Wild Yam Relieves Menstrual Cramps and Morning Sickness

Overview:

In the 18th and 19th centuries, wild yam (Dioscorea villosa ) was used by herbalists to treat menstrual cramps and problems related to childbirth, as well as for stomach upset and coughs. In the 1950s, scientists discovered that the roots of wild yam (not to be confused with the sweet potato yam) contain diosgenin, a phyto (derived from plants) estrogen that can be chemically converted into progesterone, a hormone. Diosgenin was used to make the first birth control pills in the 1960s.

Although wild yam continues to be used for treating menstrual cramps, nausea, and morning sickness associated with pregnancy, inflammation, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, and other health conditions, there is no evidence that it works. Indeed, several studies have found that it has no effect at all. That is because the body cannot change diosgenin into progesterone; it has to be done in a lab. Wild yam, by itself, does not contain progesterone.

General

Early Americans used wild yam to treat colic; another name for the plant is colic root. Traditionally, it has been used to treat inflammation, muscle spasms, and a range of disorders, including asthma. However, there is no scientific evidence that it works.

Menopause and Osteoporosis

Although wild yam is often touted as a natural source of estrogen, there is essentially no scientific evidence of wild yam's effectiveness in treating menopausal symptoms or osteoporosis. In fact, several studies have found that wild yam does not reduce the symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes) or increase levels of estrogen or progesterone in the body. Some preparations of wild yam may contain progesterone, but only because a synthetic version of progesterone (medroxyprogesterone acetate or MPA) has been added to the herb.

High Cholesterol

Researchers have theorized that taking wild yam may help reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood, although studies have shown mixed results. Diosgenin seems to block the body from absorbing cholesterol, at least in animal studies. But in studies of people, cholesterol levels have not gone down (although fats -- triglycerides -- in the blood have decreased). More research is needed to say whether wild yam is beneficial for people with high cholesterol.

Plant Description:

Also known as colic root, wild yam is a twining, tuberous vine. One species is native to North America; another is native to China. Both contain diosgenin and have similar medicinal properties. There are an estimated 600 species of yam in the genus Dioscorea, many of them wild species that flourish in damp woodlands and thickets, and not all contain diosgenin. Wild yam is a perennial vine with pale brown, knotty, woody cylindrical rootstocks, or tubers. Unlike sweet potato yams, the roots are not fleshy. Instead they are dry, narrow, and crooked, and bear horizontal branches of long creeping runners. The thin reddish-brown stems grow to a length of over 30 feet. The roots initially taste starchy, but soon after taste bitter and acrid.

The wild yam plant has clusters of small, greenish-white and greenish-yellow flowers. The heart-shaped leaves are long and broad and long-stemmed. The upper surface of the leaves is smooth while the underside is downy.

What's it Made of?:

The dried root, or rhizome, is used in commercial preparations. It contains diosgenin, a phytoestrogen that can be chemically converted to the hormone progesterone; however, diosgenin on its own does not seem to act like estrogen in the body.

Available Forms:

Wild yam is available as liquid extract and as a powder. The powdered form may be purchased in capsules or compressed tablets. The fluid extract can be made into tea. Creams containing wild yam are also available.

How to Take It:

Pediatric

It is not known whether wild yam is safe for pediatric use, so it should not be given to children.

Adult

The following are recommended adult doses for wild yam:

• Dried herb to make tea: 1 - 2 tsp dried root to 1 cup water. Pour boiling water over dried root, steep 3 - 5 minutes. Drink three times a day
• Tincture: 40 - 120 drops, three times a day
• Fluid extract: 10 - 40 drops, three to four times per day
• Creams: Contain 12% of wild yam extract; use as directed

Note: Wild yam is often combined with other herbs said to have estrogen-like effects, such as black cohosh. Creams containing wild yam, as well as tablets and powders, may contain synthetic hormones. Check the ingredients carefully.

Precautions:

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Although it does not appear to have hormone-like effects in the body, there is a slight risk that wild yam could produce effects similar to estrogen. Because of that risk, anyone with a personal or family history of hormone-related cancer should check with their doctor before using any form of "natural” hormone replacement, including wild yam.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid wild yam.

Possible Interactions:

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use wild yam without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Hormone Replacement Therapy or Birth Control Pills -- An animal study indicated that the active component of wild yam, diosgenin, may interact with estradiol, a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and also is used in some birth control medications and certain hormone replacement therapies.

Alternative Names:

Dioscorea villosa

• Reviewed last on: 6/15/2007
• Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Supporting Research

Accatino L, Pizarro M, Solis N, Koenig C. Effects of diosgenin, a plant derived steroid, on bile secretion and hepatocellular cholestasis induced by estrogens in the rat. Hepatology. 1998;28(1):129-140.

Boban PT, Nambisan B, Sudhakaran PR. Hypolipidaemic effect of chemically different mucilages in rats: a comparative study. Br J Nutr. 2006 Dec;96(6):1021-9.

Bone K, Mill S, eds. Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy, Modern Herbal Medicine. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 4th ed. Great Britain: Biddles Ltd, Guildford and King's Lynn; 1996:187.

Carroll DG. Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. Am Fam Physician. 2006 Feb 1;73(3):457-64. Review.

Chang WC, Yu YM, Wu CH, Tseng YH, Wu KY. Reduction of oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits by Dioscorea rhizome. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 May;83(5):423-30.

Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 2000:381-382.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2^nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:817-818.

Komesaroff PA, Black CV, Cable V, Sudhir K. Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women. Climacteric. 2001;4(2):144-150.

Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press;1999:187-188.

Taylor M. Alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. Compr Ther. 1997;23(8):514-532.

Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices.Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998;217:369-378.

SOURCE:

University of Maryland Medical Center

FEMAPOS - Best Anti-Aging & Menopausal Relief

FEMAPOS is designed for women over 38 years of age whose estrogen levels have begun to decline.

It is especially suited for women suffering from some perimenopause or menopausal  symptoms. 

FEMAPOS also helps combat the aging process and restores a youthful and vigorous life.

• Increases the levels of estrogen in the body; balances the entire female hormonal system
• Relieves menopausal symptoms, such as: flush, night sweats, pounding heart, vaginal dryness, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, emotional disturbances, and sexual disinclination
• Prevents age-related diseases; improves the health of the skin
• Improves cardiovascular health; prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation
• Modulates the central nervous system
• Protects against breast cancer and osteoporosis
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps increase the production of red blood cells
• Lowers high blood pressure and improves levels of good cholesterol (HDL)
• Has anti-histamine properties

SUGGESTED USE:

• Take 1-2 capsules 1-2 times daily, with meal or after a meal. 

INGREDIENTS:

Pomegranate Fruit B.E.E. - contains flavonoids, polyphenol, and phyto-estrogen that help prevent and provide relief from most peri-menopause and menopause symptoms, such as flush, cold sweats, heart pounding, breathing difficulties, osteoporosis, headaches, dizziness and anxiety. As powerful anti-oxidant, it also helps slow the aging process and prevent age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancers.

Black Cohosh Root B.E.E. - contains plant estrogens that act like mild estrogens in your own body. Thus, it can help with many of the symptoms resulting from estrogen deficiency, including hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, headaches, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, with none of the side effects of HRT (Hormone Replacement Treatment).

Vitamin A - helps boost the immune system, protecting against invaders that may cause disease and fatigue. It's also needed for the normal production of red blood cells, helping prevent fatigue caused by anemia or heavy menstrual bleeding. It helps improve the health of the skin, suppressing premenstrual acne and oily skin.

Vitamin C - As an intioxidant, Vitamin C helps prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation, which is the process that can result in clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes. It also lowers blood pressure, increases HDL cholesterol (the "good" protective type of cholesterol) and helps maintain levels of Vitamin E. It also has an anti-histamine effect, which can help women whose allergies worsen just before their periods. And, by bolstering the immune system, it helps prevent fatigue caused by infections. Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron critical in preventing fatigue.

Vitamin E - Helps to relieve hot flashes, balances mood, restores energy, and helps keep tissues and skin healthy. A 1997 National Institute on Aging study found that supplementing with 2,000 IU of Vitamin E daily even slowed the progression of Alzheimer's disease. 

Red Clover Flower B.E.E. - chronic headache is more prevalent in women than in men.  This fact has been linked to the decline in estradiol (a female hormone).  Red Clover B.E.E. contains high percentages of isoflavones, which have mild estrogen-like properties that may modulate and balance sexual steroids, and help to alleviate nervousness and stress-related symptoms, 

thereby helping to reduce headaches, especially migraine and tension-type headaches.  In addition, it may also thin the blood, thus allowing fat beneficial blood flow.

Wild Yam Root B.E.E. - contains natural steroids that rejuvenate.

Soy Bean B.E.E. - contains isoflavones that have an estrogenic activity that help combat hot flashes, as well as protect against breast cancer and osteoporosis.

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MENOPAUSE

Menopause is the absence of menstrual period for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period.

Perimenopause means "around the time of menopause." Postmenopause is the entire period of time that comes after the last menstrual period.

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The ovaries are the main source of female hormones. The hormones also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogens also protect the bone. Therefore, a woman can develop osteoporosis later in life when her ovaries do not produce adequate estrogen.

The average age of menopause is 51 years old. But there is no way to predict when an individual woman will enter menopause. The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is also not related to the age of menopause onset.

Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but menopause may occur as earlier as the 30s or 40s, or may not occur until a woman reaches her 60s. As a rough "rule of thumb," women tend to undergo menopause at an age similar to that of their mother's.

Perimenopause, often accompanies by irregularities in the menstrual cycle along with the typical symptoms of early menopause, can begin up to 10 years prior to the last menstrual period.

It is important to remember that each woman's experience is highly individual. Some women may experience few or no symptoms of menopause, while others experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms.

The extent and severity of symptoms varies significantly among women.

Symptoms of Menopause

1. Irregular vaginal bleeding. Some women have minimal problems with abnormal bleeding during perimenopause, whereas, others have unpredictable, excessive bleeding. Menstrual periods may occur more frequently or they may get farther and farther apart before stopping.

There is no "normal" pattern of bleeding during the perimenopause, and patterns vary from women to woman. It is common for women in perimenopause to get a period after going for several months without one.

There is also no set length of time it takes for a woman to complete the menopausal transition. The menstrual abnormalities that begin in the perimenopause are also associated with a decrease in fertility, since ovulation has become irregular.

However, women who are in perimenopause may still become pregnant until they have reached true menopause (the absence of periods for one year).

2. Hot flashes and night sweats. A hot flash is a feeling of warmth that spreads over the body and is often most pronounced in the head and chest. It is sometimes associated with flushing and is sometimes followed by perspiration.

Hot flashes usually last from 30 seconds to several minutes, and are likely due to a combination of hormonal and biochemical fluctuations brought on by declining estrogen levels. There is currently no method to predict when hot flashes will begin and how long they will last.

Hot flashes occur in up to 40% of regularly menstruating women in their forties, so they may begin before the menstrual irregularities characteristic of menopause even begin. About 80% of women will be finished having hot flashes after five years. Sometimes, in about 10% of women, hot flashes can last as long as 10 years.

Sometimes, hot flashes accompanied by night sweats (episodes of drenching sweats at nighttime). This may lead to awakening and difficulty falling asleep again, resulting in unrefreshing sleep, and daytime tiredness.

3. Vaginal symptoms. These occur as a result of the lining tissues of the bagina becoming thinner, drier, and less elastic as estrogen levels fall. Symptoms may include vaginal dryness, itching, or irritation, and/or pain with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). The vaginal changes also lead to an increased risk of vaginal infections.

4. Urinary symptoms. The lining of the urethra (the transport tube leading from the bladder to discharge urine outside the body) also undergoes changes similar to the tissues of the vagina, and becomes dryer, thinner, and less elastic with declining estrogen levels. This can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infection, feeling the need to urinate more frequently, or leakage of urine (urinary incontinence). The incontinence can result from a strong, sudden urge to urinate or may occur during straining when coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.

5. Emotional and cognitive symptoms. Women in perimenopause often report a variety of cognitive (thinking) and/or emotional symptoms, including fatigue, memory problems, irritability, and rapid changes in mood. The night sweats that may occur during perimenopause can also contribute to feelings of tiredness and fatigue, which can have an effect on mood and cognitive performance.

6. Other physical changes. Many women report some degree of weight gain along with menopause. The distribution of body fat may change, with body fat being deposited more in the waist and abdominal area than in the hips and thighs. Changes in skin texture, including wrinkles, may develop along with worsening of adult acne in those affected by this condition. Since the body continues to produce small levels of the male hormone testosterone, some women may experience some hair growth on the chin, upper lip, chest, or abdomen.