The effect of saw palmetto on the male genitourinary system in relieving the
symptoms of BPH has been shown through scientific research. The fact that saw
palmetto can alleviate the symptoms of BPH with little or no side effects
secures its position as a treatment option for patients with mild to moderate
BPH. However, anyone wishing to treat the symptoms of BPH with saw palmetto
should do so with caution. Long term complications such as acute urinary
retention or the need for surgical interventions has not been shown to be
prevented by saw palmetto.
Saw palmetto has not been approved in the US as a medication.
Manufacturers of SPE are not required to maintain the strict guidelines that
would be required of any other medication. For example, manufacturers
often use different extraction processes, and there is no evidence that the
extract from one manufacturer is equivalent to another company. Therefore, consumers of SPE
have no guarantee that the product they are purchasing has been prepared in the
appropriate fashion. These consumers also have no guarantee that the product
they are purchasing even contains saw palmetto. The active ingredient is
not known, therefore one product may have clinical efficacy while another may
not.
Finally, BPH and cancer of the prostate have very similar presenting
symptoms. The use of saw palmetto may mask these symptoms and delay the
detection of prostate cancer. Thus, any patient experiencing the
symptoms of BPH should seek the care of his physician before beginning treatment
with saw palmetto extract. This will ensure proper treatment and prevent any delay in detection if prostate cancer is present. |
