Herb

    Wild Yam

    Dioscorea villosa

    TL;DR

    Wild yam does not become progesterone in your body. That conversion happens in a chemistry lab, and the one randomized trial of wild yam cream for menopause found no effect on symptoms or hormones.

    Ideal For

    • No population is well supported by current evidence

    Avoid If

    • You are seeking a natural progesterone source — this is not one
    • You are pregnant

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Overview

    The wild yam story is a genuine case of chemistry being mistaken for physiology. Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin in Dioscorea villosa, was the industrial precursor Russell Marker used in the 1940s to synthesise progesterone, which made cheap steroid hormones possible and launched the oral contraceptive. That synthesis requires laboratory reagents and multiple reaction steps. Humans have no enzymatic pathway to convert diosgenin into progesterone, and this has been directly tested. A randomized double-blind crossover trial gave 23 symptomatic women topical wild yam cream or placebo for three months each and measured symptoms plus serum and salivary hormones: no significant difference in flushing, night sweats, estradiol, FSH, cholesterol or triglycerides. Some "wild yam" creams sold for menopause have been found to contain added synthetic progesterone, which is what any reported effect actually came from. Traditional use as an antispasmodic for cramping and colic has some plausibility from smooth-muscle relaxant activity, but no controlled trials.

    How It Works

    • Diosgenin is a lab precursor to steroid synthesis, not an in vivo one
    • Saponins show mild smooth-muscle antispasmodic activity in vitro
    • No demonstrated effect on human estradiol, FSH or progesterone

    Quick Facts

    • Humans lack the enzymes to convert diosgenin into progesterone
    • The one randomized menopause trial found no hormonal or symptom effect
    • Some creams have been found spiked with synthetic progesterone

    Benefits & Outcomes

    No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.

    Health Concerns Addressed

    Hot Flashes

    symptom
    Not supported
    Effectiveness 1/5

    Directly tested and negative, with a mechanism that is chemically impossible in humans. Reported benefits usually trace to undisclosed added progesterone.

    Supporting Research
    4 studies

    Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women

    Score: 7/10
    2001
    crossover
    n=23

    Komesaroff PA, Black CV, Cable V +1 more

    No significant differences were seen between wild yam cream and placebo in symptom scores, lipids, oestradiol, FSH or progesterone.

    View source

    The Dioscorea genus: a review of bioactive steroid saponins

    Score: 5/10
    2007
    systematic_review
    0

    Sautour M, Mitaine-Offer AC, Lacaille-Dubois MA

    Diosgenin and related saponins show pharmacological activity in vitro, but human conversion of diosgenin to progesterone does not occur.

    View source

    Estrogenic effect of yam ingestion in healthy postmenopausal women

    Score: 5/10
    2005
    rct
    n=24

    Wu WH, Liu LY, Chung CJ +2 more

    Serum oestrone rose 26% and oestradiol 27% with 30 days of dietary yam, alongside reduced LDL cholesterol.

    View source

    A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements

    Score: 4/10
    2015
    observational
    0

    Powers CN, Setzer WN

    Diosgenin showed limited oestrogen receptor affinity relative to known phytoestrogens in molecular docking.

    View source

    Safety Information

    Potential Side Effects

    Nausea and vomiting at high oral doses. Contact dermatitis with topical use.

    Contraindications

    Hormone-sensitive conditions if the product may be adulterated. Pregnancy. Protease-inhibitor therapy.

    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

    Pregnancy: likely_unsafe

    Breastfeeding: insufficient_data

    Dosage Guidelines

    Dosage Used in Studies

    Consult healthcare provider

    Best Time to Take

    Not applicable

    Best Form

    None recommended for hormonal purposes

    Bioavailability

    Diosgenin is poorly absorbed and rapidly metabolized

    Forms Compared

    Tested and negative for menopausal symptoms; check for undisclosed hormones

    Traditional antispasmodic use; no controlled evidence

    Food & Timing

    With food to reduce nausea

    Medical Disclaimer

    The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.

    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.