# Saw Palmetto for Prostate and Hair

> Saw palmetto extract may ease prostate symptoms and hair loss for men.
- Title: Saw Palmetto for Prostate and Hair · Men's Health | Shortify
- Summary: Saw palmetto extract may ease prostate symptoms and hair loss for men. Saw palmetto extract reduces urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH and increases…
- Keywords: saw palmetto, prostate, hair loss, benign prostatic hyperplasia, bph, urinary symptoms, follicle miniaturization, Saw, Palmetto, Hair, Men's Health
- Source: Men's Health — https://menshealth.com/health/a74068834/saw-palmetto-prostate-benefits
- Author: Emilia Benton
- Published: 2026-10-09T16:57:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: saw palmetto, prostate, hair loss, benign prostatic hyperplasia, bph, urinary symptoms, follicle miniaturization
## What Is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a palm tree known as serenoa repens, sold in supplements for prostate and hair health.
## Does Saw Palmetto Work for Prostate?
Urologist Peter J. Stahl says saw palmetto is mildly to moderately effective for reducing urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH.

> Saw palmetto has held great appeal to men as a phytotherapy for prostate enlargement for many years because it is derived from a natural source and has relatively few side effects
## Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
One trial found saw palmetto increased hair count 12-fold after 90 days compared to placebo for hair loss.

> A 2026 trial testing saw palmetto extract found it continued to show improvements in hair growth after 180 days
## How Does Saw Palmetto Work?
Saw palmetto reduces inflammation and blocks 5-alpha-reductase activity to prevent hair loss.

> One of the proposed explanations for saw palmetto’s therapeutic effects is that it helps reduce several pro-inflammatory markers and blocking 5-alpha-reductase activity
## Side Effects of Saw Palmetto
Common side effects include headache, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.

> In one case study, a 70-year-old with BPH reported a rare case of liver injury associated with saw palmetto
## When to Use Saw Palmetto
Talk to a doctor before adding saw palmetto to your routine due to potential interactions with medications.

> The supplement may also cause adverse reactions if you’re on certain medications or have certain health conditions
## Key takeaway

Saw palmetto extract reduces urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH and increases hair count after 90 days.