Will saw palmetto affect my libido?

Jan 14, 2019

Does Saw Palmetto Affect My Libido?

With our unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, loss of libido is a growing problem among all age groups. According to the studies, one in five men and even a higher number of women face this issue at least once in their life.

Fortunately, many recent studies conclude that saw palmetto enhances your sex drive. But what is saw palmetto, and where does it come from? It is a palm tree native to the southeastern US and is famous for solving many health-related issues.

For centuries, people have been using saw palmetto extract as an herbal remedy for treating low libido, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), erectile dysfunction, androgenic hair loss, and various genitourinary problems.

Saw Palmetto and Enhanced Libido

Testosterone, a primary sex hormone, is responsible for libido. According to scientific analysis, low testosterone levels in the body can result in a lack of sex drive. Since testosterone guides your libido, a higher level of this hormone can enhance your sex drive, while lower levels are associated with low libido and other sexual problems.

In men, a lower sperm count is directly connected to lower testosterone levels. In women, too little testosterone affects egg production.

If the free testosterone levels in the body increase, they enhance the libido. But free testosterone converts into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This conversion reduces free testosterone levels, resulting in a lower sex drive.

Saw palmetto stops the breakdown of testosterone in your body, preventing the formation of DHT. As a result of this inhibition, your body maintains vital testosterone levels for improved libido.

According to a report from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, males taking saw palmetto for two weeks had higher testosterone levels than those in the placebo group. Conclusively, increased testosterone results in a raised libido.

Saw Palmetto Libido: The Effects on Your Biological Mechanism

According to a study from the journal of Urologia Internationalis, men using saw palmetto experienced an improved libido. The biological mechanism affected by saw palmetto is a conversion reaction with the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

This complex process converts testosterone into DHT. The reaction occurs in tissues such as skin, hair follicles, and the prostate gland. In these tissues, testosterone comes in contact with the enzyme 5-ar and converts to DHT.

DHT, being a breakdown product, disrupts testosterone levels in the body and also interferes with the erectile process and other sexual functions.

According to studies, saw palmetto contains essential bioactive compounds, including phytosterols, that can inhibit the enzyme 5-ar’s activity. This inhibition stops testosterone from converting into DHT.

As a result, saw palmetto increases both female and male fertility by affecting free testosterone levels and improving sex drive.

A clinical study published in 2012 found that saw palmetto is beneficial for treating low libido. In the study, 82 men with BPH, loss of libido, and erectile dysfunction were given 320 mg of saw palmetto extract for up to eight weeks.

After eight weeks, their sexual function, libido, and erectile dysfunction improved by an average of 40%, while their International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) improved by 51%.

Saw Palmetto Sex Drive Enhancement With More Free Testosterone

A loss of libido and impotence were traditionally treated by a combination of herbal remedies including saw palmetto.

With time, research also proved that saw palmetto helps improve various cases of low libido, erectile dysfunction, and enlarged prostate.

According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, about 52% of men experience erectile dysfunction. Moreover, the study concludes that about 25% of 65-year-old males and 5% of 40-year-old males are prone to experiencing long-term erectile dysfunction.

Decreased blood flow to the erectile tissue can cause the narrowing of the arteries responsible for causing an erection, which can lower libido.

Various clinical trials indicate that saw palmetto boosts nitric oxide levels in these penile arteries, improving erectile function. However, ongoing studies have yet to establish a link between inducible nitric oxide and enhanced sexual function and pelvic circulation.

Permixon | Specific Formulation of Saw Palmetto

Permixon® is a pharmaceutical derived from the lipid extract of saw palmetto. This dietary supplement is known for its effectiveness in treating low libido. This concentrated extract primarily improves sexual health by addressing prostate issues.

This supplement helps maintain a healthy prostate gland, reducing urinary problems and positively impacting sexual function.

When Permixon alleviates the discomfort, it indirectly enhances libido, resulting in increased sex drive and better sexual performance.

Moreover, Permixon also protects libido in men and promotes fertility through its effects on testosterone. At the time of writing, it is uncertain as to whether this drug is available in North America, and one is advised to consult with their physician.

Dosage and Administration of Saw Palmetto for Libido Enhancement

Saw palmetto is available as a topical oil, oral supplement, capsule, tablet, and powder. About 160 to 320 mg of saw palmetto is the standard daily dosage.

Although saw palmetto is safe to use long-term, its recommended that you consult your healthcare professional before replacing your conventional medication with an herbal supplement.

According to a New England Journal of Medicine study, sexual function significantly improves after two years of taking saw palmetto supplements. Men consuming saw palmetto were clinically checked after six, twelve, and 24 months.

Their sexual function improved gradually, while prostate symptoms decreased over two years. Thus, long-term use of saw palmetto proved more beneficial than short-term use for enhancing sexual health and libido.

Other Benefits of Saw Palmetto

While saw palmetto libido is widely discussed, the saw palmetto extract is often associated with sexual health and urinary problems. However, it has various other benefits.

Saw Palmetto Topical for Hair Loss

Saw palmetto is available in oral and topical dosages. Topically applied saw palmetto efficiently penetrates your roots and reaches your hair follicles, while orally ingested saw palmetto circulates in your blood before affecting the target tissue.

While both are equally beneficial to your health, saw palmetto topical for hair loss, such as HAIRMETTO® Oil and Serum, can directly penetrate your hair follicles and block the formation of DHT. Blocking DHT at the roots significantly improves your hair growth by maintaining free testosterone levels and preventing and treating male pattern baldness.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory effects, which reduce the inflammation in your body. This helps treat various conditions that cause chronic inflammation.

These medical conditions include chronic prostatitis, polycystic ovary syndrome, arthritis, and various chronic respiratory conditions.

Anti-androgenic Effects

Saw palmetto has anti-androgenic effects, which reduce the effects of androgens. Androgens are male sex hormones.

Various conditions linked with androgens are benign prostatic hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and male pattern baldness. The anti-androgenic effects of long-term use of saw palmetto can control these conditions.

Is Saw Palmetto Libido Use Safe?

Most users have a good tolerance for this plant, whether it’s the libido enhancement supplement or saw palmetto topical for hair loss. However, these supplements may cause mild to moderate side effects such as headache, nausea, or digestive symptoms. But generally, it is safe for long-term and short-term use. The plant:

Does not affect prostate-specific antigen levels in the body.
Does not interact with medications.
Does not cause any known adverse effects with long-term use.
Can be unsafe during pregnancy.
Is not recommended to consume during breastfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you still have questions regarding saw palmetto libido benefits, here are some answers:

Is Saw Palmetto a Safe Alternative to Medications for Low Libido?

Saw palmetto indirectly improves libido by addressing underlying issues such as prostate problems, hormonal imbalance, or erectile dysfunction. However, the efficacy of saw palmetto varies from person to person. Therefore, it is best to consult your healthcare professional to see if combining this with a pharmaceutical is right for you.

How Do You Consume Saw Palmetto Sex Drive Supplements?

Saw palmetto has various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, powder, and liquid extracts, with a specific dosage recommendation of up to 320 mg per day. You can consume saw palmetto according to personal preferences and individual needs.

Can Women Use Saw Palmetto Libido Supplements?

Women with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or DHT-related hair thinning can consume saw palmetto supplements. As saw palmetto has various anti-inflammatory properties, it is also ideal for improving arthritis, respiratory problems, and other inflammatory conditions in women.

Does Saw Palmetto Have Any Known Drug Interactions?

The only known drug interaction of saw palmetto is with anticoagulant medications such as blood thinners. Thus, it is vital to consult your healthcare provider about saw palmetto if you are taking any medications.

Are There Any Contraindications for Saw Palmetto Use?

If you’re allergic to saw palmetto or related herbs, you should avoid it. Pregnant and lactating women should also avoid using saw palmetto supplements. Additionally, if you have underlying health conditions, it is best to consult your doctor before adding saw palmetto to your diet.

Saw Palmetto Libido: An Excellent Way to Enhance Your Sex Drive

Long-term use of saw palmetto supplements and topicals shows exceptional improvements in prostate health, hormone regulation, and inflammatory conditions, indirectly affecting libido.

However, its effects on free testosterone directly affect libido, enhancing your sex drive. This saw palmetto sex drive is a life changer for people looking for an herbal remedy that does not disrupt their sexual functions.

Additionally, saw palmetto improves urinary symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and hormonal imbalance, enhancing sex drive. Some individuals have reported increased libido due to improved overall sexual function.

Saw palmetto also effectively combats erectile dysfunction and promotes sexual health in men. Therefore, it is best to add this herbal remedy for increased libido for satisfactory sexual health.

However, the efficacy of saw palmetto supplements depends on their quality. The quality of the extract depends on the method of extraction. The gold standard is CO2 super-critical extraction. HAIRMETTO® proudly ensures that all of our products contain only saw palmetto with CO2 extraction. While other methods of extraction are cheaper to produce, they will not have the potency of dosage. Please check out our store today for topical saw palmetto products to find one that suits your needs.

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