Menopause can present a host of symptoms and health challenges that motivate women to seek relief via diet, supplementation and lifestyle modifications. The supplement most often used to increase progesterone levels is wild yam. This plant contains a natural hormone-like substance that has been known to help alleviate some menopausal symptoms. As with any supplement, wild yam causes side effects in some women and its hormone-like effects may influence cancer risk. Consult your doctor before using wild yam or other natural progesterone supplements.
Safe and Effective
Natural progesterone is a safe alternative to synthetic progesterone and does not cause mood swings and other serious effects associated with synthetic progesterone, according to Larry Trivieri, editor of the book "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide." Natural progesterone also helps preserve bone mass. It is generally taken in the form of a topical cream. Doses of 1/4 tsp. of 3 percent cream per day are typical. Consult your doctor for guidance in the proper use of natural progesterone cream.
Various Effects
Safety testing of wild yam extract showed it to cause breathing difficulties at doses of 2 g per kg body weight, in a laboratory animal study published in the 2004 issue of the "International Journal of Toxicology." In a seven-day and 28-day topical application test, 10 percent wild yam cream was safe, with no toxic effects, though an undiluted extract caused skin irritation. No cancer-causing compounds were identified, though researchers note that the possibility of contamination with pesticide residue may present a cancer risk in some wild yam preparations. Results of the experiment indicated that wild yam is safe in amounts used in cosmetic products.
Adrenal Damage
Diosgenin, the active ingredient in wild yam, may cause adrenal damage, according to a study published in the 2003 issue of the journal "Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation." In the laboratory animal study, 45 days of supplementation with diosgenin in post-menopausal animals caused significant decreases in both the outer area of the adrenal glands, which produce the hormone cortisol and the inner area, where the hormone adrenaline is produced. Reduced adrenal size may pose a health hazard and potential endocrine imbalance, according to the researchers. Further research to confirm these preliminary results in humans is warranted.
Toxicity
Toxic effects of natural progesterone derived from wild yam, Dioscorea villosa, were demonstrated in a study published in the September 2008 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology." In the laboratory animal study, supplementation with 0.79 g per kg body weight of wild yam extract for 28 days resulted in kidney scar formation. Increased levels of the protein collagen along with tissue-destroying and pro-inflammatory compounds were observed. Liver inflammation was also noted. Researchers concluded that long-term supplementation with wild yam may lead to kidney and liver damage and should be avoided if you have a kidney disorder or take drugs that cause stress on your kidneys.
Breast Cancer
Wild yam exerts mild phytoestrogenic effects that may protect against breast cancer, according to a study published in the 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine." In the tissue culture study of human breast cancer cells, wild yam extract inhibited growth of breast cancer cells. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary studies in humans.
References
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Induces Chronic Kidney Injury Via Pro-fibrotic Pathways; K. Wojcikowski, et al.; September 2008
- "International Journal of Toxicology"; Final Report of the Amended Safety Assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract; [No Authors Listed]; 2004
- "Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation"; The Effects of Sustained Delivery of Diosgenin on the Adrenal Gland of Female Rats; H. Benghuzzi, et al.; 2003
- "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide"; Larry Trivieri, et al.; 2002
