A review including 18 trials (n=2939) found that Serenoa repens (S. repens), extracted from saw palmetto, was superior to placebo in increasing peak urine flow rate and reducing night-time urination (nocturia) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlarged prostrate. S. repens decreased nocturia by 0.76 times per night and increased peak urine flow by 1.93 ml/s. Men on S. repens treated reported a 72% greater improvement of their urinary tract symptoms versus men taking placebo. (6)
Saw Palmetto extract vs. tamsulosin, and ejaculation disorders:
Saw palmetto prostate benefits were evaluated by Debruyne and colleagues. The authors demonstrated that Permixon (Serenoa repens) and tamsulosin (alpha-blocker) were equivalent in terms of improvements in Internation Prostrate Symptom Score (IPSS). There was also improvement seen in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptom in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostrate, during and up to 12 months of the therapy. At 12 months, I-PSS decreased by 4.4 in each group and the increase in Qmax was similar at 1.8 ml/s Permixon and 1.9 ml/s tamsulosin. Both compounds were well tolerated; however, ejaculation disorders occurred more frequently in the tamsulosin group. (7)
