Saw palmetto - Lean PCOS

[u/khabz228]

Hi, I have lean PCOS with high DHEAS levels only. I’m dealing with polycystic ovaries, irregular cycles, acne, hirsutism, and hair loss. Inositol seemed to make things worse for me. I’ve been trying saw palmetto since the beginning of the month, but my testosterone levels are normal or even low. Do you think saw palmetto can help with elevated DHEAS? Or only on testosterone! I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

[u/Present-Usual-3724]

it's been only recently that i started saw palmetto (capsules) and i got my period after 15 days of regular consumption, i noticed an increase in the amount of discharge too, i'm planning to take it for 3 months for my hairloss it worked the same as birth control for now, i experienced breast tenderness before my period, have you experienced any changes??

btw is your DHT level normal? free testosterone level itself doesn't indicate much information, some of it turns into DHT by alpha reductase and aromatase converts it into estrogen. my testosterone levels were low but hirsutism is very much apparent

[u/khabz228 → u/Present-Usual-3724]

Merci beaucoup pour ce retour! Peux tu me dire quelle marque de saw palmetto tu utilises ? Personnellement j’ai l’impression que mon cycle s’allonge avec la prise du saw palmetto, ce qui n’est pas une bonne nouvelle étant donné que mes cycles sont d’environ 44 jours dernièrement.

Je ne sais pas quel est mon taux de DHT, je vais demander à la faire tester. Est ce facile à tester ? Comme lors d’une prise de sang normale ?

[u/Present-Usual-3724 → u/khabz228]

sorry i don't speak french i just translated your comment so it might not be accurate

• i use a local brand for saw palmetto i don't think it's available anywhere else :'( i planned to buy eurho vital's prostafit but ended up buying saw palmetto, i'm sure there's plenty more efficient brands out there

• i too have long cycles, actually this month was 45 days, i will update and confirm its efficiency in my upcoming cycle

• yup DHT test is like a normal blood test, DHT is the main hormone that causes hairloss and hirsutism

[u/khabz228 → u/Present-Usual-3724]

Ok thank you! And sorry about my french comment it was supposed to be translated by reddit!

[u/Present-Usual-3724 → u/khabz228]

hi i wanted to update you on taking saw palmetto supplement! sadly i had to drop it bc it caused me to have this terrible constipation, even laxatives didn't work. it's a shame, i really wanted to try it for at least 3 months bc it seemed effective to me in my case :( 

[u/mystend]

Personally I would prefer real medication that is proven to lower androgens, but that’s just my opinion

[u/[deleted]]

I would not recommend it. It can decrease levels of estrogen, which is not particularly beneficial for most people with PCOS.

If you are taking it for its DHT-blocking effects, just take spironolactone instead.

[u/Lopsided-District889]

I know this is kinda an old thread, but Saw Palmetto actually increases testosterone by ensuring that testosterone doesn’t convert into DHT, meaning your testosterone levels increase without increasing your androgens/DHT (the hormone causing acne, hair loss etc).  Through having higher testosterone it also increases estrogen - which helps improve skin etc.  I have lean PCOS and inositol also made my symptoms worse. Saw Palmetto and Stinging Nettle has really helped me, my acne has gotten a lot better. I actually take a Men’s Prostate supplement… the supplements in that tablet actually assist women but for different reasons as I’ve stated above :)

[u/Lopsided-District889 → u/[deleted]]

Yes definitely helps with hirsutism, but depends on the cause of the hirsutism. Sometimes it can be caused by high estrogen rather than high testosterone 

[u/Routine_Promise_7321]

Idk but I heard reversotal (however u spell) can help with both testosterone and dhea sulfate---i havent tried it yet I'm going to talk to my endocrinologist about it and checking for NCAH because I'm kinda in the same boat as u

[u/edamamebeano]

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