Conclusion: Randomized studies of Serenoa repens, alone or in combination with other plant extracts, have provided the strongest evidence for efficacy and tolerability in treatment of BPH in comparison with other phytotherapies. Serenoa repens appears to be a useful option for improving lower urinary tract symptoms and flow measures. Hypoxis rooperi and Secale cereale also appear to improve BPH symptoms although the evidence is less strong for these products. Pygeum africanum has been studied extensively but inadequate reporting of outcomes limits the ability to conclusively recommend it. There is no conv
Saw Palmetto side effects
Across 60 first-hand reports, people mentioned a side effect 5 times (about 8 per 100 reports). The most common: insomnia, hormone crash, nipple pain. User reports show what people notice — they can't tell you whether Saw Palmetto is safe for you.
Reported side effects
insomnia1
hormone crash1
nipple pain1
genital numbness1
libido loss1
In their own words
“I take a decent dose of Saw Palmetto for the anti-dht/prostate stuff, but it didn't seem to help.”
“it was the worst 2 weeks of nipple pain and empty ball numbness and i promised myself id never take a dht blocker again”
“Sure lion mane and saw palmetto weakened my libido a lot”
Is Saw Palmetto safe? What the research covers
AResearch: Strong24 meta-analyses · 38 randomized trials on PubMed
Public Health Nutr · 2000
Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasiaFront Nutr · 2025
Effects of dietary supplements on androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and network meta-analysisConclusion: Dietary supplements have a positive impact on hair density, terminal hair density, and blind doctor evaluations in patients with androgenetic alopecia, with good tolerability. They may serve as beneficial adjuncts or alternatives to conventional treatments. Future large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to verify these findings.