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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Saw Palmetto

aka Serenoa repens

Lipidosterolic extract used for BPH urinary symptoms.

Men's HealthHormone OptimizationSkin, Hair & Nails

Overview

Lipidosterolic extract used for BPH urinary symptoms.

Natural sources
  • Serenoa repens fruit
Common forms
  • Permixon (lipidosterolic extract)

Forms & variants of Saw Palmetto

Different chemical forms of Saw Palmetto behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Topical
Topical Saw Palmetto

Topical lotion form for androgenetic alopecia.

Mechanism of action

Inhibits 5α-reductase (mildly) and modulates androgen receptors.

Pathways
  • · 5α-reductase inhibition (mild)

Effects on the body

Decreases
DHT (mild)
Decreases
BPH symptoms

Organ system effects

Reproductive

Improves IPSS in mild-moderate BPH.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves urinary symptoms in BPH (mixed evidence)

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
Rare
  • · Reduced libido
Serious

    Drug interactions

    Finasteride
    Additive 5-AR inhibition.
    minor
    Anticoagulants
    Mild antiplatelet.
    minor

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
    • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
    • ·Pregnant or trying to conceive
    • ·Breastfeeding
    • ·Children under 18
    Avoid with these conditions
    • ·Hormone-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast)
    • ·Bleeding disorders
    Avoid / monitor with these medications
    • ·Warfarin and other anticoagulants
    • ·Aspirin / NSAIDs (additive bleeding)
    • ·Hormonal contraceptives
    • ·Finasteride / dutasteride (overlapping 5-AR inhibition)
    Before surgery
    • ·Stop ≥2 weeks before any scheduled surgery — may prolong bleeding.
    Lab test interference
    • ·Can lower measured PSA, masking prostate cancer screening results.

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with

    None listed.

    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    320 mg liposterolic extract (85–95% fatty acids)

    Where to buy

    Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Herb
    Saw Palmetto
    Amazon
    Wide selection · fast shipping
    Herb
    Saw Palmetto
    iHerb
    Global delivery · curated brands
    Herb
    Saw Palmetto
    Thorne
    Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

    Scientific evidence (8)

    Meta-analysisCochrane Database · 2012

    Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia

    Tacklind J, et al.

    Cochrane review of 32 RCTs of saw palmetto in BPH.

    Key findings

    No significant benefit over placebo at standard doses.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — Improves urinary symptoms in BPH

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto Improves urinary symptoms in BPH" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "Improves urinary symptoms in BPH". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Saw Palmetto — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Saw Palmetto dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saw Palmetto and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Saw Palmetto — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Saw Palmetto as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.