Menopause, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the transition of a woman's body into the end of the childbearing years. Due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during this transition, harmless but uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats may occur. Treatment options for these symptoms can include prescription hormone replacement, however, some of these medications also have unwanted side effects. Natural approaches to treating symptoms of menopause include herbs such as saw palmetto. Check with your doctor before using any herbal supplement.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is a plant frequently used in Native American medicine. In addition, this plant is used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in older men. Research however, is mixed in support of this use, but the plant may play a role in the regulation of testosterone in the body. In addition, the Mayo Clinic adds that saw palmetto is used to loosen mucous secretions and as an antiseptic.
Menopause
During a woman's transition into menopause, which is official when a full year has past since the last menstrual period, several symptoms generally occur. According to the Mayo Clinic, these can include a shifting of fat from the thighs to the abdomen, thinning of the hair and loss of fat from the breasts. These changes result from hormonal shifting that signifies the end of the childbearing years. Additionally, menopause can be caused by surgical removal, radiological destruction of the ovaries, or illnesses such as ovarian insufficiency.
Saw Palmetto for Menopause Symptoms
Because many of the symptoms of menopause are caused by hormonal fluctuations, saw palmetto may help restore balance. According to the Mayo Clinic, saw palmetto may act like an estrogen in your body. Additionally, saw palmetto, they add, may also impair the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is the form that can elicit side effects such as male-pattern fat storage and hair loss. Additionally, Holistic Online explains that saw palmetto may be useful in treating urinary incontinence that can occur during and after menopause due to weakening of the muscles of the genitourinary system.
Considerations
Saw palmetto is considered relatively safe to use, however it can cause side effects such as an upset stomach or headache, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This herb may also impair the absorption of the mineral iron, which can lead to other health problems, such as anemia. If you are considering the use of saw palmetto, speak with your doctor first. Despite the fact that it is a "natural" substance, it can interact with medications or medical conditions that you may already have.
References
- Medline Plus: Saw Palmetto
- Mayo Clinic; Menopause; Definition
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Saw Palmetto
- Mayo Clinic: Saw Palmetto
- "BMJ"; Contribution of Dihydrotestosterone to Male Sexual Behaviour.; Christos S Mantzoros, et al.; 1995
- Holistic Online: Herbal Medicine, Most Useful Herbs for Menopause...
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