What happens if a girl takes saw palmetto

Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Originally discovered and sought after by the Native Americans of the Seminole tribe, saw palmetto has been used to treat a myriad of issues for generations. It is popularly used as a form of alternative medicine for urinary and reproductive issues, but it is also believed to influence hormone levels in both men and women.

Many popular hair growth supplements and products contain saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is a shrub-sized member of the palm family that originated in the southeast United States. When people reference saw palmetto as a supplement, they are typically referring to the powder that is made from its berries. The powder from saw palmetto is often found in capsule and liquid form, as well as in many teas and products designed to help with hair loss.

We turned to board certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, and certified trichologist Gretchen Friese for their takes on using saw palmetto to treat hair loss. Meet the Expert. Testosterone levels are a leading contributor to hair loss in both men and women. Specifically, testosterone can be broken down into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which has been linked to hair loss.

It is believed that saw palmetto may prevent block the absorption of DHT, thereby reducing hair loss. Is saw palmetto the answer to your thinning hair? Saw Palmetto For Hair. Main benefits: Prevents hair loss , promotes hair growth, and reduces inflammation. Who should use it: In general, anyone experiencing thinning hair. Saw palmetto can provide benefits across all hair types, as it promotes scalp health.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay away from saw palmetto. How often can you use it: If taking an oral supplement, consult your doctor for appropriate dosing information. The standard dose is mg taken with food to avoid digestive discomfort. If applying topically, it can be used twice weekly as a part of your haircare routine.

Consult your doctor before beginning any new supplements. The main motivator for many who seek out saw palmetto is hair loss. Friese explains that saw palmetto affects the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

This is the enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT, the hormone responsible for male and female pattern hair loss.

Zeichner agrees, adding "saw palmetto is a botanical extract that has been shown to block the effect of androgen hormones. We know that high levels of these hormones are associated with hair thinning, so blocking them may theoretically improve hair growth.

It's important to note that most studies on saw palmetto have been focused on its effects on men. More large-scale research is needed on humans to conclusively understand the impact on women. Women who are nursing or pregnant should not take saw palmetto. Saw Palmetto can be used across all different hair types and textures. Its benefits will be most appreciated by those experiencing hair loss or thinning, as it is primarily used to prevent hair loss.

Friese concurs, adding that any hair type and texture can benefit from improved scalp health. It is important to consult a doctor if you are experiencing hair loss, as it can be caused by a number of hormonal imbalances and health concerns. It is part of the male reproductive system. An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra, which is the long tube inside the penis that is responsible for draining urine from the bladder.

BPH can be uncomfortable, as it makes it harder to urinate even when the need is urgent. It can also make it difficult to empty the bladder completely and can cause leaking after urination.

Several small studies investigating saw palmetto as a treatment for the symptoms of BPH have shown modest results. For example, at least one study has suggested that saw palmetto is beneficial in combination with other natural therapies to treat these symptoms.

A double-blind, randomized study from divided men into two groups. One group took up to three times the standard daily dose of saw palmetto, while the other group took a placebo. The results showed that saw palmetto was no more effective than the placebo in reducing the lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH. In addition, a Cochrane review of 32 randomized controlled studies showed that taking a double or triple dose of saw palmetto did not lead to an improvement in prostate size or urinary symptoms in males with BPH.

A randomized study of males looked at the effectiveness of using a combination of saw palmetto, lycopene, selenium , and tamsulosin to treat symptoms of BPH. The combination therapy was more effective than the single treatments and did not appear to cause any adverse events. Having low testosterone levels reduces sex drive, or libido.

Some people believe that saw palmetto can help improve libido by reducing testosterone breakdown, and there is some evidence to support this. A study in the journal Urologia Internationalis found that males using saw palmetto experienced improved sexual function.

In the study, which involved males with enlarged prostate glands, the researchers monitored the following over a 2-year period:. They found that using saw palmetto improved prostate symptoms and sexual function after 2 years. This improvement was significant, especially in the first year. The ACS also estimates that there will be around 34, deaths from prostate cancer in Research has suggested that DHT may contribute to the development of prostate cancer.

Therefore, it is possible that saw palmetto might help prevent this condition by slowing down the conversion of DHT. Prescription medications can also slow down this conversion, but they often have severe side effects. Saw palmetto may inhibit DHT without causing serious side effects.

However, there is no strong research to support the claim that saw palmetto can prevent prostate cancer. Some couples who are unable to conceive have tried taking saw palmetto to improve the likelihood of conception.

The common belief is that saw palmetto increases sperm count in males and promotes healthier eggs in females. It is normal for hair to fall out and grow back. However, having high levels of DHT can reduce hair growth. As a result, some people believe that using saw palmetto may help prevent hair loss. The research into saw palmetto and hair growth is varied yet somewhat limited, but there are studies indicating that the plant extract might show some promise as a treatment.

One study in mouse models found that saw palmetto promoted hair regeneration and repaired hair loss by activating the signaling pathways responsible for hair growth. The study showed an A second small study of 50 males confirmed the effectiveness of topical saw palmetto for treating male baldness.

Hair count increased at weeks 12 and 24 compared with the baseline. First, the studies were performed on an exclusively male audience—an understandable flaw, given that male hair loss is more common than female hair loss. On the whole, studies of saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment show that it may work, albeit with less of an effect than pharmaceutical hair loss treatments such as minoxidil. By no means is saw palmetto a cure, but it certainly has some effects on hair loss caused by DHT.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice.

Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. Popular Treatments.

Top Conditions Hair Care. Explore Savoir Vivre It's our blog. However, most female hair loss is caused by hormones—namely, androgenic hormones.