Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, 8897, San Diego, CA 92103-8897, USA.
Urologic Cancer Unit, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Saw palmetto is widely used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although there is passionate support for herbal and complementary therapies for LUTS, clinical evidence is mixed. Because there is a well-recognized, profound placebo effect in tests of efficacy for agents treating LUTS, it is imperative that all therapies be tested in placebo-controlled trials. This article reviews evidence of the efficacy and safety of saw palmetto for men with LUTS caused by BPH, with particular emphasis on published randomized clinical trials and the upcoming Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urologic Symptoms (CAMUS) trial.
Written by:
Kane CJ, Raheem OA, Bent S, Avins AL. Are you the author?
Reference: Urol Clin North Am. 2011 Aug;38(3):261-77.
doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2011.04.005
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21798388
UroToday.com BPH and Male LUTS Section
