“Dear Pharmacist,
I’ve been having hot flashes so I bought a cream containing
“wild yam” extract from a health food store to help balance my
hormones, particularly progesterone. Will this do the trick?”
–T.E., Los Angeles, California
ANSWER: No, that would not be my pick. The theory that wild yam
converts to progesterone in the body is not bullet-proof. It sounds
good, especially when you hear someone explain the biochemical
reasoning, but according to some leading hormone gurus, wild
yam extract is not the same as pure progesterone itself. Diosgenin
(found in wild yam) has some activity in the body, and under strict
laboratory conditions, along with solvents, it can convert itself
into some steroid hormones. These lab solvents are not found in a
woman’s body, however — see why I like USP pure progesterone
better than wild yam extract? Because when you buy progesterone,
you get progesterone. Period.
Suzy Cohen, RPh, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years, blending conventional medicine with natural approaches to help people feel better and live healthier. She is the founder of Script Essentials, a supplement company known for targeted, custom-formulated products, some with patented innovations.
With a special focus on thyroid health, functional medicine, and drug-induced nutrient depletion (what she calls “drug muggers”), Suzy is the author of several books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, and Diabetes Without Drugs. She also writes a nationally syndicated health column and shares practical, easy-to-understand guidance with readers around the world.
