{"id":36736,"date":"2022-09-01T06:04:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T06:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=36736"},"modified":"2023-09-15T15:32:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T15:32:09","slug":"saw-palmetto-vs-finasteride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/prostate-health\/saw-palmetto-vs-finasteride\/","title":{"rendered":"Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride: Which Is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natural compounds have the tremendous potential to improve our health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These compounds can treat or manage specific problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saw palmetto is a good example.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You probably know it as one of the most popular ingredients in supplements that promote prostate health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But are these natural compounds safer and more effective than medications?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, is saw palmetto more effective than the most commonly prescribed medication for prostate issues \u2013 finasteride?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which one is better and safer for you? Learn more about saw palmetto vs finasteride below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is saw palmetto?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saw palmetto<\/a> (Serenoa repens)<\/em> is a shrub-like palm native to the southeastern areas of the United States. The tree can become as tall as 10 feet, and it develops torn-shaped leaves resembling a fan. The tree produces fruit, which is used for medicinal purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, saw palmetto was used as a medicine to aid the management of various ailments such as cough, conditions affecting male and female reproductive organs, and other diseases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the modern age, are widely used to manage lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). People also use saw palmetto for hair loss<\/a>, to manage migraines, and chronic pelvic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"saw<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is finasteride?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride<\/a> is a medication prescribed for the treatment of enlarged prostate and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). It is sold under the brand names Propecia and Proscar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While finasteride was first patented in 1984, it was approved for medical use in 1992. At that point, the FDA had approved it for the treatment of BPH only. Five years later, in 1997, the FDA also approved the use of finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss (1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride was developed by Merck & Co, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"prostate<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saw palmetto vs finasteride\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both finasteride and saw palmetto are used to manage prostate enlargement<\/a> and hair loss in men. Below, you can see how saw palmetto vs finasteride compares to one another, especially in the management of prostate problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Effectiveness for prostate problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While finasteride and saw palmetto are widely used to manage prostate problems, studies comparing their effectiveness are lacking.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, a review<\/a> from the American Family Physician<\/em> reported that saw palmetto has efficacy similar to that of medications such as finasteride in the treatment of prostate disorders. The review also confirms that compared to those medications, saw palmetto is less expensive and better tolerated (2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Reviews in Urology<\/em> published a paper that showed that an extract of saw palmetto was equivalent to finasteride in the treatment of severe symptoms of an enlarged prostate <\/strong>(3).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A paper<\/a> from Food Science and Technology<\/em> confirmed the therapeutic potential of saw palmetto. It also emphasized the importance of improving the saw palmetto extract formula in studies for more consistent outcomes (4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride is also effective in the treatment of prostate problems. Evidence shows finasteride treatment can reduce prostate volume by 20% and improve lower urinary tract symptoms. Although effective, the medication also causes side effects such as sexual dysfunction (5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similarities and differences between saw palmetto and finasteride<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similarities between saw palmetto vs finasteride include the same mechanism of action and conditions treated. You\u2019ll learn more about their mechanism of action further in this post.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both saw palmetto and finasteride are mainly used to treat hair loss and prostate problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Differences between saw palmetto vs finasteride revolve around potency. Generally speaking, finasteride is stronger or more potent in that a much lower dosage is necessary to exhibit its effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike finasteride, saw palmetto requires a higher dosage. However, saw palmetto has a better safety profile and fewer interactions with other medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet another major difference between saw palmetto and finasteride is that latter is prescription-only. You can\u2019t get finasteride without going to the doctor first and getting a prescription for this drug.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, saw palmetto is available in over-the-counter form, i.e., you don\u2019t need a prescription. It\u2019s sold as a dietary supplement. Sometimes it\u2019s sold individually or combined with other prostate-friendly compounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride is only available in tablet form. Saw palmetto is more versatile. It is available as a supplement in tablet or capsule form, but it can be dried to make saw palmetto tea or eaten whole.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common method of use is the supplement form because it\u2019s more easily accessible than other methods.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of each one<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saw palmetto has a wide range of benefits, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n