Effects of Saw Palmetto on Women

Saw Palmetto has not been widely used for women; also, there has not been recorded studies of the product being tested on some of women’s hormonal-related problems such as hirsutism, a condition of having too much hair (in the wrong places) thought to be caused by excessive androgenic levels such as testosterone. The same goes with the bust-enlarging effects of Saw Palmetto on women; there’s no scientific proof that it does work as a bust-builder product. The promotion of beneficial effects of Saw Palmetto on women for both hirsutism and bust enhancement is merely based on assumptions and theories of the product.

The troubling disorder of hirsutism in women and the hypothetical effects of Saw Palmetto on women with this condition can be traced to what causes hirsutism as well as what Saw Palmetto has been proven to treat. Hirsutism’s main androgen is testosterone; in men, having a lot of testosterone is normal, but it should not be as much in women. In both women and men, testosterone is transformed into stronger hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The hormone found in the skin that rouses hirsutism is DHT; therefore, the assumption that reducing DHT will enable the reduction of hirsutism as well.

So where does Saw Palmetto come in?

Well, Saw Palmetto have had successful scientific studies that it works well with symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH through inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT which is one of the main causes for prostate gland enlargement (BPH); thus, since Saw Palmetto is a “DHT inhibitor”, it has been “assumed” to work well with hirsutism as well. These assumed effects of Saw Palmetto on women with hirsutism have not been confirmed nor have there been documented studies to back up the claims.

In the case of bust enhancement effects of Saw Palmetto on women; these are simply based on companies who have created the product for that purpose; but again, no proper scientific investigation or research have been done to support the “said effects”. Whether there be a real effect on women’s breast, particularly enlarging it, it would still be safer with further professional tests before the product is recommended for that use. Like any other product taken as a medication or supplement, side effects may be present and the greater risk of it without proper product investigation and administration.

Without comprehensive scientific investigations, especially because Saw Palmetto is not broadly recommended for women, the effects of Saw Palmetto on women will remain unclear; and caution in taking the product, particularly those done on mere self-diagnosis, should be carefully considered. It is always best to seek a professional health provider’s advice.

Effects of Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is widely accepted in Europe for treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – an enlargement of the prostate. About half of men above 50 years are affected with BPH. BPH is hormonally driven and results from a rise in the compound dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and a drop in testosterone level. Studies found the effects of saw palmetto are the inhibition of the actions of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that signals the male hormone to convert into DHT.

First uses of saw palmetto

The first people to use saw palmetto were the Native Americans who used saw palmetto berries as staple during the winter months. During this period of taking saw palmetto, older men felt an improvement in the frequency of nighttime urination. The effects of saw palmetto are mostly associated with the bladder and urinary tract while the natives used the extracts for the treatment of nocturia, enuresis, impotence, infertility, atrophy of the testes, inflammation of the prostate, reduced sexual functions, pelvic cramps, and problems in lactation.

Today, the effects of saw palmetto are not only confined to health. Its growing demand consequently is making a $50 million dollar business out of exporting 2,000 tons of saw palmetto annually to Europe where it's most popular.

Berry healthy claims

Saw palmetto is regarded as a potent herb that helps promote a healthy prostate especially in older men. In some clinical trials, the effects of saw palmetto extract seemingly did not interfere with the release of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – an indication of prostate cancer.

Some clinical trials produced contrasting results on the effects of saw palmetto. A three-year trial in Germany (data not available for the number of participants) reported an improvement in urination of 73% of patients. Contrastingly in a 2006 study, 225 men with moderate to severe BPH took 160mg saw palmetto extract twice daily for one year but reported no significant difference in their condition. This study was co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The effects of saw palmetto on BPH lie mainly in treating and the remission of its symptoms. Studies have not produced conclusive evidences showing saw palmetto extract can aggressively shrink the size of an enlarged prostate. Moreover, the public is warned that saw palmetto remains unregulated by the FDA despite the clamor of its efficacy. It's best to seek advice from a professional health practitioner before taking any herbal supplements.