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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Anti-androgen For Paitentis With Pcos And Excess Androgens

Do you know anything about Saw Palmetto? for women? and does it affect estrogen levels? It has been recommended to me several times for hair thinning due to PCOS and excess androgens.. I tried it and I had these side effects: frequent urination, dehydration, more hot flashes.. I read somewhere that while it is an androgen blocker and is an alpha 5 reductase inhibitor.. thereby blocking dht.. it can also be anti estrogenic??? I need some kind of anti androgen that I am able to tolerate.
Mon, 11 Aug 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Saw palmetto does have anti androgen effects and can lower DHT which should improve hair loss.

Like any herbal or traditional medication there are potential side effects such as :urinary symptoms such as the frequent urination you experienced, abdominal pain, nausea, allergic reaction, headache, dizziness, flu like symptoms.
Your dehydration may have occurred if you are not using enough fluids to replace the fluids loss by frequent urination.

If you are unable to tolerate it then you should no longer continue use.

Other anti androgens would be spirnolactone, diane 35.

I hope this helps
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Suggest Anti-androgen For Paitentis With Pcos And Excess Androgens

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Saw palmetto does have anti androgen effects and can lower DHT which should improve hair loss. Like any herbal or traditional medication there are potential side effects such as :urinary symptoms such as the frequent urination you experienced, abdominal pain, nausea, allergic reaction, headache, dizziness, flu like symptoms. Your dehydration may have occurred if you are not using enough fluids to replace the fluids loss by frequent urination. If you are unable to tolerate it then you should no longer continue use. Other anti androgens would be spirnolactone, diane 35. I hope this helps