What Does Saw Palmetto Do for Men?
Saw palmetto is one of the most searched supplements for men who want help with urinary comfort and prostate health. Interest focuses on its potential to ease lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) often linked with an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Below is a clear, research-based look at what saw palmetto may do for men, how quality and extract type matter, other possible benefits, and safety basics.*
Quick Primer: How It Works
Saw palmetto berry oil is rich in free fatty acids and phytosterols. These compounds may inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and may also help calm inflammation in prostate tissue. Those mechanisms help explain why standardized saw palmetto extracts have been studied for urinary symptoms and hair health, though results depend on the exact extract, dose, and study design.
BPH and Urinary Symptoms: What the Evidence Shows
Men typically turn to saw palmetto to address frequent urination, weak stream, urgency, and nighttime trips to the bathroom. Large, high-quality trials using a generic saw palmetto extract found no meaningful difference from a placebo for LUTS, even at higher doses.
However, not all extracts are the same. Clinical research on specific standardized lipidosterolic extracts tells a different story. Meta-analyses and focused reviews on the hexanic lipidosterolic extract of saw palmetto (often referred to in research as Permixon) have reported improvements in symptom scores and urinary flow compared with a placebo, with a favorable sexual-side-effect profile relative to some prescription drugs. A systematic review of this hexanic extract also notes small but measurable benefits on quality of life and urinary parameters, with minimal impact on sexual function.
Because of this divergence, some international guidance now distinguishes between “saw palmetto in general” versus hexane-extracted preparations. For men who want to prioritize sexual function and are comfortable with modest, individualized benefits, a well-studied, standardized oil extract may be a reasonable option to discuss with a clinician.[1][2]*
Standardized U.S. Extract Data
In the U.S., newer clinical data on USP-verified saw palmetto oil extract, which is what Flomentum contains, have shown reductions in LUTS and quality-of-life improvements in men with BPH symptoms, although larger, longer studies are still encouraged.[3] These real-world and prospective findings fit with the narrative that higher-quality, properly standardized oil extracts may perform better than non-standardized products or berry powders.
What This Means for You
If you decide to try saw palmetto for urinary symptoms, results are most likely when you use a clinical-strength, standardized oil extract at the research-supported dose of 320 mg daily† and give it enough time, typically 8 to 12 weeks, to gauge response. If symptoms are severe, or if you do not improve, see a clinician to discuss other options and to rule out unrelated causes.*
Does Saw Palmetto Affect PSA Blood Tests?
No. High-quality trials found that saw palmetto does not change PSA values compared with placebo, even at higher doses over more than a year of use. That is useful because PSA remains interpretable for screening and monitoring while using saw palmetto.[2]
Hair Health and Saw Palmetto: Where Evidence Stands
Because DHT contributes to male pattern hair loss, researchers have tested saw palmetto for androgenetic alopecia. Small clinical studies using oral and topical forms have reported improvements in hair quality and hair count. These early results are encouraging but still limited compared with FDA-approved options for hair loss, so expectations should be realistic and decisions individualized.
Safety and Tolerability
Saw palmetto is generally well tolerated. Reported side effects are usually mild and may include stomach upset, headache, or dizziness. Serious adverse events have been uncommon in clinical trials, and sexual side effects are generally low, particularly with standardized lipidosterolic extracts that have been studied head-to-head against some prescription therapies.[1]*
As with any supplement, men with chronic conditions, those taking anticoagulants, or anyone scheduled for surgery should discuss use with a clinician first.
Why Extract Quality and Verification Matter
“Saw palmetto” on a label does not guarantee the same chemistry used in clinical studies. Many retail products use ground berry powder rather than lipidosterolic oil extract, and some non-verified products may vary in potency. Choosing a supplement that is standardized to fatty acids and carries independent verification for identity, purity, and potency helps align what you take with what has been studied.
In the U.S., USP verification is a rigorous, third-party program that confirms product quality. Clinical data on USP-verified saw palmetto oil extract in men with LUTS add confidence that quality and outcomes go hand in hand.[3]
How Saw Palmetto Compares With Prescriptions
Prescription options for BPH include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These can be very effective but may cause dizziness, ejaculatory changes, or sexual side effects for some men. Well-studied saw palmetto oil extracts can offer a non-prescription approach with a favorable tolerability profile, especially for men with mild to moderate symptoms who prioritize sexual function, accept modest expected benefits, and want to try a botanical first or alongside lifestyle measures such as evening fluid management and reduced bladder irritants.[1][3]*‡
Work with your clinician to decide what fits your symptoms and goals.
Other Potential Areas: Pelvic Pain
Saw palmetto has also been explored for chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Evidence is mixed, with some small studies suggesting symptom relief and others showing no significant benefit. If pelvic pain is your main concern, ask a urologist for a comprehensive plan that may include pelvic floor physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, or multimodal approaches. Consider saw palmetto only as an adjunct and track symptoms carefully to see whether it helps you personally.*
Bottom Line
For BPH-related urinary symptoms, evidence for generic “saw palmetto” is mixed, but standardized lipidosterolic extracts and USP-verified saw palmetto oil extracts have shown improvements in symptom scores, urinary flow, and quality of life for some men, with good tolerability and minimal sexual side effects.[1][3]*
- PSA does not appear to be affected, so screening remains interpretable while taking saw palmetto.[2]
- Results depend on extract quality, dose, and time. Pick a verified, standardized oil extract at 320 mg daily†§, such as Flomentum and reassess after 8 to 12 weeks.
- Always consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen, and before combining with medications or procedures.*
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
† Clinical strength is defined as 320 mg of standardized saw palmetto oil extract, the dose shown to be effective in clinical studies.
‡ Flomentum has proven comparability to the leading clinically studied saw palmetto extract product in Europe, which has sexual side effects similar to placebo.
§ These claims are based on Flomentum’s demonstrated comparability to a leading European saw palmetto herbal product as defined by the European Medicines Agency, which is recognized as safe and effective in over 20 published studies.
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