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Saw Palmetto

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djkillab

Valued member
Hi guys

I'm looking at trying Saw Palmetto instead of Finasteride due to sides.
I've had a search through here but can't find any recent threads about how effective it is or possible sides etc.

Is anyone using it and getting any success?
I'm also taking 2.5mg oral Minoxidil daily and just ordered some Biotin and Zinc vitamins.

Thanks
 
arthurSam

arthurSam

member
Saw palmetto do not reduce dht in blood only in prostate so it cannot work for hair loss. There is no research paper that show it works for hair loss. It is used only for prostatis problem before use of fina which is more powerful but give much bad sides effects and can induce prostate cancer. This is why fina is given only to old men because prostate cancer are slow to develop with age, say after 70 to 75 yo. This is why there is no blood test for psa after that age.

For minoxidil it works only for 2 years and after you will be in same state that without taking it.

For biotin and zinc it is not sufficient take a look at replenology if you want natural graw factor.

But the better to maintain your hair is cosmerna which will be available in April. It had efficacy about like finasteride oral 1mg a day without sides
 
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Bobbins

member
Saw palmetto do not reduce dht in blood only in prostate so it cannot work for hair loss. There is no research paper that show it works for hair loss. It is used only for prostatis problem before use of fina which is more powerful but give much bad sides effects and can induce prostate cancer. This is why fina is given only to old men because prostate cancer are slow to develop with age, say after 70 to 75 yo. This is why there is no blood test for psa after that age.

For minoxidil it works only for 2 years and after you will be in same state that without taking it.

For biotin and zinc it is not sufficient take a look at replenology if you want natural graw factor.

But the better to maintain your hair is cosmerna which will be available in April. It had efficacy about like finasteride oral 1mg a day without sides
Could you provide a link to the paper linking finesteride to cancer? I've seen studies that say it reduces the occurrences but can increase the severity. Would be good to qualify your answer with data.
 
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Bobbins

member
www.nejm[.]org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc1809961

@arthurSam If you reconstruct the URL above it shows a long term trial in finesteride and it's impact on prostate cancer. My reading is that its more likely to reduce it than increase.

The comments around only using it as people age sounds contradictory to that research.
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
Hi guys

I'm looking at trying Saw Palmetto instead of Finasteride due to sides.
I've had a search through here but can't find any recent threads about how effective it is or possible sides etc.

Is anyone using it and getting any success?
I'm also taking 2.5mg oral Minoxidil daily and just ordered some Biotin and Zinc vitamins.

Thanks
I thought I saw someone in another thread say that it was a good thing to try. I also have a female friend who is going to order and try it.
 
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marshalliwar

Guest
Hey @djkillab, You should consult a doctor regarding the dosage but I think Your current cycle seems good to control hair loss but it really depends on how much hair you have lost. If it is relatively early you can start with some changes like staying away from hair products with harmful toxins and undesirable side effects. I think there some options out there, whatever you decide be sure you do your research before committing to it . Initially I had also done some research and came to conclusion of either min or fin but before trying it, I gave it a try to this platform by dense hair experts after I stumbled across its online survey . I have been trying it for past 31/2 months and the results are actually satisfying. Also take it easy and stay healthy.
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
Hey @djkillab, You should consult a doctor regarding the dosage but I think Your current cycle seems good to control hair loss but it really depends on how much hair you have lost. If it is relatively early you can start with some changes like staying away from hair products with harmful toxins and undesirable side effects. I think there some options out there, whatever you decide be sure you do your research before committing to it . Initially I had also done some research and came to conclusion of either min or fin but before trying it, I gave it a try to this platform by dense hair experts after I stumbled across its online survey . I have been trying it for past 31/2 months and the results are actually satisfying. Also take it easy and stay healthy.
That's great to hear that you are having good results. =) May I ask your gender and/or age? It is ok if you don't want to disclose either or you could send my the information in a private message. I am only asking because I am a 45 year old female and am investigating whether it might work for me at some point. Also, may I ask where you got the saw palmetto from? I am asking because vitamins/herbs are not regulated here in the US. Thank you!
 
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djkillab

Valued member
So like I said in my original post I did indeed order Saw Palmetto tablets and Biotin/Zinc mix tablets.
I must say that after taking them for only a week I've noticed an increase in my libido, which I've since read could have come from the SP and Zinc. So even if it doesn't improve my hair, it does hopefully seem to be counteracting the finasteride sides.
Interested to hear anyone's thoughts on this
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
Could someone please let me know what dose they took of Saw Palmetto? I saw a bottle of it that had 1200 mcg, Sundance brand. Also, does anyone have a brand that they use? I know that they don't check supplements to make they have the dosage they claim here in the United States. Also, the bottle states that it is a supplement for men, and I am a female. Thanks! =)
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
I thought I saw someone in another thread say that it was a good thing to try. I also have a female friend who is going to order and try it.
*Well, my friend says that she feels like her hair is thicker; I believe she had been using it for about three weeks at the time. Does anyone know if it is possible for things to happen this quickly or could it be a placebo effect? Maybe it depends whether on how fast her hair grows? She said that her hair loss is still the same. I will keep you updated. *I suggested she take some pictures to try to see whether her treatment is working. I haven't suggested this to her yet; but she could also count how many hairs she loses each day. (Although this could be stressful).

She is also under a lot of stress. So I have been encouraging her to see a counselor.
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
One more thing, I spoke to my physician about taking this herb. She said that it would be safe for me to take; people take it in many countries. And that people use it to treat other conditions. She also said that at least in the United States, there are no studies to conclude it helps with hair loss. *Note, I haven't tried it yet. I am trying to do some more research before I make a decision on whether or not to take it.
 
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djkillab

Valued member
Could someone please let me know what dose they took of Saw Palmetto? I saw a bottle of it that had 1200 mcg, Sundance brand. Also, does anyone have a brand that they use? I know that they don't check supplements to make they have the dosage they claim here in the United States. Also, the bottle states that it is a supplement for men, and I am a female. Thanks! =)
I will have a look when I get home. I'm in the UK and ordered from a company called Mobu
 
MFCEO

MFCEO

member
Hi djkillab,

From what I understand, some studies do show potential benefits in reducing hair loss, the evidence though is limited, and the results are not as robust as those seen with Finasteride. It is important to consider that individual responses to Saw Palmetto may vary person-to-person, and it might work well for some people while not showing significant results for others. Over the years I have personally seen this with guys who try Saw Palmetto. Some guys swear by it while others do not. That said, I do feel that when used together with biotin, a good one a day hair complex formula supplement alongside a proven medication like minoxidil, it can only be worth a try.
However, like any supplement, it may cause side effects in some individuals so consulting with your family doctor would be a good option before talking it.
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
Does anyone happen to know what would happen if you needed to stop taking Saw Palmetto for some reason? I read on some web site that the hair you kept from taking it would fall out-- does anyone know if this is true? I have heard the same thing about Rogaine/Minoxidil; and this is why I haven't tried taking it. (This makes sense because they are both supposed to block DHT; although Rogaine/Minoxidil is a more effective treatment). Note: I wouldn't mind taking Finasteride; but I heard (at least through internet research) that it is not recommended in people that have a family history of breast cancer. And of course, I don't know if I would lose all the progress if I needed to stop taking it.
 
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Bicyclegirrl

member
Could you provide a link to the paper linking finesteride to cancer? I've seen studies that say it reduces the occurrences but can increase the severity. Would be good to qualify your answer with data.
I had a reply to this; but I just realized that I based my answer off of something that is already written in this forum. In other words, I didn't want to be repetitive; but I don't know how to delete something I already posted.
 
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mustang2

Valued member
Saw Palmetto absolutely works for hair loss but ONLY if delivered directly to the follicule mimicking the in vitro studies and at a dose 100 times higher than Finasteride.

Basically derma rolling and using a 10% concentration would get you 200mg of Saw Palmetto into the hair follicle if using 2ml per application.

It works, not for aggressive MPB but but for diffuse thinners in their 30's, I've seen it personally.
 
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mustang2

Valued member
Saw palmetto do not reduce dht in blood only in prostate so it cannot work for hair loss. There is no research paper that show it works for hair loss. It is used only for prostatis problem before use of fina which is more powerful but give much bad sides effects and can induce prostate cancer. This is why fina is given only to old men because prostate cancer are slow to develop with age, say after 70 to 75 yo. This is why there is no blood test for psa after that age.

For minoxidil it works only for 2 years and after you will be in same state that without taking it.

For biotin and zinc it is not sufficient take a look at replenology if you want natural graw factor.

But the better to maintain your hair is cosmerna which will be available in April. It had efficacy about like finasteride oral 1mg a day without sides
mmmmmmm
"In the end, 38% of those who took saw palmetto had an improvement in their hair loss, compared with 68% of those who took finasteride. This finding suggests that both treatments had an effect but that finasteride was more effective."
 
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