Wild Yam Cream has be advertised as a treatment for menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, PMS, migraine headaches, mood swings, fertility, larger breasts, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The people who sell these products claim they contain “natural hormones” and “hormone like compounds.” To many people, suffering from these conditions, this seems like the perfect “medicine” to help them. In most cases these creams are not effective because the product advertised does not contain the hormone claimed. The fact is, there is no progesterone in the wild yams, nor can your body make progesterone from the hormone like compound, diosgenin, in the wild yam. So, why is there such confusion about this?
The reason this misinformation exists is because a few decades ago, wild yams were harvested and purified to produce the intermediate chemical, diosgenin, for progesterone and other hormone production in the lab. An intermediate means that this component of wild yams was reacted with other chemicals, in a laboratory, to make progesterone. People not familiar with this process thought that these wild yams actually contained progesterone. This belief is still persistent today and many unscrupulous business people sell products made from “wild yams” and claim that they can cure or relieve the symptoms of many diseases and medical conditions.
As for natural sources of progesterone, that is a misnomer. Today 99.9% of progesterone is made in a laboratory. However, the synthesised version of natural progesterone is identical to naturally occurring progesterone and is referred to as bio-identical progesterone. The term “synthetic progesterone” is often used to refer to products such as Provera®, Cycrin® which are not identical to progesterone. These synthetic versions have additional chemical groups added to the progesterone molecule, for a number of reasons. These reasons include improved absorption (oral dosage forms) and making the molecule patentable. Today, most bio-identical progesterone is made from soya intermediates.
There is plenty of literature discussing the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, however, many people often confuse “natural and synthetic” as “good and bad.” The fact is that bio-identical hormones are available from your doctor, if you specify and state you would prefer to use natural hormones. Just because the progesterone is synthesised in a laboratory does not mean it is synthetic or “bad.” The fact is, the natural form of progesterone, unlike the component diosgenin, which is not found in the human body, is better for you, even though it is made in a lab. It could be more dangerous to use a hormone like substance, like diosgenin, that could be harmful to your health.
It is often claimed that natural progesterone has no side effects, however, it is a hormone, and does have a number of side effects that you should be aware of, these include:
a feeling of euphoria (based on the amounts used) breast tenderness possible acne upon initial use as body adjusts possible acne upon initial use as body adjusts possible suspension of ovulation if used prior to ovulation possible spotting in women just starting menopause alteration of cycle time may prevent sperm maturation in men when used in excess hives, skin rash, itching increased sensitivity to sunlight nausea and headaches
It is always a persons choice as to whether they want hormone replacement therapy or not, but to make that decision on unfounded product information is dangerous and could adversely affect your health. Your doctor can prescribe natural (bio-identical) progesterone if you are not comfortable with the synthetic versions like Provera® and Cycrin®. There are many options for hormone replacement therapy, but make sure you know the facts and avoid wasting your money on products that don’t work, or could be harmful.
Additional Information about Progesterone:
Hormonal system is a complicated mechanism that regulates the way your body functions. Food, stress, even day schedule can affect this system and, by that, the way you look and feel. Because it is impossible to discuss all aspects of endocrine system in one article, I will briefly cover estrogen and progesterone - two hormones whose balance is so important in a woman's body.
Estrogen is a name for a group of hormones that take part in regulating woman's reproductive system. They are produced by ovaries. As soon as an ovary releases an egg, it starts making estrogen to prepare (thicken) the inner lining of the uterus for pregnancy.
Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the follicle after ovulation. It keeps the inner lining of uterus ready to receive a fertilized ovum, and later provides the nurturing for the development of the embryo. If the egg was not fertilized, progesterone encourages the uterus to shed the lining, and the result is menstruation flow.
If the body lacks estrogen, it uses progesterone to produce more estrogen. On the other hand, progesterone counteracts the effect of estrogen. The key is the balance of these two hormones. Too much of either one can cause health problems.
Most women experience lack of progesterone, not estrogen. In addition to estrogen made by the body, we receive doses of estrogen with meats and dairy (farm animals are given this hormone to gain more weight).
Symptoms of estrogen dominance are irregular menstrual flow, hot flashes, cramping, mood swings, migraines - to name a few. Excess estrogen is also associated with endometrial problems, including endometrial cancer. Sufficient levels of progesterone can prevent these problems.
Interesting enough, in one study patients who were given natural progesterone showed an increase in bone density, which means that progesterone prevents and even reverses osteoporosis. Natural progesterone has a structure similar to that of human progesterone and is made form plant fats - saponin and diosgenin. Wild yam is reach in diosgenin, so it became the most popular source of natural progesterone.
However, it is a common mistake to think that wild yam constituents are converted into progesterone by a human body. It does not happen. Progesterone can be derived from a wild yam plant, but only in a lab.
So why do people still find Wild Yam creams helpful?
Diosgenin found in wild yam is a phytoestrogen, and it closely resembles human progesterone. Due to this similarity, body reacts to it as if it were progesterone.
Because they are not the same as human hormones, phytoestrogens are far less potent which results in slower effect but safer use. Phytoestrogens do not cause any side effects. Unlike estrogen which, when in excess, is associated with endometrial cancer, phytoestrogens do not evoke cell growth.
Many people question the effectiveness of topical application.
Our skin has the ability to absorb elements that come in contact with it. These elements travel with the blood flow or accumulate in tissues. Nicotine patches, essential oil blends work this way. The benefits of it are obvious: nutrients and vitamins do not travel through the digestive system and liver, where they can be broken down and lose their effect. Diosgenin becomes nearly useless after it goes through the liver.
On the other hand, when it is applied to such areas as breasts, inner thighs, belly, it easily penetrates the skin. When it is accumulated in breast tissues, it makes fat cells a little bigger, which adds fullness and roundness to the breasts. It does not increase the number of cells, therefore there is a limit to size increase, and it depends on the amount of fat cells already present.
After phytoestrogens get into the blood flow, they cause mild estrogenic effect. In other words, they "draw attention" of cell receptors and lock on them preventing real estrogen from producing significant and often undesirable effect. That is why women who suffer from PMS, cramping, menopausal discomfort will benefit from wild yam cream. Before the breast enlargement effect was discovered, Wild Yam had been used to treat these complaints for hundreds of years.
Whether you want to balance your hormones, or to add fullness to the breasts, creams with wild yam and natural progesterone can be a part of the solution. The results will depend on your actual hormone levels. Sometimes additional food supplements will be necessary for hormone balancing and faster results.
Disclaimer: The above statements were not evaluated by the FDA. Always consult your doctor for professional advice.
Both Darcy O'Neil & Adrien Brody are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Darcy O'Neil has sinced written about articles on various topics from Women. Darcy O'Neil is a bartender with a formal education in chemistry. His motive for becoming a bartender was part by chance and partially to fulfill his culinary desires. You can read more about Darcy on his bartending, spirits and mixology site. Darcy O'Neil's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Adrien Brody has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Cosmetic Surgery and Breast Enlargements. Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit. Adrien Brody's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.