Wild Yam (Herb/Suppl)

Estrogen replacement therapy, painful menstration, libido, breast enlargement, diverticulosis, dysmenorrhea, estrogen replacement, gallbladder colic, libido enhancement, osteoporosis, postmenopausal vaginal dryness, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis

Efficacy

Topically appears to be no better than placebo for relieving vasomotor symptoms

Orally: Possibly ineffective, more studies are needed to determine efficacy

Vomiting

Contraindications

Cancer (breast, ovarian, uterine), endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, uterine fibroids

Pregnancy Category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Antispasmodic components

Contains diosgenin, which can be converted to natural progesterone in vitro, but not in vivo

Diosgenin may stimulate mammary tissue growth, decrease GI inflammation, and weakly stimulate estrogen receptors