Can Saw Palmetto Prevent Hair Loss in Women?

posted in: Hair Loss in Women | 0
saw palmetto hair loss women

What is saw palmetto, and can it really prevent hair loss? 

If you are experiencing thinning hair, then you have probably heard of the North American plant extract, saw palmetto. It is claimed, by a host of trichologists and industry experts, that saw palmetto can block the formation of DHT (the cause of hair loss), thus prevent hair loss.

Let us take a closer look at what saw palmetto is, and how it can benefit the hair.

What is saw palmetto? 

Saw palmetto is a small palm with fan-shaped leaves that have sharply toothed stalks, native to the North American continent. Saw palmetto’s ripe fruit is used to make medicine, but this plant is best known for its use in decreasing symptoms of an enlarged prostate in men. Saw palmetto is used for treating certain types of prostate infections, and it is also sometimes used, in combination with other herbs, to treat prostate cancer.

An extract of saw palmetto berries may block 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. DHT is the molecule responsible for hair loss and also is involved in the enlargement of the prostate.  

Can saw palmetto treat hair loss? 

Although its main purpose is a treatment for prostate health, various studies have shown that men and women experienced considerably less hair fall during a trial period of using saw palmetto, either in supplement or topical liquid form. Much like the development of minoxidil as a hair growth treatment, saw palmetto was also discovered to help stump hair loss, by total accident.

Research on saw palmetto’s connection to hair loss is limited, but promising. Unfortunately, there are not enough official studies to show saw palmetto’s exact effects for treating baldness, but, from the studies done to date, saw palmetto appears to be an effective remedy for hair loss prevention.

Saw Palmetto is used in many of the leading hair loss treatments on the market, with plenty of positive feedback from male and female hair loss sufferers. For men, saw palmetto is seen as a safe alternative to medical prescription drugs, like finasteride. For women, saw palmetto is seen as a potent antiandrogen, that’s generally considered to be safe and effective for reducing hair fall.

Is saw palmetto effective for women?

Various studies show that saw palmetto is an effective treatment for common hair loss conditions in women, such as female pattern baldness, and excessive shedding triggered by post-pregnancy, menopause, stress, and seasonal shedding phases. Although a more popular treatment for hair loss in men, saw palmetto can also benefit women’s hair.

As a potent antiandrogen, saw palmetto can play a key role in stumping the rate of hair fall, reducing the thinning of strands, and stimulating the healthy function of fuller hair growth.

What else does saw palmetto benefit?

Aside from treating hair loss, saw palmetto can regulate the function of many organs, including the reproductive tract, bone, kidneys, liver and muscle. Saw palmetto is promoted as a dietary supplement for urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), as well as for chronic pelvic pain, migraine, and various other conditions. 

Does saw palmetto have any negative side-effects? 

Saw palmetto is generally regarded as safe, for men and women, and is available to purchase over-the-counter. Saw palmetto is not a medical treatment, therefore its side-effects are minimal, and not harmful, however, as a precautionary measure, women should not take saw palmetto if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In rare instances, mild side-effects can include stomach discomfort and slight headaches, but they are not long-lasting. Many users make the common mistake of taking too much per day. A safe and effective daily dosage of saw palmetto would be around 200mg-300mg.

How to take/use saw palmetto? 

Supplement comes in two main forms; supplement (tablet or capsule), and topical liquid (serum or within a shampoo). The supplement is considered to be the most effective form of saw palmetto.

The typical cost of a tub of saw palmetto supplement is around £12-£20. For men, any daily dosage up to 500mg is fine, but women should use with more caution, and therefore not exceed the daily dose of 250mg.

Many users will find it even more beneficial to take saw palmetto with other vitamins such as biotin, in order to help promote hair growth. Multivitamin hair health supplements like HR23+ and Viviscal are excellent options to consider, as they implement saw palmetto with a range of ingredients that work to prevent hair fall and promote healthy hair growth.  

Conclusion

Saw palmetto will not perform miracles on your hair, but, with continued use, it can certainly help prevent excessive hair shedding, and support the function of strong, healthy hair growth. Saw Palmetto is regarded as potent, yet safe, and is hugely popular with men and women trying to tackle hair loss, without compromising on their health and wellbeing.

For optimal results, saw palmetto should be taken as part of a multivitamin hair supplement. Multivitamin hair supplements contain a variety of key ingredients that work in conjunction with saw palmetto, in order to give the very best results.

So, for example, saw palmetto is more likely to work when taken in a multivitamin hair supplement with other DHT blocking properties such as stinging nettle, pumpkin seed oil, and green tea, along with various hair growth promoters, like Vitamin B7, Folic Acid, and Ginkgo Biloba.

If you are looking for a safe, non-medical solution for hair loss, then saw palmetto is a good option.

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