II. Mechanism
- Yams are among 600 species of Dioscorea family
- Yams have Estrogenic Activity in animals
- Diosgenin is derived from yams
- Natural Progesterone source
- Highest concentration of Disogenin in Mexican Yam
- Diosgenin not converted to Progesterone in humans
- Diosgenin converted in labs to Progesterone
III. Current Uses
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Menopausal symptoms
- Osteoporosis
IV. Dosing: Natural Progesterone cream (not Yam extract)
- Preparation: 400 mg per ounce
- Apply 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to vagina per day
V. Efficacy
- Yams
- Yam extract has no Progesterone activity in humans
- Yam Estrogen levels are not high enough for benefit
- Natural Progesterone derived from Diosgenin
- May relieve some post-menopausal symptoms
- Minimal or no benefit in Osteoporosis
VI. Adverse Effects
- Yams are an Unopposed Estrogen source
- Risk of Endometrial Cancer
- May require Endometrial Biopsy
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| English | Wild Yam Extract, WILD YAM, Wild Yam, wild yam (medication), wild yams, Wild yam extract, wild yam |
Ontology: Genus Dioscorea (C0936043)
| Definition (MSH) | A plant genus best known for edible underground tubers. Yam may also refer to a moist variety of sweet potato, IPOMOEA BATATAS. |
| Concepts | Plant (T002) |
| MSH | D027742 |
| SnomedCT | 50918006 |
| Swedish | Dioscorea |
| English | Dioscorea L., Dioscoreas, dioscorea, yam, yam plant, yams, Dioscorea, Yam, Dioscorea (organism), Genus Dioscorea, Dioscorea, NOS, Tamus, Nanarepenta, Borderea |
| Czech | Dioscorea |
| Finnish | Dioscorea |
| Russian | IAM, IAMS, DIOSKOREIA, ДИОСКОРЕЯ, ЯМ, ЯМС |
| French | Dioscorée, Dioscorea |
| Polish | Pochrzyn, Ignam, Jams |
| Norwegian | Dioscorea |
| Portuguese | Cará-da-Guiné, Cará-de-Angola, Cará-de-Folha-Colorida, Cará-Inhame, Cará-de-Pedra, Cará-de-Pele-Branca, Inhame, Cará-de-Sapateiro, Cará-do-Ar, Dioscorea batatas, Caratinga, Cará-de-Folha-Miúda, Cará-de-São-Tomé, Inhame-Comum, Cará-Doce, Cará-de-Árvore, Cará-do-Pará, Dioscorea batata, Inhame-da-China, Dioscorea |
| Spanish | Dioscorea (organismo), Dioscorea |
| German | Dioscorea |
| Italian | Dioscorea |
| Dutch | Dioscorea |
