medication administration, IV line setups, assisting in minor procedures or sometimes stabilizing critical cases until senior consulatant arrives. Nothing too flashy, but each shift is like a puzzle—sometimes you get the easy pieces, sometimes you’re handed chaos wrapped in vitals dropping fast. I do care a lot about keeping patients informed too. I mean they’re scared, confused, tired—most don't really get what’s happening and it helps if someone actually explains stuff in a way they can follow. That’s something I try to do daily, even if in rush. I’m still learning tons, and I know I’ve a long way to go. But each week adds up—each patient, each call at 3AM, each line that won’t cannulate—all that slowly makes you better at handling things. Not perfect by any means, but def more grounded and ready than when I started.

With over 18 years of clinical experience, I’ve dedicated my practice to the care and management of outdoor ophthalmic patients across varied settings. I have done my Diploma in Ophthalmology from the National Board of Examinations (NBE), and since then, I’ve focused on providing accessible, empathetic, and evidence-based eye treatments. I deal with a wide spectrum of eye conditions—ranging from routine vision complaints to more complex concerns like infections, trauma-related injuries, and chronic conditions affecting ocular health. Whether it's diagnosing early signs of cataract or managing long-term visual issues, my approach always begins with listening carefully to each patient. No two eyes are the same—and neither are the people behind them. I’ve worked extensively in outpatient settings, where timely diagnosis and clear patient communication are absolutely key. I try my best to keep things simple for the patient—eye care shouldn't feel like a maze of medical terms and rushed appointments. Instead, I focus on making every consultation practical, collaborative, and comfortable. I still attend occasional clinical meets or training modules to refine my practice wherever needed. I may not always have fancy words, but I know how to take care of the eyes that walk into my clinic. That’s what matters most to me.

I am Dr Dikshita, MD and DNB in Dermatology, practicing currently in Chandigarh... and kinda juggling between clinical work, consults and catching up on journals that keep piling up (they never end, really). My focus is skin, hair & nail disorders—right from acne that just won't budge to complex dermatoses like psoriasis or vitiligo. I also deal with fungal, bacterial, viral skin infections, pigmentary issues, and allergic skin reactions that sometimes are hard to pin down at first. Besides that, I’m regularly doing procedural dermatology too—stuff like chemical peels, PRP for hair, electrocautery, mole removals, intralesional injections etc. Sometimes it gets hectic, but I like that part. Cosmetology's also been a growing area I’m working in—basic Botox, fillers, skin rejuvenation and laser treatments, esp. for scars and pigmentation, are part of what patients come to me for these days... it's more popular now than it used to be 4–5 yrs back. MD gave me a strong academic base, but I think real understanding came from observing day-to-day patient patterns and responses to treatment—textbook cases hardly exist in real life, right. And being in Chandigarh means I meet a good mix of cases from urban & semi-urban areas, each with diffrent challenges, especially when it comes to long-standing issues like eczema or hair loss, where patience is like.. half the battle. I do try to keep things honest with my patients, no overpromising results, but also no sugarcoating. I think that balance matters a lot. It’s a privilege to be in a field where people trust you with something as personal as their skin—it’s not just cosmetic, it often affects their whole confidence. I remind myself of that everytime I sit down for a consult... even if I’m 5 mins late or didn’t have time for chai that day.

I am a general physician who’s kinda obsessed with getting to the bottom of what’s really going on with ppl’s health—not just fixing surface level stuff and calling it a day. My work covers a wide mix, from those quick fever+bodyache days to more tricky, long-term stuff like diabetes, BP, asthma, cholesterol, stomach issues, and the kind of things that just linger unless you dig in deeper. Most of the time ppl don’t show up for one problem, right? It’s usually 3 or 4 things tangled together—and that’s where I feel my work actually kicks in. I don’t just hand over pills. I ask what’s been happening for months, how their sleep’s been, their eating, stress, all that stuff that textbooks don’t always cover well. Even simple coughs or gut probs can mean something bigger when you listen properly. I treat everyone—kids, elders, young adults juggling hectic work lives. My approach always leans toward preventive care first. I like to catch stuff before it becomes a problem... or atleast before it messes up life too much. That’s why I push for regular screenings, lifestyle tweaking, and keeping an eye on patterns ppl might miss on their own. Clinical training helped for sure, but what made me better honestly is years of real-world practice. I’ve seen how small changes—diet, sleep, just talking things out—can totally shift how a patient feels even without changing their meds. I always make room for that. Treatment isn’t just prescriptions; it’s convos, clarity, and walking along with patients instead of ahead. Also, I like being that first contact person. The one patients call when they're confused or worried but not sure who to ask. That trust matters more than any “title”. I want to be useful in those early stages where decisions can shape their whole journey. Being present then... that’s what sticks with people, I think. Anyway, it’s not about flashy procedures for me. It’s more about doing the daily basics right—reliable diagnosis, steady follow-ups, and a human approach to healing. That’s where I try to keep showing up.

I am working as a General Practitioner at IQRA Hospital in Bhuj, where I kinda handle a lot of day-to-day cases but my main focus stays on long-term stuff like diabetes, thyroid issues, heart probs and hypertension. These things affect folks more than they realize honestly, and managing them early can really change someone’s life. I don’t just write prescriptions and move on—most times I’m trying to explain everything, like what’s goin on with their body and what small steps might actually help without overwhelming them. When I treat patients with blood pressure concerns, I always look beyond the numbers. I mean, medications are there of course, but lifestyle, sleep, salt intake—all that matters too, right? Same with diabetics—I try to make the plan something they’ll actually follow and not just nod through. We talk food, movement, stress, sugar checks... even how their day starts can impact sugar levels sometimes. Thyroid conditions can be sneaky. Like, they show up as fatigue or mood changes and people don’t always connect the dots. I use reliable tests n make sure we catch it early if possible. I keep up with recent guidelines n diagnostics, not because it's flashy but cause that stuff actually helps my patients get better results faster. Heart conditions—those really hit home for many. I do believe in taking a proactive approach before anything severe happens. Meds help, sure, but daily habits do more than folks think. I walk them through risk factors and preventive stuff—monitoring, diet fixes, even small things like regular walking or quitting smoking—it adds up. I like to think of myself not just as a doctor, but kinda like a health coach too sometimes. Building trust matters—when someone knows they can ask freely without feeling dumb or rushed, they’re more likely to stick with treatment. My patients often say they feel heard, which honestly means everything to me. Even now, I try to keep learning... going thru research papers, updated clinical trials, that sort of thing. Not to show off, but to make sure I’m doing my part right. I’m always aiming for that balance: care that’s rooted in science but delivered with a bit of heart. Maybe not perfect, but it’s real.