Saw Palmetto for PCOS

pippywillow
pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've had PCOS for a long time now and I want to finally get it under control and see if that will help with the weight loss. My dr wants to start me on metformin next week, my testosterone levels came back high. I was reading that saw palmetto might help lower testosterone, has anyone used it? And if so how much did you take? The directions on the bottle are for a man to promote prostate health. Of course I'll mention to the dr when I go, I'm just curious.

Replies

  • beckslite
    beckslite Posts: 125 Member
    Didn't do anything for me. Have been on metformin for years and it works for me. But different things work for different people. Metformin doesn't work for everyone so I guess it may be the same for saw palmetto. It's a difficult one because we are all different. Hope you work it out :)
  • wugirl7
    wugirl7 Posts: 1
    I have PCOS as well and I have tried Metformin and Actos, which both help but have different crazy side-effects that I don't enjoy. The best thing I have ever taken for it is the herb Vitex, it gets rid of the symptoms and helps make cycles more bearable. Just my 2 Cents, good luck!
  • pippywillow
    pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
    Thank you! I probably will try the metformin and see if I get the side effects. My dr really seems to think it will work. He says I'll lose 40 lbs, but I'll believe it when I see it. I'll check out the Vitex for sure.
  • beckslite
    beckslite Posts: 125 Member
    The weight loss doesn't just come from taking metformin, you'll still need to work at it. I wish doctors wouldn't give false hope. I thought that at first, that simply taking it would make me loose weight. I've been on it years, but it takes a while to get into your system. The difference for me is that now I can diet more easily and can go longer between meals. I feel much more normal in myself. I don't get the shakes anymore and I don't feel sick with hunger. The sugar cravings are much better now too. Plus af has returned to a much more normal routine, finally, after years of a complete irregular cycle. So yes it will help with dieting, but it is not a weight loss drug. Good luck :happy:
  • pippywillow
    pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
    I think that's what I want the most, to feel normal again. It doesn't feel right not having my periods. I think I've done pretty good losing 30 lbs in 4 1/2 months but if the metformin would give me a little bit of a boost that would be great. I don't expect it to take the weight right off.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Supplements like saw palmetto aren't regulated or tested for accuracy. There was a study a few years ago looking at the amount claimed on the bottle and the actual amount in the pills. Values ranged from 3% to 140% of the amount claimed.

    So if you take it, you have no idea how much saw palmetto you're actually getting in the pill, so it would be impossible to judge effectiveness.
  • beckslite
    beckslite Posts: 125 Member
    I think that's what I want the most, to feel normal again. It doesn't feel right not having my periods. I think I've done pretty good losing 30 lbs in 4 1/2 months but if the metformin would give me a little bit of a boost that would be great. I don't expect it to take the weight right off.

    I know how you feel about wanting to feel normal. I felt exactly the same. My friends thing it's ace not having a period but the problem is, it's not normal and it has horrible affects on the body. The good news is that loosing weight and if tolerated metformin can really help. Never thought I would have a regular cycle, but that's what I've got, finally.

    Well done on your weight loss so f a r, your doing something right, don't give up :bigsmile:
  • mogletdeluxe
    mogletdeluxe Posts: 623 Member
    I'm on Metformin and Dianette for PCOS - I've changed my diet recently to be much higher in protein and fat and lower in carbs, and the Metformin suddenly made me feel very sick. I don't think it mixed well with the changed diet.

    In my previous experiences, Metformin did quash my appetite some - but only if I ate reasonably well and kept the sugar down. Sugar really ramps up my appetite, and I think my new diet certainly regulates things as well as the Metformin. But we'll see.

    I did take Saw Palmetto a few years ago and it immediately prompted a breakthrough bleed - think my hormone levels jumped about a bit! I must admit, in my personal opinion I'm a little dubious of treatments for PCOS; particularly herbal ones. But that's just personal experience, and obviously it varies from person to person.

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